Vacationing in North Carolina- Help!

[keithpip]

My in-laws want to go with us on a beach vacation to North Carolina in August. None of us has ever been to the N. Carolina coast before. Could anyone recommend a nice area on the coast? They would like to stay right on the beach if possible. A nice family friendly area with a nice beach would be great. I know cost is always a big factor when vacationing in any coastal area during the summer. We're definetely middle class but we would be pooling our resources in order to pay for the accomodations. Thanks.

Keith

 

[pharris]

I have no idea what the condition is now since the hurricane about wiped it out but the outer banks are awesome, we have vacationed there several times, there are miles of empty beach to explore, off season rates are not bad at all. There is not as much to do for kids as places like Myrtle beach, but for solitude, fishing and long walks on the beach with killer sunrises it can't be beat.

 

[LazyKB]

Look into Kure Beach/Carolina Beach or maybe Topsail.

 

[JamesFlowers]

The beaches at the southern end of NC give you easy access into the highly commercialized areas of Myrtle Beach, SC. One of my favorite places is Ocean Island, NC.

 

[old bear]

If you can go the week after Labor day. The weather is just as nice, about 1/2 the crowds and prices are down by 40 - 50% for hotel rooms.

Anywhere you go in season will be crowded and often V. expensive.

P.M. to follow.

 

[StatesRightist]

I recommend Topsail or Emerald Isle, unless you are going just for the kiddies, if you are, go on to SC and Myrtle Beach.

 

[jimmyj]

Locate a relative or friendly Forum Member and stay with them.
AKA: Knife and Fork Vacation.

 

[haggis]

Nags Head and the towns around it have hotels on the beach. South of Nags Head on the National Seashore there are a lot of private home rentals. I've stayed in Rodanthe, but there are several villages in the area with vacation homes. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of people in the group, a large house can be cheaper (and better) than multiple hotel rooms.

Buck

 

[Old Corp]

As a lifelong NC native, I can tell you that the state has many, many dozens of beautiful coastal areas. All are different and each has a unique 'feel'.
I spend an inordinate amount of time in the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach/Pine Knoll Shores/Emerald Isle and Cape Lookout area.
Have been to them all, and this is my favorite.

Plan a day-trip by ferry to Ocracoke Island if you can. It's magical.

 

[august1410]

As a lifelong NC native, I can tell you that the state has many, many dozens of beautiful coastal areas. All are different and have a unique 'feel'.
I spend an inordinate amount of time in the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach/Pine Knoll Shores/Emerald Isle and Cape Lookout area.
Have been to them all, and this is my favorite.

Plan a day-trip by ferry to Ocracoke Island if you can. It's majical.

Have to agree with this post! I live in New Bern, NC and am about 40 minutes from the locations mentioned. Love 'em all!

 

[speedyquad]

we have stayed at corolla and monteray shores. it's the most northern part of the outerbanks that you can get. and the weekly on the housing seems to be just a hair cheaper also.

there is enough to do to keep you entertained should it rain, but you will not hear anything when bedtime rolls around. the last time we stayed, we were about .5 miles from the 4wd beach access. there is about 5 to 10 miles(i forget) of beach that you can drive your 4wd vehicle on. this is in a "gated area" as it is where the wild horses live. it's breathtaking to see these absolutely wild horses roaming free on the beach. people actually park their vehicles and spend the day there. there is also a few houses along the 4wd beach that can be rented out but they are beaucoup money for the week.

the beaches are nice and the farther north you go, there are less people. staying right on the ocean is not a big deal. we've been on the sound side and it was about a 10 minute walk with a 3 yr old. the last time, we were about midway and we drove the cars to the lot where we were allowed to park. all in all it took about 10 minutes or so that way too. a little word of advice...get a house with a swimming pool if there are going to be kids. it's much easier that way. spend part of the day at the beach, then the rest in the pool where there aren't quite as many concerns(the atlantic ocean is pretty deep in case you didn't know it...lol...<-joke).

i love vacationing in OBX, but i am not a fan of the beach. i get bored there pretty quick...which is another reason that a private pool is nice.

 

[Old Corp]

Just a few things I see almost every time I'm in my favorite part of the world........

 

[fiasconva]

You may want to look into a timeshare rental instead of a cottage. A lot of the timeshares have units they own that they rent out. Instead of just a cottage you usually have an indoor pool, a rec room, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, etc. Sometimes they even rent cheaper than a beach house. I'd recommend beaches in the southern part since the water is calmer and warmer than the northern part of the state. Emerald Isle, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach are all nice.

 

[guy22]

My in-laws want to go with us on a beach vacation to North Carolina in August. None of us has ever been to the N. Carolina coast before. Could anyone recommend a nice area on the coast? They would like to stay right on the beach if possible. A nice family friendly area with a nice beach would be great. I know cost is always a big factor when vacationing in any coastal area during the summer. We're definetely middle class but we would be pooling our resources in order to pay for the accomodations. Thanks.

Keith

Long Beach is great for family!!!

Guy22

 

[haggis]

Plan a day-trip by ferry to Ocracoke Island if you can. It's magical.

I was on Ocracoke in the early 60's, and it took two ferries to get there. It was so isolated then that the natives spoke a version of 18th century English.

If you go via the Cedar Island ferry, keep your windows up until you're offshore. The mosquitoes are murder.

Buck

 

[Old Corp]

I was on Ocracoke in the early 60's, and it took two ferries to get there. It was so isolated then that the natives spoke a version of 18th century English.

If you go via the Cedar Island ferry, keep your windows up until you're offshore. The mosquitoes are murder.

Buck

Yes, you're referring to the wonderful 'Downeast Brogue', All my neighbors in the S.E. portion of Carteret Co. speak in it. It is a very interesting part of their culture.
You can get a very good feel for it by watching this: Carolina Outer Banks Brogue Vocabulary - YouTube

The origin of the brogue goes very far back and may have it's roots in Old English. Linguists say that that, combined with extreme isolation for many years is what allows us to hear it today. Those that speak the brogue are often referred to as 'Hoi Toiders', as that's how they would sound pronouncing 'High Tide'.

Sorry for the long post - it's one of my favorite subjects!

 

[VAPA]

Holden Beach (South of Wilmington) is our favorite, not commercialized at all.

 

[mrerick]

You'll find a nice balance in Carolina Beach... It's close to Wilmington, close to SouthPort; close to Bald Head Island; next to Fort Fisher. There is quite a range of accommodation in the area from timeshares through hotels. It's a bit more developed than the Outer Banks, and less isolated. If you want isolation, head for the Outer Banks areas.

I live near there and love the area! Marc

 

[Bronco48]

Nags Head and the towns around it have hotels on the beach. South of Nags Head on the National Seashore there are a lot of private home rentals. I've stayed in Rodanthe, but there are several villages in the area with vacation homes. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of people in the group, a large house can be cheaper (and better) than multiple hotel rooms.

Buck

What he said!

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Oak Island Rentals | Oak Island, North Carolina | Oak Island Information Oak Island area - near Southport, not far to Myrtle Beach and close to Calabash (seafood eating)

There ar several sites to find rentals with picture, seasonal rates etc.