Hoping for a "stop and smell the roses" drive to Hilton Head from Pittsburgh

[rusafee1183]

I am hoping to book a room at Hilton Head for a week in May, and we are trying to make it a relaxing, more go with the flow kind of a trip.

Has anyone drivin from PA/surrounding areas and have any suggestions on stops along the way? Any sights/stops on the way there or back that make the trip more enjoyable?

 

[HayGan]

In June, we went to Savannah/Tybee Island, GA which is right across from Hilton Head. We stopped right outside of Charlotte to go to Carowinds on the way down. It waqs a really fun amusement park. We did the after 4pm deal which was perfect. We have also stopped at the Emerald Hollow gem mine which isn't to far from Statesville, NC as well (this is a dirty activity so make sure you are spending the night somewhere.)

You can also stop at the New River Gorge Bridge in WV. That is a nice place to break up the trip. The have a nice short movie you can watch and there is a nice walking path down to a viewing area. Good place to stop and have a picnic and spend a little while. There is the Tamarac (I think that is the spelling) rest stop in WV as well that is supposed to have all kinds of crafts and stuff. We have never stopped but I have always wanted to.

We drive to FL at least once a year typically and it is pretty much the same route. The ride tends to be pretty boring.

 

[mumto3girls]

You can also stop at the New River Gorge Bridge in WV. That is a nice place to break up the trip. The have a nice short movie you can watch and there is a nice walking path down to a viewing area. Good place to stop and have a picnic and spend a little while. There is the Tamarac (I think that is the spelling) rest stop in WV as well that is supposed to have all kinds of crafts and stuff. We have never stopped but I have always wanted to.

We drive to FL at least once a year typically and it is pretty much the same route. The ride tends to be pretty boring.

We did the New River Gorge Bridge last year on our way home from Hilton Head. We had passed it so many times I thought we should check it out. It isn't something we would want to do every year, but I was glad we got to see it and the view from the viewing area was beautiful. We missed the movie though.

I have also always wanted to stop at Tamarac, but DH is always trying to make good time getting there or getting home. I was pushing it with the bridge!

Good luck with your planning.

 

[rusafee1183]

Thanks for the responses! I am just a few days from being able to book. I really hope availabilty holds out for me!!

Anyone else have any suggestions?

The gem mine seems really interesting. I think I will probably take a day to drive to NC, sightsee somewhere a bit and then stay the night.

We'll see!!

 

[Msmithmd]

The Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area ("the triangle") of north Carolina is a true gem of the south. With Duke, UNC, and NC state as hubs, and the highest concentration of ph.D's anywhere in the country, this area boosts an excellent economy and all the benefits of that which you can imagine. We have family there, and visit every other year or so, and it is truly like a laid back, cheaper version of the San Francisco bay area. Great restaurants, shopping, and microbrew beer. A whole lot to be said for an overnight or two here on the way down to HHI from PA. And a convenient stop on your trip. We're "equidistant" with you to HHI (from Ohio.) Give raleigh area a try. I guarantee you will be glad you did.

 

[keishashadow]

We did the New River Gorge Bridge last year on our way home from Hilton Head. We had passed it so many times I thought we should check it out. It isn't something we would want to do every year, but I was glad we got to see it and the view from the viewing area was beautiful. We missed the movie though.

I have also always wanted to stop at Tamarac, but DH is always trying to make good time getting there or getting home. I was pushing it with the bridge!

Good luck with your planning.

beware the speed traps in the area, the posted speed drops rapidly, it's easy to miss.

You'll likely pass Charlotte area, might want to check it out

It'd be possible to detour a bit (or take turnpike to breezewood) to pick up portion of skyline drive or head east a few hours to Williamsburg area and stop there if it holds any interest for you.

 

[rusafee1183]

The Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area ("the triangle") of north Carolina is a true gem of the south. With Duke, UNC, and NC state as hubs, and the highest concentration of ph.D's anywhere in the country, this area boosts an excellent economy and all the benefits of that which you can imagine. We have family there, and visit every other year or so, and it is truly like a laid back, cheaper version of the San Francisco bay area. Great restaurants, shopping, and microbrew beer. A whole lot to be said for an overnight or two here on the way down to HHI from PA. And a convenient stop on your trip. We're "equidistant" with you to HHI (from Ohio.) Give raleigh area a try. I guarantee you will be glad you did.

Thank you! Good to know! I just got back from San Francisco last week and enjoyed it, but was hoping for more of a laid back 'coastal' feel than what it actually was.

I'll definitely look into stopping in Raleigh! Plus, I work at the headquarters for PNC bank in PGH and we just expanded into NC... may be a good chance to explore moving a bit south

 

[mickeyplanner]

Get start to this thread.

We are hoping for our waitlist to come through for June 2013. Any stops/tips for families along the way from Pittsburgh to HHI?

 

[wishing4PA]

We enjoyed stopping at Lost World Caverns last time we were out that direction (WV). According to google, it would add about an hour and 20 minutes to your trip (plus the time in the cave.) When we stopped (can't remember the time of year right now, sorry), it was real laid back and pleasant. My mom, DD, and I were the only people in the cave. Then DD needed to use the restroom when we got almost all the way back on the standard tourist loop , so we had to hurry out sooner than planned. We also stopped at a fish hatchery that just happened to be along our route, but I'm not sure exactly where it was to tell you or to find it again. DD had a ball there and we took some crazy awesome swarming fish photos. You may or may not go past it.
I suppose you could swing off the road & visit Andy Griffith's home. Apparently it can even be rented for the night via the Hampton Inn there in Mt. Airy (NC). This may or may not interest you, but chances are it won't mean much to the kids, if you have any.
I never did that, though I meant to at least pull off the road there on one of my trips, so had to look it up for you .
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