Patricia's Trip to the Carolinas

By Patricia Lacarcel Navarro

Patricias Trip To Carolinas Main


I recently got to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the United States to experience the charm of the Carolinas. We flew from Dublin to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina with Aer Lingus and spent 6 days there. Our next stops were Charlotte and Seattle, where we spent 2 days. We drove to Charlotte and then took a flight to Seattle with American Airlines. Finally, we flew from Seattle back to Dublin with Aer Lingus. I got to see and do so much during this trip. It was an incredible experience!

What I Loved

One of the most positive aspects of the trip was the variety of experiences across all destinations, with a really good balance of food, culture, nature and activities. In Raleigh, a highlight was Sam Jones BBQ, which felt very authentic and was a great introduction to local North Carolina cuisine. In Myrtle Beach, the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet, the eco tour, and lunch at Wicked Tuna in front of the water were real highlights. In Charlotte, the NASCAR experience was very fun, including the simulator - I came in 3rd position. Another highlight was the US National Whitewater Center zipline experience, which was one of the most fun and active parts of the itinerary. The RYDEABLES experience was also a very enjoyable and original way to explore the city. In terms of more relaxed and cultural highlights, Brookgreen Gardens was one of the most memorable stops, offering a very peaceful environment and beautiful scenery. The Pike Place Night Market in Seattle was fantastic, with a great atmosphere and strong local food focus. The Argosy Cruises Ballard Locks tour was also very interesting, offering a different perspective of the city from the water. Later visits to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass were also standout moments due to how iconic and visually impressive they were.

Overall, the cruises and water-based experiences (especially in Seattle and Murrells Inlet), along with the food experiences and active activities like the zipline, were some of the most enjoyable parts of the trip for me.

Places to See

  • In Raleigh, we visited places such as the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, La Farm Bakery and Sam Jones BBQ, which gave a great introduction to the local culture and food scene. We also enjoyed Crude Bitters & Easy and had the chance to explore a bit of the downtown area.
  • In Myrtle Beach, highlights included Jones Lake State Park, the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet, Brookgreen Gardens and Charlie’s Place, all of which offered a strong mix of nature, history and coastal atmosphere.
  • In Charlotte, some of the most memorable stops were the US National Whitewater Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Camp North End and Optimist Hall, along with exploring vibrant neighbourhoods like South End and NoDa.
  • In Seattle, we experienced iconic locations such as the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), Olympic Sculpture Park and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Pike Place Market was also a real highlight, especially the Night Market experience.

Activities

Activities were very diverse, including ziplining at the US National Whitewater Center, cruises in Seattle, museum visits, walking tours and cultural experiences across all destinations. There's something for everyone, regardless of your interests. From active days out to chilled days exploring the city, you're sure to find something you'll enjoy!

Restaurants & Bars

Throughout the itinerary we enjoyed a great variety of restaurants and bars, each giving a really good feel of the local food culture. In Raleigh we had highlights such as La Farm Bakery and Sam Jones BBQ. In Myrtle Beach, Hook & Barrel, Wicked Tuna, Big Chill Island House and Lulu’s stood out, offering great seafood and relaxed coastal dining. In Charlotte, places like Seoul Food Meat Co., Sixty Vines, Community Matters Café and Optimist Hall provided a nice mix of local flavours and casual dining experiences. In Seattle, we also enjoyed some great spots including Pike Place Market Night Market, Boon Boona Coffee and several casual stops around the waterfront and downtown area.

Shopping & Nightlife

Shopping and free time options were really good throughout the trip. Tanger Outlets in Myrtle Beach and Optimist Hall in Charlotte were popular stops, and Pike Place Market in Seattle was a real highlight. Nightlife varied by city but offered plenty of options, from rooftop bars in Cary and live music and cocktail bars in Raleigh to lively neighbourhoods like South End and NoDa in Charlotte. Seattle also had a nice mix of relaxed bars and waterfront spots.

Overall Overview

Overall, the Carolina Charm itinerary including Seattle was a really well-balanced and varied programme. It combined culture, food, nature and iconic experiences very well, and each destination had its own identity. From the Southern hospitality and outdoor experiences in North and South Carolina to the more urban and waterfront feel of Seattle, it was a very complete trip with a great mix of structured activities and free time.​

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