The Best Getaway: Check Out These Beaches That Are Closest To Tennessee’s Knoxville!
BY sagnika sinhaSep 20, 2023
Are you too busy with work? Has life become exhausted, yet the responsibilities are sitting too heavy on those shoulders? Want to know the closest beach to Knoxville tn? Mark my words, you will come back rejuvenated!
How about taking some time off that will not create a huge time gap in your busy work schedule? Beaches are the perfect place to unwind! Along with the best tips to visit beaches, I am also sharing with you the essentials which you will need at the beaches.
Take those family photos or go on beach dates with your partner, spread those towels, and enjoy the scenic spots with books and drinks in your hand! But how will you know which beach will be closer to where you are staying?
Read this article to learn about some of the best beaches near Knoxville Tn and shortlist the places you want to visit. Some beaches are like hidden gems you can access across narrow, winding roads. With various activities, you have to plan that vacation, darlings!
Why Are Beach Vacations The Best?
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The beach is where you go when you are tired of the world of technology! Relaxing and rejuvenating is the deal of the day! Acting as a break from the boring, mundane life, a beach vacation can be a perfect place to foster imagination.
This is why beach vacations are the best, especially when your creativity is boosted. It has been observed that people who are depressed benefit a lot from the salt water and breeze as it helps their mental health! Visiting a beach helps lower stress and decrease stress hormone levels and blood pressure.
Now that you know how helpful that beach trip is for you, you have to select from some of the closest beaches in Knoxville, Tn!
Check Out These Beaches Closest To Tennessee's Knoxville!
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Are wondering about the closest beach to Knoxville tn, for a rejuvenating trip? It may be a short vacation, but I assure you this article will make you more alive than you have felt for months!
Water plays an important role in the history and experience of the region of Tennessee as it sits on the confluence of three rivers: Tennessee, Holston, and French Broad. Therefore, the beaches near Knoxville are perfect for a weekend trip.
The diverse activities, such as swimming, fishing, paddling, kayaking, etc., can satisfy the adventurous souls of everyone! Apart from visiting the beaches, national parks are closely situated to these parks, ensuring your kids are equally happy!
1. Myrtle Beach, SC
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The beach is a one-stop destination for families, especially when you have less time but want to enjoy it to the fullest! The distance between Knoxville and Myrtle Beach is 6 hours 38 minutes and is known as the Pigeon Forge of the East Coast.
The beachfront spreads across 60 minutes, offering a variety of activities that include entertainment for all ages. Dining, shopping, and other such activities are in a huge variety which you can perform to your heart's fullest.
You must attend the entertainment shows, mini-golf activities, go-karts, and an aquarium to visit! It is a hot spot for people planning on vacationing; hence, it can sometimes be crowded. Food dishes popular around this beach are salads, ribs, steaks, burgers, seafood, and sandwiches.
If you are planning to spend the weekend there, there are a lot of accommodating places, including oceanfront condos, rentals, and resorts. You can walk to these accommodations in under 1 minute from the beach.
2. Sullivan's Island, SC
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Sullivan's Island Beach is the closest beach to Knoxville, tn, as the distance can be covered in 5 hours and 54 minutes on the road. The beach is well known for its unique collection of lighthouses, considering one is a triangle in shape, mostly cylindrical.
There are many places to visit when you go to this beach! If you are a history buff, this is the place to visit, as there is a historic Fort Moultrie! This fort was used during the Revolutionary War, but currently, the fort hosts ranger-led educational programs across the year.
You can take a day to visit Charleston, where you will find quaint little shops, tasty restaurants, historic architecture, etc. If you have kids with you, you can also see a children's museum and an aquarium.
Regarding accommodation, a 6-bedroom private beach house is perfect for a group or an extended family visiting. There is a private pool on the property! You can eat hand-crafted pizza, and a combination of seafood is perfect if you are looking for a shanty vibe.
3. Oak Island, NC
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If you are looking for a scenic beach, Oak Island is the place to visit for all adventurous activities. Water sports are quite famous here, along with that, you can see Fort Caswell, used in the 1800s and 1900s. This is one of the beaches near Knoxville TN!
You will take 7 hours and 8 minutes to reach the beach and can visit the island lighthouse, which is situated just beside the fort. There is a perfect walk to enjoy Oak Island Nature Center at the beach, so if you are a nature lover, you know where to go!
