GuestQuest North Carolina Spring 2016 by GuestQuest

NC’s Brunswick Islands - The Beaches You Bond With

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Georgia,

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North Carolina

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Tennessee

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GuestQuest by Traveler Vacation Guide takes you on a guided tour to various vacation locations. We feature information about accommodations, attractions and activities in many travel and vacation destinations. Providing you with article coverage on our advertisers, their amenities and services will assist you in making the right decision on choosing your accommodations, recreation, entertainment and more. Please visit our web site www.guestquest.com for additional advertiser information and links to their web sites. Distributed three times a year, Spring, Summer and Winter, with separate editions to Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois/Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia/Alabama, Tennessee/Kentucky, Virginia/Washington D.C., Michigan and Ontario, Canada. Serving our advertisers and readers since 1984. For advertising information, questions or comments, call 1-800-644-8460. P. O. Box 33547, Cleveland, OH 44133. The accuracy of the information contained in these listings is the responsibility of each individual advertiser. Every effort has been made to offer up-to-date information. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without written consent of the editor is prohibited. 2

This summer, you can count on making lasting memories on our sandy shores. In NC’s Brunswick Islands, you’ll find 45 miles of picture-perfect sand spread across six beaches on five barrier islands. Our beaches along with our charming coastal towns offer something for everyone. Bask in the summer sunshine. Learn to surf. Paddle through the marshes teeming with wildlife. Climb to the top of a lighthouse. Feast on world-famous Calabash seafood. Fly through the air on a zipline. Watch baby sea turtles

make their first journey to the ocean. Go fishing off one of our 5 ocean piers. Play golf on one of over 30 courses. Plus, we offer a variety of accommodations perfect for any size group. The NC’s Brunswick Islands Vacation Guide has information on all this and more. Request your free Vacation Guide today at NCBrunswick.com and start planning your family’s best vacation ever! North Carolina Brunswick Islands 910-755-5517 www.ncbrunswick.com ¤

Award Winning Beachside Hotel Days Inn & Suites Jekyll Island Days Inn & Suites a Jekyll Island GA hotel features 40 Oceanfront one-bedroom suites, 76 double-bed guest rooms and 8 King rooms. All rooms contain “free” in-room coffee, micro-fridges, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, clock radios, and free WIFI access. Guests staying at the hotel enjoy the Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast including fresh “cooked to order” Belgian Waffles and assorted yogurt in an abundant breakfast bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This moderately priced sparkling oceanfront hotel in Jekyll Island, GA offers many things for guests to enjoy while at the hotel and on the island – great beach access, two spacious swimming pools – one of which is heated seasonally, kiddie pool, hot tub, grilling, picnic areas and a new fire pit. Bike rentals on property. Visit www.DaysInnJekyll.com to learn more about our many specials and packages – also sign up for our last minute “Hot Deals!”

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Days Inn & Suites 60 S. Beachview Drive Jekyll Island, GA 31527 toll free: 888-635-3003 Direct Line: 912-635-9800 Fax: 912-635-2287 ¤

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Hendersonville:

Garden Spot of the NC Mountains Extra-wide sidewalks, lots of benches and a landscaped Main Street in downtown Hendersonville form the perfect setting each May for the Garden Jubilee Festival. This popular event happens Memorial Day weekend, May 27-28 and has served as the unofficial kickoff to summer for the last 24 years. This event is recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 regional event. Garden Jubilee makes a nice

centerpiece to a Hendersonville getaway. The festival encompasses eight blocks of Main Street with vendors displaying practically everything garden related. Dozens of nurseries offer plants for sale, ranging from colorful flowers to verdant shrubbery and vegetables, herbs and hard-to-find plants. “We see visitors from all over the Southeast at this event,” says Hendersonville tourism

director Beth Carden. “It’s a beautiful event that focuses on gardening at a time of year when people are starting to work in their yards and gardens.” Hendersonville is home to the Crest of the Blue Ridge Orchard Trail, which takes visitors to 20 orchards, produce markets and fruit stands throughout Henderson County. The county is the seventh-largest apple producing county in the nation

and is becoming a leader in the production of hard cider. Three cideries are now open in the Hendersonville area, with a fourth in the works. Hendersonville is also home to one of the more easily-accessible grand views in the Carolina mountains – Jump Off Rock, which features a small park leading to a granite rock that offers spectacular panoramas of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains. On

