Tourists enjoy a creek excursion at the gardens in Murrells Inlet, S.C., near Myrtle Beach.
Haven't figured out where to go for March break? Or maybe you've got an empty spot in your schedule and are looking for something different?
I've been lucky enough to explore a fair bit of the southern United States, and highly recommend visiting this time of year – before the searing heat of summer kicks in.
Here are some destinations that may not be on your radar, but should be.
First off is a fantastic little village called Murrells Inlet. It's about a half hour south of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and it's got charm by the bucketful.
You'll find a short but enjoyable boardwalk along the marina and some marshland areas. It also passes colourful bars and restaurants, where you can order everything from high-end sushi to burgers and a beer.
Not far away is one of the best golf courses in the South, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club. You enter the grounds under a series of tall trees dripping with romantic Spanish moss (a relative of the pineapple, I've been told) and find a glorious, challenging layout. When your round is finished, pull up a rocking chair on the porch outside the clubhouse, order a mint julep and watch the golfers ditch their approach shots into the pond that fronts the 18th green. Or catch a glimpse of the stark white egrets that stalk the nearby marshlands.
Also close by is Brookgreen Gardens, home to a huge variety of flowering plants and shrubs, as well as fountains and statuary. Or you can try a quiet backcountry kayak trip with Black River outfitters.
A bit further south is Jekyll Island. I'm partial to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, one of those throwback, Dirty Dancing kind of places with a ton of history. You can hike one of the lovely nature trails, or you can rent a bike and take a ride on the beach's firm-packed sand. The sunsets over the Intracoastal Waterway are astonishing.
Jekyll is famous for its fun and inexpensive golf courses. The state of Georgia owns the Jekyll Island Golf Club and its three full 18s and nine-hole layout (Oleander is the prettiest of the bunch). Best of all, it's just $32 (U.S.) to play if you don't take a cart. That's the price of three tallboy beers at some courses in Ontario.
Not far away is Sea Island, Ga., and highly-rated golf from designer Tom Fazio and others.
If you're looking for a more urban – but still relaxed – experience, consider Delray Beach, Fla., just a short drive from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. It has plenty of big-city amenities, but also a quiet main street with one-of-a-kind shops, sidewalk cafés and chatty locals, if you're so inclined.
The Delray Center for the Arts often features interesting exhibits and live music, while nearby Morikami Gardens wows with beautiful paths, flowers and rock gardens, plus fascinating displays of Japanese history in south Florida.
The Hyatt Place has simple but well-appointed rooms, while the Seagate Hotel is a more upscale spot that's closer to the beach (and boasts its own shark tank). You're also only a short drive from the ultra posh Boca Raton Resort, part of the Waldorf Astoria collection.