where is the beach? (Virginia Beach, Christiansburg: living, shops, safe)

[angelawongme]

When we are moving to Christiansburg this summer, we want to do a short beach vacation. because of families (my parents and sisters etc.) visiting us in our new place, we cant afford to fly everyone. So whats the best beach place within 5 hours drive from Chrstiansburg?
Thanks

[whynot?]

I don't think you have many choices within 5 hours. In fact, GoogleLocal says 5hrs/15mins to Virginia Beach and there's not a lot of beach there. (And with traffic it's always a longer drive after you get past Williamsburg.)

IMHO, you have better beaches, accommodations, and activity options in the Outer Banks of NC (about 6 1/2 hours to places like Nag's Head or Duck) and in the Myrtle Beach area of SC (about 6 1/2 hours).

Just a start. I'm sure others will have other suggestions.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by whynot?

IMHO, you have better beaches, accommodations, and activity options in the Outer Banks of NC (about 6 1/2 hours to places like Nag's Head or Duck) and in the Myrtle Beach area of SC (about 6 1/2 hours).

Just a start. I'm sure others will have other suggestions.

I don't have any other suggestions. You probably hit the nail on the head with yours
Myrtle Beach, SC would be just about 6 hrs

[Blue Moon Athena]

Originally Posted by angelawongme

When we are moving to Christiansburg this summer, we want to do a short beach vacation. because of families (my parents and sisters etc.) visiting us in our new place, we cant afford to fly everyone. So whats the best beach place within 5 hours drive from Chrstiansburg?
Thanks

Smith Mountain Lake.

[airman_verde04]

Originally Posted by Blue Moon Athena

Smith Mountain Lake.

Eh, depending on what day you drive to VA beach, I love that place, I've been living down in SC for 5 years and still love VA beach over anywhere else, its really safe and fun if you have Kids. Myrltle Beach is better for a older crowd (bars and clubs) though they are trying to make it a family beach, and they have alot of atractions now. Theme parks, shows, etc (VA beach doesn't have that stuff, but they do have more free entertainment along the main drag and on the beach fronts)

As far as the outer banks, If all you want to do is play in the Ocean, then yes, do the other Banks, as for lots to do, your not going to find all that much other than little bars, restourants, and beach shops.

Good luck!! have fun, and yeah, Smith Mountain Lake is what, like 1 1/2 hour drive if that, I know the last time I went there, I was 17, it seemed to be growing alot! I guess they were trying to make it like alot of the really nice resort town lakes. It was great up there! They got the Beach, minus the waves.

[angelawongme]

Thank you everyone for responding.
We can probably go to Va beach avoiding weekends. would it be so much better?
(since my work has a lot of flexibility schedule wise. my husbands too for that matter)

[angelawongme]

we can probably go to smith mountain lake too thanks for that suggestion

[angelawongme]

WE do have our kiddo with us. So after hearing yours, I am leaning toward VA beach. we will just go on weekdays instead of weekends?

Originally Posted by airman_verde04

Eh, depending on what day you drive to VA beach, I love that place, I've been living down in SC for 5 years and still love VA beach over anywhere else, its really safe and fun if you have Kids. Myrltle Beach is better for a older crowd (bars and clubs) though they are trying to make it a family beach, and they have alot of atractions now. Theme parks, shows, etc (VA beach doesn't have that stuff, but they do have more free entertainment along the main drag and on the beach fronts)

As far as the outer banks, If all you want to do is play in the Ocean, then yes, do the other Banks, as for lots to do, your not going to find all that much other than little bars, restourants, and beach shops.

Good luck!! have fun, and yeah, Smith Mountain Lake is what, like 1 1/2 hour drive if that, I know the last time I went there, I was 17, it seemed to be growing alot! I guess they were trying to make it like alot of the really nice resort town lakes. It was great up there! They got the Beach, minus the waves.

[whynot?]

I think weekdays will help significantly with traffic. The whole Tidewater area has a pretty strong rush hour during the week, too, so try to avoid arriving when the workforce is headed home. (3-6 PM?) One of the things that makes the weekends so horrendous is that they include the normal Tidewater traffic plus Virginia Beach traffic AND the only (real) way to get to the Outer Banks from Virginia is through Tidewater, too. I generally agree with the posts about Virginia Beach (smaller and "safer"), Outer Banks (beach-focus), and Myrtle Beach (parks, clubs, golf, etc.). I will say, however, that we have seen significantly more jellyfish at Virginia Beach than any of the others.