Further, adventures such as kayaking are the thing to do as an outdoor adventure sport. Many family homes and rentals are at a distance of the March beach, providing incredible views across the beach.
If you visit the beach, you must try out scrumptious food items such as steak, chicken, and pasta, apart from the delicious seafood.
4. Folly Beach, SC
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The beach in Tennessee is close to Knoxville; you can drive in 6 hours and 8 minutes with the free entertainment available at the Skate Park and Pirate's Cove Playground. It is specifically for couples or families with children.
You must attend the beach shops' water sports, including swimming, boating, fishing, etc. It would be best if you tried the delicious cuisine of the beach, such as Crab cakes and cheeseburgers. A mix of seafood such as oysters, shrimp, etc., the perfect meal after a whole day of beach fun.
People with pets, this is the perfect beach for you as the beach has a dog park called Fido. If you plan to stay for a day or two, accommodation is available as an entire beach house just 4 minutes away from the ocean.
5. Wrightsville Beach, NC
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The beach is a little farther from Knoxville, TN, as it takes about 7 hours and 23 minutes. There are three beaches in Wilmington: Kure, Carolina, and Wrightsville. All the beaches qualify as some of the best beaches near Knoxville.
The beach's water is clear, and people who love surfing can enjoy their hearts out. Apart from common activities such as shopping and dining, there are interesting activities to perform, such as going on catamaran cruises, visiting the History Museum, and attending fairs and seasonal festivals.
The Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center organizes educational programs and treasure hunts for children. In terms of food, you will find some of the best cheeseburgers at this beach! If you are a picky eater, you will find various options, from steaks to seafood platters.
6. Kiawah Island, SC
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People who are adventurers, this beach is for you because it is mostly a marshland and is located at a distance of 6 hours 16 minutes by car. To emphasize the adventure, let me tell you that the beach is often used for native wildlife watching!
Several locations across the beach are perfect if you are looking for wildlife spotting! The two locations popular for this purpose on the beach are Canvasback Duck Pond and Marsh Island Park.
What's more, there are two scenic observation towers in Kiawah where you will get a 360-degree view of the sea and land! If you are a hiker or like to bike, this beach is perfect! They have natural paths for these types of adventures.
For accommodation, there is a private 2nd story deck that you can rent to enjoy some stunning ocean views. There is one popular restaurant called Jasmine Porch where you can splurge on good food, especially the Low-country favorites such as shrimp and grits, she-crab bisque, fresh seafood, po'boys, and burgers!
7. Kure Beach, NC
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The beach at Kure is beautiful, apart from the North Carolina Aquarium, which is situated at Fort Fisher. Significant features are located at the beach, such as a nature play area, an adventure reef, and touch tanks.
This beach is located at a distance of 7 hours and 31 minutes. Apart from the beach, you can also visit places such as the historical site of the Civil War Museum, the Fort Fisher State Site, beach cruises, a dog park, and a playground in front of the beach.
You cannot miss the food such as burgers, sandwiches, seafood and pasta! I am already drooling!
8. Isle Of Palms, SC
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Another close beach is accessible from Knoxville to Isle of Palms, which is 5 hours and 57 minutes away. The beach is a completely uncrowded picturesque location, so if you are not a people person or want some privacy, you know where you want to go!
There is a playground for children, so this is the perfect destination if you have kids. There is also a picnic area, so if you plan to spend the whole day out, you can go to this beach. For accommodation, there is a single-family cottage which is well decorated!
Just down the beach, completely accessible and perfect! Food is another important part of the vacation, so I suggest the Sea Biscuit Cafe! Try out the seafood omelets, shrimp, and gravy because these are the low-county options.
9. Hilton Head, SC
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You have to visit this beach for the best sunsets across the water! In a distance of 6 hours, 26 minutes from Knoxville, the coastal paradise is someplace to be visited. It is known for golf and other bike trails and water sports activities.
There are further recreational activities such as dining and shopping options! I am sure we all love shopping. If you are planning on staying the night, there is a resort rental that you can book. You can enjoy the outdoor and indoor pool, a tiki bar, etc.
