Budget Beach Trip -- Possible?

[jcemom]

I want to go to the beach this summer. I haven't been in ages, DD has never been to the beach and I know she would enjoy it. We live in SW Pennsylvania, so we're not exactly close to the ocean, lol.

I think we're about a 6 hour drive from Ocean City and 7 hours from Virginia Beach. I don't think I'd want to drive much further than that. So something between Connecticut and Virginia, I guess.

DH has vacation the 2nd week of June, so that's when we'd be going. I know summer rates will be in effect by then.

We'd like to stay on the beach, but it's so expensive. I wouldn't mind staying off the beach, but it would need to be within easy walking distance. I don't want to have to drive to the beach.

While I'm sure the kids would like the boardwalk at Ocean City, I'm really not crazy over the busy atmosphere. I prefer something quieter... much quieter is great, lol. I don't know that a quiet beach exists on the East Coast in summer though.

Any suggestions? For a nice family beach that's not too touristy, not jam packed, and not ridiculously expensive? Does that even exist?

 

[MEM]

Any suggestions? For a nice family beach that's not too touristy, not jam packed, and not ridiculously expensive? Does that even exist?

It used to exist and is still called "Rehoboth Beach" but I have been priced out of vacations there for several years (after spending the first 42 years of my life vacationing there!). I would love to hear what suggestions other folks have, since I miss swimming in warm water (New England water never gets truly warm!)

 

[mlraabe]

I know you said not much farther than Va beach - (which DH and I went to for our first trip alone in 11 years this past sept and really enjoyed ourselves, although I could imagine it being "crazy" in the summer) but have you considered the outerbanks? We have been vacationing there for years and love it. We stay in Corolla - northern most end. We usually go the first or second week of June depending on when the kids and I get out of school. It is still considered low season then. The beaches are wonderful and not at all crowded during this time. The kids can run around and play tag and football without disturbing anyone. We rent a house with pool and hot tub. The kids never ask to go anywhere and do anything - they are extremely content to be at the house or beach! We have not been back to Ocean City since being introduced to the Outerbanks years ago! And I grew up going to OC. We have even converted more friends to the Outer Banks! We live in Central Pa and it is about an 8 hour drive depending on traffic. But worth the drive for a very relaxing week!

 

[Darcy03231]

How about Long Beach Island in NJ. The northern end is really nice and quite and you can go south for the boardwalk, amusements, etc.. We stay in Harvey Cedars which is mostly residential. While I won't be cheap the highest prices for rentals are in July and August as most kids are in school until mid-June.

 

[roadtripper]

The further north you go, the easier it would be to get an off-season rental, since schools are in session til mid to late June. If you get REALLY ambitious, PM for my sister's email-- she has an amazing house in Wells Beach, ME that is right across the street from the ocean.

 

[PlutoPony]

Do you camp by any chance? Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes DE (just north of Rehobath Beach) has a nice campground with some large sites and a wonderful lifeguarded beach. At night when it's quiet you can hear the waves breaking from your tent and while you'd want to drive to the actual beach (mainly to help get everything there like chairs, umbrellas, etc) there's plenty of beach parking right there. It's about $30/nite and you can get a site with water (big help). Restrooms had hot showers and were reasonably clean last time we were there. Nature center, bikes paths and other stuff to do right there and you're close enough to drive to Rehobath and other beach towns if you want more to do.....

 

[marcyinPA]

We go to Ocean City MD every couple of years for about 4 days. We were there last Mother's Day weekend because we got a great deal ($49 a night) at our favorite motel (The Flamingo Motel). But generally, we spend WAY more for a vacation in O.C. than we do on a Disney vacation. It's pretty crazy!! I don't know about other locations....we have friends who go to Diamond Beach every year (I believe it's outside of Wildwood) and they love it. We also have friends who go to O.C. NJ every year and rave over it.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Tracey, I second the suggestion for Cape Henlopen. It's the only way we can afford to stay at the beach overnight (except way offseason!)

Have you stayed in Delaware before? Rehoboth can get very busy but not as nutso as Ocean City. Nice downtown with GREAT restaurants and funky shops. The boardwalk isn't gigantic but it isn't super tacky either. Dh's parents would always rent a place in N. Rehoboth and we just loved staying there. I have a friend with a 2br condo (maybe 4 years old?) in Lewes--if you're interested I can give you the info. It's not on the beach but at the Five Points area so it's not very pricey, imo.

 

[jcemom]

We don't camp darn it. I wish we did, but we're just not the camping type.

I've been wanting to take a trip to the beach for several years now, but every time I price it all out it does come very close to the cost of a Disney trip. I was hoping I was doing something wrong I guess, missing some really inexpensive beach somewhere, lol.

I should probably just give up on the beach trip. I was tempted to add a few days to our September Disney trip so we could go to the beach then, while we're already in Florida with lots of beaches to choose from... but I SO hate to drive on vacation. It makes me nervous.

I used to live in Central Florida and I know what the traffic can be like. I've been living here in SW PA for so long now that I don't think I'm capable of merging onto a highway at 65 mph with only one car length to merge into anymore.

Most likely that would be the least expensive option though, even with the cost of a car rental.

I wish I could afford a cruise.

