The Latest From Carolina Traveler
It's the week after Thanksgiving, and you know what that means… you're either elbows deep in leftovers, open Black Friday/Cyber Monday tabs, or, most likely, both.
What do you say we take a break from our annual homage to consumerism and set our sights on making holiday plans in the weeks to come. The Holiday 2023 issue is here! And it features the best Carolina Traveler subscription rates of the year…
This week's newsletter highlights epic holiday train rides in Bryson City and Blowing Rock, the Nights of a Thousand Candles in Murrells Inlet, and charming small town Christmas celebrations sprinkled throughout the Carolinas.
Looking for fun things to do with family, a significant other, friends, or other interest groups? A one-year subscription to Carolina Traveler is a thoughtful, personal gift for the special person on your holiday gift list who loves to explore, try new things, and see all there is to see of the Carolinas. Your gift of a one-year subscription can come at the best cost of the year this Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and inspire a lifetime of priceless memories.
Reasons To Unlock The Cyber Monday Rates (You Might Be A Carolina Traveler If…)
How do you know if Carolina Traveler is the right subscription for you or someone you're considering gifting it to? If you're interested in learning more in the following topics, visit Carolina Traveler's subscription level comparison page to see which tier best fits your Carolina wanderlust!
- Embark Upon Epic Holiday Train Rides In The Carolinas: 2023 Edition
- The 6 Best Winter Hikes in North Carolina and South Carolina
- Pairs Well With Fun: 11 Fall North Carolina Wine Adventures
- Going Up! Unique Hot Air Balloon Experiences In The Carolinas
- Shallotte River Swamp Park: Take On Aerial Adventures At An Alligator Sanctuary!
- Island Explorers Brings You Up Close To Dolphin Strand Feeding
- You'll Love This Kid-Friendly Museum Trail In Downtown Raleigh
- Take the Ferry to These Three Southeastern NC Beach Towns
- 5 Days of History, Wildlife, and Active Adventures in South Carolina’s ACE Basin
- Top Dinosaur Attractions in the Carolinas for Kids (and Kids at Heart)
The 2023 Holiday Issue Is Here!
Just in time for Cyber Monday inspiration!
Gather your loved ones around the hearth, it's time to saturate your calendar with splendid and merry holiday fun across the Carolinas! From small town Christmas traditions to heart-pumping holiday spectaculars, there's something to put a twinkle in everyone's eye this season.
Access a sneak peek of the digital version of the 2023 Holiday Issue.
Snap a selfie with Snap, Crackle, and Pop at the Rice Krispie artist-inspired ChristmasVille in Rock Hill.
Christmas In A Small Town
What is it about Christmas in a small town that propels us instantly into the holiday spirit? The subtly coordinated shops and cafes along a narrow yet lively main street? The friendliness and twinkling smiles of neighbors and strangers as they pass you by? The high school marching band playing upbeat Christmas tunes in the annual parade?
We get it, Carolina Travelers. There's something about a small town Christmas that just makes the season feel more…Christmas-y.
In honor of the small town Christmas spirit, we're highlighting a different town each week where holiday happenings will inevitably draw curious revelers from nearby cities. This week, we're making our way to Rock Hill, SC, where the town has transformed into a winter wonderland inspired by native son, artist Vernon Grant, the artist behind the Kellogg's Rice Krispies elves.
All aboard for family fun at Tweetsie Railroad!
Don't Miss Out On This Timeless Carolina Christmas Tradition
Hopping about a holiday train for the ride of a lifetime is a favorite holiday pastime in the Tar Heel State. Two train ride attractions in NC — the Polar Express in Bryson City and the Tweetsie Christmas experience in Blowing Rock — indubitably command the stage as the best Christmas train rides in North Carolina, but new holiday train rides are fast approaching their collective cabooses when it comes to upping the fun factor! It may even be worth checking the different train sites for Cyber Monday discounts!
Spell-binding. A trip to Brookgreen Gardens during the holidays should totally be on your Myrtle Beach bucket list.
Nights Of A Thousand Candles At Brookgreen Gardens: What To Knob
After the sensory overload and rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday has subsided, you may be in search of an intimate and inspiring experience in the outdoors. December is one of the best times of the year to visit Brookgreen Gardens, a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve thriving right outside of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, SC. Here's the lowdown on this South Carolina bucket list experience:
What's the story with Brookgreen Gardens? Brookgreen Gardens has been named one of the top ten gardens in the United States. Conceived of by South Carolina philanthropists Archer Huntington and his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington, herself a talented sculpture, the setting has evolved into one of the top outdoor attractions in the southeast.
What are the Nights of A Thousand Candles? Named one of the top ten holiday light displays in the US, the Brookgreen Gardens morph into a magical botanical wonderland illuminated by nearly 3,000 hand-lit candles and millions of flickering lights.
What else is there to do? In addition to walking the paths, you can sip on wine or cider, enjoy holiday music, and even experience a kaleidoscope of Christmas colors and lights with a set of holographic glasses.
What are the dates and times of Nights of A Thousand Candles? The event runs November 25 through December 31 — with some closed dates — from 4 to 9 PM. Check the website before visiting to see the specific dates of availability and potential Cyber Monday discounts.
Since the early 1800’s, Hot Springs has held a reputation for its healing mineral springs and scenic mountain setting.
Holiday 2023 Day Trips: Relax At The Only Hot Springs In North Carolina
In this holiday 2023 issue of Carolina Traveler, we're highlighting three NC and SC cities worth a day trip. Join us this week as we visit Hot Springs, North Carolina for some holiday healing in the soothing thermal waters. In addition to taking advantage of the natural hot springs, the surrounding area offers opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping, with the Appalachian Trail and French Broad River drawing many nature enthusiasts all year long.
Enjoy one of many festive performances at the Lake City Hometown Holidays celebration.
Lake City: Hometown Holidays 2023
Fun fact: Lake City, SC was once known as the Bean Capital of the World! Originally conceived by the PWA for southern farmers to transport their beans to the marketplace the revitalized downtown Bean Market is hosting the 2023 Lake City Hometown Holidays from December 1-3.
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with our timeless tree lighting ceremony, embark on a merry wine walk, and witness the dazzling “Afterdark Christmas Parade.” Delight in 40+ Christmas-themed crafts and activities catering to both the young and young at heart. Explore the magic within our historic district, where participating shops offer not just incredible sales but also delightful door prizes.
And oh, the lights! Be captivated by traditional decorations, holiday-themed art installations, and breathtaking commercial light displays. Don't miss out – downtown Lake City is a festive must-visit for checking off your holiday display and lighting checklist!
Looking for more information on Cyber Monday discounts and holiday things in to do in North Carolina and South Carolina? From the best snow tubing recommendations in North Carolina to where to find dog-friendly beaches in the Palmetto State, join our Carolina Traveler Facebook group and become a subscriber to the Carolina Traveler magazine!
