We are a family of 4 traveling from DC to Charleston in August. We are leaving at night on a Thursday and looking for a place to stop along the way to sleep and then wake up and do an activity in the morning before we head back on the road. Any suggestions for amusement parks or interesting stops along the way that would entertain a 4 year old boy and possible a 1 year old girl (though her need for distraction is low).
Places to stop in North or South Carolina while traveling to Charleston, SC
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One possiblity could be the Outer Banks in NC for some beach time in the morning before you get back on the road. There is also King's Dominion Amusement Park in southern VA (don't remember the town). But that might not be far enough of a drive from DC for you.
Carowinds is an amusement park near the NC/SC border on I77.
OBX?!! Carowinds is 3 hours inland.
DC to the NC border might be about 4 hours. You don't say how long you want to drive.
I can't think that going to a big amusement park is what you would want to do on a road trip.
Maybe this IS the time to go to South of the Border on i95!!
I'd look for a motel with a pool along I95 and let the kids swim for an hour in the morning and get on the road. You'll have another 6 hour drive maybe.
Again, I'd suggest when you hit I40 you head east to Wilmington and then drive down Route 17 to Charleston. It won't be much further in miles or time,and is infinitely more interesting.
Not far from DC is King's Dominion. It's the only one (I don't count SOB, lol-yuck) on I95 between DC and Charleston.
Carowinds would work if you use the 81/77 route.
Sue, if they went that route, they would _never_ get to your beloved (and rightfully so) Charleston!
I think Gretchen has it. I assume the OP means that they are leaving after rush hour so as to avoid the horror that is I-95 between 495 and Fredericksburg. It's under two hours from DC to Richmond, then another two hours or so to the Raleigh area (not the city itself), which would be a good stopping point. 4 1/2 hours the next day to Charleston.
Acks, I know. But some people prefer that route and I sure know why. 95 is yuck.
The halfway point is Smithfield, NC. Not a bad stop but there's not much that would interest a 4 year old. And the Banks are way out of the way. Lots of people ask this question and I wish there was a good answer.
Actually Smithfield has a big outlet center there doesn't it, and I think might have some nice motels? With a pool.
There IS an "outlet mall" there with a Cracker Barrel. A quick google search shows a Holiday Inn Express at the Selma exit. The others there aren't familiar.
I'll say, as I always do: get off the highway and avoid cheap motels. All KINDS of people run up and down that highway (no judgements, just the way it is). If the OP can find a Hampton or HIE, at least there will be decent beds and hallway entrances.
There ARE some cute towns in eastern NC, but there are not right on 95.