Locals and visitors alike agree that Wilmington and North Carolina's southeastern coastal areas have a lot to offer, with more than enough attractions, restaurants, entertainment and fun activities to satisfy just about anyone. However, those with a wandering eye always want to see if the grass is greener somewhere else....

While we're definitely biased, we have to confess that traveling south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, heading north to the Central Coast of North Carolina or driving west as far as Interstate 95 can provide interesting adventures. These areas offer visitors three entirely different perspectives on life in the South. Even the hushpuppies and barbecue taste different. In this chapter, we've given you a snapshot of each area and what's there so you can choose a destination to fit your mood.