Visiting Triangle, side trip to Coast (Raleigh, Wilmington: for sale, oceanfront, hotel)

[findingmesomeday]

We're driving down in a few weeks from MA and will be in the Triangle area for 2 days. Then we want to head over to the Coast. Maybe this post needs to go there? Or maybe someone can help me? We'd like a fairly quiet place to stay, not to kitchsy or touristy (we can drive to those if we want) for 2 nights Thur/Fri 4/24 and 4/25. We'll be headed back up north after the coast stay so we don't want to head too far south on the NC coast. Any recommendations? I've heard good things about Carolina beach but thought I'd ask the experts.

Thanks!

[trusam]

You can go to Carolina / Kure/ Wrightsville beach. They are 2 hours from Raleigh by car. We had been to all of them in Feb this year but temperature was low so we didn't spend much time on the beach and spend most of the time roaming around in Wilmington (nearest town from these beaches) . And there were not many people at that time. But I am sure the temperature will be higher in the last week of April and you will enjoy during that time. You can book the hotel in Wrightsville beach through Hotwire. I am not sure about rest of the beaches.

I am not an expert on this but hope this will help you !!

[daveraleigh]

My favorite place is anywhere on the Outer Banks! (Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills etc..) Quiet and not a lot of touristy crap

[findingmesomeday]

I love the Outer Banks too. However, we're headed towards Boston from the beach and will be driving straight through to Northern VA upon leaving so we don't want to add extra time to our trip.

Ooops, scratch that---I just realized that by going to the outer banks, we can reduce the time to NoVa! It will increase the drive from Raleigh but that's not so terrible.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I have posted this before, but I am a big fan of Wrightsville Beach and the river walk in downtown Wilmington. We spent the weekend at a B&B called Camelia Cottage and give the establishment and their great breakfast two thumbs up!.

Here are a few pictures from our trip to downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach in April 2006. I highly recommend making the trip!

Wrightsville Beach





B&B We stayed at in Downtown Wilmington (It was up for sale back then .... only asking 1 Million!)



Nearby House in Downtown



Part of The River Walk Along the Cape Fear River in Downtown Wilmington



Restaurants Along River Walk





Horses with Bunny Ears (It was Easter Time)

[Waterboy526]

You could also go to the Crystal Coast. Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, etc. Excellent area to relax, but still have things to do. It took me about 5.5-6 hours to get from Emerald Isle to Northern VA (Fairfax). I've made the drive TONS of times.

[musicalzoo]

The Atlantis LOdge in Atlantic Beach is absolutly wonderful! All oceanfront rooms, fairly reasonable prices.

Anchorage Inn on Ocracoke Island is also nice (but longer to get to due to ferry only access)

[findingmesomeday]

Great pics as usual NRG. Thanks!

When I look at driving times, yes, it takes longer to get from Raleigh to OBX but it's shorter from there heading back up north. So I think we are probably wiser to look at the Outer Banks.

But wow--I think I know one place I'd like to visit if we ever move down there. Love those pictures!

Also, a friend of mine went to Boars Head Island last year and sent me some pictures. It's completely out of our way for the purposes of this trip but wow--I can't wait to see that place in person!