We rented a house in Beach Haven last summer., love LBI. Also love OBX, Duck is our favorite. This summer is a 4 bedroom condo right at the start of the boardwalk in Wildwood Crest. I've been there many times, since HS, and love the boardwalk vibe, except on weekends. It has the best boardwalk rides in the country! Plus, Cape May is right next door.Another MA girl...we love Outer Banks (about a 14 hour drive) and are going to Long Beach Island in NJ this summer
I love Carolina Beach in NC. Small-town beach feel, but lots of options nearby. Fort Fisher & the aquarium. Tony Silvagni Surf School/Rentals. Britts Donuts on the Boardwalk (only one type, cash only, and people stand in line for up to an hour for them - they are that good!) The beach allows you to use pop-up tents for shade (many others only allow umbrellas) and just Tuesday night the town voted to allow dogs on the beach during prime season before 9am and after 5pm. (They were already allowed on the beach from October-March). You can also take the ferry boat to SC and drive to Myrtle Beach for the day.
Assateague Island (Maryland) National Seashore. We rent a cottage in an RV resort near there, and it is close to Ocean City. I have been to beaches from Maine to VA, and that is by far my favorite. The wild horses are pretty amazing, and they come and walk, and even sleep on the beach.
Plum Island is beautiful too!Another MA girl hereWe LOVE Cranes Beach in Ipswich!
We like Cherry Grove Beach, S.C. (north of Myrtle Beach, so much calmer than MB) or Carolina Beach, N.C.
I grew up in Maine and like Ogunquit up there. But I live in the mid-Atlantic now and love Rehoboth Beach, DE. There are midway games on the boardwalk, rides, mini golf on the roof and plenty of shopping and food.