 

[kmk160]

Not only are we obsessed with our Disney trips, but also big beach-goers as well. We're in NE PA so the beach isnt too far for us.
We are lucky enough to have family members who own a home in Rehoboth Beach otherwise we couldnt swing a full week there. Rentals are way above the $3000.00 mark for the week. Cape Henlopen is extremely nice and as mentioned, much more affordable.
You could stay at a hotel that is not within walking distance to beach in Rehoboth for much less, but if you have kids as I do, it gets to be a big hassle.
We have also vacationed for the last 10 years or so in Brigantine Beach, NJ.
A very family orientated beach with not much to do but sit on the beach by day and grab an ice cream at night.
No boardwalk but only about 5 miles from Atlantic City.
Best bet there is to rent a home for a week. If you "google" vacation home rentals, regardless of what beach you're interested in, you'll get lots of results.
Best of luck!!!

 

[minniebeth]

How about Long Beach Island in NJ. The northern end is really nice and quite and you can go south for the boardwalk, amusements, etc.. We stay in Harvey Cedars which is mostly residential. While I won't be cheap the highest prices for rentals are in July and August as most kids are in school until mid-June.

I second this...was my childhood vacation for many years!

 

[java]

Try delaware- The Rehobeth suggestions are good- but just a little south is Dewey Beach really cute- away from the boardwalk but close enough to drive there if you want action- and nice quiet oceanfront- rentals are very reasonable in this area-especially if you look now!

 

[shelly3girls]

The second week of June is still off-season in OC, NJ. We go every year and the weather is beautiful and nothing is crowded b/c school is still in session. We rent a 3br/ 2b for less than $1k close to the beach.

We also go to the outer banks. We go with a couple other families and rent a HUGE house on the beach w/private pool. The houses are unbelievable and affordable if you split it. Or you could get your own house with a short walk to the beach.

 

[jcemom]

There would be just four of us, two adults and two children, so we don't need too much space. I'll check on rentals, thank you!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I may be way off here but have you considered a cruise? It is possible to get a cabin for around $100 per night per person and that would include your meals too. The beaches would be easy to get to from the ports. Just dreaming of one myself and thought I'd type in the suggestion.

 

[tinan]

double post .....sorry

 

[tinan]

Too bad you don't like to camp. There is a very nice campground in the VA beach area with shuttle service to the beach. Even though you are not campers, you should still be able to find decent rates to be at the beach esp. the 2nd week of June as long as you don't mind being across from the ocean. You wouldn't believe the price difference from being oceanfront to across the street. We like camping there because it is very economical and we are able to cook meals when we want as well. Last time we were there t-bone and porterhouse steaks were on sale for $4.99/lb. It was cheaper to cook those on the grill than to go to fast food. Another added bonus with VA beach is they always offer coupon books on the street for a lot of buy one get one free type things. If you are dead set on being oceanfront and cheaper, I think one of the cheapest hotels is the Schooner Inn. I personally have never stayed there, but a good friend of mine stays there a lot and likes it. It is on the Southern end of the beach which is a little quieter. It is definitely one of cheapest oceanfront hotels to choose from. The 2006 rates for June 9th -15th for a 7 night package was $531.65 or $629.65 for a 7 night package for June 16th - 29th.

We also like the Outer Banks of NC which is about another 2 hours down the road, but I found the Outer Banks much more expensive, but definitely a lot quieter/family oriented. We have always stayed in Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head which is only a matter of a few miles from Duck and Corolla.

 

[grlpwrd]

I love beach vacations, too.

I don't know if this is where tinan is referring to... I know of a great campground in Virginia Beach called the Holiday-Trav-L Campground: http://www.htpvabeach.com You can rent a cabin there and they have a lot of amenities. There's even a special trolley that offers service in that area so it's cheap and convenient to get around. It's called the VB Wave Trolley: http://www.gohrt.com/schedulesandservices/vbwavetrolley.html Check it out.

I love the Outer Banks during the off season. You can rent a beach house through www.vrbo.com or you can look through threads here for recommendations for rental agencies. We went there for Thanksgiving and we saved $$$ by cooking almost every day and had a blast.

GL!

 

[maggiew]

We don't camp darn it. I wish we did, but we're just not the camping type.

I've been wanting to take a trip to the beach for several years now, but every time I price it all out it does come very close to the cost of a Disney trip. I was hoping I was doing something wrong I guess, missing some really inexpensive beach somewhere, lol.

I should probably just give up on the beach trip. I was tempted to add a few days to our September Disney trip so we could go to the beach then, while we're already in Florida with lots of beaches to choose from... but I SO hate to drive on vacation. It makes me nervous.

I used to live in Central Florida and I know what the traffic can be like. I've been living here in SW PA for so long now that I don't think I'm capable of merging onto a highway at 65 mph with only one car length to merge into anymore.

Most likely that would be the least expensive option though, even with the cost of a car rental.

I wish I could afford a cruise.

I know Disney cruises are expensive, but try other lines. We have gone on a Royal Caribbean cruise for the past 2 years for around $500 per person for a 4 night/ 5 day cruise.

Maggie

 

[tor]

The further north you go, the easier it would be to get an off-season rental, since schools are in session til mid to late June. If you get REALLY ambitious, PM for my sister's email-- she has an amazing house in Wells Beach, ME that is right across the street from the ocean.

Not to mention the further north you go the colder the water gets average ocean temp June 1-15 source NODC

Atlantic City NJ 62
Sandy Hook NJ 60
Montauk NY 59
Baltimore MD 70
Annapolis MD 69

It may only be 10 degrees but it seems like a world of difference to me even to just walk on the beach it is like being in a fridge on the beach in June a big difference from the weather you will have in PA