Looking for budget beach vacation - NC?

[aprilfoolwed]

No WDW trips in our immediate future (while I am in grad school). But the kids really want to go to the beach this summer.

We are in southeast PA, and don't mind driving up to 10 hours for a beach. We find NJ to be very expensive and not really the beach experience we want. Virginia Beach is coming up pricey too. We've been to Myrtle Beach and liked that, but would like to try something new to us.

Looking for something less crowded, but not completely isolated. Somewhere the kids can play in the surf and collect shells. Not a super touristy place, but with enough to do to keep the kids entertained a bit.

Looking at the Crystal Coast of NC. Has anyone been there? What can you tell me about it?

 

[Promomx2]

Atlantic beach is nice. There's enough to do but its not as busy as Mrytle beach.

 

[onurph]

We really enjoyed the Outer Banks, NC. We stayed at Kill Devil's Hill, but any of the little communities have hotel/condo/beach house options. As said before, not Myrtle Beach stuff to do, but not Myrtle Beach crowded. Lots to do in the little islands around outer banks. There is an aquarium (just ok), several piers, many fishing opportunities, Wright Brothers museum at Kitty Hawk, multiple lighthouses.

 

[kellyg403]

I live in between Emerald Isle and Top Sail Island. I personally prefer Emerald Isle as it is the less touristy of the two IMHO, but neither place has a boardwalk or anything. But, its not to far from Atlantic Beach where there are fun things to do and a boardwalk. The aquarium is in Pine Knoll Shores. Its a small place, but great for a couple hours fun. Swansboro is near there and there are a bunch of little antique shops and things over that way.

I love it here! It can be crowded during the summer. Dh and I sometimes rent out a house for long weekends especially in Oct. That is the best time to be at the beach!

My sister and her dh and family prefer Emerald Isle as well. When they come visit that is where they stay. They do parasailing and other things up near Atlantic Beach now that the kids are older.


Kelly

 

[mom2t]

We really enjoyed the Outer Banks, NC. We stayed at Kill Devil's Hill, but any of the little communities have hotel/condo/beach house options. As said before, not Myrtle Beach stuff to do, but not Myrtle Beach crowded. Lots to do in the little islands around outer banks. There is an aquarium (just ok), several piers, many fishing opportunities, Wright Brothers museum at Kitty Hawk, multiple lighthouses.

We did the OB last year and loved it. Many things to do and great beaches. It can be pricey not many hotels. Mainly houses, condos. I priced houses in July the summer before we went in late May and found many great deals. Went to book in Sept. for next May and they were all gone. We stayed at Waves on Hatteràs to drop the price of our house $1000. My parents and aunt went and we split the cost of the house and we were on the beach behind a dune and my Dad even commented hearing my Mom and I talk that this was as expensive as going to Disney. Be warned it was not named the Graveyard of the Atlantic for nothing. There were 3 drownings while we were there. All were adults. Our son who is 11 did not go in past his knees the entire trip.

We usually stay in the MB area and do day trips to southern beaches in NC. We like Oak Island. Have not priced out houses but many of our friends stay there. We have a family member, elderly, with a beach house south of MB and my husband goes and does maintence on the house for them. Good luck.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

The northern Outer Banks beaches are worth a look at (Duck or Corolla). That area is less touristy and more natural, but there is still plenty to do with the kids. If you really want off the beaten path, head south to Ocracoke Island.

 

[got2sammies]

I live about 30 minutes from va beach and about 1.5 hrs from Outer Banks.. I would rather go to Outer Banks! Laid back quiet and family friendly. Now the outer banks DOES NOT have a boardwalk like va beach but there is a beach road that has a bike line for riding pr walking. Lots of local (not chain) places to eat. We to take the ferry to Ocacroake Island sometimes (that is a day trip). Fishing and you can rent seadoos on the sound side.. Not sure when your kids go back to school BUT the prices normally go down about mid-august (hotels as well as rental property). Its cheaper because its consider non-peak season BUT hurricanes like to pop up around that time to. If you know of any hurricane insurance I would buy it (not sure if they even have that sort of thing)... If you like amusement parks maybe you could hit Williamsburg on the way down (you pass it on 64) and visit the park for the day..

 

[Pembo]

We went to Emerald Isle for the first time this summer. It was quiet yet there were things to do. I found the prices to be very reasonable. We stayed in a condo right on the beach!

 

[of2dbeach]

My in laws live on the Outer Banks it can be alot of fun and there are cheapy things to do there The Wright memorial was nice but not for young kids, they wont "get it". We rent a house on the ocean and the kids love kite flying on "The Hill " ( Jockey's Ridge ) as they call it. The beach is always a good time. try and go see the Wild horses if you can you can drive on the beach IF and ONLY if you have a 4X4 or you will get stuck.My daughters BF makes money pulling people off the beach with his truck! They renovated a boardwalk with a aquarium but thats a little pricey "Jenette's pier".You can go to see the lighthouses and take a lighthouse tour going on the ferry. My father In law works at the NC aquarium ( acrossed the big bridge) nd they have a touch tank and when we were thee last time they had a baby hedgehog out so you could touch it. My Autistic son was thrilled and wanted to take him home with us! Just be aware if a hurricane comes you will have to evacuate and now the evacuation takes you out through VA and not back into NC. you cant get back onto the island unless you are a first responded in laws are and have a special pass) or live there . here is a link so you can see what I am talking about. http://www.nagsheadguide.com/attractions/

 

[DrewT]

I've lived in NC since '86 and we usually make at least one beach trip a year. We've been to just about every beach between the outer banks and Myrtle Beach. In the last several years we've found ourselves going back to the Atlantic Beach area most often.

If you have young children they will like the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Fort Macon is interesting, they have free tours and often have special events. We also enjoy Beaufort (about 15 minutes away), several decent restaurants and things to do like ghost walks and boat tours to Shackleford Banks or Cape Lookout lighthouse.

We also enjoy the outer banks a lot, I just don't like the cold water there.

Whatever you decide, hope you have a great time

 

[mrsklamc]

We really liked Kure Beach and had a good experience with Palm Aire realty.

 

[magicaddict]

We love going to Oak Island which is just south of Wilmington. It's really quiet so if you're looking for lots to do this isn't the place but if you're looking for a great beach experience it's great.

 

[lisaross]

from what you are describing you want, i think you';ll enjoy outerbanks - beaches - most beautiful shells to collect - enough to do if you look for it - and you can get a motel right on the beach if your not too picky for about 150.00 - 200.00!

No WDW trips in our immediate future (while I am in grad school). But the kids really want to go to the beach this summer.

We are in southeast PA, and don't mind driving up to 10 hours for a beach. We find NJ to be very expensive and not really the beach experience we want. Virginia Beach is coming up pricey too. We've been to Myrtle Beach and liked that, but would like to try something new to us.

Looking for something less crowded, but not completely isolated. Somewhere the kids can play in the surf and collect shells. Not a super touristy place, but with enough to do to keep the kids entertained a bit.

Looking at the Crystal Coast of NC. Has anyone been there? What can you tell me about it?