South Carolina and North Carolina’s Most Scenic Drives
Taking a scenic drive can be a fun, relaxing way to spend a weekend. During the winter months, depending on the conditions where you live, the driving can get dicey, and even if it’s not dicey, winter can seem like a time to just snuggle indoors. But, spring is right around the corner, and that’s the time of year when people are ready to come out of their cocoons and get on the road. Many people love a good, spring road trip, and with that in mind, South Carolina and North Carolina’s most scenic drive has been revealed.
Top Scenic Drives in South Carolina and North Carolina
The travel experts and enthusiasts at Thrillist have put together a tally of the best scenic drives in America. “The American roadways have long had a mythical allure” they state, adding that “lately, they’ve proven more invigorating than ever: a way to remain isolated while experiencing true grandeur. No matter where you are, chances are there’s a fantastic, accessible drive nearby.” It’s true that America has such a vast landscape, that no matter where you live, you can probably find a delightful route to take any given season.
So, what’s the most scenic route in South Carolina and North Carolina? In North Carolina, it’s the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offers about 470 miles of lovely views traveling through the Appalachia. Thrillist adds to do it “right” by taking “more than just one day (especially if you wanna hike the Appalachian Mural Trail).” In South Carolina, it’s the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. “The conventionalist will tell you to drive along swank Hilton Head, and the contrarian will tell you to hit the dreamily eerie Botany Bay Road, despite it only running .4 miles,” Thrillist says of the route. These are both certainly must-see spots when you’re in the area, and both of them make for great, scenic road trips. Reach out to me with your favorite drives.
By the way, out of curiosity, what’s the most scenic route in New York, one of the most populous states in the U.S.? Well, New York City is all about the urban life, but much of New York, the state, is more rural. Thrillist loves Hawk’s Nest as a route, noting, “Take Route 97 out of Port Jervis, and your next 90 minutes will be filled with an impossibly beautiful series of bends abutted by sheer rock faces on one side and a steep drop overlooking the Delaware River on the other.”
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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