.!

[Pembo]

.

 

[izzy]

I've always said there are two types of people in the world - those who like Nags Head and those who like Myrtle Beach. If you are looking for a quieter vacation (i.e. no amusement parks, no choices of putt-putt, not tons of restaurants, etc.) then Nags Head is your place. Myrtle Beach has A LOT more going on - amusement parks, lots of different putt putts, outlet shopping, restaurants, IMAX theater, places like Medieval Times, Dixie Stampede, etc. (I could also add "traffic" to that list - LOL!!) I do like the beach better at MB - it's flatter, whereas NH has a steeper slope and is more prone to rip tides.

Now, I'm a MB type of gal myself, but I know just as many, if not more, people who love Nags Head and don't like MB. They want a vacation that is quieter and don't want the hustle and bustle of MB.

My favorite place to stay in MB is called the Long Bay Resort. It's between North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, so it's easy to get from one area to the other. It has a big pool, a covered pool, several hot tubs, and a lazy river. It is also oceanfront.

If you have any more MB-related questions, I can probably help you with those better than I could NH questions, although I'll do my best! I've been to MB about 17 times and Nags Head about 4 times.

Good luck in deciding!

 

[Roemama1]

I've been to NC OUter Banks twice and LOVED IT!!! IT's so beautiful. We rented huge houses on the beach each time. The houses were in Corolla (not pronounced like the car, by the way) and in Duck. (which are both the opposite side of the island as Nags Head)I have to say I would NOT want to stay in NAGS head. It seemed more commercialized with the hotels, etc.

The houses were nicer, also, where we were in Corolla and Duck. There was also a rented condo complexes there, too, if you needed a smaller place.

I pick OBX!!!! (OUter Banks, NC).

 

[Towncrier]

I thought that everyone in NE Ohio went to Ocean Isle Beach in the summertime. I have lots of friends who vacation there every summer. It's about an hour north of Myrtle Beach. There are lots of summer rental properties available there. Personally, we've always stayed at Holden Beach (the next beach north of Ocean Isle), but that's because my uncle lives there.

 

[shortbun]

Been both places, like them both-did NOT like area very
close/in Myrtle Beach proper-too much like a carnival.
Fav spot in SC is near Murrel's Inlet; fav spot in NC is
Rodanthe because houses actually overlook the ocean and
not just a dune. IMHO, I see no reason to go to the beach and
not be able to look right at it morning, noon and night from my
deck. Wherever I go, I question people thoroughly about my
view.

 

[kadaten]

We're going to OBX in July. Got a big beach house (8 bedrooms) for the 18 of us going (all family) We're staying in Nags Head right around milepost 11.

I agree about Duck being a little nicer, but it's also a bit more $$! As for not having any entertainment choices, well, the OBX is growing. There are 5 or 6 putt-putt places now, you can hang-glide off the dunes, take fishing excursions, there's an outlet mall now, in addition to all the great local shopping places, lots of restaurants, and a state aquarium over the bridge in Manteo.....just to name a few distractions

I've been to Myrtle Beach (I'm from SC) and won't go back unless I have no say in the matter. It's just too much of a strip for me....that's not what I look for in a beach. If we do SC next summer, we'll do Isle of Palms or Hilton Head...both FAR better than MB for my money! BUT...if you're looking for the "strip" kind of beach, amusement park, lots of crowds and excitement....well MB is it!! We're just over on the quiet side of vacations (unless we're going to WDW!!)

Hope you have a great vacation! Good luck finding somewhere wonderful!! Actually deciding where to stay was the hardest part for me....we had it down to 3 houses and even though we've already paid our 50% deposit (non-refundable) I keep second-guessing..."what if they would have liked the other house better??" Oh well...hopefully it will be easier next year!! I know this was the first year I had to plan the thing and they didn't decide until January to go, so many of the best houses were already taken...since last summer!! If you're looking for hotel type accomodations, you'll have it a little easier ... Good luck!!

 

[niks81]

I've been to both....I guess it depends on what you're looking for. My family stayed for several years in a condo on the beach in NC around the Southport area. We basically went there for a beach vacation and didn't really seek out any other activities. It was perfect for that.

Myrtle Beach is fun, but too touristy for me. However, you definitely won't be bored there!

I really liked Wilmington, NC actually....quaint, charming area! And Hilton Head, while a bit touristy, does have that nice beachy feel to it. That's where it and Myrtle differ....I agree with someone else that described it as a carnival.

Good luck

 

[pogopossum]

i can't believe the members of this board would overlook the hilton head island disney resort. even though it is dvc it still has some cash customer specials and hh is pretty nice, great golf, tennis, and the beach is real nice. on top of all that it is a disney resort, great kid's programs, pool and family activities. at the time we went we hadn't bought dvc membership, so we were cash customers and felt that it was great for the price. didn't go down to sea pines. and have heard that we didn't miss anything. i did check the price of golf there and even with a bit of a discount they were still too proud of their course. but i highly recommend a trip to the low country.

 

[Mercy]

We've been to Myrtle Beach and really enjoyed it there. We stayed in North MB, which is quieter, but within a short drive to all the "action" so to speak. We stayed in the Beach Cove Resort and loved it there! Actually, we all want to go back!

 

[tar heel]

I'm another who does not care for Myrtle Beach. It's hard to imagine a more commercialized place, and this comes from someone who loves Orlando! I think of it as nirvana for teenagers but a place you grow out of for adults. I think it would be overwhelming for a lot of children, too. The smaller North Carolina/South Carolina beaches are so much nicer. I love the Outer Banks, too, but you are looking at a much longer drive to get there.

We get to stay at Kiawah Island Resort free every other year, so that's our beach. It's beautiful, unspoiled (except by expensive houses), has miles of bike trails and lots of nature, but is close enough to Charleston to do touristy things if you want. I love it, but it is very expensive and I don't think we would go there if we had to pay for it!

 

[my3kids]

Myrtle Beach just plain scares me. Too many people, too many cars, too many everything. But the food is good!

I thought everyone from OH went to Hilton Head.... at least that is what the fun guy who sings nightly for the children in Sea Pines says. I love Hilton Head for its bike paths, maintaining the trees, and lack of full blown amusement parks. I don't like the traffic, but once you are off the main road down the island, the traffic is fine.

I've been looking at Wild Dunes and Kiawah Island, both nearer to Charleston in SC. Each looks nice, uncongested, but still with restaurants and biking.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[ripleysmom]

"We stayed in the Beach Cove Resort and loved it there! Actually, we all want to go back!"

Mercy, I loved it there too! They are clients and I installed their payroll system last year. When I stayed, they put me in a unit on the beach. Talk about bliss!!

I personally prefer SC to NC. I think that the people are friendlier. I really can't speak to the areas in NC but can say that MB definitely has a lot to do for the kids.