Hello All,


I'm on a road trip with my 13yr old. We've already planned the journey from JFK to Myrtle Beach, stopping at some major cities en route.

I'm a little unsure of the return journey - we have four days / 3 nights to return to JFK from Myrtle Beach. I'd like to stay in some smaller towns, though not those junctions off the Interstate with motels type places. Big enough to have a choice of restaurants and bars and some entertainment / sightseeing, shopping even.

So, I was wondering if the FT community have any suggestions? Could be three nights in different towns, could push two nights in one location if it merits it.

Now, at the risk of ridicule, I have tried asking an AI assistant the same question and the response was night 1 Lumberton NC, night 2 Emporia VA and night 3 Easton MD.


Thanks in advance,
MrAdey

Depending a bit on the season you're traveling. If during the summer, even though you'll have "done" the beach in SC, you may want to stick to the coast for more beach time. You could consider the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel https://www.cbbt.com/ a nifty 20ish miles long bridge (with a brief-ish length tunnel) at one of the outermost points of the ... Chesapeake Bay. I remember going over it with may parents years ago and me and my siblings being amazed. That could take you up towards Chincoteague - google it, big national park with native horses that have been written about for kids and adults. Those are my quick-ish, ideas.

Thanks for the suggestion - I like it a lot.

If you're considering detours in that direction, you could also look at the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers Memorial, and Norfolk on the way.

I'd just reiterate that a LOT of this depends on when you travel. All the locations mentioned can be pretty cold, desolate, limited service/closed for the season type situations if you're not traveling in the US summertime. And, if you are traveling to many of these places during the US summertime, you'll have LOTS of people going to the beach at these various locations w/ the attendant crowds and, more important, traffic. Up and down the east coast of the USA, there are hundreds ... thousands ... of "strategies" for driving to various locations during these times.

Another interesting crossing option is the Lewes, Delaware-Cape May, New Jersey ferry, which carriers US-9 across Delaware Bay. You could then get to visit some towns on the Jersey Shore, like Wildwood, Atlantic City, etc. -- including their boardwalks.

Thank you for all the excellent suggestions. I have been 'worrying' about the weather - this trip will be mid April. Might need to re-think routing.

Oh. April. Well, most of the places suggested here are not exactly 100% open "for the season" yet. But, on the bright side, they will not be crowded.

If you're renting a place with an outdoor pool, you may not even be able to sign up for the exorbitantly expensive "pool heat" option. And the ocean is going to be pretty cold too.

Id hit the Norfolk / Williamsburg area to see Jamestown, Williamsburg and Battleship Wisconsin.

+1
And, these are not as wx dependent as beach towns.

Yah. Unless you catch a rain storm, actually mid-April is pretty much the perfect time for Williamsburg. The 13 year old will love the battleship.