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a clear day, four states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee – are visible from this spot on the outskirts of downtown Hendersonville. For information about Hendersonville getaways, call 800-828-4244 or go to: VisitHendersonvilleNC.com ¤

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north carolina

Carolina Beach / Kure Beach North Carolina Oceanfront

Topsail Island Vacation Homes, NC Come to the beautiful sandy beaches along the shores of Topsail Island NC and enjoy our beautiful vacation rental homes in Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach. Offering a wide selection of vacation homes from oceanfront, second row, pet friendly, with elevators and pools. From cottages to brand new homes featuring all the latest updates! Each of our homes is kid and family friendly. Uncrowded beaches, a natural ecosystem with flourishing wildlife, and life’s simple pleasures along the

SALES•RENTALS

North Carolina coast, these are just a few of the great reasons to come to Topsail Island. Many people believe that the beaches on Topsail Island are the way beaches used to be, with plenty of quiet time, relaxation and family traditions – thus making the island a wonderful vacation destination for family, friends and groups. Call Starfish Rentals & Realty today at 910-541-0872 or simply book online at www.starfishrentalsandrealty.com. ¤

Spacious guest rooms include: Microwave ovens Refrigerators • Coffee maker Observation tower • Refreshing outdoor pool Cable TV • WI FI • Laundry facilities Oceanside, Dining, Shops & Mini Golf

Call Now

800-327-5863 www.bullardrealtyonline.com

Bullard Realty, Inc.

Oversized guestrooms • Free WiFi On-site restaurant La Dolce Vita Manteo 75 foot long heated, indoor pool On-site Nautics Hall Health Club Sparkling outdoor pool • Poolside Gazebo

Elizabethan Inn On Historic Roanoke Island

CHECK OUR WEBSI TE FOR SEASONAL SPE CIALS

46745 Hwy 12 & Old Lighthouse Rd • Buxton NC 27920

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1,500 feet from the Beach Free daily Baymont Breakfast Corner Free WiFi • Flat-screen HDTV Microwave • Mini-fridge Outdoor Pool • Onsite Water Sports

252-261-4888 www.baymontinnsuites.com 814 North Hwy 64 • Manteo, NC 27954

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3915 North Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

This Summer, The Vacation Is on In Dolly’s Hometown, Sevierville, TN No more waiting, postponing or being too busy – this year the vacation is on and the Smoky Mountains are waiting to welcome you. Located in Great Smoky Mountain foothills, Sevierville offers family-friendly fun. Visit one of America’s finest small zoos, Rainforest Adventures, race around at NASCAR SpeedPark and watch history

take flight at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. Then take the kids to the all-new Sevier Air Trampoline and Ninja Warrior Park or to a Tennessee Smokies baseball game – AA affiliates of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Shopping for great bargains on name brand merchandise is so much fun, especially at

malls like Tanger Outlets Sevierville. With more than 100 high end name brand outlets you’ll find plenty of great deals. Add to that a huge selection of specialty boutiques, flea markets and antique malls throughout town and it’s clear – Sevierville is one awesome city for shopping!

While in Sevierville, be sure and see all things Dolly. Sevierville is Dolly Parton’s hometown and many visitors like to stop for a photo with the singer’s bronze statue in downtown Sevierville before making the five-minute trip to her nearby Dollywood theme park, which offers award-winning rides, multiple

live shows daily and traditional Appalachian arts, crafts and music. Learn more about a Sevierville and Smoky Mountain vacation. Request your free Sevierville Vacation Planner online at www.VisitSevierville.com. ¤

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

1-800-842-1930 www.JohnsonsInn.com 242 Bishop Lane Gatlinburg, TN 37738

P I G E O N F O R G E N O RT H

2193 N. Parkway Pigeon Forge Tennessee 37863

Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast Indoor Pool • Guest Laundry Complimentary WiFi Call Toll Free Now For Reservations!

