The Best Things to Do on a Road Trip from Charleston, South Carolina to Ebensburg, Pennsylvania

If you're looking for a fun and exciting road trip from Charleston, South Carolina to Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, you're in luck. There are plenty of incredible sights to see and fun activities to participate in along the way. The 750-mile journey will take you up the east coast through North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. If you’re coming from Charleston, the halfway point is Emporia, Virginia, which is located about 375 miles into the trip. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

Top 5 Things to Do

1. Visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina

The Outer Banks is a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands that runs off the coast of North Carolina. This destination is perfect for those who love the beach and are interested in learning about North Carolina's history. The Outer Banks is home to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where visitors are able to climb to the top of the lighthouse to get a great view of the surrounding area. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is another popular destination. This is the location where the famous brothers launched their first successful flight in December of 1903.

Interesting Fact: The Outer Banks is home to more than 100 historic shipwrecks, which makes it a hot spot for scuba diving enthusiasts.

2. Explore Shenandoah National Park in Virginia

Located in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, this national park is every nature lover's dream come true. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and picnicking throughout the park. One of the most popular trails is the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the park for almost 104 miles. Skyline Drive, a scenic roadway, runs the length of the park and provides incredible views of the mountains and surrounding forests.

Interesting Fact: The Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the oldest mountains in the world, and their rocky peaks were formed over a billion years ago.

3. Visit America's First Zoo in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Zoo, located in the heart of Philadelphia, was the first zoo in the United States when it opened in 1859. It's no surprise that it's one of the most popular destinations in the region as it's home to over 1,300 animals from all around the world. Visitors can see everything from rare and endangered species to more common animals like lions, tigers, and bears. Additionally, the zoo offers educational programs, daily animal feedings, and even a zip line course.

Interesting Fact: The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the world to breed and exhibit okapi, a rare African mammal.

4. Take a Tour of Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Who doesn't love chocolate? Hershey's Chocolate World is a popular tourist attraction located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The factory, which opened in 1905, is where all of the iconic Hershey's chocolate bars are made. The tour takes visitors through the chocolate-making process, and guests are able to sample the chocolate at the end of the tour. There are also plenty of gift shops and restaurants on location.

Interesting Fact: Hershey, Pennsylvania, was actually founded by Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey's Chocolate.

5. Visit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

The Flight 93 National Memorial is a solemn destination but one that is nonetheless worth visiting as it pays respects to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The memorial is located in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, which abuts the site where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed on September 11, 2001. Visitors can explore the visitor center, participate in guided tours, and even take a peaceful hike out to the crash site.

Interesting Fact: In 2020, the Flight 93 National Memorial was designated as an official Dark Sky Park, which makes it an ideal destination for stargazers.

Conclusion

Charleston, South Carolina to Ebensburg, Pennsylvania is a 750-mile journey that takes travelers through some incredible destinations, such as the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, the oldest zoo in America in Philadelphia, Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This route is perfect for those who love history, nature, and food. The entire journey can be covered in about 13-14 hours of driving time, so it's the perfect length for a weekend trip or a longer adventure.