North Carolina Town One Of The “Most Relaxing and Deeply Chill” Vacation Destinations In The US
Looking for a relaxing summer vacation destination? Look no further than Carova Beach North Carolina. There are two types of people on vacation, those that want to relax and those that want do run and do. I’m definitely the latter. Though I don’t mind laying by the pool or the beach for a little while. But I need activities. But many (MANY) people love the slowness and lack of a schedule on vacation. And if you do, then this is for you.
According to a recent list from Thrillist that named the “most relaxing and deeply chill” vacation destinations in the US, Carova Beach North Carolina is one of those places. And I’ll be honest this is a beach I’ve never heard of before. And I’ve written a lot about different beach towns across the state. Carova is the northernmost beach on the Outer Banks. It’s just north of Corolla and Duck, names I’m more familiar with. Though is it a crime that I’ve lived in North Carolina my entire life and never been to the Outer Banks?
Carova Beach North Carolina
Outerbanks.com says that Carova is known for its “miles of privacy”. There you’ll find pristine white beaches, rental homes instead of high-rise hotels, and some wild horses roaming the beaches. You won’t find paved roads, however. So keep that in mind if your vehicle can make the trek. There also aren’t stores in Carova Beach North Carolina. So this is the vacation destination for those who truly want to disconnect and relax.
If that sounds like a dream for you, definitely look into visiting. While Carova Beach North Carolina looks incredibly beautiful, personally this would not be the vacation destination for me. I need somewhere between what I refer to as “tacky tourist” and remote. Some other spots on the Thrillist list include Stowe Vermont, Little St. Simons Island in Georgia, and Carmel Valley California. You can read the full list and learn about these places including more about Carova Beach North Carolina here.
Southern Living Named This Beloved Beach The Best Waterfront Town In North Carolina
Whether you prefer the beach or a lake it’s hard not to love being by the water as the weather gets warmer. And here in North Carolina, we have numerous beaches, and lakes that offer water lovers a haven to spend their time. And of course, the best is subjective. Not every beach town or lake offers the same experiences. And personal preference varies as to what the most important offerings of these spots. But when Southern Living makes their pick for the best waterfront town in North Carolina, I take their opinion seriously.
The Best Waterfront Town In North Carolina
After all who knows the South better than the experts at and the readers of Southern Living? Readers of Southern Living actually voted on this list as part of the publication’s South’s Best Awards. One of the categories voted on was the reader’s favorite waterfront town in the South. In total fifteen towns were recognized one in each of the “southern” states. Here’s how the voting process worked according to Southern Living. “An online survey was conducted by third-party agency Proof Insights among Southern Living consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South for the South’s Best Awards 2024. The survey was fielded from July 12 to August 23, 2023, and had over 20,000 respondents.”
And what they chose as the best waterfront town in North Carolina is certainly a local favorite not just in this survey. In fact, my biggest complaint about this town is simply that it’s too crowded to find parking if you aren’t staying there. And it’s a beach that many people commute to both locals and tourists. Do you know which waterfront town in North Carolina I’m talking about? Keep reading to find out. And also learn about the best waterfront towns in some neighboring states as well. This includes towns in South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Who knows maybe your new favorite vacation destination is about to be discovered. They are all a reasonable drive for a quick or long weekend getaway. Interested in the full Southern Living list? You can read that here.
Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.