866-841-2080

www.pigeonforgeramada.com $10.00 off rate w/ad. Not valid special events, holidays, or w/other discounts. Based on availability. 8

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south carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA

Cruise the Coast for 200 Miles of South Carolina Sand, Sun and Surf A mix of easy public access, private retreats and natural preserves highlights the 200 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline that South Carolina calls its own. For generations, beach trips to millions of Americans and Canadians has meant an easy drive to Myrtle Beach and later, Hilton Head, while expanded air travel has added more international travelers in recent years. Reliable, decent weather year-round and a burgeoning menu of attractions and amenities continue to drive that growth in popularity. Starting from the north, Myrtle Beach anchors the 60-mile crescent of shoreline known as the Grand Strand. Characterized by long, sweeping stretches of sand and surf, the Strand offers both bustling and

less-boisterous choices for plopping that plastic chaise lounge and propping the umbrella. In Myrtle Beach proper, hotels old and new, restaurants and shops line the beach, with public access points interspersed. Then there are the quiet ocean-side beach communities such as Cherry Grove, Atlantic Beach (considered perhaps the nation’s first predominantly African American beach town), Garden City and “elegantly shabby” Pawleys Island. Each offers varying degrees of public beach access and wide choices of hotel, cottage and condo rentals, as well as package deals with many of the more than 100 golf courses on the Strand. Cozy Myrtle Beach and expansive Huntington Beach state parks also offer beach

access, camping, environmental education programs and more. Much of the coast is protected wildlife refuges until the Charleston area, itself a world-class destination for lovers of history and architecture but also home to popular beach destinations such as Wild Dunes Resort and the Isle of Palms to the north of town and Folly Beach and its popular public beach just to the south. Next up going south is storied Edisto Island. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss overhang the narrow highway across the big island to Edisto Beach, long beloved for its great shelling. The park also has a robust environmental education center, camping and cabins.

Then there’s the Beaufort area. The big park has four miles of beach, cabins and thousands of acres of maritime forest and marsh for exploring. It even has a historic, 100-foot lighthouse. At the south end of South Carolina’s coast is Hilton Head, a golf and tennis haven. Hilton Head is world famous for its plantation resorts, which combine beachfront

dining, pools and cabanas with tennis, a range of accommodations and public and private golf. There are literally thousands of hotel rooms, condos, campsites and other accommodations along the South Carolina coast, as well as a myriad of dining, entertainment and educational options to help spice up the trip. -Marc Rapport

Myrtle Beach’s Grand Atlantic Resort…Any Season…Any Reason Any Season…Any Reason is the perfect time to visit Myrtle Beach’s Grand Atlantic oceanfront resort. Sixty miles of white, sandy beaches stretch just outside of your oceanfront condor rental. Watch the sun rise and set over the Atlantic Ocean from the beautiful grassy lawn, or from your oceanfront balcony. Grand Atlantic Resort features the flexibility of one to four bedroom condos with fully equipped kitchens in the heart of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Water venues abound at Grand Atlantic with a relaxing soak in the hot tub, or float down the lazy river. Swim in the sparkling, heated indoor or seasonal outdoor pool. The little ones are sure to enjoy the indoor bubble pool, or outdoor pool with mushroom falls. Grand Atlantic features an attached covered parking garage, plus the convenience of an onsite restaurant and store. The resort is

ideally located near Myrtle Beach’s most popular attractions. Come discover Myrtle Beach and Grand Atlantic resort, where Any Season…Any Reason is the perfect time to visit. Grand Atlantic Ocean Resort 2007 S. Ocean Blvd. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 800-852-7032 www.grandatlanticresort.com ¤

Where Families Come to Play: Edisto Beach Vacation Rentals Just south of Charleston is South Carolina’s best kept secret. Edisto Beach is one of the last non-commercial Sea Islands on the

