Molly McVetyDelaware News Journal
Show subtitles
The summer holiday season is upon us and with it comes new travel opportunities with discounted flights from New Castle Airport.
Avelo Airlines recentlyannounced nine new targetsstarting June 22 in five southern states accessible from New Castle Airport. Delaware now offers flights to 14 destinations, Avelo's largest single-market expansion to date.
Avelo began serving the Wilmington area in February and was soon offering flights to five Florida destinations. TheThe airline quickly found success in the Delaware marketAircraft capacity is often over 95% on most flights.
TheThe airline's main selling point is its low costTickets, some as low as $29 one way, with checked baggage and priority seat charges. Travel to new destinations will take place at least twice a week from the end of June.
Here's a look at the new destinations Avelo Airlines is offering from New Castle Airport this summer:
- Charleston, South Carolina (CHS):Mondays and Fridays from June 23rd
- Daytona Beach, Florida (DAB):Mondays and Fridays from June 23rd
- Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina (GSP):Thursdays and Sundays from June 22nd
- Melbourne/Cocoa Beach, Florida (MLB):Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 28th
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR):Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from June 23rd
- Nashville, Tennessee (BNA):Thursdays and Sundays from June 22nd
- Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina (RDU):Thursdays and Sundays from June 22nd
- Savannah, Georgia/Hilton Head, South Carolina (SAV):Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 28th
- Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM):Thursdays and Sundays from June 22nd
We've decided to delve into each destination offered by Avelo and highlight some of the attractions that will soon be accessible from the once-deserted New Castle Airport.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, nicknamed "The Holy City," is consistently cited as one of the best (if not the) best places to visit in the Carolinas. Equal parts historic and modern, each new and award-winning restaurant and experience is deeply rooted in the city's heritage.
For history buffs, Charleston is home to numerous Civil War landmarks, such as Fort Sumter Island, site of the first battle of the Civil War, and the Emmanuel AME Church, one of the most historic and first black churches in the country and a center of the Civil War civil rights movement.
Charleston's City Market is packed with local shops, and beach towns like Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palm and Folly Beach are all known for their family-friendly vibes. State parks like Riverfront Park and James Island County Park are also hailed by locals as some of the city's best outdoor spaces.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Another Florida destination added to the Avelo catalog, Daytona Beach is widely recognized as one of Florida's top beach destinations. Home to boardwalks, shops, restaurants and parks with countless attractions for people of all interests.
Racing enthusiasts most likely know Daytona as the home of NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway, one of the country's most popular racetracks. The circuit offers walking tours and interactive circuit experiences without the risk of getting behind the wheel of a real racing car. Right next to the circuit is the Vctory Circle Stage, which hosts a summer concert series featuring local artists every Friday from June 9th to August 18th.
Daytona is also known for its wildlife; Sea turtles can often be seen laying eggs on the 23 miles of white sand beaches, and dolphin-watching tours are also regularly offered.
Fort Lauderdale / Miami, Florida
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is just 3 miles from Fort Lauderdale and less than an hour north of Miami, making the hundreds of destinations in the area even more accessible.
Dubbed the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale boasts 24 miles of beaches, historic districts and the Everglades. Las Olas Boulevard is the city's hotspot for all things shopping and dining, with numerous specialty drinks throughout the week. You can even take a water taxi that stops at various bars and attractions along the coast. The 1.5 million acre Everglades National Park is just over an hour away and well worth a visit.
As one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, Miami needs no introduction. We would fail to mention the city's esteemed nightlife and beaches, but you can also take Segway tours through the historic Art Deco District, enjoy dining in Little Havana, go snorkeling at Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, or visit one of the dozens of museums the city has to offer.
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is still recovering from Hurricane Ian and has struggled with its recovery efforts for the past six months. But the city's Deputy Mayor, Jim Atterholt, believes the city will be a "functional paradise" by next year.
Although the beaches have not yet been fully restored, there are still a handful of open parks and beaches such as Gasparilla Island State Park and Boca Grande Beach Pass. There's also a 190-mile Calusa Blueway paddle trail that criss-crosses the region's waterways and coastline.
The city's historic River District is home to shopping, dining and entertainment. A farmers market is held every Thursday, which reopened for the first time since the hurricane last week.
Greenville, South Carolina
To avoid being confused with the 30 other Greenvilles in the US, South Carolina's catchphrase for the city was affectionately called "Yeah."TheGreenville.” Although it doesn't draw as much attention as Charleston, it's one of the fastest growing cities in the South.
Beginning June 22, Delawareans can enjoy Greenville's scenic outdoor areas. NOMA Square, the city's premier outdoor square, is home to more than 100 restaurants and regularly hosts live performances and free events for people to attend.
Popular with nature-loving tourists and locals alike, Greenville's Falls Park of the Reedy features waterfalls, hiking trails, picnic areas, and public art installations that lead directly into downtown Greenville. Greenville will also host its Country Music Fest over the weekend of October 20th, which will feature headliners Brooks & Dunn, Cody Johnson and Bailey Zimmerman.
Melbourne, Florida
Just over an hour southeast of Orlando, Melbourne is an underrated gem in Florida's vast vacation landscape. As part of Florida's "Space Coast", Melbourne is home to many different beaches depending on the type of trip you're planning.
