The Carolinas: From Blue Ridge to Atlantic Shores

Welcome to Charlotte, where your road trip through North and South Carolina begins.

Arriving during the afternoon, make your way to your hotel and settle in for a two-night stay. Spend your first evening getting acquainted with the city, perhaps exploring Uptown Charlotte, where restaurants, bars and entertainment provide an easy introduction after your flight.

The following day is yours to discover more of North Carolina's largest city. Motorsport fans shouldn't miss the NASCAR Hall of Fame, an interactive celebration of the drivers, teams and cars that have helped make stock-car racing one of America's most popular sports.

Charlotte also has a strong cultural side. Explore the museums and galleries of the Levine Center for the Arts, discover the city's brewing and dining scene or head into neighbourhoods such as NoDa and South End, where independent restaurants, breweries, shops and entertainment reveal a different side of the city.

For an adrenaline-filled alternative, visit the U.S. National Whitewater Center, where a huge outdoor recreation complex offers everything from whitewater rafting and kayaking to climbing, ziplining and miles of walking and cycling trails.

With a full day to explore, Charlotte provides much more than a convenient gateway. It offers a lively introduction to the Carolinas before you collect your hire car on the morning of Day 3 and head west towards the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Collect your hire car this morning and leave Charlotte behind as you travel west towards the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville, your home for the next two nights.

Surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the eastern United States, Asheville combines outdoor adventure with distinctive architecture, a thriving arts scene and one of North Carolina's best-known food and craft beer cultures.

One of the highlights of your stay is the magnificent Biltmore Estate, the former home of George Vanderbilt and the largest privately owned house in the United States. Explore the grand rooms of Biltmore House, stroll through its gardens and grounds and allow time to discover the wider estate.

Back in Asheville, wander through the characterful downtown, where independent shops, galleries, restaurants and breweries fill its streets. Architecture fans can discover an impressive collection of Art Deco buildings, while the River Arts District showcases the work of local artists and makers in studios beside the French Broad River.

The surrounding mountains are just as much a part of the Asheville experience. Take a drive along the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at overlooks for sweeping views across the Appalachian landscape, or spend some time walking one of the many trails within easy reach of the city.

With two nights here, you can combine the grandeur of Biltmore with Asheville's creative character and your first taste of the mountain landscapes that will become an even bigger part of the journey as you continue towards Boone.

Leave Asheville this morning and continue through the mountains towards Boone, turning today's drive into one of the scenic highlights of your Carolinas road trip.

Where conditions and seasonal road openings allow, follow sections of the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway as it winds through the Appalachian Mountains. Take your time and stop at scenic overlooks along the way, with sweeping mountain views providing plenty of reasons to break the journey.

One of the highlights of this part of North Carolina is Grandfather Mountain. Cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, enjoy far-reaching views across the surrounding mountains and discover walking trails and wildlife habitats within the nature park.

You could also stop in Blowing Rock, an attractive mountain town close to Boone, where a compact downtown is filled with independent shops, galleries and places to eat. Nearby viewpoints and trails provide further opportunities to experience North Carolina's High Country.

Continue to Boone for your overnight stay. Home to Appalachian State University, the town combines a youthful atmosphere with strong Appalachian character and makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding mountains.

Spend the evening discovering Downtown Boone and its restaurants, shops and local breweries before tomorrow's journey takes you away from the Blue Ridge Mountains and across North Carolina towards the Atlantic Coast.

Continue your journey to North Carolina's coast for two nights in the Wilmington Beaches, where relaxed seaside communities, wide Atlantic beaches and easy access to historic Wilmington create an ideal combination of coast and culture.

Choose from Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach or Kure Beach, each offering its own take on the North Carolina beach experience. Spend time beside the ocean, walk along the shoreline, hire a kayak or paddleboard, or simply enjoy a slower pace after several days on the road.

Wrightsville Beach combines beautiful stretches of sand with watersports and waterfront dining, while Carolina Beach offers a livelier seaside atmosphere centred around its traditional boardwalk. Further south, Kure Beach has a quieter feel and provides easy access to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and the surrounding coastal landscapes.

During your stay, make time for nearby Wilmington. Explore the city's historic streets and stroll along the Wilmington Riverwalk, following the Cape Fear River past restaurants, shops and historic buildings. You can also visit the impressive Battleship North Carolina, moored across the river from downtown.

Whether you spend your time on the sand, out on the water or combining the beaches with Wilmington's history and restaurants, these two nights showcase another side of North Carolina's Atlantic coastline.

Leave the Wilmington Beaches behind and continue south along the Atlantic Coast, crossing from North Carolina into South Carolina as you make your way towards Myrtle Beach for a two-night stay.

At the heart of the famous Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach offers miles of sandy coastline alongside an impressive choice of entertainment, restaurants, shopping and attractions. After arriving, settle into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day enjoying the beach or taking a stroll along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

With a full day to enjoy the area, you can make your stay as relaxed or as active as you choose. Spend time beside the Atlantic, take in the coastal views from the SkyWheel, explore the shops, restaurants and entertainment at Broadway at the Beach, or head out for a round of golf on one of the many courses found throughout the Grand Strand.

For a different side of the region, venture south to Brookgreen Gardens, where sculpture, gardens, nature and Lowcountry history provide a peaceful contrast to Myrtle Beach's lively resort atmosphere.

Nearby Murrells Inlet is also well worth discovering, particularly in the evening when waterfront restaurants provide the perfect opportunity to sample fresh seafood and enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Two nights in Myrtle Beach give you time to experience one of South Carolina's best-known seaside destinations before continuing deeper into the historic Lowcountry.

