North or South Carolina beaches
 

Greetings from NYC everyone.

I have a quick question. My relatives from Sweden would like to spend a long weekend this summer in either a beach town in North or South Carolina. I haven't been to either so I need, please, some advice. Myrtle Beach in SC or the Outer Banks in NC? They also would like to fly down from NY and because their idea of a vacation is a drive-free weekend, which of the 2 states can offer minimal dependence on a car?

Thank you very much!

The North Carolina beaches are much less crowded. At Topsail Island, there's plenty of room to stretch your legs.

Visiting the Outer Banks without a car is possible but not very practical.

The closest airport is Norfolk International (ORF) which is about an hour and half away. There are van/shuttle services available. Once at the OBX, there is no public transportation system. There are cab companies but I'd think it'd be kind of a pain to have to rely on cabs.

And while it's really unlikely, what would they do if there were an evacuation for a hurricane?

Have them fly to Myrtle Beach but they will still need a car. In the US, it is just a fact of life. Tell them to drive south of MB and stay at Litchfield by the Sea. It is quiet and beautiful. .

Litchfield, Pawleys Island, Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island would be my picks.

Charleston and Myrtle Beach have good air service.

Another option is to fly to Charleston and drive 20-30 minutes out to Wild Dunes on Isle of Palms.

That avoids a lot of the tackiness and traffic woes of Myrtle beach and in the event of bad weather, they can enjoy the charming city of Charleston.

A "long weekend in the summer" may require a hotel on the beach. Just something to think about.

Or your relatives could try the only beach location in NC and SC that is truly drive-free . . .

Bald Head Island (get there by ferry, no cars allowed on the island)

here's a link:

http://www.baldheadisland.com/

caveat: I haven't been on the island since it was developed (only boated there to fish when I was a boy), but I have never heard anyone say anything negative about it.