OBX/Va. Beach/Delaware Summer Vacation (1 Viewer)

[BigJohn]

Looking at the middle of June to try and hit the beach before I am due in Boston for my brother's Bar Mitzvah. These 3 areas seem to be the target area and all have what I'm looking for.

Any preference between these?

I read another thread that mentioned Rehoboth, in Delaware, is good for small kids. How does OBX compare for families? I want to have some stuff available, but a majority of the time will be spent at the ocean.

TIA.

 

[fantasycurse42]

If you're thinking Del, check Cape May, NJ instead. Place is heaven and right there too - I would chose that over anything Delaware... Best summer family vacation spot ever!!

The town is cobblestone streets filled with ice cream and candy shops, good restaurants, all families, & a great beach! You can also take a 10 minute drive up north to Wildwood (a little trashier, but for one night on the boardwalk, rides, cotton candy, etc it is fun).

ETA: This isn't "Jersey Shore" at all... It is the southern tip of NJ & about two hours from all the nonsense you see on TV.

 

[Apple Jack]

The Outer Banks are the gold standard for mid-Atlantic beaches, if not the whole east coast. It's more crowded than it used to be, but it's still great. Not quite as much for the kiddies, but my favorite area is Frisco. My parents have lived in Duck for 23 years and I like that, too, but that's definitely an older crowd. Frisco has the Hatteras Lighthouse, go-carts, mini-golf, and you can take the ferry over to Ocracoke, which is one of the treasures of the east coast. It's also has the bonus of being cheaper down there. Huge fan of OBX south of Oregon Inlet. Curiously, I enjoy the winter down there as much if not more than summer. It's a trip being down there when it's empty.

Rehobeth is definitely the way to go if you don't want to go all the way down to the Outer Banks. I lived there for two summers in high school. I liked it a lot. That was a long time ago, but I know the town is very strict about zoning and so forth, in order to preserve it's charm and keep it from becoming an extension of the dudebrah horror show that is Ocean City.

 

[TLEF316]

Been to both Dewey Beach Delaware (just down the road from Rehoboth) and OBX. IMO, Delaware is significantly better. Not only is the drive 25% as long (from NJ), but you can walk everywhere around town. In OBX, you have to get in the car and drive on the damn highway just to get to a bar. Its crazy. The beach itself in OBX is probably nicer, but I value the easy access to restaurants and bars (as well as the significant amount of young singles like myself walking around) over a slightly nicer patch of sand.

Every year we go to Dewey (which has tons of cool little restaurants and bars with live music every night) we shoot into Rehoboth for a couple of nights. The Dogfish Head brew pub is awesome and there are a few other pretty good restaurants. Rehoboth has an affluent gay community that owns a lot of the businesses, so they're all pretty up-scale (for a beach town anyways).

 

[BigJohn]

Thanks guys. So far, we have found a few places on Hatteras that have caught our eye. Gonna keep searching.

 

[SwampDawg]

Been doing either OBX or the Delaware/OCMD beaches for years with the family without kid, with toddlers and now with a 10 and 7 year old. All depends on what you are looking for.

OBX

• If you want to spend a significant amount of time at the beach, OBX is hands down the winner. Beaches are less crowded, water is warmer and it's just a nicer beach environment.
• Your best value as far as renting a place as well. A 4 or 5 bedroom house with it's own pool/hot tub and much more space will cost about the same as a much smaller 3 bedroom condo and a community pool in Delaware/OC.
• Great for spending lazy days at the beach, eating out here and there but also enjoying nice big family meals together sitting on a deck over looking the ocean.
• Still plenty to do but as mentioned above you will have to get in the car in most cases. NC Aquarium is a nice day trip in Manteo, Wright Brothers museum and monument are great if you enjoy history or flight at all. Jockey's Ridge sand dunes are fun for the kids to run around on. You can take a hang gliding lesson if you want.
• Overall just more laid back and relaxed.
• Better bike trails for taking bike rides/jogging/walking

OCMD/Delaware

• First I am lumping them together and many will say that is wrong but I've found at least with my family if we stay at one we end up spending time at the other as well.
• In most spots plenty that you can walk to. Last year we stayed in OCMD around 66th street and there were probably 3 days we didn't get in the car at all, went to the beach, walked to dinner and out to play mini golf or for ice cream at night. That said you still end up driving unless you are someone who only wants to do things right in your little area or you like taking the drunk bus around OCMD (which was great when I was 25, not so much at 43)
• Much more nightlife in the way of bars and clubs, Seacrets is a really cool Jamaican themed club with rafts floating in the bay and waitresses that come out to serve you.
• Much more in the way of mini golf, go karts, water parks, things like that to take the kids to if you aren't all day beach goers.
• Better selection of golf courses.
• Closer for those of us usually heading that way from PA, NJ, NY and New England.

