Pilgrimage to the Carolina's Coastal Towns in Any Season
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Every year many of us and our families make the pilgrimage to the Carolina’s coast in any season. There is no end to the range of activities that the Carolinas offer. Between the hiking, camping, fishing, boating, golfing and everything in between, there is something for every season, mountain to ocean. Winter seasons often give us a few bursts of cold that will deter even the most dedicated adventurer. For us, we use the times after the holidays to reflect, plan, and get ready for the years travels.
Spring break, or easter break, before the end of the school year is a great time to rally the family for a pre summer adventure. The mountains are bustling this time of year, having broken free of the cold barren landscapes emerging with flowers, trees and wildlife. A drive across the state can land you in any number of state parks, zoos, wilderness areas, wildlife sanctuaries, or scenic drives through one of our many quaint little towns. The coast is also getting ready for tourist season as well. The fishing and seafood industry of the Carolinas is legendary in its own right. The local fish markets are the reason that southern fried seafood has become world famous. Let’s not forget the fishing experiences that can be had off the coast. From charter fishing to pier fishing and the ever popular solo fishing from the beach with nothing but the ocean to keep you company. The weather this time of year is also mild, so you can focus more on the task at hand rather than burning up on a July day.
This is another example of packing smart and being prepared for the elements, no matter what time of year it is. That’s another reason why these trips are good practice for your summer excursions to come. You have to be prepared for 3 seasons when you travel to the coast, period. The long sleeve tees and the hoodies are a must, but don’t forget extra shoes. Downpours on the coast are unforgiving and locally heavy, so be prepared for a storm.
Getting to and navigating the Carolina coast is simple once you learn the main highways that run north and south on the way. Interstate 77 takes you into South Carolina from central North Carolina where you can easily head east on any number of state roads, highways and bypass routes to get to the beach. Interstate 95 also takes you south from the Piedmont triad area in North Carolina all the way to the southern tip of South Carolina just outside of Hilton Head Island.
When you arrive in the beachfront counties you’ll ultimately drive through an intersection for the Coastal Highway, Highway 17. Like any good beach town there are many names for it. It was originally the King’s Highway for early settlers and traders. For many of the larger towns its referred to as the Grand Strand, especially in Myrtle Beach. And don’t forget that there are 2 separate highways of the same name running parallel to the water. One is a lot slower, so be warned. In North Carolina, Highway 17 runs outside of most coastal destinations, including Wilmington and Emerald Isle.
Going north to Elizabeth City, NC will take you almost into Virginia territory. Here lies the northern terminus of the outer banks and the Albemarle Sound. You may have heard of Nags Head and Rodanthe in various pop culture outlets. Emerald Isle is on the inland side of the banks while Hatteras and Ocracoke Island are on the southern stretch of the outer banks.
Morehead City and Wilmington, with Carolina Beach just south, remain the largest port cities in North Carolina. You can venture to all these great places from Highway 17. Headed south across the state line is a scenic drive through the low country. The interstate systems throughout the coastal region has seen drastic improvement over the last 20 years. The city of Conway is right outside of Myrtle Beach and also hosts an airport and many popular bypass routes. Once you make it past North Myrtle Beach and South Myrtle Beach you’ll see signs for Murrells Inlet which is one of the greatest fishing / seafood towns on the South Carolina Coast. Keep on heading south on 17 and Charleston is the next major city on the map. It is a major tourist hub that features cruise departures, fine dining and shopping, as well as a downtown artisan / farmers market.
Headed south from Charleston will take you into low country marshlands. There are literally dozens of islands and beaches that populate the coastline all the way to the state line. Johns Island, Kiawah Island, Edisto Island, Fripp Island, and Hilton Head Island just to name a few. The drives aren’t that bad, but can get congested just like all the other beach routes we travel. A little patience and some good directions go a long way when traveling to the lower parts of South Carolina. Following signage from Interstate 95 and Highway 17 will almost surely lead you to your next beach adventure.
I’ve been to many of these places over the years in every season. When you find yourself there you’ll discover why the Carolina Coast is so addictive. Every few miles is new small town name. Every pier has a name too, like Mercers pier in Wrightsville Beach and Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach. Public access is highly visible, but beware during peak season because parking is limited. All of our Carolina beach side towns take pride in being a coastal destination. Their names serve as proud reminders of the generations that ventured to these shores with the hopes of claiming a piece of paradise. Hundreds of years of history have marked our shores with stories of fame and tragedy and riches. Historic forts and doomed expeditions are part of the lore that is the coast of the Carolinas.
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