Good stopping off point between VA and Charleston, SC?
 

Hi. I'll be travelling with my fiance down RT. 95 from Emporia, VA to Charleston, SC. Can anyone recommend a town along 95 that would make a good stopping off point?<BR>We'd like a town that would have good food, bar or other nightlife and welcomes outsiders. We're not big partiers, but would like to spend a nice Saturday night out.<BR>Thanks,

Couldn't be more than an 8 hour drive so can't you just drive straight through?

You're right it should take less than 8 hours. I've heard 6 hours and change.<BR>I could drive straight through but prefer to break up the trip. It's more pleasant.<BR>Why do you ask? Are there no towns in North Carolina along I-95 that are worth an overnight?<BR>

goNets, no there really isn't anywhere great on I95 in NC that would be small and charming. I'd really suggest driving straight through.

It is not right on I95 but Wilson NC is a cute town. I am not sure about the nightlife however. There is some worldclass antique shopping however so if you are in to that kind of thing it might be fun.

Wow, that's quite a stretch of road with nothing worth stopping at. <BR>Thanks for the response.<BR>Kay, maybe I'll check out the town you're talking about. I like antiques.

I've driven this stretch of road and what they say is true. Lots of nice trees.

goNets, it's not that there aren't any great towns but that there isn't anything that stands out.

You could stop at the Florence exit and be about 2 1/2 hours from Charleston. Just drive ON and enjoy Charleston. There is nothing on 95. If you want, go over to Route 17 at the route 327 exit--as in going to Myrtle Beach and look for something in Pawley's Island. You will be 1 1/2 hours from Charleston at that point. There is a nice Hampton Inn at Litchfield/Pawley's right on Route 17.

I'm sorry, meant to say nothing that compares to Charleston but that is just my opinion.

I've driven this route many, many times and believe me, there is nothing worth stopping for. Drive straight through, your time will be better spent in Charleston, it would be a complete waste of time to stop.

goNets, if you like small towns and antiques, you might enjoy stopping in Wilson for a day. Go to "www.wilson-nc.com" and have a look at what's there. Some people can't imagine enjoying putzing around a little town, looking at antiques and eating in a quaint little restaurant or down-home diner, while others of us love it. Now, Charleston is one of my favorite places, and if you have at least 3-4 days there in addition to your stop in Wilson, I don't think you'll be sorry you've spent time in Wilson.

Hillary,<BR>I'll settle for a great town that doesn't measure up to Charleston. <BR>Basically, we're just looking for an area that will be safe (i.e friendly to travellers from Jersey and New York) and we can get a decent meal and perhaps a drink or two.<BR>I understand that looking for nightlife is a stretch. A place where I can have a beer, get a meal, shoot pool and not get my butt kicked for winning is all the entertainment I need. Plus, my fiancee isn't a native of this country (but a proud U.S Citezen now) So, I don't want to take her into a place that might prove hostile.<BR>I apologize if these concerns sound like I'm operating on unfair stereotypes of life in the South.

Rocky Mount is really the only thing I can think of and it's right over the VA/NC boarder. For a great laugh and some serious culture shock, there is always South of the Boarder right over the SC line. I would just suggest stopping if you see something that interests you. I don't really know of Wilson so I can't comment on it. It really is a horrible stretch of I95.

goNets, I believe you've forgotten your manners here. If you're going to travel through the South, especially, it might be nice to learn how to thank people who have helped you. 'Nough said!

Why not take rte 17 down along the coast and pick out a town along the way?

We're originally from the NE (NJ) and now live in the Charleston area. For the past 15 mos. also had a part-time residence in Raleigh area. <BR><BR>I would heartily recommend that you bite the bullet and head straight on thru to Charleston. There are so many things to do here that there is no sense wasting time in the wasteland of I-95 (also used to live in Florence).<BR><BR>Sure hope you enjoy your entire trip...

Thanks for the apology. You do seem to operating off ideas gleaned from made-for-TV movies. Funny how John Rocker could make the very same kind of bigotted comments and be so reviled, but if the South is the target, no one minds.<BR><BR>There is NO place in the south where a Northerner, etc. would be unsafe because of where they are from. Not to say there aren't unsafe places to be...especially randomly selected bars near the interstate! Try to avoid what my husband calls "gun & knife clubs". I agree that Pawleys Island or Georgetown or Litchfield might make a nice stop if you want something a little different from Charleston. Then you can just drive down Hwy 17 and come into Charleston over the Cooper River Bridge. That's pretty cool.

Danna,<BR>The "gun and knife" clubs is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Thanks for the guidance, but I don't see how what I had to say compares to Rocker's statements. Rocker listed all sorts of people he hated. I didn't say anything about hating Southerners. I just want to avoid going into the kind of place where I migth run into a person like him. <BR>Being a Jerseyan I know his attitudes are not unique to the South. Unfortunately, there are plenty of bigotted idiots in this state. The thing is I know where not to go in Jersey in order to avoid the Rockers of this world, just wanted hints on how to do so in unfamiliar territory. <BR>I've been through the South before and to many other areas of the country. I love to get off the beaten path, but that's always risky. Sometimes the locals love to meet outsiders. Other times they hate you as you walk in the place. One of the worst situations I was in was actually in a restaurant in the Adirondacks of New York. So, it's not the South per.se. that concerns me, it's visiting the kind of town that is generally hostile to outsiders. Again, sorry if this sounded like I was indulging in anti-Southern stereotypes.<BR>Anyhoooooo...<BR>I'm considering stopping off in Fayetteville. It would be less than halfway, but it seems like it might be a good place to stop on the way. That's where the 82nd Airborne has a base. I'm close with a Vietnam era 82nd Airborne Vet (Catholic chaplain), and they have a special forces museum that looks interesting. Then it's back on the road to Charleston. But, the suggestions of stopping at Pawleys Island, Georgetown or Litchfield has a huge appeal, because I didn't get enough of the beach this summer.<BR>Anyway, thanks to all of you for your suggestion.<BR><BR>By the way Rex I did thank people a couple of times already and dropped by to see if there were any other posts and to thank everyone who helped (I went to bed after a lot of posts were added). So, perhaps you should take your manners patrol to forum where it's needed.<BR>Thanks.

Me again! I feel kind-of bad about taking out my general irritation at numerous other postings on you personnally, goNets. So , to make ammends, I looked up Emporia to Chas via Litchfield on Mapquest and it appears to only be about 12 miles longer than going straight down 95 to 26 to Chas. Also, I'll tell you that I have a friend who owns a condo on Litchfield. He says it's been a slow rental season, so maybe you could get a deal. Have fun...and don't go to any bars without windows :-)