Outer Banks, NC or Hilton Head Island, SC???

[KCmike]

We just bought a new Toyota Sienna and are in the planning stages of our summer vacation. We would like to head East to either the Outer Banks or Hilton Head. I've heard some good things about both but would love your input. (We've also thought about Cannon Beach, Oregon but the drive would be over 24hrs in a car). So who has been where and where have you stayed? Don't think we could afford staying at a beach house or condo. Probably would need a hotel or something like that. We love Disney and especially Disneyland but won't go back till 2012 when everything is done in DCA. We would love a beach vacation where we can relax. I won't kid you though because we love entertainment as well thus the big disney fans!!! Can't wait to hear all your thoughts.

 

[MissElizabeth]

Do you have kids? If so, how old are they? We vacationed in Myrtle Beach a couple of years ago and our kids just loved it. The hotel we stayed at had suites, each with a full kitchen, which was great, and it had several pools and lazy rivers our kids just adored.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Our Sienna takes us to the Outer Banks...South Nags Head, to be exact. We've gone four times, and we always rent a house. It works out to be cheaper than a hotel for us, but everyone is different and we like to take our two dogs with us. The cost of the rental varies by the location and town, too. We tend to freeze meals here and take them with us, which makes dinner quick and easy. We eat out usually once for lunch and once for dinner, then breakfast as we're leaving to come home.

We like the simple, quiet, laid-back style of the trip. We like to visit the dunes at Jockey's Ridge, see the lighthouses, etc. We like that the beaches aren't crowded, and we have plenty of space to spread out. We like that the drive is about 8-9 hours for us.

But...our neighbors go to Hilton Head every year, and they can't imagine going anywhere else.

I'm not sure this will help you at all, but I hope you love whichever place you decide to go!

 

[Chelley00]

I'm so glad you posted this. I just started researching east coast beaches for our summer vacation. I'll be very interested to hear the responses you get!

 

[IMissEd]

We have a timeshare in Hilton Head and go every summer along with a large group of family members. We love it. Since you are interested in Hilton Head and also love Disney- what about checking into the Disney Resort at HHI? It's not on the beach, but on the inlet. It looks like a beautiful place.

 

[KCmike]

Do you have kids? If so, how old are they? We vacationed in Myrtle Beach a couple of years ago and our kids just loved it. The hotel we stayed at had suites, each with a full kitchen, which was great, and it had several pools and lazy rivers our kids just adored.

Which hotel did you stay at?
I'm a little worried that Myrtle Beach is too crowded. Thoughts?

 

[KCmike]

I'm so glad you posted this. I just started researching east coast beaches for our summer vacation. I'll be very interested to hear the responses you get!

We absolutely love California and are worried that it won't compare. We're trying to go with no expectations. Please let me know what information you get as well. It's so hard to know where to stay.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think those 2 beaches are very different so it depends on what kind of beach you are looking for. Neither seems like Myrtle Beach IMO.
Personally, I pick the beaches in NC over MB or HHI. HHI is super nice, don't get me wrong, but it just isn't my pick when I'm chosing a beach to go to. I like the beauty of the island and the way they do not have everything looking commercial and all that but I am not a fan of the beach there. Personally, I'd pick HHI over MB but I am not a fan of the commercialization at all.

One of my favorite beaches in NC is Sunset Beach.

I also enjoyed the Beaufort area of SC--it was like a mini-Charleston and we stayed on Harbour Island in that area. There are some wonderful beaches up and down the east coast. I hope you find the right one for your family and enjoy your vacation!!

 

[kirstenb1]

I like HHI, because there are more activities for the family. Outer Banks is much closer to us, but it's pretty remote. HHI has more things to do. Also, if you rent a villa for the week, it's pretty cheap.

 

[MissElizabeth]

Which hotel did you stay at?
I'm a little worried that Myrtle Beach is too crowded. Thoughts?

We had a great stay at Compass Cove (on a side note: avoid the Schooner bldg at that resort. We stayed two days there and the rest at the Pinnacle bldg which was very nice.) I've also heard good things about Ocean Reef.

It was not terribly crowded at all. They've done a beach expansion project so the beach is wider and flatter than it was the last time we'd been there about 10 years ago.

MB is very commercial, which is why we chose it. I live in MI and we have plenty of beautiful rustic beaches here in in northern MI, but the kids get bored quickly with nothing but beach. At MB there were amusement parks, a huge outdoor mall thingie similar to Downtown Disney, a boardwalk, we did a dolphin cruise that was great with the kids, drove down to Murell's Inlet for seafood (highly recommended) and plenty of putt putt, surf shops, etc. It worked very well for younger kids. It was still pretty and relaxing.

