Calabash, NC

About 25 to 30 minutes up the road is Calabash, NC — a sleepy little fishing village that just happens to be the birthplace of "Calabash-style" seafood, that lightly battered, fried style you'll see copied at restaurants everywhere. It's not a full-day destination, more of a perfect lunch or dinner trip, and it pairs beautifully with a stop in Little River since they're so close together.

Wilmington, NC

If you're up for a longer drive, Wilmington, NC is about an hour and a half to two hours north, and it's worth it. It's a real little city — walkable riverfront, a beautifully preserved historic downtown, and the Battleship North Carolina docked right there for anyone who loves history. A great change of pace if you want a day that isn't just sand and sun.Wilmington’s riverfront and history make for a refreshing break from the beach.

Charleston, SC

And then there's Charleston, SC, about an hour and a half to two hours south, which I'll be honest — I think it deserves more than a day trip if you can swing it. Cobblestone streets, Rainbow Row, the Battery, the City Market, and some of the best food you'll find anywhere in the South. If you have the time, turning it into an overnight instead of a rushed round trip makes the drive feel a lot more worth it.