GuestQuest North Carolina Summer 2022

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Award Winning Beachside Hotel Days Inn & Suites Jekyll Island, GA

Hendersonville, North Carolina

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Georgia, West Virginia North Carolina Florida South Carolina

GuestQuest Traveler Vacation Guide takes you on a guided tour to various vacation locations.

We feature information about accommodations, attractions and activities in many travel and vacation destinations. Providing you with article coverage on our advertisers, their amenities and services will assist you in making the right decision on choosing your accommodations, recreation, entertainment and more. Visit us at www.GuestQuest.com for additional advertiser information and links to their web sites. Distributed three times a year, Spring, Summer and Winter, with separate editions to Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois/Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia/Alabama, Tennessee/ Kentucky and Virginia. Serving our advertisers and readers since 1984. For advertising information, questions or comments, call 1-800-644-8460. P. O. Box 33547, Cleveland, OH 44133. The accuracy of the information contained in these listings is the responsibility of each individual advertiser. Every effort has been made to offer upto-date information. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without written consent of the editor is prohibited.

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Days Inn & Suites a Jekyll Island GA hotel features 40 Oceanfront onebedroom suites, 71 double-bed guest rooms and 13 king rooms. All rooms contain “free” in-room coffee, microfridges, hairdryers, clock radios and free WIFI access. Guests staying at the hotel enjoy the complimentary deluxe continental breakfast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

This moderately priced sparkling oceanfront hotel in Jekyll Island, GA offers many things for guests to enjoy while at the hotel and on the island – great beach access, two spacious swimming pools – one of which is heated seasonally, kiddie pool, hot tub, grilling, picnic areas and a fire pit. Bike rentals on property.

Visit www.DaysInnJekyll.com to learn more about our many specials and packages – also sign up for our last minute “Hot Deals!”

Days Inn & Suites 60 S. Beachview Drive Jekyll Island, GA 31527 toll free: 888-635-3003 Direct Line: 912-635-9800 Fax: 912-635-2287 ¤

Create Legendary Adventures in Stonewall Country, WV Welcome to Lewis County, West Virginia also known as Stonewall Country. Famous as the boyhood home of General Stonewall Jackson, you will discover a region rich with legendary history, outdoor recreation, arts and culture. Enjoy a tour and tasting at Lambert’s Vintage Wines or if you like your spirits a little stronger, visit ManCave Distilling. Experience the best musky fishing in the state.

Tour the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America.

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Shop at West Virginia's largest yard sale. Play 18 championship holes designed by Arnold Palmer at Stonewall Resort. Enjoy daily glass blowing demonstrations at Appalachian Glass. Dare to take the scariest paranormal tour in the region. These and other legendary adventures await you in Stonewall Country. The destination for your next legendary getaway needs to be Stonewall Country.

For more info call 304-269-7328 or visit www.stonewallcountry.com

NORTH CAROLINA ~ SUMMER 2022

north carolina

NORTH CAROLINA

Best of the Blue Ridge – Hendersonville, North Carolina

One of the best destinations in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Hendersonville, North Carolina – a vibrant and inviting town that’s not too big and not too small.

In the last decade, Hendersonville has emerged from the shadow of nearby Asheville with possibilities as wide as its Main Street sidewalks.

A pedestrian-friendly downtown greets visitors with attractions, museums, boutiques, galleries, shops, breweries and two dozen locally owned restaurants.

During a recent visit, veteran travel writer Randy Mink of Chicago penned this description of Hendersonville’s Main Street: “Beautifully landscaped with flower beds, hanging baskets, planter boxes, shade trees, benches and old-time lampposts, the serpentine thoroughfare rates as one of the nation’s most attractive smalltown shopping districts.”

With attractions like the Appalachian Pinball Museum, Team ECCO Aquarium & Shark Lab, Pisgah Forest Gem Mine and HVL Pedal &

Brews pedal pub, travelers can focus an entire trip on the downtown area.