 

[superme80]

Outer Banks hands down. It is beautiful and we found a lot to do. My friend's rented a couple of beach houses for their wedding and then we vacationed there for a week. It was amazing!!!!!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks everyone. It doesn't have to be Outer Banks or Hilton Head if anyone knows of a great resort on the ocean similar to something like Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. I just don't have a clue about the east coast though other than when we go to Disneyworld and head over to the Atlantic or go to the gulf for the day in Tampa.

 

[mjkacmom]

I love them both, but I'd do HH if you're just getting a hotel room (we stayed at the Marriott on the ocean). I LOVE LOVE LOVE the OB for vacation home rentals. They're much nicer and less expensive than the ones here at the Jersey shore. I was not impressed with CA beaches - I prefer our smooth sand and warmer waters.

We really enjoyed bike riding on the beach at HH, but prefer the waves at the OB. I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[shortbun]

Ok, I priced Del Coronado for a week in June- $3400 with tax for a non view Queen-Queen room. If this is your price range, you can easily afford a resort home in the Outer Banks, maybe not oceanfront but for sure on the sound within and easy walk to the beach on Hatteras Island. We rent a 3 bdrm condo sometimes right on the sound overlooking sunset and a kite surfing school(great show in the afternoon!). It's about 2200 for the week with 2 full baths, three bedrooms, private hot tub on the balcony and a great pool with a gazebo that has direct sound access for swimming if the surf beach is too much for you. Literally a 5 minute walk over a low dune to an excellent, wide and as far as you can see beach near a fishing pier and good surfing. PM me and I'll tell you exactly how to book that. Seriously, I've been to La Jolla, San Diego, and a few other beaches in that area so I know where you are coming from. Hatteras is not nearly as developed which is why the whole state of Ohio goes there in the summer but the beaches rock. There are several surfer stores, board rentals, bike rentals...and two Dairy Queens plus myriad of other private, small snak business on the island which is about 30 miles long. Kayaking, National Parks programs(the islands are 70%NP), kite surfing, parasailing, world class fishing and amazing freshly caught seafood are among the things offered on Hatteras. Also, within about an hour's drive is Roanoke Island and the Kitty Hawk Wright Brothers museum and launch site. We take a ferry to Ocracoke when we go down and find the most amazing, deserted beaches there as well as a very quaint town with good food, sweet shops, bike and cart rental. From Kitty Hawk to Ocracoke, there are four very famous and interesting lighthouses, the Hatteras Lighthouse can be climbed. This IS one of the best family vacation spots in the world!

I've been to Hilton Head. The beach is hard there-you can bike on it. I also thought it quite expensive as far as shops and restaurants go with little choice but lots and lots of man made scapes compared with the natural beauty of Hatteras and Ocracoke where you can still find an occasional sand dollar or ancient sharks tooth just lying at your feet in the surf and national surfing competitions.

 

[KCmike]

Ok, I priced Del Coronado for a week in June- $3400 with tax for a non view Queen-Queen room. If this is your price range, you can easily afford a resort home in the Outer Banks, maybe not oceanfront but for sure on the sound within and easy walk to the beach on Hatteras Island. We rent a 3 bdrm condo sometimes right on the sound overlooking sunset and a kite surfing school(great show in the afternoon!). It's about 2200 for the week with 2 full baths, three bedrooms, private hot tub on the balcony and a great pool with a gazebo that has direct sound access for swimming if the surf beach is too much for you. Literally a 5 minute walk over a low dune to an excellent, wide and as far as you can see beach near a fishing pier and good surfing. PM me and I'll tell you exactly how to book that. Seriously, I've been to La Jolla, San Diego, and a few other beaches in that area so I know where you are coming from. Hatteras is not nearly as developed which is why the whole state of Ohio goes there in the summer but the beaches rock. There are several surfer stores, board rentals, bike rentals...and two Dairy Queens plus myriad of other private, small snak business on the island which is about 30 miles long. Kayaking, National Parks programs(the islands are 70%NP), kite surfing, parasailing, world class fishing and amazing freshly caught seafood are among the things offered on Hatteras. Also, within about an hour's drive is Roanoke Island and the Kitty Hawk Wright Brothers museum and launch site. We take a ferry to Ocracoke when we go down and find the most amazing, deserted beaches there as well as a very quaint town with good food, sweet shops, bike and cart rental. From Kitty Hawk to Ocracoke, there are four very famouse and interesting lighthouses, the Hatteras Lighthouse can be climbed. This IS one of the best family vacation spots in the world!

