Quote:
Originally Posted by jenni20030
Will be in town on a very short trip 1st week of October. My husband and I will be taking I-40 down on a Sunday to the coastal area from Raleigh, what beach should we visit? Looking for something with a boardwalk, shops, and umbrella rentals. Again, its just a day we will be heading out in the morning and returning that evening.
Also would taking a ferry across to day Emerald Isle be too much for just a days worth?
Thank you in advance
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You don't need a ferry now days to get to Emerald Isle. Just take I40 to exit 373 then follow signs to Route 24 and Jacksonville. Watch for the Swansboro signs off of the Jacksonville bypass- stay on Route 24 through Swansboro until the intersection with Route 58 between Cedar Point and Cape Carteret.
Take a right on Route 58, there is visitor information building on the right just after you make the right on 58 if you need to ask any questions.
This is
my map of that area with some of my favorite restaurants noted on it. McDonald's is just a local landmark not one of my favorites.
Cross
the bridge to Emerald Isle and take the first right after the first stoplight. That will put you on Islander Drive which leads to the Western Regional Beach access. It has a big paved parking lot, changing rooms, bathrooms, beach volley ball area, and even a ramp for accessibility.
If that area is too crowded for your taste, you can drive about another eight miles down the beach to the Eastern Regional Access. It is also has a large parking lot but only one side is paved. There are also bathrooms etc there. I doubt crowds will be a problem in Oct. By then it is mostly locals enjoying the beaches and fishermen chasing fish in the surf.
A little farther down east along the shore is one of my favorite beaches, Third Street. Eastern Regional and Third St show up on
this map from the town. Our beaches run from the east to the west so the water is to the south.
Some of
the best beaches are out Coast Guard Road near
the Point. You can park at
the Station Street Parking lot just off Coast Guard Road. It takes five to ten minutes to walk to the beach.
You should be able to rent an umbrella at one of the rental places on the Island, but I don't know if they do just daily rentals. Most are set up to service the weekly rental crowd.
Bogue Banks Beach Rentals (http://www.boguebanksbeachgear.com/default.asp - broken link) is on the right at the intersection of Coast Guard Road and Hwy 58. I haven't been by their office in a while so you might want to call before you drop by there.
You can find a nice set of shops to enjoy in Swansboro or over at Emerald Plantation which is close to the Western Regional Beach Access. The closest thing to a boardwalk would be taking a walk on Bogue Inlet Pier. It is free and a nice way to get a different view of the ocean.
You can find more information in
my Emerald Isle Travel Guide (http://coastalnc.org/emeraldislenctravelguidecd - broken link) and some suggestions on what do with your time at
this link though there won't be much local produce around in October but sweet potatoes.
You can take a Ferry (pontoon boat) over to
Hammocks beach from the Swansboro area, and this is
a link to the ferry schedule. I don't think taking an infant is a problem but there is just beach over there.
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Do they allow infants on the ferry's?
Emerald Isle is a good choice