Quieter Melbourne beach escapes include Coconut Point Park and Juan Ponce de Leon Landing Beach, while spots like Spessard Holland and Paradise Park offer more amenities. Melbourne also has a 15-acre botanical garden exhibit at the Florida Institute of Technology that is open to the public.
Downtown Melbourne is brimming with shopping and sightseeing, not to mention waterside dining experiences.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Another classic South Carolina vacation spot, Myrtle Beach's shoreline stretches for 60 miles and has just as many attractions.
The Myrtle Beach boardwalk is one of the most famous of its kind in the area. There is live entertainment and attractions nightly, as well as a 187-foot Ferris wheel that offers views of the beach's coastline and the Atlantic Ocean, not to mention numerous shops, restaurants, and bars for visitors to enjoy.
Dockside Village is the city's walkable waterfront dining district with even more destinations to shop, dine and enjoy live entertainment. Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park are two of the most popular nature parks, but if you want to get up close and personal with wildlife, dolphin tours and sightseeing cruises are offered regularly.
Orlando Florida
In order to respect the integrity of our readers, this summary will (at least try) not to waste time on Orlando's obvious attraction.
Dubbed the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” Orlando is a family-friendly paradise. Experience wildlife at Discovery Cove and SeaWorld, or immerse yourself in the 150-acre Legoland theme and water park. There are natural springs nearby that are perfect for scuba diving, fishing and snorkeling or visit the old town's entertainment district for authentic architecture and sights.
When all else fails, there's always Disney!
Nashville, Tennessee
Not much needs to be said about tourist magnet Nashville, but with cheap flights out of New Castle on Thursdays and Sundays, your next long weekend might be just around the corner.
Nashville is a paradise for music lovers and foodies. The summer calendar is already full. The Re:SET concert series will take place from June 23rd to 25th, featuring musical guests such as LCD Soundsystem, Steve Lacy and Boygenius. Blink-182 hit Music City on July 16th, followed by Ed Sheeran on July 22nd.
Every Fourth of July, the East Park area hosts the Music City Hot Chicken Festival, where locals and tourists alike can enjoy free vendor hot chicken along with other local beer and food options, and of course, live music.
Voted a local favorite eight years running, Robert's Western World is the best place to experience true honky tonk. Don't miss the Ryman Auditorium, one of the most prestigious and historic live music venues in the world. And the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame are must-sees for country fans.
Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina
With an airport located approximately 10 miles from both Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina, flights to RDU allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Raleigh, the North Carolina capital and a corner point of the "Research Triangle," has a great food scene that has blossomed in recent years. Food halls like Morgan Street, Transfer Co. and Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink have sprung up. The city offers dozens of dining options under one roof. William B Umstead State Park also offers 22 miles of hiking trails with additional spots for canoeing, horseback riding, fishing and camping.
Aside from research and academic prominence, Durham North Carolina's historic landscape includes dozens of art galleries and state parks. Eno River State Park is one of the better-known spots, with over 11,000 acres of hiking trails and swimming holes (not to mention a shoutout on Netflix's Stranger Things).
Savannah, Georgia / Hilton Head, South Carolina
A 20-minute drive from Savannah and an hour outside of Hilton Head, this is another airport destination that offers easy access to two great vacation destinations.
Historic Savannah is known for its natural scenery. The city has mini-parks and monuments spread across 24 "plazas," some of which predate the country itself. Savannah's salt marshes and Skidaway Island State Park are great for nature lovers. Boardwalks and kayak tours are available for those who want to explore the area. The city's River Street along the waterfront is the city's all-in-one destination for bars, restaurants and shops.
Hilton Head is another iconic beach location. With nearly 12 miles of continuous beachfront, Hilton Head is the perfect family getaway. There are plenty of golf courses and shopping malls to keep visitors occupied, and helicopter tours of the island are available for those who want to treat themselves to an unforgettable experience. Sea turtles have also been known to visit the beaches between May and October.
Tampa, Florida
Tampa's diverse nightlife, pedestrian-friendly streets, family-friendly attractions, and wildlife make it another great getaway destination.
The Tampa Riverwalk has expanded over the years and now offers access to parks, restaurants, public art and waterfront activities. Just a short drive away is Clearwater Beach, widely considered one of the top beach spots in the country.
ZooTampa and Busch Gardens are other highlights of the Tampa experience, where families can interact with thousands of wild animals and ride a 75 mph, 90 degree roller coaster all in the same day.
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach concludes the list of travel destinations in Florida.
Here you can explore the city's four shopping and entertainment districts: Clematis Street, The Square, Northwood Village and Antique Row to experience the souvenir and all-you-can-eat haven. West Palm Beach is also home to numerous museums, including the Norton Museum of Art's collection of over 8,000 pieces and outdoor sculptures.
Some of the best beaches West Palm Beach has to offer include Boynton Beach, Coral Cove Park, and Delray Beach, with a wide range of quiet scenery and lively amenities.
Wilmington, North Carolina
North Carolina is the second best Wilmington on the East Coast (we're biased) and billed as the best riverfront in the country, with over 200 boutiques, cafes, restaurants and nightlife options for everyone.
Wilmington's National Register Historic District is home to over 230 brick-lined blocks with live music and historic architecture unique to the area. Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach are among the city's most popular destinations. Scenic cruises are available for sightseeing and relaxation.
Contact Molly McVety atmmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter@mollymcvety.