South of Wilmington, US-17 runs inland, so if you want to stick close to the coast, take Hwy-179, which curves along the shore past the rambling towns of Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach before rejoining US-17 at the South Carolina border. Amid the roadside shrimp stands and seafood restaurants, one place that’s worth searching out is Big Nell’s Pit Stop (910/579-6461), at 6393 Live Oak Drive, which has attracted Myrtle Beach–bound travelers with huge breakfasts, tasty vinegar-based barbecue, and their Brunswick Stew. Another good place to eat is at the north end of Hwy-179, in the town of Shalotte: Joe’s Old-Fashioned BBQ (910/754-8876), a large, family-friendly place with a big buffet and well-smoked ribs, on the Main Street at the US-17 junction.
The Outer Banks
