#emerald-coast

#emerald-coast

South Carolina's beaches mainly exist on barrier islands, each with its own character, offering grey green waves and wide, shell littered beaches.

Taking in a show at Brunswick's Historic Ritz Theatre is like stepping into living history. Now a vibrant performance space managed by Golden Isles Arts & Humanities, the Ritz brings the community together with live performances, film, art, and culture in the heart of Historic Downtown Brunswick.

Casa Marina, a storied resort that originally opened in 1925, is set on Key West's largest private beach and in its 100-year past, has hosted luminaries like Rita Hayworth, Guy Lombardo, Ernest Hemingway, Donald Sutherland, Helen Mirren, and Ozzie Osbourne. For Lilly Pulitzer, a brand synonymous with a resort lifestyle and sense of escape, the designer's first ever prints were developed on Key West in 1962.

Located within Walt Disney World, this shopping, dining, and entertainment district is worth checking out during your next trip to the resort. Even though it's on Disney property, Disney Springs is one of several attractions that don't require park tickets and self-parking is complimentary. With around 100 shops, 80 eateries, and 20 other attractions, there's so much to see here.

Worth Avenue and its surrounding streets have enjoyed an ongoing retail evolution over the years, with new and often bigger boutiques adding to Palm Beach's reputation as a designer enclave. As testament to the continued clout the area wields among global luxury brands, four beloved labels recently opened their doors on "the island," as residents discreetly refer to this town. Here, a look at the new kids on the block, arriving just in time for the season.

Carrabelle is one of those rare coastal towns that still feels undiscovered. You'll find unspoiled beaches, working waterfronts, and generations of locals who have built a community that truly feels like family. It's the kind of place where people come for the natural beauty, but they fall in love with the slower pace and genuine hospitality.

The weather this week looks ideal, with sunny to modestly sunny skies each day, temperatures in the mid-70s to low-80s. Evening temperatures should drop to around the 60s throughout the workweek. Winds should be relatively calm, and humidity will be moderate. Things could change a bit over the coming weekend, with chances of showers increasing Saturday night into Sunday. Conditions also will remain dry.

South Carolina islands have palmetto trees growing alongside ferns and pines. Georgia's barrier islands, including St. Simons and Jekyll Island, boast diverse landscapes made up of beaches, marshes, dunes, and maritime forests. And Texas islands, with their shallow bays and seagrass meadows, are home to extensive wildlife.

Marquesa may be one of the most unique properties in the Sunshine State. Constructed in 1884, the main building of the hotel was originally a butcher's home and still retains tons of Old Florida charm. You can frolic through the courtyard, enjoying the comforts of Southern charm, while surrounded by French-Gothic architecture that is painted with the bright colors of Florida.

If you thought Myrtle Beach was just funnel cakes, mini golf, and sunburns, think again. The Grand Strand is getting a serious glow-up in 2026, and the food and beverage industry is leading the charge. We're talking Guy Fieri's largest entertainment concept yet, Tennessee's favorite distillery heading south, a 100-foot roller coaster, and enough live music to make Nashville jealous.

Omni Fort Lauderdale, the brand's flagship outpost in Greater Fort Lauderdale, opened in mid-December, just in time for the busy Caribbean sailing season. Since my first cruise out of Port Everglades in 2008, I've endured subpar hotels that, while checking off two basic requirements-shuttle to the airport and port, and proximity to the port-weren't anything to write home about. But the Omni-with 801 guest rooms, including 82 suites, six restaurants, and a spa-is a game-changer for fellow cruise travelers.

What makes this area special is the fact that it's not urban, it's not suburban, and it's not rural-it's a combination of all three,

For all its charms, this bump of land is most famous for a stunning amount of high-rated restaurants, making it a quirky food destination like no other. Folks are known to plan entire day trips around what's for supper, lunch, or breakfast - or all three, since time basically slips away upon arrival.

Many of the great wonders of the world, from iconic buildings to national parks, are preserved and open to the public, but some are tucked away on private land where only a few can enjoy them. One such wonder-a natural spring-fed lake just an hour north of New Orleans-opened to the public for the first time last summer, giving Louisianans and visitors access to a surreal, bright-blue lake lined with white sand beaches.

Global hospitality company IHG has planted a new flag on the Treasure Coast with Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort, now open in Port St. Lucie along the St. Lucie River. The hotel-IHG's first all-inclusive stay in the United States-debuted following a $50 million renovation that brought seven bars and restaurants, a waterfront infinity pool, and private marina access to the riverfront location.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- If you're looking for more than just a boat ride, the Jungle Queen River Cruise in Fort Lauderdale delivers a full-blown tropical escape. This four-hour dinner cruise glides down the New River through Fort Lauderdale to the a "tropical isle." Floridas longest-running tourist attraction has been entertaining visitors since 1935, and its easy to see why.

While often grouped together in a region known as the Lowcountry, South Carolina's coastal towns and cities each have their own unique blend of history, culture, and reasons to visit. Charleston's beaches and ever-growing restaurant scene are particularly noteworthy. Beaufort's architecture is fascinating, and Edisto Island is unrivaled in its peaceful nature and dedication to preserving its history. If you keep driving further south, you'll come across Bluffton, another waterfront destination to add to your must-visit list.