What's your favorite east coast, family friendly beach?

[Neesy228]

We always vacation in Ocean City, MD. The past few years haven't felt as family-friendly as it used to be, so we are on the hunt for a couple of new places to try.

Looking for a nice beach, nice hotels/houses/condos to rent. We don't want anything old and run down. Some vacation activities like mini golf, arcades etc. Possibly somewhere that had a dog friendly vibe, but not necessary. Can be anywhere along the east coast, except for the east coast of Florida (not a fan)...Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

OC is actually about an hour from me! It definitely has lost it's family friendly vibe over the years. As a kid I went quite often, but as a family now we prefer Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. (Not sure where you are traveling from.) Rehoboth has a very nice boardwalk with lots of shops and good restaurants. Also there is Funland with has rides and games. Their prices are quite reasonable. $1 for many games and you can buy a whole book of tickets for $14. There are a few different places for mini golf. There is Jungle Jim's, which has an arcarde, go-karts, a water park, and more. Also Rehoboth has outlets for shopping. If you haven't been before, worth checking out.

 

[firegurl]

I second Rehoboth. It is much more family friendly. It is also close to so many other great things, additional beaches in Bethany, Dewey and Lewes, the ferry to Cape May NJ (my DS loves the zoo there) and so many great places to eat. My in-laws have a house there and DH introduced me to Rehoboth when we were in high school. It is by far my favorite beach. Check out the movies on the beach in Dewey. DS loves it.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Henalopin State Park, just before Rehoboth beach in Delaware. Reminds me of an old fashion beach day. We do spend a day at the Rehoboth Boardwalk and another at the Outlets.

 

[Poohforyou]

I'd head to cape cod. Any of the beaches along the national seashore are great. We usually rent a house in Chatham and go to nauset beach in Eastham.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Ocean City NJ

 

[disny_luvr]

We love Fenwick Island, DE. Usually when we stay in FI we go to Ocean City one night and Rehobeth one night. We also enjoy Bethany.

 

[disney4us2002]

We prefer the beaches to the south - Outer Banks of NC or Myrtle Beach in SC. The water temps in Ocean City, MD and points north are too stinkin' cold for us to swim and play in. Outer Banks (most towns anyway) are laid back and low key so great for relaxing. MB is much more built up with tons of activities, restaurants, shopping, etc. From PA you may think MB is too far to drive. From where I am in MD it is a good 8 hrs.

 

[Laura66]

We love the Isle of Palms in South Carolina. We rent a condo on the beach in Wild Dunes.

 

[Arkansan]

Stone Harbor/Avalon, NJ

 

[Christine]

OP, have you tried Myrtle Beach yet? That's about as "family friendly" as it gets. Since, historically, you have liked Ocean City, MD and all of it's action, you may very well like Myrtle Beach. Lots for kids to do. You don't say whether you want a quiet type of beach experience or one with a lot of action going on.

 

[HeatherC]

Hilton Head Island is very family friendly. Definitely more laid back than Myrtle but tons to do. We love Palmetto Dunes Resort where you can rent a villa for a week or two.

 

[Straitlover]

Check out the crystal coast area of NC. If you want busier, then check out the pleasure island area of NC.

http://www.crystalcoastnc.org/

http://www.pleasureislandnc.org/

 

[surfgirl]

Stone Harbor/ Avalon, NJ.

I will add a bit of a warning though... its all about the beach - no boardwalk, no ferris wheels, no waterparks. Prices are more expensive, but you get what you pay for - no duplexes, lots of space between houses... all mean less crowded beaches (unless you end up near the hotels).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We liked Virginia Beach. Many if my Northern Virginia friends head to the Outer banks or Hilton Head.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We love Fenwick Island, DE. Usually when we stay in FI we go to Ocean City one night and Rehobeth one night. We also enjoy Bethany.

We did this last summer and it was a great vacation. I enjoy the OC boardwalk/rides for an evening but don't care to stay there all week. I'd also be happy to stay in Rehoboth but we go with extended family and they prefer to be more central between Rehoboth and OC.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We like Cape Henlopen for day trips. When we go for a week, we go to Southern Shores in the Outer Banks of NC.

 

[MouseClubMama]

I'd head to cape cod. Any of the beaches along the national seashore are great. We usually rent a house in Chatham and go to nauset beach in Eastham.

Beware of sharks!

 

[ndelaware]

Ocean City, NJ. Best family beach town in the country. Not a bar or liquor store on the island. Family friendly boardwalk. Much nicer for families than the Maryland version.

 

[Sabeking]

We went to Sunset beach, NC for probably 8 years. It just recently created a two lane bridge to cross. Prior to that it was a one way. It is one of those places that has very little commercialism outside of an icecream and few beach shops. My kids love to ride bikes and walk to Bird Island where many leave a note in the journal placed in the only mailbox on the whole island. If you are looking for fun, you can go ten miles from Sunset to Calabash for great seafood or 20 minutes to Myrtle Beach SC for shopping, shows, movies, etc... The island right beside Sunset Beach is Ocean Isle...this is another great beach!!! They have a concert each Friday night outside with beach music and a Sunday service on the beach on Sunday morning. We love to go paddle boarding, and ride wave runners in the intercostal water way. Great family beach! We usually spend two weeks there every summer. Check out Sloane properties or Sunset properties for rentals. We recently bought property there are are hoping to build and retire there one day.