Points of Interest between Charleston, South Carolina to Cape May, New Jersey

picture of Charleston, South Carolina

The Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Charleston, SC to Cape May, NJ

Charleston, South Carolina and Cape May, New Jersey are two places that are known for their historic and scenic beauty. A road trip from one of these cities to another will definitely give you a chance to see the best of both worlds. With a distance of over 700 miles, the journey from Charleston, SC to Cape May, NJ can take around 12 hours, and the halfway point is Emporia, VA. This non-fiction newspaper article presents the highlights of the trip and top five things to do along the way.

Overview of the Trip

The road trip from Charleston, SC to Cape May, NJ can be divided into three main parts. The first part of the journey is from Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA. This part of the trip covers a distance of around 450 miles and takes approximately 7 hours. The route passes through the city of Columbia, SC, before reaching Raleigh, NC. After Raleigh, the route follows the I-85 highway all the way to Richmond, VA.

The second part of the journey is from Richmond, VA to Emporia, VA. This is the halfway point of the trip and covers a distance of around 70 miles. Most of this part of the journey is on the I-95 highway.

The final part of the journey is from Emporia, VA to Cape May, NJ. This part of the trip covers a distance of approximately 180 miles and takes around 3 hours. The route crosses the state of Maryland and passes through the cities of Wilmington, DE, and Dover, DE, before reaching Cape May, NJ.

Along the way, there are many interesting places to visit and things to do. Here are the top five things to do on this road trip.

Top Five Things to Do

  1. Visit the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a historic site in Charleston, SC. It is one of the oldest plantations in the south and is famous for its beautiful gardens. Visitors can explore the gardens, which cover over 60 acres of land, and see the plantation house, which has been standing since the 1700s. There is also a nature center and a zoo on the plantation. Interesting Fact: The gardens have been open to the public since 1870, making them one of the oldest public gardens in America.

  1. Explore the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest art museums in America and is located in Richmond, VA. It has over 33,000 works of art from all over the world and from different periods in history. Visitors can see paintings, sculptures, and decorative art objects from ancient times to the present day. Interesting Fact: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was opened in 1936 and was one of the first museums in the south to be accredited by the American Association of Museums.

  1. Have a Relaxing Time at the Lake Drummond

Lake Drummond is a natural lake that is located in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, VA. It is a peaceful and beautiful place to visit, and visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, and hiking. The lake is also home to many different species of birds and animals, including bald eagles and black bears. Interesting Fact: Lake Drummond is one of only two natural lakes in Virginia.

  1. Enjoy the Beach at Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is a park in Lewes, DE, that has a beautiful beach and scenic trails. The park is located on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and camping. Visitors can also explore the historic Fort Miles, which was a coastal defense fort during World War II. Interesting Fact: Cape Henlopen is the site of the world's first permanent European settlement in Delaware, which was established by the Dutch in 1631.

  1. Visit the Cape May Lighthouse

The Cape May Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse that is located in Cape May, NJ. It was built in 1859 and is the third lighthouse to be built in the area. Visitors can climb the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy a panoramic view of the Cape May peninsula. The lighthouse also has a museum that tells the history of the lighthouse and the area. Interesting Fact: The Cape May Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in America to still be in operation.

Conclusion

The road trip from Charleston, SC, to Cape May, NJ, is a journey that is full of scenic beauty and interesting places to visit. The trip covers over 700 miles and takes approximately 12 hours. Along the way, visitors can stop at many different places, from historic plantations to natural lakes and beautiful beaches. Whether you are interested in art, nature, or history, this road trip has something for everyone.