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When you say beach vacation, many people think of spending lazy days lying on the beach or walking along the shoreline, scouting for shells. This year why not add to your vacation activity list. You can mix the sun and sand with other great adventures.
Before heading to your beach destination, check out what there is to do and see. For example, when youÕre catching the rays in North CarolinaÕs Outer Banks, take some time out to visit Manteo, a quaint town near the spot where one of AmericaÕs most baffling mysteries occurred. In the 1580s, a group of colonists sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh suddenly and mysteriously disappeared without a trace. You can learn why their whereabouts remain a mystery today. The ocean itself offers some interesting alternatives to a mere dip in the water. Why not embark on a dolphin watching boat trip to watch as the dolphins feed, tail slap and jump among the waves. Virginia Beach features a number of dolphin watching cruises, including those sponsored by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Many beach destinations are home to some of the countyÕs best aquariums. These interesting aquatic museums can provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. Why not check out the National Aquarium in Baltimore with its living collection which includes more than 11,000 animals from more than 600 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals. Or, visit the South Carolina Aquarium, CharlestonÕs most visited attraction. The aquarium features thousands of amazing aquatic animals from sharks to loggerhead turtles in more than 60 exhibits. Outdoor activities also offer hours of fun. Think about the enjoyment you would get from reeling in the big catch of the day along the shores of the Atlantic. Many beach locales offer on-shore fishing as well as deep-sea fishing treks. If you like the outdoors but donÕt care for fishing, why not spend a few hours hiking, biking, paddling or bird watching at DelawareÕs Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. If thatÕs not your spped, check out Dewey Beach in Delaware where you can participate in everything from windsurfing and jet skiing on the bay to skim boarding along the oceanÕs edge. Ecotours like the ones youÕll find in MarylandÕs Somerset County are a great way to learn about nature and ecosystems. You may also want to check out some of the lighthouses that dot the coastline. New JerseyÕs historical lighthouses stand watch, from North to South and East to West, over towns and regions that differ as much in personality as the lighthouses themselves. Or, check out the tallest lighthouse in the country when you visit Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. You can use your beach holiday as a time to learn more about historical sites. In St. MaryÕs City, Maryland, you can step back in time as costumed characters talk about life in the 17th century. Colonial Williamsburg, not far from Virginia Beach, is also a town-sized living history museum that showcases 18th Century Williamsburg. If all else fails, shopping prevails. Stroll along the boards in Atlantic City or check out the goodies along the Boardwalk in Virginia Beach. And, donÕt forget to buy some suntan lotion. |
