Good place to vacation on the Northern end of NC?

[moopdog]

I am really twisting my families arm to try and get them to venture outside of Ocean City Md for one year (been going for about 11 years now). They are considering it but I really don't want to mess this up!

We live in Northeast Pa, and I don't want to travel more than 9 or 10 hours. We definitely want to be on the beach and will be going at the end part of June. We are used to the tall condos we usually stay at in OC but we would consider a house or a smaller building. Having a pool is a big plus, and fishing is a big draw too (or at least it will make my husband consider it!) Any ideas?? I have only just started looking but I have no idea how the layout is down there and I am mostly just seeing smallish houses with no pool and no beach in sight. I heard it's cheaper to vacation down there than it is at Oc, Md but for what we're used to (beachfront) I'm not seeing that so far

 

[bas71873]

Check out the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We go every year and have been since I was a teenager. There are lots of threads on the boards about that area too. Renting a house, especially with a pool, can be pricy in the summer, but if you look hard enough, use VRBO or know someone, you can get a place for a decent price. My parents have a time share so we always just crash there. But there is lots of beach, lots of fishing, shopping, eating, golf, putt-putt...We love it there.

 

[Madison'smommy]

I grew up in OC, but have since relocated to NC. We sometimes go to the outer banks, but it is VERY different from OC. There is not all that entertainmet. Seed do typically go to Myrtle beach a few times a year. We stay in north Myrtle witch is a little quiter....more family like. but this summer will be in myrtle 2different weeks one in myrtle and on in N Myrtle. That is where I would suggest you go!! You will find places just the same as OC... Pools etc...one thing I have no idea about (and maybe it is just not to obvious) are the buses. Not sure Myrtle has all that!

 

[disney4us2002]

We have vacationed numerous times in the outer banks, nc and in myrtle beach, sc. Since we are several hours south of you and it still takes us 9 1/2 hours to get to myrtle beach, I would rule that out as too far. Your best bet would probably be the northern most areas of the outer banks and we haven't stayed there, Corolla and Corova. If you are looking for a super large house for multi-families with 9+ bedrooms and even an elevator, then you might not spend an arm and a leg after splitting the cost. We have gotten 3 and 4 bedroom houses on ocean block in Nags Head (no pool, but a hot tub) for $1000-$1500.

My dh and I love OC in September but there is no way we would go in the summer for the outrageous prices they charge for condo rentals. It would be easier to assist if we knew what you're aiming to spend. If you really enjoy the hustle and bustle of the crowds in OC and the boardwalk area, you will probably be disappointed or bored in the outer banks. I know my boys (teens+) find OBX to be extremely boring. Basically there is the beach, a few putt-putts and restaurants.

I have rented from realty companies rather than vrbo just because we were worried about trusting an individual. We have used sunrealtync .com, villagerealtyobx .com, twiddy .com, resortrealty .com - there are tons.

Good luck with your search!

 

[Straitlover]

If you want tall condos, what about Virginia Beach? You won't really find that in the northern OBX area. Heck in some places, you have to have 4WD to drive to the houses.

OBX is nice, but it is pretty laid back.

 

[moopdog]

We are looking at the week of June 9th or 16th. My son plays football and around here that starts in the last week of July - UGGH!!

Anyway, we wanted to spend around $1200 for the week at most. I really would rather it just be us and not share a house, at least this time around. I guess I am wanting to get away from the chaos of OC, so the laid-back description is perfect. Except we DO often enjoy going to local type things - museums, lighthouses, etc. So I don't want to feel stranded either. ??

 

[eyes4eeyore]

Okay, so we visit the Outer Banks or Emerald Isle every year around the time you are looking to go. If you want Oceanfront IMHO $1200 is not going to be enough. For an oceanfront in the OBX you are looking around $2400 on the low end. You might be able to stay in a hotel, there are some. I've never priced them though. I know there is Hampton Inn. If you stay off the beach and go on the 9th or so you may be alright at your price, the 9th this year is still early season. Most houses go way up in price the next week.

We live in South Central PA and we've also gone to Emerald Isle, for us it's farther than the Outer Banks but the drive is better and it takes the same amount of time. I prefer the OBX though. The prices are about the same. I think there is more to do at the OBX.

There are things to see and do at the Outer Banks. Lighthouses, the Wright Memorial, Jockey's Ridge (huge sand dunes), an aquarium, life saving museum, The Manteo waterfront area is great too. Just be prepared that it's more distance to get to these places but you're not sitting in traffic as you would in OC so it's not bad at all. We haven't been back to OC since we started going to the OBX/Emerald Isle 13 years ago.

Good luck!

 

[bas71873]

We are looking at the week of June 9th or 16th. My son plays football and around here that starts in the last week of July - UGGH!!

Anyway, we wanted to spend around $1200 for the week at most. I really would rather it just be us and not share a house, at least this time around. I guess I am wanting to get away from the chaos of OC, so the laid-back description is perfect. Except we DO often enjoy going to local type things - museums, lighthouses, etc. So I don't want to feel stranded either. ??

If $1200 is your max. Check out Sea Scape Beach & Golf Villas in Kitty Hawk which is at Milepost 2 on the Outer Banks. My parents have had a timeshare there for years and we go every summer in mid July. I'm pretty sure you could rent a condo, if one is available for your price point. We had to rent a second unit last summer because my brother and his family came and we needed the extra space and we got it for $1000.

The units are 2 Bedroom/2 Bath (1 queen w/master bath in the room) and the other has 2 twin beds). There is a full kitchen and living room too. Sheets & bath towels are provided. There are laundry rooms on site and they are free to use. I do laundry a few times a week. There is a full size murphy bed out in the living room and I find the couch mighty comfy for sleeping too. You will also have a balcony. On the property there are 2 outside pools and 1 indoor pool. There is a playground, a 9 hole putt putt course and 2 tennis courts. There is also a golf course, but you have to pay to play. You can walk to the beach, but we don't. I'm not the crossing the main highway with kids and all my beach stuff in tow, but your parking pass is good for the Sea Scape lot that is across the street, behind Wink's market with is right on the beach. Then you just park and walk across "beach road" and up you are on the beach.

We love staying here because we aren't all day beach lovers, so we head to the beach in the morning and come back around lunch time, eat and then hang at the pool or nap or shop...whatever. When you check in you will get an activity sheet so you know what is going on during the week. They have games for the kids, morning beach walks, exercise in the indoor pool, a basketball hoops contest, a putt putt contest and our favorite is Wednesday night bingo. Bring your quarters. It's a quarter a game, but the pots get huge. Two years in a row now my dad has won pots over $35! They play a ton of games in the 1 hour time slot and it's fun for grown up and kids.

You can google the place and see what's for rent or call and find out or get on a list and they can email you when something comes up for your dates. I would think you could find something in early June cause we here in VA are still in school....at the least until the 15th

Good luck.

ETA: Here it is www.seascapevillas.com. Doesn't look like they have rentals on the site, but call and ask about your week.

 

[jennybell]

One other suggestion is Topsail Island. We bought a house there about 5 years ago. We love it! It is very quiet and laid back. You can go out to the beach and only see a handful of families around you. There are enough good restaurants to enjoy going out to eat. If you want more excitement, it is only about a 45 minute drive to Wilmington, NC where you can find lots to do. There is great shopping and entertainment. We also love the historical riverfront in Wilmington. Rental prices are not as expensive as the outer banks. Some of our neighbors rent their houses on VRBO. Topsail does have a few condos, but it is mostly just beach houses. If you want anymore information about Topsail, you are welcome to PM me.