Welcome to CarolinaTravelPOP!, where we celebrate the Carolinas!  We live, work, and play here, and we want to show you around!

With our North Carolina Travel Tips (SC, VA, and TN travel guides), you can always Know Before You GO!

Discover and explore the coastal regions of the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach. Embrace the history of Charleston and Williamsburg.  Thrive in the big cities of Charlotte, and Raleigh.  Escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains with destinations such as Asheville.

Our travel guides also cover our next door neighbors, with places such as Pigeon Forge and Virginia Beach.

Restaurants, hotels, things to do and see- we cover a lot and we’re always interested in your experiences!

 

North Carolina Travel Tips and South Carolina Travel Guide

North and South Carolina offer an abundance of fun activities. Beachgoers, campers and autumn foliage tour enthusiasts all find something they enjoy in these states.

Quiet beach towns provide a welcome respite from city life.

Coastal Areas

North and South Carolina coastal towns provide something for everyone, from peaceful getaways dedicated to surf and sand to shopping and strolling along classic boardwalks. All provide welcome relief from big city life.

South Carolina’s Coastal Zone comprises beaches, barrier islands and salt marshes. Charleston is an idyllic destination in this region; home to numerous beautiful beaches – Sunset Beach being one such popular option; one such feature being being able to watch both sun rise and set over the water during late fall through early spring!

Myrtle Beach, full of golf courses, wide open beaches, and family fun and restaurants, is vibrant and full of energy!

North Carolina is no slouch when it comes to fantastic coastal areas!  The Outer Banks is one of the more spectacular places in the world, while there are beaches scattered all along the coast that offer sometimes dramatically different experiences.  We’ll help guide you through all- giving you the good stuff along the way!

Large Cities

Raleigh is an urban destination known for its growing food scene and museum collections, while Chapel Hill area features UNC campus charm with cute shops nearby and Durham boasting revitalized downtown with vibrant arts district featuring restaurants.

South Carolina’s southeastern part features breathtaking national forests, stunning beaches and bustling cities – Columbia being its capital and home to major Army bases and historic college campuses.

Transport Options: Nearly all large cities in North and South Carolina feature regional airports.  In addition, North and South Carolina feature excellent highways and scenic byways for driving as well as mountain biking trails, beach bike paths and other scenic pathways that are perfect for mountain biking or running on.

Public transit is often available in larger cities as well as some smaller towns; ride share services may also be available, and most towns are highly walkable.

Historical Sites

North Carolina is full of historic places that tell their own unique narratives, from American Indian hunters in unspoiled forests, colonists trading tar and pitch or soldiers fighting for independence and freedom – its legacy lives on through both its landscape and people.

Winston Salem is one of North Carolina’s best historical sites, where you can gain insight into Moravian culture through old home structures, trails to view remnants of building structures, and an exhibit hall.

Charleston has a storied deep Southern history, with many historical sites from the Civil War.  This city is an amazing blend of history and the present day.

 

Outdoor Activities

No matter your preferred mode of exploration – whether that is on a mountain bike or hiking through dense wooded preserves – North Carolina offers plenty of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. Miles of hiking trails, beautiful lakes and parks, waterfalls that flow directly into the water and an impressive network of bike paths await visitors looking for outdoor fun!

South Carolina offers its’ own array of outdoor activities.  Columbia offers an abundance of outdoor adventures within its borders. Explore Congaree National Park on foot or go rafting on either of the Broad and Saluda rivers; for something quieter why not float down one of the longest stretches of old-growth hardwood forest around?

From sandy beaches to sprawling military bases, South Carolina’s varied natural landscapes provide the perfect escape. Take up birding or kayak down Edisto River; canoe the ACE Basin on an easy trip hosted by an outfitter; or test your balance on zip line canopy tours!

“Life is short, and the world is wide.” – Simon Raven

North and South Carolina are well known for their Food as well!

North Carolina cuisine offers an exquisite blend of Southern classics and regional delicacies. Thanks to its agricultural past and proximity to the coast, this state provides fresh ingredients ranging from barbecue and seafood. There’s sure to be something deliciously irresistible at every table here!

North Carolina barbecue stands as an iconic dish. Renowned for its slow-cooked, smoky pork served up with tangy vinegar-based sauce, it can be found all across North Carolina at barbecue joints serving delicious pulled pork sandwiches or tender ribs – truly delicacies from Southern cuisine!

North Carolina is well known for its delicious seafood offerings, from shrimp and oysters to flounder and blue crab. Many coastal towns feature seafood markets where you can purchase the catch of the day or dine alfresco at waterfront restaurants – no matter your preferred cooking method (grilled, fried or stew) there’s always something available in North Carolina to satisfy all kinds of cravings!

North Carolina’s agricultural heritage can also be seen in its cuisine. This state is well known for its farm-to-table movement, where many restaurants source ingredients directly from local farms for use in dishes from collard greens and sweet potatoes to heirloom tomatoes and cornbread; all celebrating local flavors that define North Carolina cuisine.

North Carolina stands apart from other Southern states by featuring unique regional dishes that distinguish it from others, like livermush – an irresistibly comforting mix of pork liver, head parts, cornmeal and spices that has long been enjoyed as part of North Carolinians’ meals. Another regional speciality are Moravian cookies made by Moravian settlers living there for generations – both these dishes add special charm.

South Carolina stands out as an epicenter of southern cuisine. Thanks to its history and diverse cultures, its food reflects itself accurately – with dishes hailing from both Lowcountry and Upstate regions offering unique takes on their cuisine.

One of South Carolina’s iconic dishes, shrimp and grits has quickly become one of the state’s classic Southern meals. Originating in the Lowcountry region, its popularity quickly spread throughout southern cuisine as a delectable combination of plump juicy shrimp complemented with creamy buttery grits has quickly made this classic southern cuisine dish irresistible! Most often found as part of breakfast or brunch meals; its heartiness also lends itself well to hearty dinner meals!

Another classic dish found throughout South Carolina is barbecue. Although popular throughout the South, each region has their own style of this mouthwatering cuisine. South Carolina style barbecue uses pork cut into chunks that is then slow-cooked over an open pit or smoked with hickory wood before being finished off with an tangy vinegar-based sauce with both sweet and spicy elements known as Carolina Gold for a truly unforgettable dining experience!

South Carolina is well known for its seafood offerings. Being situated on the coast, there is access to an abundance of delicious fresh seafood – oysters, clams, crab meat and fish are commonly served at South Carolina eateries – from Lowcountry boils to platefuls of fried seafood platters; you’re assured of experiencing quality and delectable flavour in any seafood experience you encounter in South Carolina!

South Carolina cuisine features some truly special and exclusive dishes you won’t find elsewhere, like Frogmore stew, also known as Lowcountry boil. This one-pot wonder combines shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob and potatoes boiled with spices into an irresistibly dish perfect for serving large crowds. Hoppin’ John offers similar uniqueness – black-eyed pea stew served over rice said to bring good fortune when eaten on New Year’s Day!

My Carolinas Notebook: I’m glad you’re here!  I’m delighted to share some of the best parts of this amazing part of the USA!  My name is Rob, and this blog is a work of passion that I hope you enjoy!

I was born in Virginia, and I currently live in North Carolina.  Me and my family (who you will see scattered within these pages!) travel this area, because this region contains everything we could ask for-from the mountains to beaches, from serenity to excitement, from history to the future.

My hope is that, if you choose to visit or call this region home, you will gain some insight into some of the great things this area offers.

Connect with us- we’re always on the move!

For more information, consult VisitNC.com

For ore information, visit DiscoverSouthCarolina.com