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Coast and is famed for many things including beaches that are perfect for shelling, creeks teeming with shrimp, crabs and fish, age-old oak trees

draped with Spanish moss, abundant nature preserves and its laid-back way of life. The charms of Edisto are immediately apparent once you cross the bridge onto the island and they keep visitors coming back year after year. Once discovered, Edisto does not let you go. Check out edistorealty.com for information on the many vacation homes and villas on the ocean, creeks, saltmarsh or golf course. We are sure we can find one that suits you and your family needs. Come on down and once you cross the bridge to the island you will be hooked on the “Edisto Feeling.” Edisto Sales & Rentals Realty 1405 Palmetto Blvd. Edisto Island, SC 29438 1-800-868-5398 www.edistorealty.com ¤

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south carolina

Explore the Beautiful Sandy Shores of North Myrtle Beach Comprised of the unique seaside communities of Atlantic Beach, Barefoot Resort, Cherry Grove, Crescent Beach, Little River, Ocean Drive, Shore Drive and Windy Hill, beauty, charm, sea oats and sand dunes attract vacationers year after year. Great fishing, coastal entertainment and loads of recreational opportunities make North Myrtle Beach a family favorite. Private charters, casino cruises and riverboat cruises, surfing, water skiing, kayaking and snorkeling and just some of the adventures that North Myrtle Beach’s perfect location

makes possible. You’ll find miniature golf courses with themes, challenges and even tournaments to keep you busy. The Alabama Theater, recently voted the #1 Live Entertainment Theatre by Myrtle Beach visitors and locals, and nominated for CMA’s Venue of The Year, features guest concert series with top selling artists. Art galleries, shopping and other attractions are sure to make your days enjoyable. From fine dining to casual eateries, seafood is the specialty along the coast. Enjoy southern hospitality, low country atmosphere and the beach’s best at the many restaurants along the coast.

Here in the Golf Capital of the World, you’ll find no shortage of championship courses designed by the best in the industry. Making the most of the natural landscape the courses you’ll play will be both challenging and beautiful. Make sure to check out affordable North Myrtle Beach golf vacation packages to get the best vacation value! Holiday, seasonal, sporting and other special events, live shows, festivals and parades can be a draw in and of themselves. From Bike Week to the Annual Blue Crab Festival, Fourth of July Fireworks to the Christmas Parade, make sure to

check out and plan for the events occurring during your North Myrtle Beach vacation. From golf resorts to North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals, lodging for every style and budget is available to accommodate your family vacation. Small family owned motels, oceanfront lodging with luxurious suites, beachside homes of every size and location, family friendly campgrounds and rv resorts, resorts offering condos with golf course views, hotels with convenient amenities, and more can be found in this ideal destination. Vacation rental companies utilize their expertise to

help you find the perfect home for your family or group. Some even provide concierge services to aid in finding the activities, attractions and discounts that will make your getaway complete. Make your North Myrtle Beach family vacation one to remember. Get away from it all with an escape to North Myrtle Beach, let the sunshine kiss your shoulders, the sand kiss your feet and let your cares slip away as you relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches and sun drenched shores in South Carolina’s perfect beach vacation destination. See back cover ¤

South Carolina’s Hammock Coast – Vacation with Southern Charm Where is the Hammock Coast SC? Well, take a peek at the coastal area between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. For years, Georgetown County, known as South Carolina’s Hammock Coast has quietly given beach lovers, golfers, families, outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs,

a vacation destination infused with Southern charm and natural beauty. Made up of the communities of Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Garden City, Litchfield Beach and Georgetown, each area has its own distinct personality, which combined, form the unique attraction of this area. You won’t have trouble claiming

With over 900 vacation properties to fit every budget, bringing your family together has never been easier. Start planning your unforgettable getaway today! dunes.com

888.899.0311

Garden City Beach, Surfside Beach & Myrtle Beach's largest selection of vacation rentals.

