Category Archives: Featured

Featured, Side Trips

The Fall is for Millennial Families in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Focusing specifically on millennial families for this year’s “60 More Days of Summer” campaign, Visit Myrtle Beach will offer innovative perks to make a beach trip even easier for those looking to create memories and celebrate life’s little moments with their families this fall. Throughout September and October, visitors will enjoy complimentary beach photo sessions, ideal for capturing little ones’ first glimpses of the ocean; unique lodging packages, featuring deep discounts and add-ons to make travel planning even easier for busy parents; and insider tips for everything from stress-free dining options to beach day “hacks.”

“Our beautiful beaches, summer-like temperatures and abundance of year-round activities continue to welcome visitors long after the summer months conclude, making fall an ideal time for millennial families to visit the Myrtle Beach area,” said Scott Schult, EVP Marketing of Visit Myrtle Beach. “Our ’60 More Days of Summer’ campaign highlights the many opportunities for families with young children to create special moments and start their own family travel traditions this fall.”

For many vacationing families, capturing their little ones in photographs is almost as treasured as the trip itself. To help make this process even more seamless for families visiting in the fall, Visit Myrtle Beach will offer complimentary beach photography sessions each week in September and October. Meant to capture spontaneous (and priceless) moments – like children experiencing the sand beneath their toes for the first time – sessions will include two complimentary, holiday-card-worthy images perfect for sharing. Sessions are limited and sign-up in advance is required at www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com/60Days.

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In addition to perks like free photo sessions and deep lodging discounts, the 60 More Days of Summer microsite contains a wealth of information to help families maximize their time in the Myrtle Beach area this fall. Visitors can search for affordable and age-appropriate entertainment and dining options, ideal “naptime” locations, wide open spaces for kids run off energy, and more. The site also includes special “hacks” for making a trip to the beach hassle free, and other tools and advice to help plan a fall trip to the Myrtle Beach area.

For more information on the 60 More Days of Summer campaign, the area’s millennial family experiences or to book a trip to the Myrtle Beach area, go to www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com/60Days.

About Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Stretching from Little River to Pawleys Island and comprising 14 distinct communities, the Myrtle Beach area is home to 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions and world-class golf. Popularly known as the Grand Strand, the Myrtle Beach area presents the quintessential vacation experience peppered with plenty of Southern hospitality. For additional information on the Myrtle Beach area, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com .

Attractions, Featured

New Waterpark Opens in North Carolina’s Outer Banks

The much-anticipated H2OBX Waterpark opened recently in North Carolina’s Outer Banks welcoming guests to one of the most innovatively designed and uniquely located waterparks in the world.

Designed with classic coastal architecture at the forefront, the waterpark offers resort-style comfort along with traditional family fun. The newest waterpark in North Carolina sprawls across 20-plus acres on U.S. 158 in Powells Point, N.C., three miles from the Wright Memorial Bridge, the northern gateway to the Outer Banks. The convenient location allows 70% of the inbound and outbound Outer Banks tourism traffic a window view of the expansive waterpark, including slide towers and pools.

The $46 million H2OBX Waterpark was carefully designed and themed to embrace the culture of the Outer Banks in a relaxed and scenic environment. Vacationers, families and waterpark enthusiasts will be immersed in the rich history of coastal Carolina as H2OBX Waterpark pays tribute to legendary pirates, boat building and the Wright brothers, while enjoying modern amenities and exhilarating new attractions.

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H2OBX delivers enhanced popular attractions as well as several first-to-market slides and experiences, all delivering varying degrees of thrills, lengths, drops, turns and intensity suitable for guests of all ages. Many of the attractions at H2OBX offer cutting-edge innovation. Twin Tides Wave Pool delivers an ocean-simulated current, tide and waves that guests love, but unlike traditional wave pools, it features “dual beachfront” entrance points on opposite ends. Deep Six Adventure Lagoon is a revolutionary attraction, featuring climb, crawl and balance soft mat obstacles and swim zones. Calico Jack’s Cove offers an immersive, multi-level, pirate-themed, play structure, offering waterslides and interactive water effects. Several fusion waterslides, boast special effects including aqua-lucent lighting to increase the thrill factor.

H2OBX has numerous places to chill. 50 private cabanas offer first-class amenities and luxury guest service in a private oasis setting. Shaded seating areas, and multiple food and beverage outlets deliver variety and quality, from snacks to gourmet.

