Carolina Weekend Beach Getaways
Much to all our appreciation, the days at Elon are starting to feel warmer and longer and we can hardly contain our excitement. Tanning in the grass by Lake Mary Knell simply just isn’t cutting it anymore. You daydream about those summer days at your favorite beach and decide you just must take a quick trip to the coast with your friends. The only question is, what beach? We have four absolutely fantastic Carolina beach destinations that are fun, safe, and all within drivable distances from campus. These four phenomenal getaways offer very different attractions, so grab your tanning oil (and sunscreen, of course) and let’s get going!
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
The Town of Wrightsville is located in New Hanover County, NC and is about 190 miles south of Burlington and just around the corner from Wilmington. Wrightsville is a charming, quiet town of about 2,500 residents that is made up of about a four-mile-long beach island, and an interior island called Harbor Island. Known for its crystal blue waters, spacious beaches, and fun, active island lifestyle, the beaches in Wrightsville are perfect for more active beachgoers who are looking for water sports like surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking. However, for those travelers who want a more relaxed and casual experience, Wrightsville is a walkable beach town that offers beautiful beaches, spa outings, boutique shopping, and amazing waterfront restaurants in its unbeatable downtown area. If you’ve binged Dawson's Creek on Netflix like us, Wrightsville was the show's filming location-- all the more reason to check it out! If you’re looking to stay overnight, there are plenty of quality hotels in and around Wrightsville with a price tag ranging from $150 to $250 per night. We suggest carpooling and maybe even looking into some bikes because parking in Wrightsville is limited; and hey, what’s better than feeling the sea breeze in your hair and the rays on your back?
Folly Beach, South Carolina
Photo by Luke Barky from Pexels.
You’re visiting your friend at Charleston one day and you spontaneously decide a day trip to the beach would perfectly round out your trip. About 329 miles from Burlington and close to 10 miles south of Charleston, Folly Beach is another small, beautiful Carolina coastal town. As a barrier island with about six miles of beaches and lazy one to three-foot waves, Folly Beach recently has earned prominence as one of the most notable surf spots on the East Coast. Folly Beach offers sailing and surfing, including surf schools and surfing locations such as the Washout (we can’t say we’re shocked but we are very pleased). Referred to as “Hollywood” by locals, the Washout is a natural phenomenon that was created when Hurricane Hugo washed away a block of beachfront homes, allowing the wind to blow unimpeded across the shore through the wetlands to the Folly River, causing the water to roll so well. Other popular activities for adventurous vacationers include kayaking around Folly Beach and James Island, jet skiing, parasailing, and bike riding along Folly’s scenic beachfront. Although all of the beaches on Folly Island are fantastic, we strongly suggest that you visit the Folly Beach County Park at the island’s west end. There, you’ll find tons of ocean frontage, picturesque scenery that could be taken right out of an art gallery, plenty of picnic areas, as well as bike, umbrella, and chair rentals available between Labor Day and Memorial Day. If you want a slower, more relaxed experience, Folly Beach also has eclectic shops, restaurants, and bars along Center Street, which is the main road and gateway to the community, in the company of plenty of trails and piers perfect for strolling and sightseeing. Known to Charleston locals as the “Edge of America” we think that you’ll really enjoy this kick-off-your-shoes beach town where, as the locals say, “livin’ is easy.”
Nags Head, North Carolina
Located about 255 miles east of Burlington, Nags Head is a small beach town in Dare County, NC. We all are just craving for that Outer Banks experience of our favorite characters like Sarah Cameron, John B, and JJ. If that’s the case, then Nags Head is a perfect option because today the beach is considered synonymous with Outer Banks vacationing. Nags Head has become a favorite vacation destination because of its beautiful beaches, restaurants serving world-class cuisine to local cheeseburgers and hush puppies, phenomenal shopping (including outlet malls and hundreds of family-owned and individual shops) and the fascinating Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which boasts of the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast. Ever wanted to unleash your daring adventurous side? Look no further than Jockey’s Ridge State Park-- home to learning how to go hang-gliding. The Park is also a premier location for photographers because of the stunning view arcing from the Atlantic Ocean to Roanoke Sound-- another picture-perfect shot for your Insta feed. The Southside access of the Park is a different experience altogether, offering sunbathing, wading, paddling, and a one-mile nature trail that opens onto wetlands, grassy dunes and maritime thickets. We can’t forget about, like most all Carolina beach towns, the ocean and shoreline are the major attractions, providing beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and a variety of water sports, including fishing at three popular piers: Nags Head Pier, Jennette's Pier, and the Outer Banks Pier. We also recommend visiting the historic cottages overlooking the beach area.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Photo by Lachlan Ross from Pexels.
Known as the premier beach vacation spot of the Carolinas, Myrtle Beach, SC, is only 213 miles from Burlington. Located in Horry County, Myrtle Beach is at the center of a 60-mile stretch of coastline and beaches known as “The Grand Strand.” Myrtle Beach is not only a fast-growing metropolitan area, but it is also one of the major centers of tourism in South Carolina, attracting an estimated 14 million visitors every year. As locals like to say, visit Myrtle Beach where “happiness comes in waves.” As one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, Myrtle Beach offers an extremely wide variety of activities, whether it’s a day for baking the UVs with your friends, going for a dip or dive in the ocean, water sports, golfing on any one of hundreds of lush courses, fine dining, theatre, museums, minor league baseball games, or a host of time-honored and favorite amusement and water parks in the area. Don’t miss the memorable vistas of the Atlantic waters from high up in the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast offering the highest observation of the Atlantic Ocean in North America, all from 43 glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled gondolas.
Whether you’re basking under the sun with your friends or floating in the Atlantic, make sure to tag us @theedgemag in your beach posts!