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EAST COAST USA
The
Carolinas
Wild barrier islands, sand dunes where the Wright Brothers took their first flight, ancient Appalachian mountains, lakes and rivers galore, skiing, small coastal and mountain towns that feel like secrets — all reward the traveler willing to slow down and take it all in.
11
Stories published
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Videos on YouTUbe
Local
Derek lives here
WHY THE CAROLINAS?
This is home territory.
And the destinations never end.
I’ve lived in North Carolina for nearly three decades. It means I know which destinations get crowded and which ones don’t. It means I know the back roads, the local restaurants, the seasons, and the places the guidebooks miss.
The Carolinas reward travelers who slow down. The Outer Banks or the Appalachian mountains alone could easily keep you busy and fulfilled for an entire week.
FEATURED STORY
Start with this:
RECENT STORIES
Adventures in the Carolinas
watch
From the YouTube channel
Grandfather Mountain – North Carolina
Why you MUST visit the Grandfather Mountain Highland games
Outer Banks – North Carolina
Hang gliding at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina — and more!
New BERN – North Carolina
Things to Do in New Bern NC in One Day | Full Walking Tour & Itinerary
More videos at the Atlantic Destinations YouTube channel
WHAT TO DO HERE
Experiences worth planning for
Hang Gliding
Jockey’s Ridge State Park offers beginner hang gliding lessons on the largest natural sand dune on the East Coast, where the Wright Brothers first flew.
Cycling the Banks
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore has miles of dedicated cycling paths through maritime forest and along the sound. Flat, scenic, and manageable at any pace.
Water & Wildlife
Kayaking through the coastal sounds or the mountain lakes and rivers, dolphin tours out of Ocracoke, and the wild ponies of Shackleford Banks — the outdoor choices never end in the Carolinas.
History & Culture
The Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, the colonial streets of New Bern, the coastal lighthouses, the influence of emigrating Scots on coastal and Appalachian culture. Think the Carolinas doesn’t have a rich history? Think again…
Before you go
Practical planning notes
When to visit
- May and September are the sweet spots — warm water, smaller crowds, lower prices.
- Summer is busy and humid but the water is at its best.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — check forecasts.
Getting around
- A car is essential — public transport is minimal.
- Fly into Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte and on to regional airports.
- On the coast, the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry is free and worth the experience.
- Highways can flood during storms — check conditions.
Where to stay
- VRBO and Airbnb dominate — beach houses rent by the week in summer & unique stays in the mountains.
- Ocracoke Island has charming B&Bs worth the ferry ride.
- Mountains have luxury glamping domes with amazing natural views.
- Book summer accommodation 3–4 months ahead
DEREK’S TAKE · THE CAROLINAS
People come to the Carolinas expecting a beach or mountain vacation and they get one. But the ones who slow down discover something else entirely — a place shaped by wind, water, and three centuries of complicated history.
The stories are everywhere if you know where to look. I’ve been looking for thirty years and I’m still finding new things to see and do every time.
Derek Cadzow · Atlantic Destinations · New Bern, NC
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