S’more, s’more, s’more, how do you like it,
how do you like it?
Hawaii delivers black sand, big surf
and Papa’s favorite beach
When it comes to diver-
sity in its beach culture,
Hawaii stands alone. Oahu
boasts calling-card Wakaki
and the surfer’s favorite,
North Beach. On Oahu,
you’ll find Hamoa Beach,
which Ernest Hemingway
once called the world’s
best beach. The Big Island
includes the iconic black-
sand beaches, and Kauai is known for hidden beaches that
rest below the jagged peaks of the Na Pali Coast.
What started off as a way for Jennifer Morkert to do some-
thing special for an NTA tour operator has turned into a
popular ongoing activity for groups staying at the Elizabeth
Oceanfront Suites in Newport, Oregon. A few years back,
Morkert put together a beach bonfire—a traditional activity
enjoyed by locals—that included toasting s’mores, and she’s
been doing it ever since.
“Our beaches are not overly crowded, but on a nice night
you will see couples, families and visitors watching the
sunset and hearing the waves crash. Now, you also see
tour groups there relaxing and roasting marshmallows for
s’mores on the beach. Some clients have never done this,
and others say it brings up childhood memories.”
A grand time at the Grand Strand
Thanks to its wide-open stretches of sand, kitschy board-
walk, renowned amusement parks and championship golf
courses, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, remains a top draw
for sun seekers. Groups craving live entertainment can enjoy
a show at NTA-member attractions, the Alabama Theatre and
The Carolina Opry.
PARK
Goin’ mobile for Mardi Gras
Mobile, Alabama, stakes
claim to having hosted
America’s first Mardi
Gras celebration back
in 1703. The tradition
continues each year
during the two weeks
that culminate on Fat
Tuesday. The event fills
the seaside city’s down-
town with the sights and sounds of marching bands and
decorative floats, from which masked krewe members throw
beads, doubloons and confections to eager onlookers.
The southern part of Maine has 30 miles of white sand
beaches and seaside towns with all the classic New England
amenities: locally owned inns, lobster shacks and light-
houses. Between the popular coastal cities of Ogunquit and
Kennebunkport is Wells Reserve at Laudholm. This 2,250-acre
nature sanctuary includes hiking and walking trails that
pass through mature forests and barrier islands en route to
Laudholm Beach.
Surf’s up, dude
The sunny sands of L.A.’s Redondo Beach get pretty crowded
each summer during the five-day International Surf Festival.
In addition to its signature lifeguard competitions, the popu-
lar August event includes surfing contests, paddleboard
races, volleyball tournaments and a pier-to-pier swim.
The shrimp boat soon will be making another run
Abundant fresh seafood and more than 60 miles of sandy
beaches make Mississippi’s Gulf Coast popular with groups.
In addition to sampling the catch of the day at local restau-
rants, travelers can take a behind-the-scenes look at the sea-
food industry during a cruise with a shrimp boat captain or
as part of a visit to a catfish farm.
30
December 2017
So much more in southern Maine
Channel your inner inventor and the Outer Banks
Wilbur and Orville Wright made history in 1903 when their
glider took flight in Kitty Hawk, a coastal city in North
Carolina’s Outer Banks. Groups visiting Wright Brothers
National Memorial can see the hill where that famous flight
took place, view exhibits on the brothers’ early experiments
and see replicas of test gliders.
Come for the view, stay for the food
The NTA membership includes two seaside dining spots on
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts that blend regional cuisine
with great ocean views.