How to Plan a Vacation to North Carolina

North Carolina is a beautiful state and there’s nowhere I’d rather live. For those who wish to visit, here are some favorite vacation ideas straight from a North Carolinian.

Decide what time of year you would like to plan a vacation to North Carolina. Different regions have different things to offer depending upon the season. The Appalachian Mountains provide breathtaking scenery year round, but the best time to go is in the fall just as the leaves begin to change colors. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway will remind you just how colorful and amazing nature can be. Plan a visit to the Biltmore House in Asheville and you'll be amazed at the shear magnitude of the home and the magnificence of the property. Drive over to Boone, NC and enjoy some down-home cooking at the Dan'l Boone Inn. You won't leave hungry. There are tons of shops and activities that you can fill an entire day exploring. Tell the folks at the Mast General Store, I said "hello" too. If gambling is in your blood, there's a Harrah's Casino nearby in Cherokee, NC where you can try your luck. Don't leave this area without experiencing the outdoor drama "Unto These Hills."

Visit North Carolina's beautiful coast. For beach lovers who enjoy walking with their feet in the ocean or witnessing a picturesque sunset on a clean and well-preserved beach, I suggest a visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There are plenty of rental homes all along the coast, so lodging should not be a problem. While you're there, pay a visit to the Wright Brothers' Museum and learn some important aviation history that happened right here in NC. Then make the drive down to the Cape Hatteras Light House and see another one of our state symbols up close. While visiting the Outer Banks, learn as much as you can about the rich history of pirates and their dark tales of treachery along North Carolina's coast. One of the most famous is none other than Edward Teach, commonly known as "Blackbeard" by all you scurvy dogs.

Experience some local cuisine. The best barbecue in the entire world can be found in Gaston County, NC. My favorite barbecue restaurant is Kyle Fletcher's, but there are many others like RO's, Black's, and Carolina Country BBQ that offer tasty pork or beef plates with a variety of sauces. Gaston County also has a fine selection of fish camps, which for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is a restaurant that offers almost any seafood that you can imagine deep-fried with a side of hush puppies and slaw. While you're in the area, make the short drive to Charlotte and watch a Bobcats Basketball game or a Carolina Panthers football game. The city of Charlotte, NC may seem small compared to other major cities, but they pack a lot to see and do into a small package. If you're a NASCAR fan, head over the Speedway in Concord, NC and cheer for your favorite driver.


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How to Travel to Myrtle Beach, SC from Charlotte, NC

It's time to leave for that much anticipated trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. Your family and friends are all packed and ready to go. You begin your journey from Charlotte, North Carolina. What is the safest and fastest route to Myrtle Beach SC from Charlotte? There are so many ways to go, but which one is the best?

Take I77 south towards Columbia. You will pass Carowinds, Tega Cay, Rock Hill, SC and two rest areas. Take the exit for Highway 9, which is located just after the second rest area. At the top of the exit ramp, take a left, which will direct you onto Highway 9 south towards Lancaster.

Stay on Highway 9 bypass and then take Highway 903. Travel on Highway 903 until you get to the city of Mcbee, where you will find Highway 151. Watch your speed through Mcbee. The limit drops to 25mph and the police are very aggressive against beach travelers who speed through their town.

Take Highway 151 south towards Darlington which runs into Highway 52. When you reach Darlington, take Interstate 95 north and then the Highway 327 bypass, which runs into 76/301. This will eventually turn into Highway 501. If you are going to Myrtle Beach, Highway 501 will run straight to the beach. If you are going to North Myrtle Beach, take the exit for Highway 22. This will take you straight to the outlet mall in North Myrtle. From there, take Highway 17 north to continue to North Myrtle Beach.

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How to Get into Carowinds at a Reduced Rate or for Free

Carowinds theme park, which resides on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina, is a great source of family entertainment including rides and attractions for the entire family. Enjoy all the thrills and adventure at a fraction or the cost or even for free.

Believe it or not, you may know someone or even know a friend of a friend who works for Carowinds theme park. It never hurts to ask around. Employees of the park are given free admission tickets and they are allowed to give them out at their discretion. Often just asking someone for a ticket or two will gain you free access to the park or you could do something nice for that person and still get in for almost nothing. Also, many companies are corporate partners with Carowinds and offer their employees discounts using a special company code that may be entered on the Carowinds website. You may know someone who works for one of these partners and not even realize it.

Check the Carowinds website for discounted rates. Often, they will have a special that rewards you with a discount just for purchasing tickets online. If you can find a group of fifteen to forty-nine people to go together, you will enjoy a group discount. An even better discount is available for groups of fifty or more. If you are a senior citizen of sixty-two years or older, then you are in luck because they offer a great discount for you too. If you will be visiting the park for two consecutive days in a row, save your original ticket and use it to purchase a "next day ticket" as you leave the park. The price for these tickets is less than half of what you paid for the first. If you have plans for earlier in the day, but you want to ride some roller coasters at night, wait until after 4:00 pm and the price of admission is about half.

Quite often, Carowinds vendors will offer discount coupons for admission to the park. Coco Cola frequently offers discount coupons which are printed right on the side of the drink cans. Check the supermarkets in the cities close to Carowinds, like Charlotte and Gastonia, North Carolina and also Rock Hill, South Carolina for these special cans.

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