your spot on our beaches. Garden City, Litchfield and Pawleys Island all have spacious beaches and pristine salt marshes for soaking up the sun, exploring or catching some fish and blue crabs for dinner. Award winning golf, with more than 13 courses within a 15-minute drive, dots our area. Many built on former rice plantations, give a graciously Southern golf experience. Three of Golf Magazines’ “Top 100 You Can Play” are here and Pawleys Island was named one of the top ten “Golf Islands” in the world by Links Magazine. Pawleys Island, the oldest Seaside Resort in America, continues to be a great place to enjoy a quiet, laid-back vacation. As the birthplace of the rope hammock, relaxation has a long history here. The actual island has no commercial development; however, just over the short causeway, there are first class restaurants and boutique shopping for when (if!) you want a break from relaxing on the beach or the porch. Known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina, Murrells Inlet is a

sleepy little fishing village on a protected inlet, and boasts some of the best seafood in the entire South! The Murrells Inlet Marshwalk is a boardwalk on the banks of the Inlet, and allows visitors to truly experience the salt-marsh ecosystem along with restaurants, shops, parasailing, jet skiing and fishing excursions. Between Murrells Inlet and the Litchfield Beaches, you will discover Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park. Huntington Beach State Park, recognized as one of the top birding spots in North America, also offers camping and access to a pristine undeveloped beach. Brookgreen Gardens houses the most significant collection of figurative sculpture in a beautiful outdoor setting and the only accredited zoo on the coast of SC. For the history buff, Georgetown is South Carolina’s third oldest city, founded in 1729. It is also the probable site of the first European settlement in North America in 1526. It also boasts a charming downtown historic district with restaurants and boutique shopping along the

Harborwalk. Local tour companies provide a glimpse into the history of the area by land and by river. For the foodie, you won’t have any trouble finding an amazing meal on the Hammock Coast, our area is dotted with great little restaurants, staffed by award winning chefs. Fresh seafood, fresh produce and wonderful culinary talent equal many “blog-worthy” meals. Fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation are plentiful. With five rivers coming together to meet the ocean, and vast undeveloped land holdings, wildlife is plentiful. A number of guides and outfitters are available to get you out on the water in a boat, kayak, paddleboard or surfboard. Come visit the Hammock Coast and rediscover life with no schedules, rediscover your family, rediscover nature and rediscover yourself. The only itinerary you need is a tide chart! Hammock Coast, SC Georgetown, SC 29440 866.570.4238 www.HammockCoastSC.com See next page ¤

Oceanfront Fun with Ocean Lakes Family Campground Enjoy sunny spring temperatures on the ocean while staying in Ocean Lakes Family Campground, a national award winning resort destination. Enjoy our activities and Myrtle Beach, too! Ocean Lakes features 300 beach house rentals that sleep 4 to 22 people. Our 859 campsites are large, pull-through, with full hook-ups, including Wi-Fi. Concrete pads are available 630 campsites. Our rates 10

are inclusive, we don’t add on for pets, people or hookups. Our amenities include Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center - Games, Mini-Golf, Café; the new Sandy Harbor Water Park features a huge river, slides and Splash Zone (please check seasonal hours). Don’t sweat the necessities in life with Sandy Mart, Sandy’s Soapy Suds, Wireless Zone, RV Center and more!

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Ranked in the top 1% of the 8,000 private campgrounds included in the 2017 Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory and TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Ocean Lakes Family Campground Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 877-506-1053 www.OceanLakes.com ¤ NORTH CAROLINA ~ SPRING 2017

Come enjoy beautiful Pawleys Island, South Carolina Featuring: • Over 230 vacation rental homes & condos • Oceanfront, Off-Ocean and Creekside • FREE Wi-Fi • Full Kitchens and Laundry • Year-Round Rentals • Monthly and Weekly Rentals • Kayaking, Fishing and Golfing • Local Family and Fine Dining • Local Shops and Grocery

Pawleys Island ~ Litchfield Beach ~ Prince George

Premier Vacation Homes Virtual tours & online reservations available. View website for SPECIALS!

seasiderentalsonline.com 12 South Ocean Boulevard Surfside Beach, SC 29575 866-613-7983

Order your FREE SEASIDE RENTALS vacation guide today!

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PAWLEYS ISLAND REALTY CO., LLC. ~ “The Island Leader in Vacation Rentals” 88 N. Causeway Rd., Pawleys Island, SC 29585 ~ 843-237-2000

info@pawleysislandrealty.com ~ www.pawleysislandrealty.com

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NORTH CAROLINA ~ SPRING 2017