However, much more awaits in the Blue Ridge countryside.

Outdoor adventure is the hallmark of DuPont State Forest. Several iconic waterfalls draw visitors, while 90 miles of trails encourage hiking, biking and horseback riding. Jump Off Rock’s mountaintop park offers more scenic beauty with panoramic views

of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains.

Hendersonville’s Cheers! Trail showcases wineries, breweries and cideries. Locations include Sierra Nevada Brewing, one of the nation’s largest craft breweries, and Bold Rock Hard Cider, the nation’s largest craft cider producer. Seven picturesque wineries are on the trail, including two mountaintop vineyards.

In the tucked-away Village of Flat

Rock, Broadway-style shows are presented at the famed Flat Rock Playhouse, while across the street is the Carl Sandburg Home, former residence of the Pulitzer Prizewinning “Poet of the People.”

Hendersonville is also the apple capital of North Carolina in late summer and fall.

For information, call (828) 693-9708 or go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.

Nature’s Paradise – Franklin & Nantahala, North Carolina Located in the southern Appalachian Mountains, in the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains, lie the communities of Franklin and Nantahala. We are an area rich in outdoor adventure opportunities as well as fantastic local shopping, dining, and museums.

Franklin and Nantahala are home to some of the oldest mountains in world. Tucked away in those mountains are two very popular hiking trails: The Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail. If you want to get out and see the mountains but don't want to hike, a scenic drive up to Wayah Bald will put you at nearly one-mile-high elevation and there's a paved path that leads you to an enchanting view in all directions.

Travel the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway and visit the waterfalls of the Cullasaja and Nantahala River Gorges.

Franklin and Nantahala are towns born from gem mining and agriculture, and over the years have

transformed from the small rural areas, into outdoor adventure towns, inviting people of all ages to set out into the hills and valleys of the Nantahala National Forest. What was once known as the “Gem Capitol of the World”, we are still home to active gem mines where you can still sit down with a bucket of dirt and sift for precious gems and minerals that are still abundant to this day.

Generations of families come each year to share in the experience of Gem Mining.

If you’re looking for exciting adventures? Look no further than the Nantahala River where you can test your skill on the white water, wade into the river for some world-class fly-fishing or soar above the trees with a ziplining experience.

Discover Nature’s Paradise in Franklin and Nantahala, North Carolina and get to know your mountain side! www.ExploringWNC.com ¤

Choose Your Adventure in Stokes County, North Carolina Nestled amid North Carolina’s scenic mountainous landscapes and beautiful beaches sits Stokes County, in the Piedmont region of the state.

Home to the towns of Danbury and Walnut Cove, City of King, and many rural communities where southern hospitality of a wave or simple hello will make you feel right at home.

One of the Top 10 state parks of North Carolina finds its home here, Hanging Rock, named for the rock out cropping projecting out from surrounding rock formations. The NORTH CAROLINA ~ SUMMER 2022

Sauratown Mountain range spans the county with vast beauty to explore starting with the mountains themselves. Featuring scenic ridges, knobs and elevated vantage points, including Moore’s Knob, Moore’s Wall, Cook’s Wall, Wolf Rock, House Rock, and Hanging Rock to a cave like formation, known as Tory’s Den. Because of the mountainous landscape, hiking is a fan-favorite activity. More than 20 miles of wooded passageways form a network of trails at Hanging Rock State Park. ¤ FREE TRAVEL INFORMATION ~ www.GuestQuest.com

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NORTH CAROLINA ~ SUMMER 2022

north carolina / florida

Historic Henderson, North Carolina Kerr Lake - Vance County – Classic Cars and more!

Leave behind life’s normal hustle and bustle to make the tranquil, charming shores of Kerr Lake your next vacation destination. Kerr Lake welcomes you outdoors to appreciate nature’s beauty, the calm of the water, and all the fun that can be had while relaxing under a golden sun. Famous for record breaking bass and catfish, with 850 miles of shoreline, the 50,000-acre reservoir

is the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi. Kerr Lake is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a meal outside while listening to the background harmony of nature and waves splashing gently against the shoreline. Relax~Relate~Retire!

