Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is famend for its spectacular stretches of sand and world-class golf programs, however slightly below an hour away is a North Carolina city teeming with historical past and touting plentiful choices for outside recreation. With a inhabitants round 4,000, Tabor City is about 40 miles north of Myrtle Beach, nestled subsequent to Lake Tabor alongside the border of the Carolinas. Travelers will discover a 100-acre lake, a tenting resort targeted on household enjoyable, plus oodles of Southern attraction right here at the moment, however the city’s historical past dates again almost two centuries.
In the early 1800s, what’s now the Tabor City Baptist Church was established within the soon-to-be city. A grocery retailer, sawmill, and schoolhouse adopted swimsuit as the realm’s agriculture trade and workforce blossomed. Several of the unique or rigorously restored buildings stay standing, giving Tabor City a lot of its historic, small-town attraction.
In the early 1900s, tobacco was planted within the surrounding fields, driving Tabor City’s agricultural output. Eventually, the city turned often called the “Yam Capital of the World” within the 1940s because of the proliferation of planted candy potatoes, a nickname it nonetheless honors with the annual North Carolina Yam Festival. Tabor City’s fascinating previous trickles into the attraction it exudes within the current, the place historic landmarks and reminders of its agricultural roots complement the city’s lakeside recreation and family-friendly enchantment.
Outdoor adventures round Tabor City
While close by Myrtle Beach was named the primary summer time vacation spot for U.S. vacationers in 2026, Tabor City additionally has a lot to supply summertime vacationers. For occasion, youngsters will completely adore the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Tabor City, and never simply through the warmest months. With advocates like Yogi Bear, how might they not? In reality, all generations can respect the resort’s fish-packed ponds, water park, and multitude of different actions.
It is probably not the “mini golf capital of the world” like Myrtle Beach, however the resort additionally has a playful 18-hole inexperienced to putt round. Tripadvisor reviewers have praised the resort’s cleanliness, handy facilities, and choices for each youngsters and adults. One earlier visitor wrote: “As the mother of [five] grown children and four grandchildren, I am so impressed with this facility,” including that “it’s just a well-done, never boring [place] full of activities [and a] camping experience.” Only 1.5 miles from Lake Tabor, Jellystone Park campers can arrange in any of 211 websites that embody RV platforms, cabins, yurts, and locations to pitch a tent. Well-maintained amenities, a normal retailer, year-round indoor pool, and extra make this an idyllic tenting getaway.
Another choice is to pack up the automobile or RV and head 14 miles east to Carrollwoods RV Park, the place vacationers can wander from their campsite to the vineyard in mere steps. This amenity-rich campground, which is additionally tent-friendly, was constructed atop a former cotton and tobacco farm, adjoining to the Grapefull Sisters Vineyard. Since 2006, the winery has grown muscadine grapes, a fruit native to the American South. Family members of the winery’s co-owner finally added their very own particular pairing — a campground behind the grapevines — within the late 2000s.
Waterfront enjoyable and a dose of historical past round Tabor City
Tabor City is simply over a mile from Lake Tabor, which is filled with white perch, largemouth bass, and bluegill. The lake is a well-liked vacation spot for throwing a hook and line in and enjoyable on a pier or alongside the shore. A boat ramp provides quick access for watercraft, whereas picnic tables are excellent for lunching by the water. Previous guests rave about seeing wildlife right here, which incorporates egrets and blue herons, together with the plentiful fish that visibly spring from the lake. One traveler who visited on “a quiet day” stated they noticed “turtles sunning on logs and fish jumping up in the water.”
In city, alongside loads of trendy outlets and eating places are visible reminders of Tabor City’s bygone days. Among them is the single-room schoolhouse constructed round 1870 that also stands within the heart of city, prepared for touring. The city’s official site describes it as a “rare and relatively intact example of a one-room frame schoolhouse of the type once found in nearly every rural community of the state during the late 19th century.” Close by is the Tabor City Baptist Church, the congregation of which was established in 1838. However, a number of earlier buildings stood on the positioning earlier than the present church was accomplished in 1908.
For out-of-state guests, the closest airport to Tabor City is Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about an hour away. The subsequent closest is Wilmington International (ILM), 1.5 hours away. Driving from MYR leads vacationers via a easy, hour-long route that passes via lush, huge open areas and rolling inexperienced lawns till the charming city seems. After exploring Tabor City, prolong your journey and head to close by White Lake, a scenic resort city with a crystal-clear, calm lake.