For more information about H2OBX Waterpark, visit H2OBXWaterpark.com.

For more I-95 travel information, visit  www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-95, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida! Plus I-95 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-75 Exit Guide.

Attractions, Featured

Gorgeous Beaches and Warm Ocean Waters are Calling Visitors to Myrtle Beach this Summer

This summer as the sun shines and temperatures heat up, the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina invites visitors to enjoy its 60 miles of gorgeous, sandy beaches and welcoming ocean waters. Along with its renowned beaches, the Grand Strand continues to evolve and expand, making Myrtle Beach a dynamic destination to explore year after year.

“Our beautiful beaches and ocean waters are what captivate and draw more than 19 million visitors to the Myrtle Beach area for vacation each year. We’re excited and ready to welcome visitors to enjoy our beautiful coastline and experience the area’s new and exciting activities, attractions, restaurants and more,” said Jan Hollar, interim CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

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While visitors are drawn to the area largely due to its beautiful beaches and ocean waters, a number of entertainment experiences have recently joined the hundreds of attractions already found throughout the region. From action-packed activities and delectable dining experiences to breathtaking art and inspiring events, visitors to the Myrtle Beach area this summer will have many options to choose from.

For more information on the area and to view the Myrtle Beach area’s many summer lodging deals, visit www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com.

For more I-95 travel information, visit  www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-95, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida! Plus I-95 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-75 Exit Guide.

Featured, RoadNews

Living the Salt Life in Jacksonville

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, and if you’re looking to catch some waves and catch some rays, Jacksonville has the perfect beach for you.

For Fitness Junkies

Home to more shoreline than any other city in the nation and 80,000 acres of green spaces, Jacksonville is where fitness meets adventure:

  • Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park at Atlantic Beach: With 1.5 miles of sandy beach, 20 miles of trails and 450 acres of natural woods and dunes, this is ideal for runners, swimmers and both, leisure and mountain bikers.
  • Huguenot Memorial Park: Locals have nicknamed the park the “Big Jetties” because the park offers access to the jetties used to guide ships from the ocean into the mouth of the St. Johns River. Adventure seekers can enjoy surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and swimming at “The Jetties.”

For Party Animals

  • Jacksonville Beach: The busiest of Jacksonville’s beaches, this is a great place to get in on all the action. With waterfront restaurants, live music, and beach shopping, this is the place to be when you’re looking to soak up the sun.

For Surfers

  • Jax Beach Pier: This popular spot for locals offers a variety of breaks to both the left and right of the pier, which helps thin the crowd. Incoming and high tide is best for those looking to ride the waves.
  • The Poles at Hanna Park: “The Poles,” which mark the formal barrier between Hanna Park and Naval Station Mayport, offer impressive breaks year around. This is a local spot for expert to mid-level surfers.

For Nature Lovers

  • Timucuan Preserve: Comprised of 46,000 acres of wetlands and waterways, the Preserve is ideal for enjoying a variety of water-based activities including boating, fishing, Yoga Paddleboarding/Kayaking, and eco-tours.
  • Big Talbot: An unspoiled barrier island, don’t miss Boneyard Beach, famous for the live oak and cedar tree skeletons resting on the shore.

For Sunbathers

  • Little Talbot Island: Located on the picturesque Heckscher Drive, away from the hustle and bustle of other Jacksonville beaches, this State Park is a peaceful escape filled with white sands, dunes and salt marshes, perfect for getting a tan and enjoying the ocean views.

Come surf, kayak, paddleboard, swim, dive, boat, fish and relax on Jacksonville’s beaches. To learn more about Jacksonville’s beach scene go to www.visitjacksonville.com.

For more I-95 travel info, visit  www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-95, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida! Plus I-95 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-75 Exit Guide.

Attractions, Featured

Battle for Eire Virtual Reality Ride Opens at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg

An exhilarating new adventure is underway at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg with today’s grand opening of its innovative virtual reality attraction, Battle For Eire™—Action VR Ride.

“With Battle For Eire and the 360-degree virtual reality, riders can have a unique experience each time they ride,” said Kevin Lembke, park resident for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. “That’s what’s going to keep people coming back over and over again.”

Battle For Eire is the story of a heroic fairy warrior, Addie, and her quest to rescue the Heart of Eire from evil villain Balor. This one-of-a-kind ride is a marriage of a motion-based theater simulator with state-of-the-art 360-degree virtual reality headsets, creating a thrilling experience unlike any other in the theme park industry.

