Beach Vacation w/small kids (Roanoke, Chincoteague: rent, waterparks, condo)

[Fairfax Mom]

We rented a small condo in VA Beach for a week last summer and loved it. What is another good beach area to go to around here? We dont want to go to a "party place" with a bunch of 20 somethings but we also dont want to go somewhere where it is so quiet the kids will be bored.

Thanks for any help.

[msjack]

There's Ocean City, MD. They have a lot of things for kids to do. It's about the same distance as VA, but at night it does have a lot of 20 somethings, but during the day and evenings it is family friendly.

I'm not sure how far you are willing to go, but Myrtle Beach, SC is really nice. It's about a 6-8 hr drive, so I don't know if that's doable for you and your family. It's definitely family friendly. There are many other beaches along the NC coast, but I haven't been to many of them, so I can't say if they would be nice or not.

There are some beaches I've heard that aren't really kid friendly (just meaning they don't have a lot of stuff for them to do) I can't remember if it's Rehobeth or ugh I can't think of the other name. If it comes back to me, I will post it. It's in NC......

[normie]

How 'bout the lakes? Not much in the way of mini golf or boardwalks, but if the kids like hiking and other natural activities there are some nice lakes with beaches.

[Fairfax Mom]

Normie - I have heard about the lakes. Could you name some of them?
I am a NJ beach gal - so it might be tough to settle for a lake.
Ocean City might be too crowded but Myrtle Beach sounds nice - I guess we could get the kids up in the middle of the night and drive.

[normie]

Hmm, scratch that suggestion. If you are a NJ beach gal, you probably want to hear the surf and smell the ocean--a lake won't be the same. But Bethany Beach is nice, and Cape May is just a ferry ride away.

BTW there are two lakes I like, Lake Anna and another one that I can't remember the name of. It's in Nova up near Sky Meadows park. It's a small lake with a really nice beach. Anyone remember the name of it?

[mojo_1979]

I would advise against Ocean City with small children. VA Beach is much more "kid friendly" IMO.

[cmacf1]

We went to Chincoteague last summer for a week with our then 3 and 4 year olds. We rented a little cottage right on the bay, went fishing off our little dock daily, took our dogs with us (pet-friendly rental) and went to the beach on Assateague twice a day. It was the best vacation we've ever done with the kids!!! It's definitely not a party place, but more of a town that seems like it's from 30-40 years ago. Totally unlike Ocean City or any of the big beach cities/towns. I highly recommend it!

[5stones]

corolla nc, we went every year when we lived in VA. Duck area too. Kitty hawk is more lively with putt putt and more touristy things and a short drive. We like the quietness of Corolla though.(my kids love the wild ponies..one year we rented in the 4x4 area and ponies would gather every moring under the house!)
It's a little futher drive than the VA/MD beaches though.

Chincoteague/Asateauge Islands my kids both really liked... They loved the wild ponies. we camped (lots of mosquitos, bring pleanty of spray) and then you can go over to the boardwalk in ocean city for some entertainment.

Deep creek MD is a nice family frinedly lake/ski area and it close...3hours.

[springfieldva]

We love the Outer Banks, NC. Duck and Corolla are great for kicking back and just enjoying being at the beach. If you want lots of activities(putt putt, waterparks, bowling, movies, a wide variety of restaurants, etc.) check out Kittyhawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. Those areas are also not too far from Roanoke Island which has an awesome hands on kids museum, aquarium and the famous Weeping Raddish restaurant (a must if you have kids).

This year we'll be staying in Hatteras for the first time. Can't wait!!

[DvlsAdvc8]

I recommend renting a house in Cove Point Maryland. Its an isolated quiet community, there are a couple people who rent out their property weeks at a time, and the price is not bad. Very favorable to a hotel IMO.

The beach isn't giant, like OC or VA Beach, but its private, natural setting and there is a lighthouse there. Plus, you have Solomons Island MD just a couple minutes away - could go sailing or something or enjoy the little museum they have there. A couple minutes away is Calvert Cliffs park which has some historic buildings and what not. About 30 or so mins drive south is Historic St. Mary's city which is nice and has a replica of the Dove (as in the early settler ships, Ark & Dove). St. Mary's college is down there and is absolutely gorgeous.

I like the place because its not "touristy"