My personal preference is OBX although we always have a great time at both, I just like the calmer beach and environment now, before we had kids and would go out more then Delaware/OCMD was more our scene. We have friends with a family place back in of Indian River Bay and it's a ton of fun to go down for a couples weekend still. My kids are probably split, my 10 year old loves the boardwalk and all the stuff going on in Delaware/OCMD but my 7 year old prefers OBX because while he likes a night on the boardwalk he would rather play in the pool in the evening and be able to go out and ride his scooter or bike on the trails with us. The wife would take OBX hands down.

 

[BigJim®]

We went here last summer and couldn't be happier. It's pretty centralized between Duck/Hatteras so gives excursion options. Being in a cabin court is great because you can walk from your unit right onto the beach.

 

[BigJohn]

We went here last summer and couldn't be happier. It's pretty centralized between Duck/Hatteras so gives excursion options. Being in a cabin court is great because you can walk from your unit right onto the beach.

Thanks for the suggestion. The only thing they have available fro the week we're going is an apartment. I think we've settled on this one. Waiting for a final quote to put our deposit down.

 

[GoBirds]

We went here last summer and couldn't be happier. It's pretty centralized between Duck/Hatteras so gives excursion options. Being in a cabin court is great because you can walk from your unit right onto the beach.

Thanks for the suggestion. The only thing they have available fro the week we're going is an apartment. I think we've settled on this one. Waiting for a final quote to put our deposit down.

Dont go that far, stay up closer to everything in KDH/Nags Head. Also the bridge that goes to Rodanthe was recently shutdown for weeks and reopened as its not safe. Dont risk that headache as I doubt they fixed it effectively.

Also we live in VB, take it off your list it sucks here compared to OBX.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

OBX. We are hitting it mid June this year. Love it there.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Been to both Dewey Beach Delaware (just down the road from Rehoboth) and OBX. IMO, Delaware is significantly better. Not only is the drive 25% as long (from NJ), but you can walk everywhere around town. In OBX, you have to get in the car and drive on the damn highway just to get to a bar. Its crazy. The beach itself in OBX is probably nicer, but I value the easy access to restaurants and bars (as well as the significant amount of young singles like myself walking around) over a slightly nicer patch of sand.

Every year we go to Dewey (which has tons of cool little restaurants and bars with live music every night) we shoot into Rehoboth for a couple of nights. The Dogfish Head brew pub is awesome and there are a few other pretty good restaurants. Rehoboth has an affluent gay community that owns a lot of the businesses, so they're all pretty up-scale (for a beach town anyways).

+1 for dewey. Its better, walkable, and no meatheads.

 

[houston]

Blackdot.

 

[Payne]

My wife and I are currently going through this debate ourselves.

Started with Virginia Beach. Then Delaware came into play.

Daughters are 10 and 8.

 

[Ned]

Been to both Dewey Beach Delaware (just down the road from Rehoboth) and OBX. IMO, Delaware is significantly better. Not only is the drive 25% as long (from NJ), but you can walk everywhere around town. In OBX, you have to get in the car and drive on the damn highway just to get to a bar. Its crazy. The beach itself in OBX is probably nicer, but I value the easy access to restaurants and bars (as well as the significant amount of young singles like myself walking around) over a slightly nicer patch of sand.

Every year we go to Dewey (which has tons of cool little restaurants and bars with live music every night) we shoot into Rehoboth for a couple of nights. The Dogfish Head brew pub is awesome and there are a few other pretty good restaurants. Rehoboth has an affluent gay community that owns a lot of the businesses, so they're all pretty up-scale (for a beach town anyways).

+1 for dewey. Its better, walkable, and no meatheads.

