Please recommend a budget-friendly east coast beach

[sherry7]

I'm starting to get the vacation bug, and my fellow DIS'ers always have the best advice!

Both DH and I will be off work for the week of 4th July, so we were thinking about doing a beach vacation within driving distance of Pittsburgh. We've been to Ocean City, MD a couple of times and liked it there, and we especially like the boardwalk. Other places that come to mind are Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks, but we haven't been to either place.

We aren't the type to lie on the beach constantly. I like to have some options of other things to do during the week.

What east coach beach do you like, and why?

edited to add: We'd be traveling as a family. Me, DH, 2 year old DD, and probably my college-aged DS.

 

[mrsklamc]

Unfortunately it is doubtful any beach will be 'budget' that particular week.

 

[sherry7]

Unfortunately it is doubtful any beach will be 'budget' that particular week.

Very good point. I should probably be clearer then. I'm fully expecting to pay around $200 -$250 per night for accommodations.

 

[vicki_c]

Rehoboth Beach, DE.

 

[momof3ds]

It would be super crowded but you could rent a house on long beach island, NJ. We stay at a relative's house but there are tons of rentals. You can google it.

 

[mrsklamc]

Ok well then we like Kure Beach NC b/c it's quiet but there is also an aquarium, civil war battle site, state park... and there's a boardwalk in next door Carolina Beach, carnival rides, etc.

Tybee Island Georgia would be on my list but I don't know that it's driving distance from where you are.

 

[mjkacmom]

It would be super crowded but you could rent a house on long beach island, NJ. We stay at a relative's house but there are tons of rentals. You can google it.

Home rentals on NJ beaches are pricey. We spend over $4000 on a 2 1/2 bedroom condo in Wildwood last year! OP, head south - the prices will drop. We were amazed at how much cheaper the homes in the Outer Banks were.

 

[DonnaL]

We like OBX.....usually Corolla or Duck....we're not all day beach people either so we've always rented a house with a pool and hot tub, usually at the Currituck Club in Corolla, which is soundside but they provide trolley transportation to their beach access....trolley runs thru the resort every 20 minutes or so. It's quite a drive though......we're in northeastern PA and it's about a 10 hour drive for us...haven't gone for several years because it is such a drive. However, you can get much more house for your money at OBX than any of the MD, DE, or NJ shore areas.

 

[cindydare]

We live just west of Pittsburgh in the northern panhandle of WV. We usually go to North Litchfield/Pawley's Island area in SC (just south of Myrtle Beach). I checked on the website of the company we usually use and they had a couple of condos available at the property where we've stayed before and it was around $1100 for that week (2 BR, 2BA across the street from the ocean) with a pool. It's close enough to Myrtle Beach that you can drive up (but we hate to deal with the traffic!), but there are nice restaurants in the general Pawley's Island area and Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach state park are only 5 minutes up the road. It's usually about a 12 hour drive or so for us. If you want more info, I can PM you the name of some of the rental companies in the area, or you can google Litchfield Retreat (that's the name of the condominium).

Cindy

 

[doodle&june]

Check out Virginia Beach. There are houses available at Sandbridge (an area) or you can stay at a beachfront hotel. Beautiful boardwalk and beach, lots of good food and nightlife if you want it, and close enough to Willaimsburg, VA and Jamestown settlement to go see some history. Also, Busch Gardens is in Williamsburg and there are some wonderful outlet stores in Williamsburg. You can find plenty to do there!

 

[sharonW]

my vote goes to ocean city, nj. very family oriented
check out vrbo for rental info

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Try cbvacations.com for small DE and Ocean City, MD rentals.

 

[katibosch]

Chincoteague Island Virginia gets my vote. It's my FAVORITE place, beating even WDW!

 

[SplashMo]

Clear Water Florida

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Try cbvacations.com for small DE and Ocean City, MD rentals.

 

[Angry Eyes]

Hilton Head Island, SC gets my vote.

 

[walkdmc]

My friend just booked a beach house at Bethany Beach in DE. I've never been there but she told me they have a little boardwalk area, restaurants and more space than NJ shores. She said it was the closest thing to the OBX without the drive (we're in PA). However, she said the houses are not the typical OBX rentals with pools and game rooms.

 

[scootch]

We go to Virginia Beach every summer. One thing we like with it over Myrtle is the drive... highway until 3 blocks from the beach. We stay at the Quality Inn on 8th street as it has a nice pool, covered parking and music every night right on the Boardwalk. The rooms could use some updating though. The ends of the Boardwalk are quieter than the middle. There is plenty of free entertainment and the cost of food is very reasonable. I love to exercise and the 2 mile boardwalk is just perfect for that.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We love Cape May, NJ. Also, depending on how far you are willing to travel, Cape Cod, MA is lovely too!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I love Wrightsville Beach NC! But I wouldnt call it budget friendly. I wouldnt call any of the NJ beaches mentioned budget friendly either. I am interested to hear more responses.