ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Wanting to escape the mountains for the sea? Maybe just for a long weekend?
Here are a few of the closest beaches to the Asheville area:
Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina ~275 miles, 4 hours 20 minutes driving time
Sullivan’s Island is proud of its small town charm with only around 2,000 residents living in the area just outside Charleston.
The island is home to 2.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront, several dining spots and historic areas to check out. Click here to see the town’s rules about beachgoing.
What to do on the trip down:
Traveling to Sullivan’s Island, you’ll drive right through part of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. Here, you can take a pit stop for a picnic and enjoy the scenery between Appalachia and the coast.
Isle of Palms, South Carolina ~283 miles, 4 hours 35 minutes driving time
With a population of a little over 4,000 people, Isle of Palms is another small beach city with opportunities for boating, fishing and many more aquatic activities. The city’s website says getting around the island is easy, “with most roads having marked bike paths for safety.”
From now until Labor Day, you can catch a free ride to the beach on a shuttle!
What to do on the trip down:
If you take Interstate 26 on the way down, you’ll drive right through South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia, which hosts a plethora of museums, dining spots and other recreational activities.
Folly Beach, South Carolina ~283 miles, 4 hours 37 minutes driving time
Also known as “The Edge of America,” Folly Beach is the closest beach to historic Charleston. According to the city’s website, Folly Beach is known for “sea, sand, surfing, wildlife, and a great sense of community among residents.” Click here to see rules for beachgoers.
Check out the iconic Folly Beach Pier while you’re there, charter a boat tour or take a surfing class!
What to do on the trip down:
If you’re looking to break your trip up a bit with an outdoorsy detour, the Little Bradley Falls Trail is located off of I-26 near Saluda, North Carolina. It’s a 1.8 mile hike and considered moderately challenging.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park ~295 miles, 4 hours 57 minutes driving time
Another small island town, with a population of about 2,000 residents, Kiawah boasts “10 miles of pristine beach and is comprised of two areas commonly referred to as East Beach and West Beach,” according to the town’s website. Visitors can book guided nature tours, enjoy a relaxing day at the spa or, of course, head to the beach!
What to do on the trip down:
Want to pick up some Carolina produce on your way to the beach? Taking I-26, you’ll pass by the South Carolina State Farmers Market. Open year-round, you can find local produce, a restaurant and more.
And for those wanting to stick to the North Carolina coast, here’s the closest beach to reach by car:
Sunset Beach, North Carolina ~322 miles, 5 hours 30 minutes driving time
Sunset Beach’s town is unique because it encompasses a mainland and an island, according to the town’s website. Included in National Geographic’s 2017 list of “21 Best Beaches in the World,” visitors can head to Bird Island, walk along the Sunset Beach Pier, check out dining spots and much more.
What to do on the trip down:
Leaving from the Asheville area, you’ll drive around Charlotte to get to Sunset Beach. There are tons of restaurants and breweries to check out in Charlotte, along with other outdoor activities such as a stroll through the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Note: All drive times are an estimate and most likely to change depending on what part of Western North Carolina you’re leaving from or what time of day you’re heading out.