Advice on Va. Beach or Ocean City Md ???

[vicb]

HI. Wondering if any of you have vacationed in the summer at Virginia Beach or Ocean City Md with teens (or kids whatever age) ?? Looking at one of those two desitinations for a possible summer beach vacation. We live in MI so don't want to drive much more than 12 hours.

Thanks for any tips, open to other suggestions.

 

[Por1968]

I live in Maryland, but avoid Ocean City. I would recommend Myrtle Beach if you are looking for a lot of activities besides the beach and the North Carolina Beaches if you are looking for quiet family fun. My family and I will likely go to Topsail Beach this year. It is very laid back, but not a lot to do outside of the beach.

 

[vicb]

I live in Maryland, but avoid Ocean City. I would recommend Myrtle Beach if you are looking for a lot of activities besides the beach and the North Carolina Beaches if you are looking for quiet family fun. My family and I will likely go to Topsail Beach this year. It is very laid back, but not a lot to do outside of the beach.

I had thought of Myrtle or Hilton Head but it is a longer haul for us 14 hrs. to Myrtle, more to HH... almost too much for a one day drive.

Could you share why you avoid ocean city? Is it tourist tacky or is the beach not clean? Thanks for your help.

 

[Charitycase20]

I live 30 minutes from Ocean City, MD and my husband and I drive 6 hours every summer to spend a week at the beach in OBX!! OC is very crowded in the summer, lots of teenagers/college kids running wild...lots of partying...If you really want a family beach, I would go just north of OC to Bethany Beach, DE. Lovely beaches, nice family atmosphere and your only about 30 minutes from the "stuff" in OC or about 20 minutes north to Rehoboth Beach, DE (lots of outlet shopping). You can also find a nice rental in Bethany for a week instead of staying in a motel. Good luck planning your trip.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

I agre with avoiding OC-it just does not give off a very clean "family" atmosphere.

We really prefer Rehobeth-and if you want to drive into OC from there for a night at the boardwalk or something it does not take very long. Rehobeth is much less fast-paced and not as rough as OC. I will say Rehobeth is very gay friendly so if that is an issue for you then just be aware. We personally love it there and would absolutely choose it over OC any day!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We live 20 min. from Va beach. Honestly I am not impressed I would rather drive 2 hours to the OBX then 20 across the bridge to va beach. IT isn't horrible and we do occasionally go but not one of my favorite beaches.

 

[brockash]

I vacationed at OC and Virginia beach as a teen, and I really preferred OC, but as an adult with small kiddos, I'd probably go to Virginia beach, although we love OBX too.

The boardwalk/things to do ect. are larger at OC. There's bus service up and down the beach, and while of course you'll have the occassional idiot, when I was there (which was about 10 yrs. ago by now) for the most part the buses were fine. It is crowded there in the summer, and drive in can be horrible with traffic though.

Virginia beach was okay, but it seemed a lot "smaller" to me.

 

[FireDancer]

I was in VA Beach this year for the Rock N Roll half marathon and liked it much better than Myrtle. While both are pretty touristy (I enjoy a more authentic feel) I didn't feel like I was surrounded by tacky tourism at VA Beach though it is still present.

The two things I can recommend about VA Beach are:

If you like coffee check out the Bad*** Coffee company. Their coffee is outstanding. I don't know if I can post a link to the place because technically their name might violate board policy but check out the establishment at 619 18th Street in Virginia Beach.

If you like seafood everyone I was with loved their meal at Mahi Mah's

 

[disney1990]

I, too, live in Maryland and avoid Ocean City. It is far too commercial for me. Everybody has their hand out for money. We prefer the Outer Banks. We have never been to Myrtle Beach or Virginia Beach, so I can't response on those.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

I live 30 minutes from Ocean City, MD and my husband and I drive 6 hours every summer to spend a week at the beach in OBX!! OC is very crowded in the summer, lots of teenagers/college kids running wild...lots of partying...If you really want a family beach, I would go just north of OC to Bethany Beach, DE. Lovely beaches, nice family atmosphere and your only about 30 minutes from the "stuff" in OC or about 20 minutes north to Rehoboth Beach, DE (lots of outlet shopping). You can also find a nice rental in Bethany for a week instead of staying in a motel. Good luck planning your trip.

I live 5 minutes from Ocean City and plan on spending most of the summer at our home in FL to avoid the season here. I'm just spoiled by FL's beaches, I think OC is tacky and trashy during the summer and we don't go there at all. I second the Bethany Beach or Rehoboth Beach recommendations, they are much nicer, quieter and family friendly. The atmosphere in OC trends toward the young and wild, it is common to see drunk people staggering around in the middle of the afternoon.

 

[locolala]

Topsail reef is, imo, the most beautiful beach I've EVER been to. Ok, well, the prettiest on the east coast lol. Rehoboth is nice as well. We don't go to OC because it's just too seedy these days.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Another Marylander who will never go to OC again. Too Busy, too commercial. Plus very rough waves, and cold water.

It is worth the drive to HHI, or at least Myrtle Beach, IMO.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

what about Rehobeth, DEwey or Bethany beaches?....
Ocean City is a little "redneck?"

Virginia Beach is nice-- we've stayed at THe Cavalier Hotel

 

[Christine]

...I like Ocean City...

I spent most of my summer vacations there and I like the activity level there. Yes, it's honky tonk, yes, it's busy, but I like that. My kids were bored senseless at the Outer Banks, although it is nice. They like action, they love the boardwalk and all the stuff going on. I don't mind that the beach is crowded--I love the people watching. It's just kind of fun. Not overly relaxing though. It really just depends what you're after. My only real complaint is that there's not really any good upscale dining there.

 

[Carole]

Another Marylander. Ocean City is what got us started on going to Disney during the summer. I could find a lot nicer room for a lower price in Disney than in OC. We haven't vacationed in OC for many years because the rooms were way overpriced and rundown. We would spend a few days in the southern part of Daytona Beach before heading to Disney. None of the restaurants in OC made me want to come back again.

 

[wdwmom2]

...I like Ocean City...

I spent most of my summer vacations there and I like the activity level there. Yes, it's honky tonk, yes, it's busy, but I like that. My kids were bored senseless at the Outer Banks, although it is nice. They like action, they love the boardwalk and all the stuff going on. I don't mind that the beach is crowded--I love the people watching. It's just kind of fun. Not overly relaxing though. It really just depends what you're after. My only real complaint is that there's not really any good upscale dining there.

Me too!!!! Even though it is busy, I never have a problem finding a place to spread my towel on the beach. I love walking the Boardwalk, shopping at Edward's, eating at the Dough Roller, getting Thrasher's fries, all you can eat seafood at the Bonfire, Captain's Galley II has great seafood, playing miniature golf. My kids never get bored in Ocean City!!!!

I will be going there in September for Bike Week. Yes it is noisy, but I met some of the nicest people!!!! I can't wait to go!

Never been to Virginia Beach so I can't compare.

If you want a truly relaxing vacation, you probably need to head to the Outer Banks. I have many friends who vacation there and go back every year.

 

[mikehn]

Im a native marylander who is not afraid to admit I enjoy ocean city. If you like peace and tranquility, then there are much better destinations than OC. If you enjoy a more active scene, then you might like OC. It all depends on what you want in a vacation. I enjoy the carnival atmosphere of OC. That's just me.