My wife and me like to take driving trips and we were considering the east coast of N. C. Anyone tried that before? How was it? We would probably take 2 weeks. We are open to adventure and love the seashore. All replies appreciated. Thanks!

We've planned that drive twice and both times had to change the plans due to hurricane conditions along that coast. Just don't make any definite plans to do it between July and October. Here's hoping for some good comments for you.

I would include Charleston SC on that trip. You would be so close and not to go would be a major oversight.

We loved driving through the Outer Banks. Stop at some funky seafood/bar for local seafood and a beer. I'd like to return and explore more closely. We were time-limited.

Mark,

Sounds like a great idea. I've been to many of the coastal areas in NC (and now live in North Myrtle Beach SC). I concur with Donna F that, with 2 weeks, you may want to extend your trip into the SC low country. Here are some places to consider:

Outer banks--you'll want to spend several days here; nothing like it; Wright Brothers Museum and memorial is great; light houses; ferry to Ocracoke.

New Bern--lovely town near the coast

Beaufort/Emerald Isle--another nice little town and barrier island beach community

Wilmington NC--stay in the cozy downtown at a B&B; visit the USS North Carolina battleship

Continue south to Fort Fisher (civil war monument/park) and then take a ferry to Southport. Southport is a nice little town--you should eat at the Provision Company, on the deck.

May want to take a ferry to Bald Head Island; fairly exclusive; no cars allowed (golf carts, bikes and feet)

Drive from Southport through Brunswick County NC, with a stop at one or more of the barrier island beaches there (Holden, Ocean Isle, and especially Sunset for great dunes and a pristine beach)

Then to Calabash NC (if you're into fried seafood, it's great; not much else)

South on 17 to Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand area. You'll love it or hate it. What most people seem to hate are the tacky signs, shops and buffets along business 17. What I love, as a resident: the extremely wide, flat beach in North Myrtle Beach, watching the abundant wildlife (snowy egrets, atlantic brown pelicans cartwheeling and then dropping like a stone into the sea to catch fish, dolphins playing). Several of the attractions are very good--aquarium at Broadway at the Beach; Huntington Beach State Park (with the ruins of Atalaya, a former mansion of a sculptor, with some of her works still there); Brookgreen Gardens; and Classic Air Ventures (a ride in a 1940's vintage bi-plane over the North Strand area).

South to Georgetown, another nice coastal town

Finish up in Charleston--as far as cities go, saving the best for last; you'll want to spend several days here and definitely stay in the historic section, the Battery.

Have a great time!

My wife and I...

Mark: if you are coming through NC to get to Coast, be sure to stop at Winston-Salem; beautiful Early American Town with amazingly refurbished houses and an old University which is great to wander. Chuck has pretty much covered it and he is right on. In the North Outer Banks, be sure to spend time in the Kitty Hawk Area; Wright Bros. Monument and Museum. You can actually walk the measured take-off, flight and landing path. Really interesting. Kill Devil and Nags Head are great seaside Areas. The funky seafood restaurants along the way are many. Just look for busy parking lots. The locals know where the good food is. Did this consistantly and had great meals as well as some adventure. New Bern is really worth while. Again, lots of Early Americana. Wilmongton is an under rated City; pretty, lots to see and do. If you have time to get down to Charlston (about 169 miles from Wilmington) it is a wonderfully restored City. The tours of the old mansions are great. The water-front is fun. Great part of the Country. You'll love it. Oh! If you are interested, up around Nags Head (at Manteo I think). There is a theatre company does nightly performances of "The Lost Colony". It is a speculative rendition of what might have happened to the original settlers at Jamestown. Very well done in a beautiful open theatre setting. Don't miss it. Have a great time.

Hey Joe,

Nice suggestion about Winston-Salem, one of NC's nicest towns IMO. Of course, my wife & I lived there happily for 15 years so I am biased.

Mark--if you are going to be passing through that part of NC, I believe Joe is referring to the village of Old Salem (just off Business 40 in downtown Winston-Salem). Also, the area around Wake Forest University, including the campus, Graylyn Conference Center, and Reynolda Gardens (with an art museum to boot) is wonderful.

Mark/Chuck: Wake Forest is pretty, but there is an small, old University right in Old Salem that I was referring to. It is Early American and beautiful. Chuck, can you provide more info about the "Lost Colony" production in, I believe, Manteo?

Sorry to jump in, but here I go.

Salem College is in the heart of Old Salem.

If you are going from WS to the outerbanks, you might want to spend the afternoon in the Edenton/Bath area. I think Bath was the oldest town in NC (not 100% sure though) and has charm and is not that far out of the way.

At the Wright Brothers monument, if you up climb to the base you can look at the flight path they took and see the airport next door. If you are lucky you will get to see a plane arrive/land there and compare it to the Wrights' flight.

The Lost Colony is an outdoor theater production in Manteo during the summer. Bring bug spray is the best advice I can give. I think there is a web site for it, if I can find it I'll post it later.

ncgirrl: Thanks for jumping in. You have clarified a couple of points I was vague about. I remember, now, it was Salem Collage I was referring to and a very pretty campus. We attended the "Lost Colony " production in August and had no trouble with insects, but, I defer to your better knowledge.

I think we lost Mark, the original poster. But ncgrrl is right on the money about Salem College. Old Salem has a decent restaurant called the Salem Tavern, and there is a great place for dinner on nearby South Marshall Street--it's called South by Southwest (excellent food is basically as the name implies, with truly awesome specialty margaritas).

I realize we probably got off track a little talking about Winston-Salem, as it is a good 7-8 hour drive to Nags Head (Outer Banks), but I couldn't resist.

There is also a restaurant called (I think) The Brother's Tavern in/near Old Salem. Some tie-in name to Old Salem. I remember "brother" in the name but it could be the Salem tavern.

I remember as a child mosquitoes the size of flying monkeys at the Outer Banks (I was smaller then and the family trip was in June). Nothing like swatting and sweating while trying to enjoy a play. I don't know how the actors manage to not pass out during the production. It's hot and humid and they are wearing Elizabethian costumes.

We ate at Salem Tavern. As I recall, food was good, but setting was exceptional. Very Early American. Not far from the College.

We enjoyed the Lost Colony. Outdoor theatre overlooking the water was spectacular. Again, had no problems with mosquitos as we did in, e.g., Massachusetts where when you smacked them, they shook their heads a couple of times and charged again.

Mark: I hope some of this is of interest to you.

Love North Carolina!