Day Trip to the Coast from Raleigh (Durham, Chapel Hill: chapel, moving) - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary - North Carolina (NC) -The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

cagoodbye · 07-09-2011, 01:42 PM

My husband and I will be visiting the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area in August on a scouting expedition in prep for moving there next year. We'll be in the area for a week and I wondered if it's feasible to take a "day trip" to the coast? Where's the best place to go for just the day-easy drive-scenic-but actually to the coast?

lovebrentwood · 07-09-2011, 01:44 PM

Wrightsville Beach. 2 hours to the south. The drive there is more boring than scenic.

Driving to Nag's Head (to the west) is more scenic, but it takes 4 hours, and this time of year, it's crowded in Nag's Head.

NM posts · 07-09-2011, 02:42 PM

Yup Wrightsville beach - you said Raleigh in your subject line but mentioned Chapel Hill in your post - tack on another 45 min or so if you head to the coast from Chapel Hill. I've done it for day trips from Durham (which got old...so I moved to the coast, lol).

TuborgP · 07-09-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagoodbye

My husband and I will be visiting the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area in August on a scouting expedition in prep for moving there next year. We'll be in the area for a week and I wondered if it's feasible to take a "day trip" to the coast? Where's the best place to go for just the day-easy drive-scenic-but actually to the coast?

You also want to factor in day of the week and parking availability.

LBTA · 07-09-2011, 03:17 PM

Definitely Wrightsville Beach. May want to consider Carolina Beach, Kure Beach or Fort Fisher as an alternative if you can't find the place to park in Wrightsville.

TuborgP · 07-09-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBTA

Definitely Wrightsville Beach. May want to consider Carolina Beach, Kure Beach or Fort Fisher as an alternative if you can't find the place to park in Wrightsville.

Or start with Carolina and work your way to Fisher. You would lose a chunk of time starting at Wrightsville and driving around for awhile before heading to Carolina. Lots of parking gone in that time. Saturdays you are good at Carolina until 11 ish.

cncsmomndad · 07-09-2011, 03:39 PM

Topsail is an easy drive, too, and has free parking.

husbandofraleighwife · 07-09-2011, 04:51 PM

Oak Island has multiple restaraunts, and free parking every other street. 2 bridges and little traffic

TuborgP · 07-09-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cncsmomndad

Topsail is an easy drive, too, and has free parking.

Good point that depending on where they go they may need lots of change.
Fort Fisher is free

genigirl · 07-09-2011, 05:31 PM

I vote for Ft Fisher. Free parking that is close, very nice beach. Also, visit the aquarium while you are there, it is very very close and I believe it is $8 a person.