Beach vacation in Southeast...where would you go?

[lemondog]

Next year is our "off" year for Disney (can't afford to go every year) and sad to say but my 6yo twins have NEVER been to the beach and my 9yo has not been since she was 1yo, so it's high time we went back! I grew up going to the Florida panhandle (mainly Destin or Sandestin) so that is what's familiar to me, but I want to expand our horizons and see if there is anywhere else we might like. So far I am looking at the following areas...

-Panhandle of FL (Destin/Ft. Walton, even as far west as Gulf Shores, AL)
-Amelia Island/St. Augustine area of FL
-Hilton Head, SC
-Outer Banks, NC

Anywhere else I should be looking? I would like an area that is fairly built up, in that I want there to be easy access to grocery stores, restaurants, etc. We are not all into the "seclusion" thing.

Also, we would be driving from Nashville so it would need to be within an 8-10 hour drive if possible. We can get to Disney in 10-11 hours so nothing longer than that. Flying is not an option financially, with 5 of us it just adds too much $$ onto the cost of the trip.

TIA!

 

[NCRedding]

Litchfield Beach south of Myrtle Beach is lovely. They have oceanfront and marshfront homes and condos, nice pools, a beach house and beach area. The area around Litchfield has nice grocery stores, shops etc. 5 miles away is Murrells Inlet with tons of nice restaurants. You are only 20 miles from the busy area of Myrtle.

 

[tink1957]

We go to Panama City Beach almost every summer. The beaches are well kept and beautiful. The only time I don't recommend it is during Spring Break as it's too wild and crowded. You can find some good deals at vrbo.com. We usually stay on the quiet end of town at Seychelles condo but you may want to stay on the west end of town by the new Pier Park.

Have fun deciding!

 

[amyren]

I love the Gulf beaches. We usually stay just out side of Destin in Seagrove Fl. It's a nice clean beach right next door to Sea Side (where they filmed The Truman Show).
Gulf Shores Alabama is also really cute. We stayed there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There are lots of adorable beach houses and it's not as crowded as the Florida beaches.

Have fun!

 

[karenos]

Litchfield Beach south of Myrtle Beach is lovely. They have oceanfront and marshfront homes and condos, nice pools, a beach house and beach area. The area around Litchfield has nice grocery stores, shops etc. 5 miles away is Murrells Inlet with tons of nice restaurants. You are only 20 miles from the busy area of Myrtle.

Totally agree! We spent a wonderful week in North Litchfield beach this summer and fell in love with the area. Two thumbs up!!


karenos

 

[Pooh Crew]

Love, love, love Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area! Beautiful, clean, and not crowded at all. We've always gotten a rental house, but stayed at Turquoise Place this past summer and were amazed by how nice it was. Truly a luxury condo...several pools, lazy river, lots of kid activities, top of the line everything, every condo has a beautiful view. One review that we read said they didn't leave the condo for the entire visit and after staying there, I saw why! Highly recommend!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Atlantic beaches, and many other gulf beaches, can't compare to the white sands of the Destin Area!

I would go back there.
Wouldn't think twice!

 

[bgirldeb]

Fl panhandle beaches for sure! I prefer the stretch of 30-A (includes Seaside, Seagrove).

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

I vote for Hilton Head but I personally don't care for Destin/Gulf beaches. Hilton Head beaches are wide and perfect for biking. Great restaurants, activities, golf, tennis, shopping. Love Hilton Head!!

 

[mhsjax]

A lot depends on your kids. If you think that they will like waves to body surf and stuff like that then stay away from the Gulf. If they are a little spooked by waves then I would suggest the Gulf Coast. But as another pp stated stay away during spring break.

 

[kirstenb1]

Out of all your choices, the outer banks is pretty secluded, so you may want to reconsider. We're doing Sandbridge area of Va Beach this next summer, but also want to try Myrtle. Hilton Head is a good choice too.

 

[MomofKatie]

I love the Gulf beaches. We usually stay just out side of Destin in Seagrove Fl. It's a nice clean beach right next door to Sea Side (where they filmed The Truman Show).

Fl panhandle beaches for sure! I prefer the stretch of 30-A (includes Seaside, Seagrove).

I was going to suggest this area. We love Grayton Beach- it is near Seaside and Seagrove- it is a bit more rustic, near a wildlife area. Beach is beautiful!!

 

[lemondog]

Thanks for your input! I was leaning toward panhandle anyway, since that is what I know so well. I have stayed everywhere from Panama City to Destin to Sandestin to Grayton Beach to Seagrove to Navarre to Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach and Gulf Shores so I know the area really well. I also feel like the Atlantic beaches would be kind of a letdown compared to the white sand and crystal clear water I know so well. Not to mention those are the closest beaches to us...we have made Pensacola Beach in just over 6 hours.

Now the mammoth decision of where to stay looms! I am going to have fun with this one, lol.

 

[EeyoreEma]

We've enjoyed the FL beaches (mostly we've gone to Cape San Blas - beautiful!) but we truly LOVE Wild Dunes, which is right outside of Charleston on the Isle of Palms. 25 minutes will have you in downtown Charleston, 15 will have you on Mount Pleasant, and I can't say enough good things about the area!! That would be my recommendation, but hey - I'd take almost any beach!