The stretch of shore running from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the Lowcountry of South Carolina offers an amazing array of places to stay, places to eat, adventures and attractions. 100 Secrets of the Carolina Coast includes the best lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path travel tips. There's something for everyone with a wide variety of secrets -- from down-home shrimp shacks to gourmet bistros; from primitive campgrounds to luxury bed-and-breakfasts. The Carolina coast has all this and more for you to enjoy if you know the secrets. With this book, you soon will.

Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline. What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story. Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure. Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

"Consistently rated the best guides to the regions covered...Readable, tasteful, appealingly designed. Strong on dining, lodging, and history."—National Geographic Traveler Explorer's Guide North Carolina's Outer Banks & Crystal Coast covers the coast from Virginia to Hammocks Beach State Park. Includes Manteo, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke, Beaufort, Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and Swansboro. Distinctive for their accuracy, simplicity, and conversational tone, the diverse travel guides in our Great Destinations series meet the conflicting demands of the modern traveler. They're packed full of up-to-date information to help plan the perfect gateway. And they're compact and light enough to come along for the ride. A tool you'll turn to before, during, and after your trip, these guides include these helpful features: chapters on lodging, dining, transportation, history, shopping, recreation and more; a section packed with practical information, such as lists of banks, hospitals, post offices, laundromats, numbers for police, fire, and rescue, and other relevant information; and maps of regions and locales.

Discover the Carolinas with Moon Travel Guides! Refreshing sea breeze, aquatic adventures, and over 500 miles of scenic coastline: get to know this unique stretch of America with Moon Coastal Carolinas. Inside you'll find: Strategic itineraries for every timeline and budget, from five days on the coast of North or South Carolina to a longer trip combining both, with advice for history buffs, honeymooners, beach bums, families, outdoor adventurers, and more The best beaches for your trip, whether you're looking for scenery, water sports, local character, or solitude Unique activities and can't-miss sights: Tour historic lighthouses, wander the charming streets of Charleston, or see the site of humankind's first flight at Kittyhawk. Explore hundreds of windswept waterways by kayak, try hang-gliding, ride a dune buggy, or go bird-watching and enjoy nature's stillness. Sample the catch of the day (fried, grilled, or boiled!), classic shrimp and grits, and juicy southern barbecue. Tee off at a world-class golf resort, or relax on the beach and breathe in the salty sea air from the comfort of your towel Firsthand perspective from local author and born-and-bred southerner Jim Morekis Honest advice on when to go, where to stay, and how to spend your time Full-color photos and detailed maps for exploring on your own In-depth coverage of The Outer Banks, North Carolina Central Coast, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, Wilmington and Cape Fear, South Carolina Low Country Detailed background information on the landscape, culture, history, and environment With Moon Coastal Carolinas' practical tips, myriad activities, and local know-how, you can plan your trip your way. Exploring more of the South? Try Moon Georgia. Making a road trip out of it? Check out Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip.

North Carolina's Outer Banks and Upper and Lower Coasts are full of enchantment, from the magical waters to the stunning islands, imposing lighthouses, and captivating lore. Author Zepke brings you: History and heritage of coastal communities like Manteo's Fort Raleigh, where Sir Walter Raleigh established settlements in 1585, and Kitty Hawk, the birthplace of modern aviation Main sites and attractions like Cape Hatteras's tallest lighthouse in the United States and Wilmington's 230-block historic district Complete listings of boat ramps, marinas, golf courses, and spots to practice unusual sports such as kitesurfing and hang gilding. Little-known natural gems such as Bear Island's Hammocks State Park and the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge

Connecting communities from Corolla in the north to Ocracoke Island in the south, scenic North Carolina Highway 12 binds together the fragile barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. Throughout its lifetime, however, NC 12 has faced many challenges—from recurring storms and shifting sands to legal and political disputes—that have threatened this remarkable highway's very existence. Through the unique lens of the road's rich history, Dawson Carr tells the story of the Outer Banks as it has unfolded since a time when locals used oxcarts to pull provisions from harbors to their homes and the Wright Brothers struggled over mountainous dunes. Throughout, Carr captures the personal stories of those who have loved and lived on the Outer Banks. As Carr relates the importance of NC 12 and its transformation from a string of beach roads to a scenic byway joining miles of islands, he also chronicles the history of a region over the last eighty-five years, showing how the highway and the residents of the Outer Banks came to rely on each other.