Do you have an East Coast Beach Vacation hot-spot?

[Pembo]

DH & I want to start planning for next summers vacation. We're thinking a week at the beach, maybe NC or SC?! We're in Ohio so we want somewhere we can drive in a day or so.

We want a beach and a pool. (I'm a pool kind of girl).

So do you have a favorite beach vacation spot? Where is it? Any good places to rent a condo or efficiency?

Dreaming of

 

[jmarie]

We own a home in Cape May, NJ. The town is quaint and Victorian, and the beaches are wide and beautiful. The top restaurants in the state are there as well. There are cultural activities, or just hanging by the pool is great also.

Trust me, you wouldn't be disappointed. Visit CapeMay.com-you'll see what I mean.

 

[mom2boys]

Hilton Head, SC - we've been going there for the past 4 years. We have met up with relatives from OH each time. There is even a Disney DVC in Hilton Head. It has a great pool & wonderful children's activities. Although the resort is not on the beach, they have a Beach House right on the ocean - it also has a pool. You may be able to rent DVC points.
Myrtle Beach SC is also popular with families. The NC beaches tend to be less developed/commericalized.

 

[SeaSpray]

Wildwood CREST, NJ! Right next to Cape May, NJ!! Beautiful, FAMILY-oriented resorts and hotels. We always stay at a hotel right ON the beach. Check out my family vacations site (the link is below), then scroll down to my Wildwood Crest sites. Cape May is absolutely gorgeous, too!! Both are near the huge Wildwood boardwalks which are a lot of fun!

 

[2bemarried]

I'm biased but the NC beaches are FABULOUS!! Specifically Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle. Go to http://www.visitnc.com and you'll be able to get more information. There are many condo's right on the beach with a pool in a community area. If you're willing to spend more money you can rent a house on the beach that has a pool as well.

 

[blz85]

Outer Banks,NC

 

[RUDisney]

If you change your mind and want to head north, our favorite beach is in Ogunquit, Maine. We've been going there each summer for the past 5-6 years. It is quiet and peaceful. The water is very cold, but the beaches are beautiful. You can tour the lighthouses, head for a day in Freeport (home of LLBean), take a whale watch tour or head out on a lobster boat. The people are very friendly and the restaurants are great. Just think... reasonably priced lobster for breakfast, lunch and dinner...

 

[wuv tigger]

Outer Banks, NC. I have been going for almost 30 years and it is a great place if you want to relax, go fishing, etc. It is not as heavily developed as VA beach or Ocean City, MD or as commercial as Mrytle Beach, SC. If you like crowds and more amusement type things at the beach then I would go to one of those.

Outer Banks is a nice mix. Besides the beach you can see a play, visit the Wright Brothers museum, take a Ferry ride, go up a light house, visit a bird sanctuary, visit the aquarium, go hang gliding, climb the largest dune on the east coast, visit a brew pub, etc. etc. Lots to do and the food is great.

David

 

[Gupsmom]

Another vote for Wildwood Crest in Cape May NJ. Wide beaches, and you can wade out forever before it gets too deep.

Jess

 

[JetMom]

RUDisney - We love Wells Beach which is right next door to Ogunquit. We always spend at least one day in Perkins Cove.

This year, however, we are going to Williamsburg and plan on spending a day at Virginia Beach.

 

[Pembo]

Thanks for the links! But does anyone have a rental place they have worked with in the past??? This is such a big search. I have no idea how to start.

 

[Trish5768]

Another vote for the Outer Banks-very relaxing. If you don't want to be real secluded try Duck NC just as nice with a bit more to do.

 

[Evil Princess]

Favorite East Coach Beach spot? Yeah, the beach 4 minutes from my house (sorry I had to rub it in)

I'm gonna vote for Cape May though as well. I've never been, but my parents have been going for the past three years. I've been to Wildwood, which is good fun as well.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Have been to Outer Banks(Duck) many times and Hilton Head 2x. Both are great beach resorts. More restraunts and night life at Hilton Head,SC.
You can't go wrong with either place.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Sorry....double post.

 

[Jeafl]

We love Ocean Isle Beach in the southernmost part of North Carolina. It's pretty quiet there, but you are only 45 minutes away from Myrtle Beach, and about an hour from Wilmington. The rental company we always go with is Cooke Realty, and their number is 1-800-NCBEACH.

 

[monarchsfan16]

if you want beauty, come to New England (biased, yes i am)...if you want to not have to worry about shark attacks or jelly fish, come to northern new england...if u don't want cold water...don't come here...go south...as my florida friends say...the new england water feels like it has ice cubes in it....

 

[phisigprincess]

Good call on Cape May everyone!! From the time I was 5 till I was 11 we went there every year. It's fantastic. We went to Stone Harbor, NJ one year and drove up to Cape May for the day and truly didn't want to leave! The next year we were back to Cape May again. It's just so nice and quiet. We're also big fans of Virginia Beach. That's been our new hot spot over the past few years. We liked Atlantic Beach, NC. The only place we didn't like as much was Ocean City, MD. My family is into the quiet, 'as much time on the beach and with family as possible', type of vacation and Ocean City was too busy for us. Though, I know a ton of people love it. PM me if you have any questions!!

 

[cati]

Mrytle Beach, SC... I LOVE IT. My kids love it. There is SOOOOOOOOOOO much to do. Send me a pm if you want more info. NC beaches are pretty, but if you have children there is not alot to do. I like to go to NC beaches just for quiet time, not very many people.. Fishing is good.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Pembo,

What did you mean by hot spot? If you are looking for a lot of action then don't go to the outer banks.

We always rent a house on the ocean every summer. We like to try different beaches. We have particularly enjoyed Ocean Isle, Holden and Sunset beaches in NC. In SC we like south of Myrtle Beach. We have stayed at Surfside, Garden City and Murrell's Inlet. Hilton Head is nice but pricey. It does have more upscale restaurants.

All of these beaches have real estate rental companies online. I hope you have a great vacation.


Lori