Vacationing in Georgetown, SC: The Lowcountry Gem That Doesn’t Need a Beach

Sunny outdoor cafe seating area on a brick sidewalk with black patio umbrellas, people dining at tables (one wearing a Steelers jersey), a woman in a pink top walking past storefronts, and trees lining the street.

Georgetown, South Carolina, never begs for attention, yet it consistently earns it. Founded in 1729, it stands as the state’s third-oldest city, nestled on Winyah Bay, where four rivers converge before meeting the Atlantic. Locals often call it “Little Charleston,” but that moniker undersells its unique charm. While it boasts the live oaks, historic homes, … Read more

The Carolina Coast in Winter: An Honest Guide to the Off-Season

Wooden boardwalk and stairs lead through snow-dusted sand dunes toward the ocean. The path is framed by grassy dunes on both sides under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Every January, half the East Coast flees to Florida. Meanwhile, the Carolina coast empties out, prices crater, and locals get their beaches back. Winter here is not a consolation prize. It is a different trip entirely, and honestly, it might be the better one. But let’s be straight with each other. You will not be … Read more

Where Beach Bonfires Are Legal in the Carolinas (and How to Do One Right)

A small campfire made of driftwood burning on a sandy beach, with orange flames and glowing embers, and a calm ocean stretching to the horizon under a clear sky

There’s a particular kind of November night on the Carolina coast. The crowds have gone home. The air finally has a bite. And the beach, packed all summer, is suddenly all yours. That’s bonfire season. But here’s the catch: most Carolina beaches ban open fires outright. Light one in the wrong town, and you’ll meet … Read more

The Carolina Coast Is Booming, But Not Everywhere Equally

Aerial view of elevated coastal homes on stilts along Oak Island, North Carolina, with sandy lots, marshes, and the Intracoastal Waterway in the background.

People love to say that the Carolina coast is “exploding.” That word is particularly popular among realtors. But numbers tell a more interesting story than hype ever could, and the real one is stranger, lumpier, and, frankly, more useful if you’re trying to figure out where to put your beach chair permanently. Between 2010 and … Read more

Myrtle Beach Bike Weeks: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

Three motorcycles cruising down a road during Myrtle Beach Bike Week, riders wearing leather jackets and helmets

Every May, Myrtle Beach undergoes a striking shift: Locals pack up and leave. That simple reality reveals nearly everything you need to know about Bike Week on the Grand Strand. Motorcycle fans treat it as peak season. Families planning a beach getaway should treat it as a clear caution sign. Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains … Read more

5 Hidden Sandbars and Quiet Corners on Charleston Beaches Tourists Miss

Aerial dusk view of the Folly Beach pier stretching into the Atlantic, with the town's shoreline and hotels beyond

Charleston’s primary beach access points witness the same scene each summer. On Center Street, cars circle to park. The sand is crowded with strangers, coolers, and umbrellas. Honestly, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms are deserving of their fame, but elbow room is the price of that popularity. The good news is as follows. The … Read more

Outer Banks vs. Myrtle Beach: Which Carolina Coast Actually Wins?

Illuminated SkyWheel Ferris wheel lit up in blue and pink at night on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Two beaches, two completely different vibes. Myrtle Beach gives you boardwalks, mini-golf, and neon lights after dark. The Outer Banks offers wild horses, empty dunes, and a lighthouse view that hasn’t changed in a hundred years. Both belong on the Carolina coast, but they’re built for different kinds of travelers. We’ve spent plenty of time … Read more

How to Escape the Crowds on South Carolina Beaches

myrtle beach crowded sc seashore

Millions of people visit Myrtle Beach each year, and the majority arrive on the same summer weekend as you. Fortunately, if you know where to look, there are plenty of quieter options along this coast. We’ve spent enough summers dodging beach umbrellas to be able to pinpoint the precise areas of sand that continue to … Read more

Myrtle Duck Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide

Overhead view of thousands of yellow rubber ducks wearing sunglasses packed together

Somewhere in Myrtle Beach right now, thousands of rubber ducks are waiting for their big moment. On August 8, they finally get it, dropping from a helicopter and racing across the Grand Pond at The Market Common for charity. This isn’t your average small-town festival. It’s part carnival, part community fundraiser, and entirely worth planning … Read more

My Favorite Hotel Chain on the Carolina Coast

Red Roof Inn

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I’ll say it upfront: I book Red Roof Inn every time I travel. Not because a brand sponsors me to say that, but because after years of chasing beach weekends on … Read more