#beach weekend

Summer is coming and we don't know about you, but we're ready to hit the sand. Summer is the perfect time to take to the open road and visit new places, and there are plenty of beaches that are a perfect road-trip distance away from Charlotte. Here are Toyota of N Charlotte's top four picks for the best beaches to visit this summer!

Outer Banks: The Outer Banks are close - Charlotte is about six hours away, so it's a perfect weekend road trip. While there you can explore more than 200 miles of shoreline for swimming, walking, surfing, skimboarding, fishing, and watching the sky change colors at sunrise and sunset. You can also check out where Blackbeard fought his last battle, as well as where the Wright Brothers first took flight.

Ocean City: Ocean City is in Maryland, about an 8-hour road trip from Toyota of N Charlotte. It's famed for its wide, sandy beaches, delicious crab dishes, and an incredible boardwalk that features arcade games, souvenirs, and even an amusement park.

Hilton Head: Head South to Hilton Head - it's in South Carolina and about four hours from Charlotte. The beaches there are hard-packed so they're perfect for walking, biking, and running. You'll also find boutique hotels and fine dining, as well as spas and golf courses situated around the island.

Destin: If you want to feel like you're somewhere in the Bahamas, make the 9.5-hour road trip down to Destin, FL. The waters are clear blue, the white sand is sugar-soft, and the fishing and swimming are out of this world. Plus, you'll get a break from the waves in the warm, calm Gulf of Mexico.

Kenzie waited outside the sorority house on the sidewalk by the circular driveway. After narrowly avoiding a potential mess courtesy of a couple of the girls, she was ready to try (and probably fail) to relax on the ride to the beach house; hopefully in a purple convertible. Once the driver arrived and helped Kenzie and her luggage into the car, she requested the top be put down putting on her sunglasses. She was hoping to relax herself, but she ended up in her head overthinking things- even though she’d discussed those very things with her friends already.