Vacations in the Carolinas

Things to Do in the Carolinas

Visiting North or South Carolina, or touring the whole area? Well, here are some destination highlights for help planning your trip. We have many vacation rentals in each!

South Carolina

From historic plantations to horseback rides along the beach, South Carolina is a great destination for leisurely sightseeing and lots of outdoor activity. 

Charleston

Here you'll find the perfect mix of sand, surf, and city. With family-friendly attractions like the Charleston Waterfront Park , the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry , and the South Carolina Aquarium , a sling of grade A golf courses and beaches, and loads of historic must-sees ( Magnolia Plantation and Drayton Hall are highlights), Charelston is worthy of a visit any time of year and from any type of traveler.

Myrtle Beach

Boredom isn't an option in Myrtle Beach. Love to golf? Choose from some of the nation's very best courses, like Prestwick Country Club's or Barefoot Golf Resort . Love the beach? Enjoy 60 miles of coastline! Got kids? You'll have just as much fun as them at attractions like the NASCAR Speedpark , WonderWorks , Magiquest , Medeival Times , and Ripley's Aquarium . How about nightlife? Myrtle Beach delivers with hot spots like Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville , and the Myrtle Beach House of Blues .

Hilton Head Island

There are few places in the world as perfect for a family beach vacation as Hilton Head. The small island packs a lot of punch, with an emphasis on outdoor fun. From fishing charters to nature tours to world-class tennis facilities ( Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center , for one) to horseback riding (check out Lewton Stables ), everyone will have something to do every second of the day. A nice mix of more leisurely attractions, like 5-star dining, renowned golf courses ( Palmetto Dunes is a highlight) and spas ( the Art of Massage and Aah Green Spa top the list) make Hilton Head a well-rounded destination, too.

Kiawah Island

This beach resort community caters to golfers; top courses include the Ocean Course and Turtle Point . The Night Heron Park is also a big draw, featuring an Olympic-sized pool, sporting facilities, and even wildlife viewing.

North Carolina

North Carolina offers up the best of the mountains and the beach.

Outer Banks

The Outer Banks consists of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, and are collectively a top destination for beach lovers from all over. Corolla is one of its newer additions; it didn't open up to the masses until 1984, and for that it's a very popular spot. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Wild Horse Museum are local highlights. The subdued town of Duck is another beloved Outer Banks destination, and fishing and shopping are the two main activities here. Nags Head, on the other hand, is probably one of the Outer Banks' most charming towns, featuring beautiful 1800s architecture, and the Bodie Island Lighthouse . For some outdoor sightseeing, head to Jockey's Ridge State Park (the East Coast's largest sand dune), Jennette's Pier , or the Nags Head Dolphin Watch Tours . For more focus on the beach, visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a haven for all types of water sports - the surf is awesome! It's also a haven for wildlife; the Pea Island National Wildlife Refugee is an idyllic spot for bird watching. Other attractions include the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse , the tallest lighthouse in the country, and the Frisco Native American Museum .

The Coast

Besides the Outer Banks, North Carolina offers up a ton of great beach towns along its Atlantic coastline. Favorites include Carolina Beach, the golf course-packed Sunset Beach ( Tiger's Eye Golf Links is a favorite course), and Topsail Island, the go-to spot for beachfront relaxation and excellent spa treatments.   

The Mountains

Explore the Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. While natural beauty fills every nook and cranny of this part of the state, Asheville is one of your more attraction-packed options. Take a tour of the historic Biltmore Estate , climb Looking Glass Rock , hang out with the family at Asheville's Fun Depot , or shop until you drop at the Asheville Arboretum . However, any one of the mountain towns along the Blue Ridge Parkway (in particular) are well worth a visit.