Ready for a scenery change?

Historic Downtown Henderson offers quaint restaurants, a coffee shop, and unique businesses.

McGregor Performing Arts Center, presents summer theatre, concert tours and Broadway shows. Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-in is the oldest operating drive-in theater; one-of-six remaining in NC. Southern Classic Cars Museum has a collection of antique and classic cars to fit every person’s dreams!

Henderson and Vance County roll out the red carpet the 3rd weekend in October for the Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Car Show, East Coast DragTimes Hall of Fame, and Corbitt Truck Show. 2022 marks the 20th year the streets will be lined with hundreds of classic cars and trucks, nostalgic drag cars, vendors, and music. The Corbitt Truck Show displays trucks manufactured in Henderson; used during World Wars.

When planning your getaway, make Vance County, Henderson, and Kerr Lake your destination and see why we say #VanceCountyTravelers DiscoverAlot. www.kerrlake-nc.com 866-438-4565 ¤

FLORIDA

Old Florida Charm at Bungalow Beach Resort Arriving at the Bungalow Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island changes your mood almost immediately. Just past the parking lot on this quick little bend of a gulf front road, you find yourself passing through the property’s gazebo entrance. It’s an almost ceremonial rite of passage that requires you to leave your worries behind, live in your bathing suit and sandals and relinquish yourself to peace and serenity. To

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the unsuspecting guest, it’s an oasis within an island.

Most guests are surprised to learn the property is actually a former army barracks. Today, each of the 15 charming cedar bungalows has been magically transformed into a romantic little getaway that preserves its 1930s clapboard construction and old Florida island charm. It’s a very relaxing place to stay.

This beautiful place has bungalows that range from one room studio to three-bedrooms, and feature white wicker furniture, and the original architectural design of hardwood floors, bead-board walls and woodbeamed cathedral ceilings. Stepping inside one differs from most hotels.

The white and beige interiors convince you immediately that the place is impeccably clean and fresh.

A variety of personal touches make you feel at home when staying at Bungalow Beach Resort. From plush linens to your basket full of embroidered towels . . . each visitor enjoys simple, upscale niceties that make this place special . . . without crossing the line of big, pretentious resorts. In fact, calling the place a “resort” at all seems out of sorts, since the homey feel and air of privacy leaves you often wondering if you might have the entire place to yourself.

Bungalow Beach Resort 2000 Gulf Drive Anna Maria Island, FL 34217 800-799-3601 www.bungalowbeach.com ¤

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Savor the Seasons in Upcountry South Carolina!

Blooming Dogwood Trees and Azaleas signal that Spring has officially arrived in South Carolina’s Upcountry. In Summer, explore the numerous lakes, rivers, forests, and parks. Fall brings a display of brilliant foliage as you travel along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway. In the Winter months, relax in a cozy mountain cabin and a hike

to discover spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Further exploration of the Upcountry will allow you to learn about the rich history of the area.

From the Native American Cherokee to the battlegrounds where American forces defeated the British during the American Revolution, to stone and covered bridges that will take you back a few centuries, traversing the backroads of the Upcountry will allow you to connect to the historic, cultural, and natural sites and points of interest in the area.

Be sure to allow time to explore the many waterfalls in the Upcountry, some of which can be easily reached, while others may require a bit of effort. For a more relaxing experience, take a boat ride on one of the freshwater mountain lakes or pack a picnic and spend the day in a state park.

Take the opportunity to stroll through the small towns throughout the Upcountry. Here are a few helpful hints and “don’t miss” attractions

and activities for those unfamiliar with the area. Don’t miss the best fried chicken in the state at a place called, “The Walhalla Steak House Cafeteria.” Also, steak isn’t on the menu there! Don’t forget to bring a flashlight when visiting the Stumphouse Tunnel, an unfinished railroad project carved through the granite mountain for about onequarter of a mile before abruptly ending. Hunt for “Mice on Main” in Greenville, the bronze creatures that can be found by following the hints

on the website (miceonmain.com).

