In search of an east coast, family friendly beach for vacation in June (Virginia Beach: rentals, amusement parks)

[FCNova]

Originally Posted by beatlecrazy

Ocean City, NJ is family-friendly, we go every year. I like other beaches on the coast but something about OCNJ always draws me back. Also Bethany Beach, DE is really quiet and nice.

We did Bethany one year. It's a nice area. It was a lot more crowded than Outer Banks though. The boardwalk was really nice but I hated how we'd get to the beach in the morning and by noon every inch of sand around us was taken. We learned to set up the kids play toys around us once we got there so they'd have some sand to play on before someone set up all their stuff there. I think there's an amusement park in Rehobeth. The Dewey/Rehobeth/Bethany beaches could be more the OP's speed.

[CaliTerp07]

Cape May, NJ!

Take the ferry across the bay from Lewes, DE. You can drive your car on, and on a nice day it's a gorgeous ride in the sunshine, avoiding the stress of traffic.

Once there, there are arcades, mini golf, whale watching boats, para sailing...all the typical beach activities. Wildwood is just a short drive away for the amusement park (I've never done that, not my thing). The whole town is ADORABLE and super walkable. When we've gone for a weekend, we generally park the car at the hotel and don't move it until we come home (the exception being when we drive to the dog friendly beach in North Cape May! Our pup loves to play in the waves!)

[Erix]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Cape May, NJ!

Take the ferry across the bay from Lewes, DE. You can drive your car on, and on a nice day it's a gorgeous ride in the sunshine, avoiding the stress of traffic.

Once there, there are arcades, mini golf, whale watching boats, para sailing...all the typical beach activities. Wildwood is just a short drive away for the amusement park (I've never done that, not my thing). The whole town is ADORABLE and super walkable. When we've gone for a weekend, we generally park the car at the hotel and don't move it until we come home (the exception being when we drive to the dog friendly beach in North Cape May! Our pup loves to play in the waves!)

I've always wanted to visit Cape May, but it's in NJ and they charge to go on the beach don't they? (With the exception of Atlantic City...free for anyone to visit after they've lost all their savings in the casinos )

[pcity]

Originally Posted by Erix

I've always wanted to visit Cape May, but it's in NJ and they charge to go on the beach don't they? (With the exception of Atlantic City...free for anyone to visit after they've lost all their savings in the casinos )

Wildwood beaches are also free.

Cape May does charge.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by newnewsmama

We love family friendly/touristy beaches, i.e. beaches close to a lot of fun activities such as theme parks, aquariums, big buffet restaurants, zoos, etc.

I know a lot of people are suggesting Cape May but honestly I don't think it fits what you are looking for. Cape May is certainly family friendly but it's more upscale and less theme park-y than other beaches. If you are going to NJ, I think Wildwood or Ocean City fits best. Those are the towns with the big boardwalks with lots of rides.

[Erix]

Originally Posted by pcity

I know a lot of people are suggesting Cape May but honestly I don't think it fits what you are looking for. Cape May is certainly family friendly but it's more upscale and less theme park-y than other beaches. If you are going to NJ, I think Wildwood or Ocean City fits best. Those are the towns with the big boardwalks with lots of rides.

Rehoboth, while nice, is also quite upscale. At least that was my initial impression. Not sure about Bethany.

[michgc]

Originally Posted by pcity

I know a lot of people are suggesting Cape May but honestly I don't think it fits what you are looking for. Cape May is certainly family friendly but it's more upscale and less theme park-y than other beaches. If you are going to NJ, I think Wildwood or Ocean City fits best. Those are the towns with the big boardwalks with lots of rides.

I agree. I've been going to Cape May every summer for over 30 years and I love it. But it is not at all what the OP asked for. I agree with either Ocean City, NJ, Wildwood, NJ, or Ocean City, Maryland. You might like some of the other Jersey beaches further up the coast - Seaside Heights or some others, but I'm not as familiar with the central Jersey beaches as the southern Jersey ones, so I can't really help there.

[pcity]

Point Pleasant on the north Jersey shore is good for what OP wants too, but the northern beaches have more crowds and I can't think of anything they offer that the southern beaches don't. Seaside Heights is not bad but I consider it a little less family-friendly because of the bar/club scene.

I should have elaborated a little on the south Jersey towns: Ocean City, NJ is the most family-friendly, since it's a dry town. Wildwood is still what I would think of as family-friendly but does have more partiers.

[CleoShahateet]

Cape May is wonderful, but if you are going in June it will still be cold! We went to Ocean City last June and while it was fun for the kids the water was freezing and the temp on the beach was only around 74 then add in the wind it felt a lot colder. I would head farther south in June. Someone recommended St. Augustine in N. Florida but I think it is quieter.

Does anyone have feedback on Charleston, SC area beaches? We have been to Charleston before we had kids but never to the beaches.

[Middlin]

We go to Myrtle since there is a ton to do and most important the water is warm. IMO, based on Myrtle, you aren't going to find that in OC, MD and definitely not Ocean City, NJ. OC, NJ is a completely different vibe as is Rehoboth and Virginia Beach.