denisel1980

My friend and I will be visiting Washington DC then working our way down to Charleston, we have 2 nights to do this in. We were thinking we would like to go via the Blueridge Parkway, so I need some advice please. (We are visiting from the UK). When we leave Washington where do we head for to get on the parkway, and where do we get off to get to Myrtle Beach? We would leave Washington early morning, and want to stay in the mountains for one night, then spend one night in Myrtle Beach before heading to Charleston.

palmettoprincess

Denise. I'm curious why you want to go to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the beach. Yes both are nice, but you are really going out of your way. DC to Charleston is a straight shot. Take I-95. I'm estimating that it will be about eight hours off the path to go west to the Blue Ridge Parkway and then go east to the coast. (I've never done it.)

If I wanted to see the mountains and beach I might stick with Virginia/North Carolina rather than going all the way to Charleston.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Agree with the above. What you are describing involves way too much driving. Such a itinerary lends itself to a week, not 2 days. The Parkway is slow and meandering - not a good option for traversing long distances in a short period of time.

If you're not afraid of a lot of time in the car and really want to see the mountains, I'd recommend heading down I-81 and staying in Asheville, NC for a couple nights. It's then a reasonable drive from there to Charleston.

If you want a more direct route to Charleston, I'd think about heading down I-95/I-40 to Wilmington, NC. From there, it's a quick drive to Myrtle Beach on the way to Charleston.

suewoo

Right. It's a long way. If you really want to go through the mountains take 81 down to 77 and get on the parkway near the NC VA border around Meadows of Dan. The Parkway will be dark at night so leave early if you want to go all the way to Asheville. Be aware that the Parkway has a low spped limit and it will take a long time to get from DC to Asheville. I would skip Myrtle-it's a long way from Asheville and not all tht scenic. It's an easy drive from Asheville to CHarleston on I26.

suewoo

Great minds think alike and type at the same time

denisel1980

thanks everyone, we just wanted to see some of the mountain side as its so beautiful, we don't get much like that in the UK Charleston is definitely a must, as I am visiting friends there. (We are flying to New York and flying back from Atlanta visiting my friend on the way). We definitley want to take 1 or 2 nights between Washington and Charleston so we can relax on the way and see some other sights. We are just really stuck as to what to see between Washington and Charleston really. The rest of the trip is sorted, its just that part.

suewoo

Okay, fair enough. Then take the interstate into NC, see some of the Parkway and spend a night in Asheville. I81 is pretty through the mountains. Again, unless you take Brian's rec and come to Wilmington, forget Myrtle. It's just too far out of your way and the route takes you through small towns with stoplights and all that. You can take I26 straight from Asheville to Charleston. Sounds like a fun trip!

denisel1980

Thanks Sue! Its going to be great hopefully. Maybe I could visit Myrtle whilst staying in Charleston, not sure if thats an option? We will be in Charleston for around 5 nights. I am so looking forward to it, its my first visit to the states, so I am hopelessly excited, and I still have 4 months to go!

suewoo

Oh that's so great! Welcome!

Myrtle is about 90 miles from Charleston and there are some interesting places between here and there: Hopsawee Plantation, beautiful Brookgreen Gardens, and the big don't miss: the great Seewee Restaurant. Don't let the exterior fool you!
http://www.seeweerestaurant.com/
Please let us know if you need more help.

denisel1980

Looks great, thanks! I will be sure to pay a visit! I have been told the weather is great still in september, so I am hoping to get a little bit of a tan too.

Brian_in_Charlotte

If your desire is to see or spend time at a beach, there are nice beaches 20 minutes from Charleston (Isle of Palms, Sullivan's, Folly Beach). Myrtle Beach is very commercial - lots to do, but too built up and touristy for some.

persimmondeb

It should still definitely be beach weather in September, especially for someone from a cooler clime. Be careful with the sun though! Even that late in the year you can get burned if you are fair.

weimarer

You would be better served by picking up the BRP at the start, near Charlotteville, then just meandering down it, then heading to Charleston on the AM of the third day, arriving in early afternoon. Rte 66 from DC, to 29, then 64 near C'ville is 3 hours from DC. I'd think about stopping the first day at either the Peaks of Otter lodge or nearby Bedford, a very nice little town. That's about 90 miles down the BRP from the start, so getting there mid-afternoon. Then, the second day, head down to the Grandfather Mountain area, visit that in the afternoon, then move on to Charleston from there in the AM. Rte 221 to Spartanburg, then 26 to Charleston, something like that. Or finish the stretch of the BRP before Asheville in the AM, then head to SC.

That's a leisurely jaunt thru beautiful country, with the afternoons on each day free to do a little exploring, far more enjoyable and sensible than trucking 9-10 hours straight simply to get to a small city notable mainly for the leftist politics of some of its residents. Also, you don't want to drive the parkway in late afternoon or evening. Too much of a chance of hitting a deer.

denisel1980

Thanks Weimarer, thats is great advice. Funny thing I actually live in a town called Bedford in the uk so that could be interesting. My Dad has visited the mountains and said it is stunning, that way it gives us the city part (new york), the country, and then the beach, so a 3 in 1 holiday. Thanks everyone! ps. I hope Charleston is not as bad as you make it sound! My english friend lives there with her american husband so I am visiting them mainly.

weimarer

No, I never said there's anything bad about Charleston at all!
Very interesting and enjoyable historic district, you will like it.

There's nothing wrong with Asheville either. But it's a city, and the appeal of it to some is really just about the politics of many of the residents, whether they admit it or not.

One notable thing about Bedford is the D-Day Memorial. The 29th Infantry Division was a National Guard Division that was among the first to hit Omaha Beach on D-Day. Many of them were from Virginia and Bedford had about 20 of its citizens killed in the first wave, supposedly the highest per-capita loss of any town in the US. Which is why they put the Memorial there. You will see signs on Rte 29 going towards Charlottesville calling it the 29th Infantry Division Memorial Highway.

denisel1980

Thanks again for your advice. I thought you meant Charleston when you mentioned the politics, sorry I will be sure to keep all the above in mind, your details are very helpful. Roll on 4 months time!

SAnParis2

wm - "There's nothing wrong with Asheville either. But it's a city, and the appeal of it to some is really just about the politics of many of the residents, whether they admit it or not." What is this supposed to mean, exactly ?? & this - ??! "Also, you don't want to drive the parkway in late afternoon or evening. Too much of a chance of hitting a deer." I've never heard anything so foolish. Deer are rampant on the BRP all the time, although they typically feed at dusk, to not travel a road because of that, is akin to not crossing the street, as you may get hit by a car.

weimarer

"I've never heard anything so foolish."

Who cares? Your chances of hitting a deer are greatest in the hours just before dusk or early AM, or at night. That is when they are most likely to be on the side of the road feeding on the grass. This is obvious. If you want to get your panties into a twist over my saying it, knock yourself out.

suewoo

And seriously, none of this is about politics. It's about denisel1980 having a nice trip.

SAnParis2

Way to neatly sidestep the first inane comment. That pretty much relates to anywhere that there are deer, so we should just stop driving then ? How ludicrous. Next time when you choose to comment on a thread, try it make sure it relates to something you actually have knowledge of, in lieu of spouting rhetoric, w/no basis of fact.