Another vote for Dewey and surrounding areas. You're smack dab in the middle of all of the DE beaches and can get to Rehoboth all the way to Ocean City in a matter of 30minutes. We vacation in Bethany Beach every summer with the youngins (7, 5, 4yr old boys). Super clean and family friendly.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Went to OBX last summer and the winds never got down below 30 mph. It was miserable. We had the beach all to ourselves, but we couldn't go out on it without feeling like we were being sandblasted. We asked if it was usually like that and the locals said it was, but maybe a little less windy. But they did tell us it was the Wind Sport Capital of the World. So there's that.

OBX was beautiful, but we'll never go back. The wind was just too relentless.

 

[Ted Mullins]

My wife and I are currently going through this debate ourselves.

Started with Virginia Beach. Then Delaware came into play.

Daughters are 10 and 8.

Bethany Beach, DE is good for family oriented type stuff, not sure how it compares pricewise to VA beach. Basically just small and quiet and not a big party scene, pretty family friendly.

 

[TheIronSheik]

If you're thinking Del, check Cape May, NJ instead. Place is heaven and right there too - I would chose that over anything Delaware... Best summer family vacation spot ever!!

The town is cobblestone streets filled with ice cream and candy shops, good restaurants, all families, & a great beach! You can also take a 10 minute drive up north to Wildwood (a little trashier, but for one night on the boardwalk, rides, cotton candy, etc it is fun).

ETA: This isn't "Jersey Shore" at all... It is the southern tip of NJ & about two hours from all the nonsense you see on TV.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Avoid the cheesy tourist traps and head to Assateague Island, MD. Rent a truck camper and get an OSV pass. Should be plenty of flounder, whiting, spot in the surf. Maybe a late striper or early drum. Crack a cold beer, build a fire, and cook your dinner right on the beach. Just you and mother nature. Now that's a vacation the family will remember.

 

[Ned]

Avoid the cheesy tourist traps and head to Assateague Island, MD. Rent a truck camper and get an OSV pass. Should be plenty of flounder, whiting, spot in the surf. Maybe a late striper or early drum. Crack a cold beer, build a fire, and cook your dinner right on the beach. Just you and mother nature. Now that's a vacation the family will remember.

When are the horse flies in season there?

 

[fantasycurse42]

If you're thinking Del, check Cape May, NJ instead. Place is heaven and right there too - I would chose that over anything Delaware... Best summer family vacation spot ever!!

The town is cobblestone streets filled with ice cream and candy shops, good restaurants, all families, & a great beach! You can also take a 10 minute drive up north to Wildwood (a little trashier, but for one night on the boardwalk, rides, cotton candy, etc it is fun).

ETA: This isn't "Jersey Shore" at all... It is the southern tip of NJ & about two hours from all the nonsense you see on TV.

For a great deal at Cape May, check out the Virginia Cottages http://www.caperesorts.com/hotels/capemay/cottages

These are like a hidden secret, best deal in Cape May - You get access to all of Congress Hall's amenities too.

 

[shadyridr]

Going to OBX Corrolla Beach for the July 4th week. Booked a 6 bedroom house with a private pool a block away from the beach. Sharing with the in-laws. I can't wait. Been counting down the days ever since. Never been here before. Im looking for a relaxing vacation and everything I read sounds like this is the place.

 

[Apple Jack]

Going to OBX Corrolla Beach for the July 4th week. Booked a 6 bedroom house with a private pool a block away from the beach. Sharing with the in-laws. I can't wait. Been counting down the days ever since. Never been here before. Im looking for a relaxing vacation and everything I read sounds like this is the place.

You're going to want to avoid driving down on a turnover day, if possible. And if you do, consider continuing down 95 through Richmond, bypassing, I-64 and going all the way down to Carolina STATE 64 to Manteo, cross there, then drive back up to Corolla. The line of traffic to get through the lights in Southern Shores on Saturday and Sunday of July 4th week is straight out of a horror film.

 

[matttyl]

We went here last summer and couldn't be happier. It's pretty centralized between Duck/Hatteras so gives excursion options. Being in a cabin court is great because you can walk from your unit right onto the beach.

Thanks for the suggestion. The only thing they have available fro the week we're going is an apartment. I think we've settled on this one. Waiting for a final quote to put our deposit down.

