North Carolina Beach Towns You Have to Visit
North Carolina is brimming with great beach towns. Wherever you go along the coast, you’ll find plenty of charming beach towns to get your sun on. Now, the experts at Travel and Leisure magazine are highlighting a collection of great North Carolina beach towns that you should get on your radar. What’s even better is that they reached out to locals in the state to help compile the roster of must-visit beaches.
North Carolina Beach Towns You Have to See This Season
The experts at Travel and Leisure magazine have put together a roster of the North Carolina beach towns that you should visit this season. They note the beauty and uniqueness of North Carolina beaches, writing, “They’re the type of places where time moves a little slower, itineraries are flexible, and the only required decision is figuring out what to eat for dinner.” They add, “This is particularly true in North Carolina, a state with more than 300 miles of coastline and countless beach towns that embrace this leisurely lifestyle accented by surf, sand, and the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen.”
Before we get to No. 1, let’s look at a collection of beach towns that they recommend. No. 3 on the roster is Corolla, which has picturesque beaches and blue water. As for things to do in Corolla, Travel and Leisure suggests trying the Corolla Wild Horse Tours, “whose guides will help you witness the magic of the area’s wild horses.” They also say to visit the the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and head to the Whalehead museum. Coming in at No. 2 is Oak Island, which is very dog-friendly. They add, “This laidback lifestyle also extends into every facet of life on Oak Island, and most visitors spend their days lounging on the beach, traversing the town’s bike paths, or fishing from Oak Island Pier.”
Not, let’s get into No. 1. What’s interesting is that on this tally of the best North Carolina beach towns, the No. 1 pick was also recently voted No. 1 by the experts at Axios.com. It’s Wrightsville Beach, which Travel and Leisure says, “comes recommended by Dean Neff, chef and co-owner of Seabird in nearby Wilmington, is the perfect place for anyone who feels at home at the water — or is interested in local shopping, casual eats, and fresh seafood.” I’d love to visit all three of these beaches. Summer is just starting, so you have plenty of time to get some sun in one of these gorgeous settings.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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