Going to the beach poll

[Pembo]

We're thinking ahead to next summer's vacation and we'd like to go to the beach. The kids have requested NOT going to Florida (been there the last 5 years). So give me some recommendations.........We like quiet, big beaches where I can walk and walk but we need some things to do as well. Give me your favs

 

[npmommie]

Are the states in your poll the only ones you are considering?

 

[Buckalew11]

I love NC and SC beaches.

What do you want to "do" when you do things?

 

[Piecey]

For quiet beaches, I think the Outer Banks is a great choice... I haven't been since I was in high school but I remember thinking it was deserted when we went.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Wildwood, NJ rocks

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Wildwood, NJ rocks

Not quite sure that qualifies as a quiet beach though. Any place you can hear roller coasters in the background isn't necessarily "quiet."
However, it definitely fits the "things to do" part!
So on that note, I will recommend Cape May, NJ. Quiet, sedate beaches but close enough to Wildwood that you can do A LOT of things!!

 

[dejr_8]

We love Ocean City, MD and the boardwalk.

We have been to NC beaches twice and while they are quiet, there isn't much to do outside of Nature related stuff. I know that it is a matter of opinion but we were bored at night,

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Not quite sure that qualifies as a quiet beach though. Any place you can hear roller coasters in the background isn't necessarily "quiet."
However, it definitely fits the "things to do" part!
So on that note, I will recommend Cape May, NJ. Quiet, sedate beaches but close enough to Wildwood that you can do A LOT of things!!

Well, we stayed in Wildwood Crest, where it was pretty quiet but close to the action. I would also vote for Cape May, which is probably quieter.

 

[mlynn]

Not quite sure that qualifies as a quiet beach though. Any place you can hear roller coasters in the background isn't necessarily "quiet."
However, it definitely fits the "things to do" part!
So on that note, I will recommend Cape May, NJ. Quiet, sedate beaches but close enough to Wildwood that you can do A LOT of things!!

You can't hear the coasters in Wildwood Crest or North Wildwood. But Cape May is nice too.Was just down in Wildwood this weekend.The water was so clear you could see the little fish swimming around.

 

[DMickey28]

How old are your kids? Any golfers? My vote is for Myrtle Beach. Plenty to do outside of the beaches and lovely beaches. You can get AWESOME rates at the condo's nowadays right on the beach!

-ETA: We actually stay in N. Myrtle Beach at a condo called Crescent Shores. It's really nice and right on the beach. It's quiet but close enough to everything.

 

[stsomewhere]

Have you thought of MI? The muskegon area is beautiful. West side of the state on Lake Michigan. The beaches are very sandy and clean.

Mac Dunes- dune buggy rides
Michigan Adventure amusement park
River tubing/ canoeing
hike the dunes

 

[mikehn]

Obx

 

[KNJWDW]

We are doing a beach vacation as well next year and will be heading to Gulf Shores, Alabama. It is really nice there - relaxing and the beach is beautiful.

Amy

 

[Pembo]

Wow, lots of ideas!

Keep them coming......

 

[shortbun]

For quiet beaches, I think the Outer Banks is a great choice... I haven't been since I was in high school but I remember thinking it was deserted when we went.

Oh yeah!!! Hatteras Island fits your request 100%. Get a rental house. The beach has been rated #1 and #7 respectively by Doctor Beach in the last two years - that includes all U.S. beaches. Amazing, wide expanses of sand that is deep, great for shelling and nearly empty at times unless you stay by one of the piers. There are all kinds of great National Park Service programs for people of all ages. We went sound seining this year and also went to a beach fire lecture on pirates and shipwrecks. There is fabulous kayaking on Pamlico sound both by the national park service tours and you can rent kayaks for your stay or just a few days. Surfing lessons, minature golf, go cart tracks, four local lighthouses, a car ferry over to Ocracoke Island for more gorgeous beach, wild ponies and wonderful town crawling are all great options for activity. One of our favorite and free activities is heading for a big charter fishing dock about 3:30pm and waiting with the pelicans for the fishing charters to come in. It's so much fun to watch them throw their catch onto the docks. A crowd usually draws and the boats come in one at a time so it's a good hour's entertainment - free or the cost of a few cans of soda.
I could go on and on. This is the place!!!

 

[hoosll]

I went to the beaches near Pawley's Island, south of Myrtle Beach, SC - beautiful wide white sand beaches. There is a state park about 3 miles north of Pawley's, a lovely walk from the park to the end .... The beach has dunes but they are lower than the NC dunes. There are houses and condos along the beach not thousands of hotel rooms like Myrtle....

I thought it was wonderful

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

The Pawleys Island area of Myrtle Beach is beautiful...check out this resort http://www.litchfieldresort.com/

 

[auntie]

I know you said no Florida..but the Gulf coast beaches are really beautiful. We have been going to Anna Maria Island ...a barrier island on the gulf coast. South of Tampa. I live on Long Island and we go to the beaches quite a bit. Nothing compares to the gulf coast beaches in Florida. Aqua blue warm water. Very laid back and tropical. We saw dolphins and Manatee during our visit last week. Can't wait to go back. Very relaxing.
It's only about an hour and 20 minutes from Disney if anyone is considering going to the beach while visiting Orlando.. it's not a bad drive at all. A nice way to end a hectic Disney vacation is a few days relaxing at the beach before you head home.