hello! My husband and I are going to be in
Charlston, SC and traveling to Williamsburg, VA on the day of our anniversary.. we thought we'd break up the trip somewhere romantic, but I can't seem to find anywhere (I don't know that much about the carolinas) Too, it will be on Memorial Day, if that makes a difference... Thank you so much to all that respond!

That's a tough one. Other than on the coast, there isn't much to eastern North Carolina (and given the route you are probably taking, the coast will be a good way out of the way). There are some nice B&Bs in Wilmington (downtown, near the river) but Wilmington will not compare to Charleston. Though I haven't been, Morehead City is supposed to have some nice places to stay, and I think the Outerbanks are one of the greatest places in the world (I'm a beach person) but they are a long way away from the interstate.

Sorry I can't be more help!

Assuming you are going to travel up the coast along Route 17, the two bests bets in NC would probably be Wilmington and, a few hours further north, Edenton, which has the Lords Proprietors Inn and is a very scenic village. On the other hand, if you have time and want to go further inland, the Fearrington House in Pittsboro, south of Chapel Hill, is highly regarded - you can find it on the Relais & Chateaux website. And finally, although it's not "romantic" in the usual sense, Chapel Hill is a classic college town with two quality places to stay - the Carolina Inn on the edge of campus, and the Siena Hotel about a mile away - and lots of eateries in all price ranges, plus the energy of a college town atmosphere.

I second the Outer Banks idea. I used to live there (specifically in Kill Devil Hills). It is second only Key West in my book (once a Parrothead, always a Parrothead). It is well worth the detour. Don't miss Awful Arthur's. It is the original, don't be fooled by imitations. I'm sure there are some B&Bs in Duck, NC. Enjoy!

I live at Isle of Palms, just 20 mins. away from Charleston, and hope you enjoy your stay... Following is a site for B&Bs in NC. If you want B&B info for other states, just take out the nc/ part of the address. Contact me if you need any info on Charleston or the area...Carol

http://www.bbonline.com/nc/

the Outer Banks have become way too commercialized... Memorial day will be a madhouse, not relaxing at all and traffic is horrendous! Emerald Isle, Beaufort (pronounced Bo-fert), and Edenton on the coast south of the Outer Banks are a much more charming choice, they're like Nags Head many years before Walmart, putt putt, 7-11, and the outlet malls. Beaufort has some of the best dining in NC... Beaufort Grocery on one of the side streets has a wonderful ecclectic cuisine, and I can't remember the name of the cafe on the causeway, but they have great cappucino and fabulous desserts. Antique shops and one of a kind stores are everywhere down there. The beach at Emerald Isle is east/west orientation rather than north/wouth like everything else on the coast, so you can face the ocean all dayas the sun moves across you, rather than from in front of you to behind you. Hey that's real important to sunbathers! Have a great trip. Just don't go to the Outer Banks on Memorial Day, you'll spend your whole vacation in traffic!

I lived in Morehead City for 3 yrs in the early 90's and go back every other summer. Beaufort is a neat historic town with excellent dining for its size. There are also some nice B and Bs in the town. It is on the intercoastal waterway and gets lots of boat traffic. There is a small island a stone's throw across from the town with wild ponies that you can see most nights. Take a ferry over to Shackleford Banks and spend an afternoon or drive over to Fort Macon State Park. It was built in built in the early 1800s and Robert E. Lee supervised the construction (per my husband a history buff!). ENJOY!!

My wife & I found a beautiful & historic
little town call New Bern a bit inland from the coast on Rt.17. It's not on the ocean but there is plenty of water around, it's at the confluence of (2) rivers. Almost the whole downtown is an historic district and I was very surprised at how well maintained this area was (no signs of 60's urban renewal like we saw in Wilmington,NC). Check it out on the web-that's where I found it.

Memorial Week-end is busy anywhere on the coast of NC. You should make a reservation before hand or you will have an extremely hard time finding any place.
I've lived in NC all my life and would recommend Beaufort NC or New Bern. They are historic and have excellent food. I prefer Beaufort. It is a quaint little town and you can walk everywhere. They have all kinds for special things going on that weekend. The restrauants are delicious. The Beaufort Grocery (chef type foods), the Net House, Clawson's (great), the Cedar's.
For lunch there is a Grill(Finz) or something like that) on the waterfront main street that is delicious.

The Cedar's is a Bed and Breakfast and they have delicious food.
If you like to Antique, they are many shops there and at Morehead City which is across the Bridge. Maybe 3 miles.
You can go to Ft Macon, Cape Lookout Lighthouse or over to Shackleford Isle.

Happy Anniversary and have a great stay.

I vote for Wrightsville Beach, next to Wilmington. Great restaurants, art galleries, friendly, historic...

Book now. Memorial Day will be big anywhere.

You can get on to Rte. 40 when you leave and then head north to Williamsburg.

The Nags Head area is crowded..and the Outer Banks is out of the way. You will be driving too much. Wilmington area is easy on and easy off for a direct north south route.

If you want to do a small island place to stay, right near the Wilmington area, I suggest Sunset Beach...a well kept secret amongst North Carolinians!