We are a month into summer and, boy, is the temperature turning up! School is getting ready to start back up for many and that tends to set a tone of summer vacation season coming to an end. It's not too late for a quick getaway, though! Fortunately, Roanoke is just a half-day road trip away from some delightful beaches where you can slow down and make a splash. Our proximity to the coast is a big factor in choosing Roanoke as home for many people. Here are four of our favorite coastal getaways within a half-day drive from home. 

Just a little over a 5 hour drive, Beaufort, NC is a coastal village with small town charm. Beaufort's wild horses can be reached by boat, where they have free run of the main area of Rachel Carson Reserve. The town boasts a historical site, unique boutiques, award-winning seafood, and a farmer's market. Taylor's Creek provides for kayaking and you can check out artifacts from Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, found in 1996 in Beaufort Inlet, at the NC Maritime Museum. Plan for fishing, ferry rides, shopping, strolling the boardwalk, and wild horse watching!

Head through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and find yourself in the quaint shores of Cape Charles, VA. Here you can enjoy shallow, calm waters; watch the sunset over the bay; jet-ski & kayak; explore historic architecture; nationally ranked golf; and so much more. Enjoy the local eateries and breweries and stay in a Victorian-era B&B. Plan for family friendly fun, all kinds of water sports, and hiking the  Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve and Savage Neck Dunes.

If you are up for a bit of an adventure and truly want to 'get lost in the middle of nowhere;' it's time to acquaint yourself with Ocracoke, NC. It's going to take you a bit longer (over 7 hours) to arrive because this little bit of paradise is tucked away with only ferry access. You'll have to cross over from Swan Quarter or Hatteras Village to reach this remote island on the Outer Banks. Plan for wild pony watching, seashell collecting, star gazing, exploring the streets of this centuries-old village where cottages with white picket fences still stand and house the ancestors whose families have called this island home for generations. You'll likely enjoy a pint of beer on the waterfront with the locals. Look for hidden craftsmen on side streets and fully checking out from the world for a few days.

Craving a good sweat? Venture directly south of Roanoke to the charmingly classic Hilton Head Island nestled between Charleston and Savannah, South Carolina. It'll take close to seven hours to get there, but it's absolutely worth it for 12 miles of public beaches make for an uncrowded and expansive 'toes in the sand' type of stay. You'll likely find it too tempting, however, to sneak away from the beach to explore historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, bike paths adorned with magnolia and live oak trees, chartered fishing tours, and unbeatable eateries and jazz clubs.  

What's your style of coastal getaway? Whether you are looking for family friendly, checking out from the world, or indulging in gourmet meals and fine wine; you can find it all within a day's drive from Roanoke. Wide variety, iconic history, and beautiful scenery make the southern coast a tempting destination year-round. We're quite fortunate to have it all so accessible! Tag us in your coastal vacation pictures @hometownblessings so that we can enjoy a taste of the summer blessings that you are enjoying!