#st-simons-island

#st-simons-island

Congress Hall, established in 1816, has hosted celebrities such as Grace Kelly and Oprah Winfrey, and was used as a 'summer White House' by President Benjamin Harrison.

South Carolina's beaches mainly exist on barrier islands, each with its own character, offering grey green waves and wide, shell littered beaches.

Hunte's Garden, with more than 90 percent excellent reviews and year-round accessibility, was the clear winner. A world-renowned botanical garden located in the central hills of St. Joseph, Hunte's Garden consistently ranks as the top thing to do in the country.

Taking in a show at Brunswick's Historic Ritz Theatre is like stepping into living history. Now a vibrant performance space managed by Golden Isles Arts & Humanities, the Ritz brings the community together with live performances, film, art, and culture in the heart of Historic Downtown Brunswick.

The infamous Sea Islands of America cluster along the Atlantic coastline from Georgia through South Carolina, each cradling a history and culture unique to itself. From cultural distinctions to Gullah food traditions, storytelling folk art, and sweetgrass basket weavers, these barrier islands couldn't be more distinctly defined. But they do have one enduring commonality: A wealth of seafood that defines the way locals and visitors eat.

Carrabelle is one of those rare coastal towns that still feels undiscovered. You'll find unspoiled beaches, working waterfronts, and generations of locals who have built a community that truly feels like family. It's the kind of place where people come for the natural beauty, but they fall in love with the slower pace and genuine hospitality.

Charleston is known for having something in bloom year-round and for highly variable weather in late winter, but the wisteria really marks the start of our true spring. You'll start seeing and smelling these purple blossoms mid-to-late March, and, generally, the last week of March is the peak.

For all its charms, this bump of land is most famous for a stunning amount of high-rated restaurants, making it a quirky food destination like no other. Folks are known to plan entire day trips around what's for supper, lunch, or breakfast - or all three, since time basically slips away upon arrival.

South Carolina islands have palmetto trees growing alongside ferns and pines. Georgia's barrier islands, including St. Simons and Jekyll Island, boast diverse landscapes made up of beaches, marshes, dunes, and maritime forests. And Texas islands, with their shallow bays and seagrass meadows, are home to extensive wildlife.

While often grouped together in a region known as the Lowcountry, South Carolina's coastal towns and cities each have their own unique blend of history, culture, and reasons to visit. Charleston's beaches and ever-growing restaurant scene are particularly noteworthy. Beaufort's architecture is fascinating, and Edisto Island is unrivaled in its peaceful nature and dedication to preserving its history. If you keep driving further south, you'll come across Bluffton, another waterfront destination to add to your must-visit list.

Easily accessible from major U.S. cities, the Exumas remain refreshingly uncrowded, making them one of the Caribbean's true hidden gems, at least for now. As the wealthy look for privacy in paradise, and the world's most sought-after resort groups like Aman and Rosewood prepare to plant their own flags there in the coming years, everyone seems to have their sights on the Exumas.

Many of the great wonders of the world, from iconic buildings to national parks, are preserved and open to the public, but some are tucked away on private land where only a few can enjoy them. One such wonder-a natural spring-fed lake just an hour north of New Orleans-opened to the public for the first time last summer, giving Louisianans and visitors access to a surreal, bright-blue lake lined with white sand beaches.

Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region's most accessible islands for travelers from the U.S., and numerous daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla or to hidden gem islands like Saba and Sint Eustatius. Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving as well as more relaxing things to do.

Global hospitality company IHG has planted a new flag on the Treasure Coast with Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort, now open in Port St. Lucie along the St. Lucie River. The hotel-IHG's first all-inclusive stay in the United States-debuted following a $50 million renovation that brought seven bars and restaurants, a waterfront infinity pool, and private marina access to the riverfront location.

Back in chilly February, when you were bored at work, you didn't think twice about booking a wine tasting and zipline excursion back to back. By the time reality hits in July, you're desperately chugging water to try and stave off heat stroke. Just like that, your 'relaxing' getaway is not so relaxing at all.

A tropical vacation should be rejuvenating, but there are pitfalls that could undo all that relaxation. Learning the essentials about local culture will help you calibrate your expectations and maximize your time enjoying your Caribbean vacation. Avoid these common mistakes for a trip that's both free of FOMO-by choosing the right destination, for example-and full of incredible experiences suited to your travel style.