NC, SC, Savannah
 

My husband and I are planning a fall trip (Oct 1-14) starting in Colonial Williamsburg, then on to the outer banks, down the coast to Savannah, then up to Asheville, crossing over the Great Smokie mountains, and back home to Albuquerque via Knoxville. My question is multi-part pertaining to timing. We plan our trip to be about 2 wks.long. After leaving Williamsburg, where should we stop (for the night) along the coast so that we see everything we need to but don't end up driving 500 miles. Stop 1 around Nags Head? Stop 2 ? Stop 3 Myrtle Beach? Stop 4 Charleston? Stop 5 Savannah? Can we make it from Savannah to Asheville in one day? We've never been to that part of the country...love the water because of course NM has so little...and want to cover as much territory as possible for a thoroughly enjoyable vacation. I am assuming that is a good time of the year to go...cooler, and we hope to see some changing leaves in the higher elevations. Any suggestions on hotels would be appreciated, and has anyone stayed in the colonial homes in Williamsburg. Thanks, CLK

Just a couple of answers:

Peak leaf change in Asheville is usually the 3rd week in Oct., so you are little early, but will see some color change.

Personally, I think the ocean water may be too cool for swimming by October, but depends on your level of fortitude.

I estimate 6 hours driving Savannah to Asheville, but have not done that specific route.

Nags Head can take up a lot of time getting to and I would also skip Myrtle Beach. I would go from Williamsburg to Charleston, then Savannah, and then go to Asheville.

Litespeed, ocean temps are still very warm in October. They should still be in the upper 70s to lower 80s because our air temps don't start cooling down until the end of October early November.

Litespeed chick is about right on the drive time from Savannah to Asheville. From Charleston to Asheville is an easy 3-1/2 to 4 hr. drive, and Savannah is only 110 miles further south of Charleston- it couldn't possibly add more than 2 hrs. to the trip unless traffic is bad.

Thank you everyone for the info. Having never been to that part of the country, are you saying, GoTravel, that there is nothing worth seeing on the coast of NC or SC between Williamsburg and Charleston? Also, Litespeed Chic, we can certainly delay our departure by a week in order to be in the peek color season around Asheville, but would it then be too late for the OBX? (mid Oct.?)

Clk, I don't think GoTravel meant there was nothing worth seeing on the NC/SC coastline but that the destination is a bit off track for the Charleston, Savannah, Asheville trip. You just can't (easily) meander down the coastline. Charleston is an 8 hour trip from the Outer Banks requiring you to head inland, drive south and then head east to the coast again. That's probably clear as mud.

If you do plan a stop on the barrier islands, October is not too late to weatherwise as GoTravel says. Not guaranteed of course but it's possible see very pleasant temps on the Outer Banks, some days even hot and warm enough for swimming.

The colonial houses in Williamsburg are unique and fun places to stay and I think especially nice in the fall.

You've picked a great time of year to visit!

To obxgirl from clk: I was thinking of a fall trip flying into Richmond, on to Williamsburg, Nags Head, Ocracoke, Beaufort,Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Savannah, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains and out of Knoxville. We have 2 weeks. My problem the logistics of the leg from Williamsburg to Myrtle Beach (or there-a-bouts). Where should we overnight on the coast so that we have time to see things, walk on the beach and not be too tired for the next leg? Should the coast of NC be done in one night or two?Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you obxgirl as that is exactly what I was saying. There are some extremely nice places between Williamsburg and Charleston (all of the NC Coast for one) but they would add so much time to your trip. I'm not talking about a couple of hours but a couple of days.

Charleston, Savannah, and Asheville are truly such beautiful cities that you will really be glad you concentrated on those cities instead of having to rush through them.

If you had three weeks, I would surely suggest a leisurely drive down the NC Coast.

Clk, Boy I hate the notion of telling someone not to visit the Outer Banks but it does really add a complicated leg to your trip. Nags Head (also check out very nearby Duck and Southern Shores...more my preference) are 2.5 hours from Wmburg. Ocracoke is 5 hours. You could spend a day or two there and then, if it were me, I'd bite the bullet and make the 8 hour trip all the way to Charleston. Myrtle Beach is not worth the stop in IMHO.

Another option would be to drive to Charleston from Williamsburg (also about 8 hours) direct or stop overnight in the Raleigh area (a little less than half way). If you base yourselves there for a few days, there are beaches within shooting distance of Charleston.

I agree with GoTravel. Charleston, Savannah and Asheville are wonderful places to visit and with easily fill your time. Come back and do a coast trip!

I may be thinking too much in the box to help you solve your problem. Hope some Carolina experts (and there are some great ones here) log in to offer more.

We'll be in Albuquerque in late August. I LOVE New Mexico!

CLK- skip Okacroke--and go to Beaufort,NC instead--it is like a New England fishing village on the NC coast- nice little town to walk around in and also BnB's to stay in....The drive from Williamsburg to Beaufort NC will porbably be 5 hrs....