For the thrill-seekers in your group, book a driving experience at the BMW Performance Center in Greer.

A few more ideas for you: Tee off at one of over thirty manicured golf courses found here. Take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the National Wild & Scenic River.

Listen (or join in) with the locals at one of the regular “Bluegrass Jams.”

Go fish for trophy Trout on Lake Jocassee or one of the mountain

streams. Or play with the “kids” at Split Creek Farm in Anderson, where a herd of 400 goats resides.

Whatever you like to do when taking a break from the everyday grind, the Upcountry probably has something for your taste! So plan a visit to the Upcountry soon, whether you’re ready for relaxation or for exciting adventures!

Upcountry South Carolina 864-233-2690 www.upcountrysc.com ¤

Seaside Vacations – A Place in the Sun North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Let us help you find your place in the sun this year. Seaside Vacations has been helping families with their North Myrtle Beach vacations since 1995. The combination of excellent service and very clean, well maintained properties are the are the perfect way to experience an unforgettable vacation.

We can offer you something for just two people or perhaps a large

family gathering. Our properties are conveniently location to terrific restaurants, shopping, water sports, fishing and event venues.

Don’t hesitate to call us. Our experienced staff and area experts will provide you with a tremendous amount of information to help you make the perfect choice. We will take time to listen to your needs and

give you affordable options for the best North Myrtle Beach Vacation ever.

Check out our YouTube Video “Seaside Vacation Rentals NMB Destination” Seaside Vacations 800-661-5511 www.Seasidevacations.com ¤ See ad on back cover

Welcome to Conway – One of South Carolina’s Oldest Towns Conway boasts some of the best restaurants, stores and boutiques in the area. Visitors can take in a show at the downtown theatre, walk around to shop and eat or leisurely stroll the Riverwalk to take in the scenery.

Conway is one of the oldest towns in South Carolina, founded in 1732. Conway’s past has been proudly preserved. A visit to the Horry County Museum or the LW Paul Living History Farm will find exhibits

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of life from a bygone era. The Conway Historical Trail identifies 39 historic, beautiful buildings and homes. Many of these dwellings are home to third or fourth generation family members who are tireless in caring for them.

Conway is a delightful surprise and still not yet well-known by mass tourism. That will change, but until then, take advantage of all it has to offer. There truly is something for everyone! ¤

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Discover South Carolina's Hammock Coast®

Underneath sorbet-colored skies, you'll find the quiet, pristine beach communities of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast: Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, Murrells Inlet, DeBordieu Colony and southern Garden City.

On the Hammock Coast are spacious beaches and pristine salt

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marshes, offering chances to soak up the sun, spirit away on a kayak or even catch fish and blue crabs for dinner. Perfectly situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, the Hammock Coast is serviced by two major airports.

U.S. News & World Report, Southern Living, Garden & Gun,

Tripadvisor and more have designated Hammock Coast beaches as some of the best destinations in the South. In fact, Litchfield Beach, just north of Pawleys Island, earned TripAdvisor's designation as one of the Top 10 beaches in America!

In addition to award-winning beaches, visitors can also discover

s o u t h c a tr ro al iv ne al

two of the Hammock Coast's most famous attractions – Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park. Recognized as one of the top birding spots on the East Coast, the state park offers camping and access to an undeveloped beach. Just across Ocean Highway is Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127-acre botanical and

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sculpture garden that has drawn visitors since 1931.

Dotting the Hammock Coast are a dozen award-winning golf courses.

Three of Golf Magazine's “Top 100 You Can Play” are here, in fact.

For information or to request a free visitors guide, visit HammockCoastSC.com. ¤

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NORTH CAROLINA ~ SUMMER 2022