Leave Myrtle Beach this morning and continue south through South Carolina's Lowcountry towards Charleston, where you'll spend the next two nights discovering one of the South's most historic and distinctive cities.

Charleston rewards exploration on foot. Wander through the Historic District, where cobbled streets, colourful houses, hidden courtyards and grand architecture reveal centuries of history. Walk along The Battery and White Point Garden, admire the pastel-coloured homes of Rainbow Row and explore the streets around the historic Charleston City Market.

The city's story is complex and reaches far beyond its elegant architecture. Visit the International African American Museum, which explores the history, culture and contributions of African Americans and the wider African diaspora, or take a boat across Charleston Harbor to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861.

Charleston is also one of the South's great food destinations. Make time to experience its celebrated culinary scene, where Lowcountry traditions, fresh seafood and Southern ingredients influence everything from neighbourhood restaurants to fine dining.

Beyond Downtown, you could visit one of the area's historic plantation sites, where interpretation increasingly explores the experiences of the enslaved people whose lives and labour were fundamental to their history. Alternatively, head to nearby beaches such as Folly Beach or Sullivan's Island for some time beside the Atlantic.

As evening arrives, enjoy Charleston at a more relaxed pace. Find a restaurant tucked along one of the historic streets, take an evening stroll beside the harbour or join a guided walking tour to uncover more of the stories behind the city.

With two nights here, you'll have time to experience Charleston's history, architecture, culture and food before continuing deeper into the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Leave Charleston this morning and continue south through the landscapes of South Carolina's Lowcountry towards Hilton Head Island, where you'll spend the final two nights of your road trip.

The journey can be part of the experience. Consider stopping in historic Beaufort, a characterful waterfront town known for its tree-lined streets, antebellum architecture and beautiful setting beside the Beaufort River. Stroll through the historic district, stop for lunch overlooking the water and enjoy your first taste of the relaxed pace of the southern Lowcountry.

Continue to Hilton Head Island, where wide sandy beaches, maritime forests and tidal waterways create the perfect setting to slow down after your journey through the Carolinas.

Spend your full day enjoying the island at your own pace. Relax on the beach, hire a bicycle and explore the extensive network of trails, take to the water by kayak or paddleboard, or join a dolphin-watching cruise through the surrounding waterways. Golfers will also find an outstanding selection of courses across the island.

Head to Harbour Town to see its distinctive lighthouse, browse the shops and enjoy views across the marina, or venture beyond the main resort areas to discover more of the island's natural and cultural heritage.

Hilton Head and the surrounding Lowcountry are also closely connected to Gullah culture, shaped by descendants of enslaved West and Central Africans who preserved distinctive traditions, language, foodways, arts and customs across the Sea Islands. Local tours and cultural experiences offer an opportunity to learn more about this important part of the region's story.

As evening arrives, enjoy fresh seafood and Lowcountry cuisine at one of the island's waterfront restaurants or simply watch the sun set across the marshes.

After travelling from the cities and Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the barrier islands and coastline of the Carolinas, two nights on Hilton Head Island provide a relaxing finale before returning to Charlotte.

Leave the beaches and waterways of Hilton Head Island behind this morning and begin your journey inland towards Greenville, where you'll spend the night discovering a very different side of the state.

This is one of the longer driving days of your road trip, so take your time and consider breaking the journey along the way. South Carolina's state capital, Columbia, makes a natural stopping point, with an attractive downtown, the South Carolina State House and plenty of options for lunch before continuing north-west.

Arrive in Greenville later in the afternoon and head into its vibrant downtown, widely regarded as one of the most appealing city centres in the South. At its heart is Falls Park on the Reedy, where the Reedy River tumbles through the centre of the city beneath the distinctive Liberty Bridge.

Follow the riverside paths, explore the shops and galleries along Main Street and enjoy the city's excellent choice of independent restaurants, breweries and bars.

Your overnight stay provides a relaxed introduction to Upstate South Carolina and a complete change of scenery from the coast, with the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains providing a taste of the landscapes that await as your Carolinas journey continues.

Enjoy a final morning in Greenville before leaving the Upstate behind and travelling north towards Charlotte, bringing your journey through the Carolinas to an end.

Depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity to enjoy breakfast in Downtown Greenville or take one final walk through Falls Park on the Reedy before setting off.

On arrival at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, return your hire car and check in for your return flight to the UK.

From the wild barrier islands of North Carolina's Outer Banks and the beaches around Wilmington to Myrtle Beach, historic Charleston and the relaxed Lowcountry landscapes of Hilton Head Island, your journey has showcased the remarkable variety of the Carolina coast before turning inland to experience a different side of South Carolina in Greenville.

Not Ready to Go Home?
Your Carolinas adventure can easily be extended to include even more of the American South.

Spend additional time in the mountains, perhaps combining Asheville with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where scenic drives, waterfalls, walking trails and wildlife await.

Alternatively, continue south from Hilton Head Island into Georgia for time in historic Savannah, whose atmospheric squares, architecture and Southern food scene make a natural addition to Charleston and the Lowcountry.

For a longer road trip, continue through Georgia to Atlanta, or combine Savannah with some time along Georgia's Atlantic coast and barrier islands.

Whether you'd like to add another Southern city, spend longer beside the coast or extend your time in the mountains, a Discover North America Travel Specialist can tailor the journey around the places you'd most like to experience.