500 Mile Road Trips from Charleston

There are few things better than a road trip; it's a perfect escape from the daily grind. Here is a guide to visiting three cities within 500 miles of Charleston, South Carolina that offer ideal road trip destinations.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

The name Chattanooga even sounds fun and this city certainly is. Not only that but it's surrounded by mountains making it especially picturesque, so much so that its nickname is the Scenic City.
Downtown Chattanooga offers a wealth of things to do, with the 13-mile Riverwalk along the Tennessee River one of the highlights. Here, you'll find the Tennessee Aquarium, also home to the IMAX 3D theater as well as the Creative Discovery Museum for kids and the Chattanooga Pier.

A not-to-be-missed attraction here is Rock City, located atop Lookout Mountain. The views here from six miles up are amazing and you'll wander on trails that wind through massive ancient rock formations and spectacular Ruby Falls.

The Stone Fort Inn is considered the place to stay in Chattanooga. It's a luxury bed and breakfast-style inn with all the usual amenities and much more. Each room includes a two-person jacuzzi and some even have a cozy fireplace.

For the best food in town, head to St. John's restaurant. Most of the food here is grown locally and it's focused on freshness and quality. Both locals and returning tourists frequently recommend it.

Panama City, Florida

Panama City is for beach lovers. With sugary white sand and emerald water, this northwest Florida town is a special treat with a wealth of attractions, although you'll probably want to spend most of your time at the shore.

At the Gulf World Marine Park, guests can swim with the dolphins, watch a live show featuring a variety of marine mammals, pet sting rays and view many different exhibits including sharks, alligators, penguins, sea turtles and more.

Palmetto Inn & Suites is ideally located right on the beach with beautiful views of the Gulf. The hotel also has both heated indoor and outdoor pools and offers a wide variety of beach activities for kids and adults, making it the perfect choice in Panama City for guests of all types.

You can't miss Sweet Racks for their mouth-watering barbecue. The restaurant is casual, friendly and offers juicy and flavorful pulled pork, ribs and much more - some say it's the best BBQ in the nation.

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Fredericksburg, Virginia is the place to go for those who love history. From ghost tours to museums, gorgeous plantations, Civil War and battlefield tours, you'll need quite a bit of time to see it all.

The Rising Sun Tavern is one of the most popular historical attractions. This was originally a home built in 1760 that was turned into a tavern in 1792 and is a fascinating trip back through time. Some of its famous guests included George Washington himself. The Historic Kenmore Plantation and Gardens was the grand home of Washington's sister, Betty Washington Lewis and is another must-see in Fredericksburg.

The Schooler House Bed and Breakfast has everything you could ever want in a perfect place to stay from wonderful accommodating hosts to the ultimate in comfort and an ideal location, all within a gorgeous Victorian era home.

Visit an old time drug store, Goolrick's Modern Pharmacy, for lunch. It's a classic lunch counter in the center of town offering hard to find pleasures like real cherry coke from the fountain and creamy homemade milkshakes. In the evening, try the Capital Ale House with an incredible selection of beers, including 60 on tap and over 250 different bottled brews. Specialties on the menu include Angus Beef burgers and prime rib.