You must catch the coastal area food, especially crab cakes, sandwiches, shrimp, grits, and salads. One of the restaurants at the beach that is a local favorite is a low-country Backyard restaurant.
10. Tybee Island, GA
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The beach is located at a distance of 6 hours and 55 minutes by road from Knoxville. Some of the place's main attractions are the restaurants and the quaint little shops. The beach is popular for people finding their relaxing haunt near Tennessee. Considering, it is the closest beach to Tennessee!
It is a low-key beach situated just outside of Savanah! Apart from relaxing on the beach, you can also access different amenities in Savanah, such as museums, historic architecture, upscale shops, ghost tours, and other attractions perfect for family outings.
Beautiful rentals are close to the beach and a 1-minute distance from where you can enjoy some stunning visuals. The food available in and around the place is quite popular! One such restaurant is located near the waterfront called Bubba Gumbo.
The seafood Gumbo is their signature dish! You can also order fried fish, jambalaya, burgers, and crab cakes. They also popularly serve shrimp.
11. Simon's Island, GA
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The beach is situated at a distance of 7 hours and 42 minutes from Knoxville, TN! The beach Oasis is a perfect place to relax, especially with all the amenities present to make your life easier. There is a park called the Neptune Park Fun Zone for family attractions.
You can also find a store to rent accessories for water sports restaurants, and several shops provide you with good food and the necessary equipment for the beach vacation, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and others.
There is one family beach rental along with its private swimming pool. The rental can host a family, which is pretty close to the lighthouse. You cannot miss the delicious food available! Once such a restaurant opens, Porch offers fried catfish, shrimp, and fried chicken.
Essentials When You Visit The Beach!
When you are traveling to the beaches, there are certain things that are quite essential! It is not an easy job to pack things for the beach because there are several things that you need to worry about. I know, excess luggage can impact your overall perspective of traveling!
You have to create a checklist of what are the things that you must carry! Overall, these things will help you protect you from the sun and enjoy your beach vacation.
1. Sunscreen
The most important thing is sunscreen because it is common knowledge that going to the beach without sunscreen can negatively impact your skin! Visiting the ocean or sea can significantly hamper your skin and if you have sensational skin, sunscreen is a must.
2. Sunglasses
Another important thing that will protect your eyes from the sun at the beach is sunglasses! You also need to keep in mind that at times, you might get sand all over you hence, wearing sunglasses will protect your eyes.
Furthermore, if you already have issues with your eyesights, it is immensely important for you to carry sunglasses. You can save your eyes from any harm!
3. Bathing Suit
If you are planning to have a bath while visiting the beach, one thing is compulsory is the swimsuit! Ofcourse, you need to check whether you get a place to change into a bathing suit, hence, you can wear and then get an oversized shirt on it.
Ofcourse, you can include shorts and a t-shirt if you want to cover your swimsuit while walking to the beach.
4. Beach Hat
The beach hat makes sure that you not only look fashionable but also protects you from heat stroke! With excessive heat, you might suffer as your skin can develop wrinkles even before you start aging hence, the beach hat will actually make sure your face is protected.
If the sunlight is too strong, you will feel better if you have a beach hat! Furthermore, even your hair is protected from the salty air of the beach!
5. Water Bottle
Even though you are going to the beach, you cannot drink that water hence, it is a necessity for you to carry water bottles. If you suffer from heatstroke or sudden heat, you might suddenly feel quite sick hence water will be very helpful.
You can use a glass bottle because a metal-body bottle or plastic bottle might not be able to keep your water cool. You can also carry different types of liquid such as fruit juice or lemon water to keep you cool and relaxed.
6. Chapstick
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This is a necessity especially when heat can negatively impact your lips! Your lips might run completely dry with the sun over your head. You must not fail in carrying chapstick because it helps you keep your lips soft and fresh.
Ready To Start That Vacation…
Beach vacations are a different type of therapy, and you can enjoy it after you read about the closest beach to Knoxville, tn. Apart from Sullivan's Island, which is the most intimate, I have listed other beaches near Knoxville, Tn. Furthermore, I have also shared with you the essential items that you must carry when visiting a beach!
Beach vacations are not just about trips but also about adventure and excitement. It brings you closer as a family and helps your kids habituate the outdoors.
Comment below to let us know which one of these beaches you have visited before and which one is your favorite!
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