Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Jennifer Weiss

Carolina Beach, located along the southern tip of North Carolina, rests peacefully along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. While its prime location near the water allows for numerous beach and water activities, this city has a lot more to offer than the typical oceanfront town. Journey to Carolina Beach for a relaxing weekend or a weeklong respite, and you will never want to leave the beauty and tranquility that surround you.

With the Atlantic Ocean comes a multitude of exciting water sports and activities that are waiting for you at the marina. One always popular activity is deep-sea fishing aboard a charter boat for dolphin, tuna, wahoo, king mackerel, marlin, Spanish mackerel, and sailfish. Head down to the Municipal docks and seek out Blue Marlin Fishing Charters, who specialize in tuna fishing, for a memorable adventure with your family and the helpful guidance of their experienced captain.

To be in complete control of your Carolina Beach excursions, make your way to the Municipal Marina for a kayak or boat rental. You can explore those areas that interest you and make your way ashore when you need a break from the sun or a quick snack. Take the family waterskiing, wakeboarding, or simply cruising along the water and enjoy those activities that excite you. If you prefer less strenuous activities but still want to be on the water, consider a relaxing boat cruise through the Carolina waterway. Sit back and listen to the quiet, soothing music playing the background as you glide along, taking in the sights of the beautiful coastline.

One of the best places to venture for an amazing swimming experience is the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, located on Pleasure Island. You can wander the beach in search of shells and make your way into the cool, refreshing water at your own leisure. There is also the possibility of discerning some of the coastal wildlife, including endangered species such as the loggerhead sea turtle.

When you want to stroll the mainland, Carolina Beach offers one of the few remaining boardwalks on the east coast. Filled with boutique shops, nightclubs, restaurants, and live entertainment venues, this waterfront district between Harper Avenue and Cape Fear Boulevard is the place to go when you are looking for daytime or nighttime pursuits. To explore this area and the surrounding beachfront, try a bicycle rental for one or several people and cruise around at a leisurely pace as you enjoy the commotion and breathtaking views.

To explore off the beaten path, make your way to Carolina Beach State Park, which is a perpetual coastal attraction for visitors to the area. There are miles of trails available for those who want to observe the distinct habitats that wind their way through the park, but keep an eye out for the carnivorous Venus flytrap since this plant calls the park home. To learn more about the environment and ecology of this area, stop by the visitor’s center before you embark to see the exhibits about this wondrous park.

For Carolina Beach accommodations that are convenient to the Atlantic Ocean, its sparkling beaches, and the bustling boardwalk, look into Carolina Beach vacation rentals for your next trip. Walk to the boardwalk for a round of putt-putt golf or head out the back door for the short stroll to the beach. At the end of the day, you can retreat to your air-conditioned vacation home and take advantage of the wide selection of books and the free wireless internet connection.

To experience the vacation you imagined, begin your search today for the perfect vacation rental on GreatRentals.com. You are sure to find one that has all the amenities you need for the relaxing, exciting adventure of your dreams.

By Matthew Keegan

Situated in the heart of central North Carolina along the border of Wake and Chatham counties, just thirty minutes south of Raleigh, is the North Carolina Railroad Museum / New Hope Valley Railway. Featuring steam and diesel locomotives as well as various boxcars, flatcars, and the like, the museum / railway has been entertaining train fans at its rural Bonsal location since 1981. Take a trip down the old railroad line with me and experience a little bit of American train history!

Since I was a boy I have been enamored by trains — steam engines, diesels, bullet trains and even subways. My family feels the same way; we marvel at the sight of a steam locomotive hissing and wheezing its way clackety-clack down the tracks, imagining that we, too, are taking a trip across this great nation of our’s.

This particular rolling museum will excite train buffs for the variety of equipment on hand, as well as, for the rides that are made available to the general public. Indeed, when we visited the museum recently the grounds were packed since ride days are held only on the first Sunday of the month [from May through November with special Halloween and Christmas season rides as well]. Five excursions are held each ride day; visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the ride they wish to take.

Pulled by a rugged General Electric diesel locomotive [built in the early 1940s], the one hour train ride allows passengers to travel from Bonsal to New Hill and back. The 6.5 mile track was purchased from the venerable Southern Railway Company and is now used exclusively by the museum.

Enthusiasts sit in one of two comfortable open passenger cars that are, in fact, converted flat cars. On a recent Sunday, the museum brought out one of the aforementioned diesels and added a pair of wood sided red cabooses and a brown baggage car to round out the set.

On the sprawling museum grounds sits a US Army Transportation Corps Tool Car which currently houses the museum’s gift shop and exhibits. Various other cars and a crane boom tender are located on site as well; some are being carefully restored while others are in active use. Currently, the museum’s steam locomotive is used on a limited basis, but plans are to begin using it on excursions more frequently.

The railroad museum is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers [Saturdays are workdays and skilled volunteers are welcome]. Train ride prices are reasonable and passengers know that the fares are helping to restore a little bit of train history to North Carolina while reliving it at the same time.

A “G” scale model garden railroad is on site along with a barbeque restaurant and adjoining picnic area. There is plenty of parking on the premises as well.

Yes, there certainly is much to see and do while visiting the North Carolina Railroad Museum / New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal, NC — stop by soon and you will hear the conductor announcing to you, “all aboard!”

When not busy writing articles on travel related topics, Matt manages two very active aviation websites: the Aviation Employment Board at http://www.aviationemploymentboard.com and the Corporate Flight Attendant Community at http://www.corporateflyer.net and http://www.cabinmanagers.com

[tags]North Carolina Railroad Museum,New Hope Valley Railway,North Carolina,Raleigh,Bonsal,train museum,train history,g scale model