Dont go that far, stay up closer to everything in KDH/Nags Head. Also the bridge that goes to Rodanthe was recently shutdown for weeks and reopened as its not safe. Dont risk that headache as I doubt they fixed it effectively.

Also we live in VB, take it off your list it sucks here compared to OBX.

As a former resident of the VA Beach/Norfolk area, I totally agree with that last sentence.

 

[shadyridr]

Going to OBX Corrolla Beach for the July 4th week. Booked a 6 bedroom house with a private pool a block away from the beach. Sharing with the in-laws. I can't wait. Been counting down the days ever since. Never been here before. Im looking for a relaxing vacation and everything I read sounds like this is the place.

You're going to want to avoid driving down on a turnover day, if possible. And if you do, consider continuing down 95 through Richmond, bypassing, I-64 and going all the way down to Carolina STATE 64 to Manteo, cross there, then drive back up to Corolla. The line of traffic to get through the lights in Southern Shores on Saturday and Sunday of July 4th week is straight out of a horror film.

We're going from Sunday, June 29 - Sunday, July 6. How do you think that will be?

 

[TheIronSheik]

Going to OBX Corrolla Beach for the July 4th week. Booked a 6 bedroom house with a private pool a block away from the beach. Sharing with the in-laws. I can't wait. Been counting down the days ever since. Never been here before. Im looking for a relaxing vacation and everything I read sounds like this is the place.

You're going to want to avoid driving down on a turnover day, if possible. And if you do, consider continuing down 95 through Richmond, bypassing, I-64 and going all the way down to Carolina STATE 64 to Manteo, cross there, then drive back up to Corolla. The line of traffic to get through the lights in Southern Shores on Saturday and Sunday of July 4th week is straight out of a horror film.

We're going from Sunday, June 29 - Sunday, July 6. How do you think that will be?

A nightmare.

 

[Apple Jack]

Going to OBX Corrolla Beach for the July 4th week. Booked a 6 bedroom house with a private pool a block away from the beach. Sharing with the in-laws. I can't wait. Been counting down the days ever since. Never been here before. Im looking for a relaxing vacation and everything I read sounds like this is the place.

You're going to want to avoid driving down on a turnover day, if possible. And if you do, consider continuing down 95 through Richmond, bypassing, I-64 and going all the way down to Carolina STATE 64 to Manteo, cross there, then drive back up to Corolla. The line of traffic to get through the lights in Southern Shores on Saturday and Sunday of July 4th week is straight out of a horror film.

We're going from Sunday, June 29 - Sunday, July 6. How do you think that will be?

You're going to a great place, but it might be the worst on the east coast to get in and out of on a Saturday or a Sunday. They built a brazillion 10+ bedroom McMansions between Duck and Corolla in the last 20 years and all of those people have one lane to get up there. And that's after you get onto Duck Rd. Prior to that, you will be bumper to bumper from at least Grandy, if not Coinjock, all the way to the Duck Rd turnoff. Prepare yourself for a traumatic travel experience.

 

[shadyridr]

Going to OBX Corrolla Beach for the July 4th week. Booked a 6 bedroom house with a private pool a block away from the beach. Sharing with the in-laws. I can't wait. Been counting down the days ever since. Never been here before. Im looking for a relaxing vacation and everything I read sounds like this is the place.

You're going to want to avoid driving down on a turnover day, if possible. And if you do, consider continuing down 95 through Richmond, bypassing, I-64 and going all the way down to Carolina STATE 64 to Manteo, cross there, then drive back up to Corolla. The line of traffic to get through the lights in Southern Shores on Saturday and Sunday of July 4th week is straight out of a horror film.

We're going from Sunday, June 29 - Sunday, July 6. How do you think that will be?

You're going to a great place, but it might be the worst on the east coast to get in and out of on a Saturday or a Sunday. They built a brazillion 10+ bedroom McMansions between Duck and Corolla in the last 20 years and all of those people have one lane to get up there. And that's after you get onto Duck Rd. Prior to that, you will be bumper to bumper from at least Grandy, if not Coinjock, all the way to the Duck Rd turnoff. Prepare yourself for a traumatic travel experience.

I hears saturdays are worse which is why I chose sunday check in. Was thinking about going very early and spending day at beach. Hell im a noo yawka. Im used to traffic