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Riders will be completely immersed within the story and be able to see, hear and feel actions happening all around them, both through the virtual reality headsets and within the motions of the simulator.

“Battle For Eire is a phenomenal new experience. It’s something that has never been done before,” said Larry Giles, vice president of design and engineering at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. “You really feel like you’re there. You’re not just watching it. You’re part of it.”

Busch Gardens is open April 13-16 for an extended Battle For Eire Fest weekend. Join us for fun and activities in Ireland throughout this four-day opening weekend of our newest thrill ride.

For more I-95 travel info, visit www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida!

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide and I-75 Exit Guide.

Attractions, Featured

Unwind Oceanside at Cocoa Beach Uncorked Food and Wine Festival

Showcasing Central Florida’s most-renowned chefs, restaurants and breweries, the second annual Cocoa Beach Uncorked Food and Wine Festival takes place April 28-29 at Alan Shepard Park.

The two-day celebration of food, wine and craft beer offers attendees a chance to indulge in the finest tastes the region has to offer, while unwinding along Cocoa Beach’s spectacular oceanfront.

Doors open Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for general admission ticket holders. VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to enter one hour earlier and exclusively experience the Moet & Chandon bubbly bar in the Grand Tasting Village, where they also can have access to additional seating for relaxation and mingling.

Guests at the 2018 festival will be treated to a variety of interactive experiences, tastings, and cooking demonstrations and competitions, as well as a special appearance by celebrity chef and cookbook author Doreen Colondres.

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“Cocoa Beach Uncorked provides attendees a delicious culinary experience that highlights the different cuisines the Space Coast has to offer,” said Eric Garvey, Executive Director of Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism. “After a successful inaugural event a year ago, we look forward to further spotlighting the area’s culinary scene. And there’s no better place to enjoy some sweeping Atlantic views while sampling all this magnificent food, wine and beer.”

“Cocoa Beach last year was the ideal launching pad for the first ‘Uncorked’ festival on Florida’s East Coast,” said Tammy Gail, the event’s producer. “This is a one-of-a-kind showcase for the culinary treasures of this region. We’re excited to be back for another unforgettable weekend and we look forward to a sellout event.”

Cocoa Beach Uncorked is sponsored by Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism, the City of Cocoa Beach, Publix, and the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront hotel. General admission tickets for each day of the event are available for $55 per person, while VIP tickets for each day are $75 per person.

Alan Shepard Park is located at 299 East Cocoa Beach Causeway, at the east end of State Road 520. For more event and ticket information, visit www.cocoabeachuncorked.com/cocoa. For more information about Florida’s Space Coast, go to www.visitspacecoast.com.

For more I-95 travel info, visit www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida!

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide and I-75 Exit Guide.

Attractions, Featured

Kings Dominion Debuts New “Hybrid” Roller Coaster Twisted Timbers

Kings Dominion is now opened for its 44th season!

The wait is over for guests looking to get their thrill fix on Kings Dominion’s newest roller coaster, Twisted Timbers. Wood and steel intertwine into twisting barrel roll drops, dynamic inversions and gravity-defying weightlessness on the park’s newest coaster, which opened to the public on Saturday, March 24.

Twisted Timbers is an innovative hybrid coaster that uses the latest technology to combine wood supports with a steel track to give riders an exhilarating experience with maneuvers previously unimaginable on a traditional wooden coaster. The coaster was designed and built by Rocky Mountain Construction of Idaho, a company renowned for reimagining wooden coasters. Features of the ride include:

  • 109 foot tall barrel roll drop
  • Over 3000 feet of track
  • Top speed of 54 miles per hour
  • Three loops
  • Three overbanked turns
  • 20 airtime moments

Twisted Timbers is located in the Candy Apple Grove section of the park and is themed to an abandoned apple orchard on the edge of town. The story behind the coaster is that an unknown force – supernatural or natural– destroyed the harvest years ago and froze the orchard in time; now the strictly “off-limits” orchard has reopened for tours, with the twisted ride as its highlight.

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To learn more about Twisted Timbers, purchase Season Passes or check operating hours, visit www.kingsdominion.com.

For more I-95 travel info, visit www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida!

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide and I-75 Exit Guide.