I've been to Hilton Head. The beach is hard there-you can bike on it. I also thought it quite expensive as far as shops and restaurants go with little choice but lots and lots of man made scapes compared with the natural beauty of Hatteras and Ocracoke where you can still find an occasional sand dollar or ancient sharks tooth just lying at your feet in the surf and national surfing competitions.

Wow lots of great information. I will start checking it all out.
When we go to the "Del" we usually get a one or two nights free stay. That's the only way we could swing staying there. We absolutely love San Diego though. The beaches are amazing.

 

[KCmike]

I love them both, but I'd do HH if you're just getting a hotel room (we stayed at the Marriott on the ocean). I LOVE LOVE LOVE the OB for vacation home rentals. They're much nicer and less expensive than the ones here at the Jersey shore. I was not impressed with CA beaches - I prefer our smooth sand and warmer waters.

We really enjoyed bike riding on the beach at HH, but prefer the waves at the OB. I don't think you can go wrong.

Which California beach did you stay at? I'm really shocked to hear you say that? We've stayed from San Diego to Laguna to Newport and all the way up to Monterey and thought they were all amazing. Especially the drive up the coast. WOW!!!

 

[shortbun]

Wow lots of great information. I will start checking it all out.
When we go to the "Del" we usually get a one or two nights free stay. That's the only way we could swing staying there. We absolutely love San Diego though. The beaches are amazing.

Oh, and I've stayed at Del Coronado. There are a couple of really beautiful resorts on the east coast that are similar but they are Michellin 4star or 5star and I'm guessing close to $500 per night as well, if not more. Georgia has one, The Cloister at Sea Island, which is more exclusive-not quite RC Laguna Niguel but they think so. Good luck and I'd be glad to point you to a few real estate brokers/rental agencies, if you want.

 

[mickeywho?]

Ok, I priced Del Coronado for a week in June- $3400 with tax for a non view Queen-Queen room. If this is your price range, you can easily afford a resort home in the Outer Banks, maybe not oceanfront but for sure on the sound within and easy walk to the beach on Hatteras Island. We rent a 3 bdrm condo sometimes right on the sound overlooking sunset and a kite surfing school(great show in the afternoon!). It's about 2200 for the week with 2 full baths, three bedrooms, private hot tub on the balcony and a great pool with a gazebo that has direct sound access for swimming if the surf beach is too much for you. Literally a 5 minute walk over a low dune to an excellent, wide and as far as you can see beach near a fishing pier and good surfing. PM me and I'll tell you exactly how to book that. Seriously, I've been to La Jolla, San Diego, and a few other beaches in that area so I know where you are coming from. Hatteras is not nearly as developed which is why the whole state of Ohio goes there in the summer but the beaches rock. There are several surfer stores, board rentals, bike rentals...and two Dairy Queens plus myriad of other private, small snak business on the island which is about 30 miles long. Kayaking, National Parks programs(the islands are 70%NP), kite surfing, parasailing, world class fishing and amazing freshly caught seafood are among the things offered on Hatteras. Also, within about an hour's drive is Roanoke Island and the Kitty Hawk Wright Brothers museum and launch site. We take a ferry to Ocracoke when we go down and find the most amazing, deserted beaches there as well as a very quaint town with good food, sweet shops, bike and cart rental. From Kitty Hawk to Ocracoke, there are four very famous and interesting lighthouses, the Hatteras Lighthouse can be climbed. This IS one of the best family vacation spots in the world!

I've been to Hilton Head. The beach is hard there-you can bike on it. I also thought it quite expensive as far as shops and restaurants go with little choice but lots and lots of man made scapes compared with the natural beauty of Hatteras and Ocracoke where you can still find an occasional sand dollar or ancient sharks tooth just lying at your feet in the surf and national surfing competitions.

I hope you don't mind jumping in here - that sounds exactly like what we've been looking for! Will send you a PM....

 

[KCmike]

Thanks for the info.
I am going to keep researching.
I'm off to tripadvisor right now.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I love OBX. We stay in Frisco, NC which is a very small beach town without tons of things to do other then go to the beach. You are, however very close to the Ocracoke Ferry with bikes and shops, and close to the Hatteras Light House, esp. cool at night. Homes are very reasonable to rent, hotels are rustic, from what i can see. You don't have to have an ocean front home to have an ocean view, many decks have great views and many homes that are one lot back have uninterupted views due to empty lots. We are planning a late spring trip this year. We often use Midgettrealty.com