Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
No matter which beach you ultimately choose as your "go to" beach, I implore you. Don't go buy a stupid OIB, OBX, etc sticker for your car. They look touristy, and tell people where to find you when you're on vacation.
While I'm at it, the same can be said off all those stickers that instruct ne'er do wells on the precise educational institution in which to find your adorable honor student.
Or the "My juvenile delinquent beat up your honor role student" sticker...
between
Morehead City, Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, and the rest of Carteret (minus Emerald Isle) this is my favorite coastal area. Less crowded than Wrightsville, less of a trek than OBX, with plenty to do for nature and history buffs.
Vacationed at Atlantic Beach last year (in mid-Sept) Loved it, but maybe that was more because it was less crowded - but did like the para-sailing in the bay, ferry to the lighthouse, the beach itself, the stuff in Morehead City, etc. -and it was 3/4 deserted even though it was like 90 degrees and sunny - it was like we had it all to ourselves.
For the daytrip, only been to Wrightsville and Carolina Beach (this past Sun) I prefer Carolina Beach - parking, and stuff being close by - has a mini-boardwalk with bars, food, sundries, carnival rides all together in one walkable spot, right on the edge of the beach - AND WE DROVE RIGHT INTO CENTER OF TOWN AND PARKED FOR FREE IN AN EMPTY LOT RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE BEACH (never happen in Wrightsville) We left at 7:10 am and arrived at 9:20 - driving about 75 mph, but from Clayton, not Raleigh - Wrightsville is about 10 min closer. When we left for home about 1:30, traffic was backed up 2 miles or so going to Carolina/Kure Beaches from Wilmington.
I've been to Wrightsville Beach a few times. We loved the beach and the restaurants and shopping close by. We have pre-teens, so they don't enjoy to much "quiet". Once we stayed at a hotel right over the bridge onto Wrightsville (Blockade Hotel?). The hotel was pretty good, 3 1/2 star, but my kids love the breakfast buffet, and I love that its included with the room. We save a lot of money that way! (Have a big breakfast, small lunch, then we can have a nice dinner.)
We have used more of the beaches mentioned in this tread over a 40+ year period. The answer is...it depends on what you want.
For us, Oak Island is the answer. The answer faces south, so the surf is about 1/2 of what one experiences with beaches facing east. This is far better for young ones (and old ones)--but not surfers.
There are primarily houses--the commercial area is limited to grocery stores and a few shops. So one has to like the beach, water, and perhaps surf fishing--and kites (but the wind is better at Outer Banks). The houses are typically one week rental. A nice, ocean front place with 4 BR will be $2800-3500/week. A similar size very nice place will be about $4,000.
Distance wise, it takes slightly less time to get to Oak Island (which is mostly interstate).
I love the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach areas. Shell Island Resort is a great place to stay.
Figure Eight is wonderful as well. You can rent homes on Figure Eight for a weekend or for a whole week. Well worth it. One of the most relaxing places I know.
Atlantic Beach is less crowded and has a few tourist attractions including the aquarium and historic fort. It just depends on what you are looking for.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
