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

Best Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in the Carolinas

A black and orange wheelchair parked on a sunny sandy beach, facing the ocean under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. People are visible swimming in the background.

A few summers back, my wife had knee surgery right before our annual coast trip. We almost canceled the whole thing. She could walk short distances with a cane, but soft sand? Impossible. We called three different towns looking for a beach with a hard-packed path to the water, and got three different answers, none … Read more

Wheels on the Sand: Why Carolina Coastal RV Parks Beat Hotels

A sleek black Mercedes Sprinter camper van parked directly on the beach at sunset, with soft ocean waves in the background

Somewhere between the last toll booth and the first dune line, RV travel stops feeling practical and starts feeling like the smartest move you’ve made all year. The Carolina coast rewards this kind of travel. Sandy roads, salt air, and 300 miles of coastline don’t care about your hotel loyalty points. They care whether you … Read more

Charleston’s Cruise Era Has Officially Ended

A large white cruise ship sailing on calm water during a golden sunset. The vessel is viewed from another boat (railing visible in foreground), with soft orange and blue twilight colors in the sky and a distant shoreline on the horizon.

Charleston just closed a chapter. For over a decade, Carnival Sunshine turned Union Pier into a floating small city every few days. Passengers rolled suitcases past cobblestones and disappeared onto gangways. That scene doesn’t happen anymore, and as of this summer, it’s not happening at all, even for quick stops. Let’s break down what actually … Read more