Then head to Charleston and stay a couple of days- it is too nice a city to only spend 1 day- 3 days would be good....Try to get reservations at the Elliott House Inn- a terrific BnB near the market area..They offer free bikes to ride thru the restored area..and have wine and cheese in the afternoon outside by the outdooor jacuzzi...

In Asheville, stay at the Richmond Hill BnB or the Grove Park Inn ( if you want a HUGE hotel)...

I think you should bite the bullet and just drive Williamsburg to Myrtle Beach with a detour through Wilmington, NC.

Take I-95 south to I-40. Take I-40 until it ends in Wilmington. Explore the town and the beach. There are some lovely gardens and the USS North Carolina which is fun if there are kids along for the ride. The I-40 part of the trip is around 2 hours.

From Wilmington, take highway 17 down the SC coast through Myrtle Beach (if there are kids on the trip, you will stop a lot in Myrtle Beach for them) and then down to Charleston.

From Charelston meander down the coast and maybe stop in Beaufort SC for a couple of hours on your way to Savannah.

After Savannah, take interstates all the way to Asheville. Stop off in Columbia SC for a break and tour the capitol area. It will be a long day on the road.

While in Asheville you can visit the tacky (Cherokee) or the arty (Folk Art Center), and you should try to get to Grandfather Mountain. It's the tallest peak east of the Mississippi and it's real easy to walk to the top.

Get hotel reservation NOW for Asheville. Leaf season brings out the right rates and room shortages.

Nag's Head/OBX is just too far out of the way for the length of your trip, I think. You might stop in Wilmington, another colonial stop on the NC coast. That would be a good overnight from Wmsburg. Another interesting stop on the way to Charleston is Pawley's Island, about 2 hours down Route 17 from Wilmington. Go out and see the Historic District where the rice planters from Charleston spent their summers to escape the malarial mosquitoes.
Then on down to Georgetown for more Revolutionary War waterfront--about 75 miles north of Charleston,30 miles south of Pawley's. You could make this a leisurely drive to Charleston for the night OR spend a night on the beach at Litchfield (it is Pawley's Island on the mainland basically--search for accomodations at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort online--nice and upscale). You need at least 3 days in Charleston. See at least one plantation--our favorite is Middleton. Thre is a lot to do and enjoy in Charleston and environs.
If price is not a consideration stay at Two Meeting Street--right on the Battery. Make reservations soon for Charleston--October is a big travel month and on a week-end you may run into College of Charleston or Citadel activities which will fill the hotels.
Savannah can be done easily in one day--see Beaufort on the way.
Savannah or Charleston to Asheville is an easy drive on the interstate--maybe 6 hours total from Savannah.
The leaf change in Asheville will be peaking about the middle of the month.
And hotel space will be at a premium here also particularly on the week-ends.
I think you may need to start blocking out the number of days you wish to spend in the various places and work backwards to see how it works in your time frame for driving and sightseeing.

Thanks everyone for such terrific, useful input! I'm really coming along on my plans now. Working on Savannah accommodations: Has anyone ever stayed in any of the Marriott properties (Courtyard, Fairfield, Springhill,Marriott Riverfront, Residence Inn Renaissance) in Savannah?...I'd like to use my points.

Don't forget to check out SNOB (Slightly North of Broad) in Charleston...wonderful cuisine...there's usually a line so make reservations. I'm a native Tar Heel. I have to agree, skip Myrtle Beach, and go for Charleston, Savannah, and Asheville! Remember, if the leaves are golden, the hotels will be booked in Asheville so plan ahead! The lines of traffic are bumper to bumper on "leaf weekends".

The Marriott Riverfront is the nicest of those you've mentioned in Savannah.

Ok all, I've booked the Marriott Riverfront and I've got my hotel in Asheville. (That was a hard one!) Now, the last booking...which is actually the first leg of the trip. We are flying in to Knoxville, arriving around 5PM and thought we should book a room in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinsburg (or elsewhere) so that we would be in the heart of things to get going in the morning. On our way to Asheville the next morning we plan to go to Cades Cove and thru the Great Smoky Mountains. Again, I can use Marriott points...so Courtyards, Marriotts, Renaissance Inns, Residence Inns, Fairfields, Springhills, etc. or anything sooooo outstanding that I would want to pay for it. How did I ever plan previous vactions with out all this wonderful help? Thanks!!!

clk, where are you staying in Asheville? I cannot say enough about either The Grove Park Inn or The Richmond Hill Inn. Both are very worth the splurge instead of using points for a Marriott Courtyard.

Where is The Richmond Hill Inn?

If you are flying into Knoxville and going thru Cades Cove the next morning before leaving, you may want to stay in Townsend, TN...There's a beautiful place there and I believe it is called The Maple Leaf Inn.

I don't know what day of the week you will be driving thru Cades Cove, but expect it to be bumper to bumper traffic during that time of the year, especially on a weekend. Last year the leaves were late turning (beginning of November), but with all of the rain we have had you should see some really nice fall foliage.

Clk, do you need any suggestions or have any questions regarding what to see and do in Asheville or the surrounding area? I'm the man to ask if you do, so feel free.