Need advice on beaches...

[bjornolf]

Come summer, we were thinking about visiting the beach for vacation. We've been to Cape May in New Jersey and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. We were thinking about somewhere in the Carolinas this year. We have kids who will be 7, 10, and 12 by then. They enjoy the beach, but also things like water parks, arcades, and go-karts. I've been to Duck and Myrtle, but it's been a long time. Can anybody recommend a good place for kids that age in NC or SC, or heck, anywhere in the mid-atlantic area?

Or, hey, if there are good places in the mid-atlantic in general to visit for those ages, I'm all ears. We've been to Hershey Park and they loved it. Been to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, as well as Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion. Farther afield, we've been to Disney World and Sea World. They loved both.

[DukePA]

Of course I have to recommend my beach, Emerald Isle, NC. It's a very laid back beach that is family friendly. There are no large hotels and very limited night life. Most people stay in vacation rental houses. The beach is never crowded. There are miniature golf places and a water slide. We are close to Pine Knoll Shores where one of the NC Aquariums is located. Beaufort is 30 minutes from EI and has not only a quaint historical waterfront, where Black Beard used to hang out, but a maritime museum, awesome restaurants and the Duke Marine Lab.

[allen]

Emerald Isle rocks.

We rented a house last year in Pine Knoll shores that was on the sound (kayaks, a nice peir, a pool in the complex). It is a the point on the island where it is so narrow that a house on the sound is still walking distance to the ocean.

On the Atlantic Beach end you have all the kid amenities (lifegaurds, beach volleyball, ice cream shops, etc.) and a clean pleasant beach. further down the island it is a lot quieter. Easy access to Beaufort, Morehead City, etc. A great family destination.


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[Bob Green]

I love Myrtle Beach.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Even though I'm partial to EI/Atlantic Beach since I live here, Carolina Beach is another good option. Wilmington is right there, and all the cool history and family things to do that a bigger city provides. Plus, the battleship is there, which is pretty cool to check out.

[bjornolf]

My kids are at that age where they like all the touristy stuff. Is there anywhere down there with the arcades that earn tickets, go karts, water park, etc.?

[DukePA]

My kids are at that age where they like all the touristy stuff. Is there anywhere down there with the arcades that earn tickets, go karts, water park, etc.?

There's the Water Boggan http://www.emeraldislerealty.com/area-i ... erald-isle
Here are links to other attractions- http://www.crystalcoastnc.org/things-to ... amusement/

Hope this helps.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

My kids are at that age where they like all the touristy stuff. Is there anywhere down there with the arcades that earn tickets, go karts, water park, etc.?

Carolina Beach, just south of Wrightsville Beach, has or had an amusement park. Don't know if it's still there or not.

[CameronBornAndBred]

My kids are at that age where they like all the touristy stuff. Is there anywhere down there with the arcades that earn tickets, go karts, water park, etc.?

5 minutes from the beach at EI, there is Mac Daddy's. It is a bowling alley, driving range, go kart track, and massive arcade all wrapped up into on complex.
http://mymacdaddys.com/

[bjornolf]

I realize that it's probably too late for this summer, but in general, is there a good website to find rental houses on the outer banks?

Thanks in advance!

[DukePA]

I always like TripAdvisor- http://www.tripadvisor.com/FeaturedVaca ... olina.html

[bjornolf]

I always like TripAdvisor- http://www.tripadvisor.com/FeaturedVaca ... olina.html

Tripadvisor has house rentals? I had no idea.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

Even though I'm partial to EI/Atlantic Beach since I live here, Carolina Beach is another good option. Wilmington is right there, and all the cool history and family things to do that a bigger city provides. Plus, the battleship is there, which is pretty cool to check out.

I love Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and the feeling of family and locals vs tourism. The Aquamariam is located at Fort Fisher, just minutes past Wrightsville Beach.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

I hear ya about the kids enjoying all the action and excitement of arcades, etc. But, sounds like they've had that already. How about giving all that a rest and have a simple, family time-out time together just once.

Ours (and the grands) are grown now, but they will all tell you their best summer memories are of the beach times we spent with no TV, no big time attractions. There was one soda shop on the island. It was a big time treat to go there every couple of days for ice cream and to read the magazines and comic books. We all looked forward to just one trip to town, usually late in the week, for pizza. We played all the old card and board games, and charades and pictionary. We made jewelry and paperweights from the shells we collected, we built awesome sand castles, we body surfed. We cleaned, cooked and ate the fish they caught from learning to bait a hook and surf fish or catch from the pier. They delighted in hearing stories I loved to make up, some shamefully passed off as true. We ALL read books --sometimes to each other, we watched for the baby turtles to hatch, we painted pictures, baked bread, listened to "Margaritaville" on the radio over and over again......and over again. We talked.....to each other......a LOT....usually while enjoying all the colors in a quiet sunset as opposed to neon and noise.

We left refreshed and reacquainted. I highly recommend it ---IF you can find such a spot anymore.
Love, Ima

[YmoBeThere]

Well, I've found that it is best to...oh, you said beaches.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

Beaches anywhere right now, sounds wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CathyCA]

Topsail Island, Wrightsville Beach, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach in NC fit the bill for what Ima has described. I love them all!

Oh, and Emerald Isle, too.

Anywhere south of Cape Hatteras is a good beach. North of Hatteras, the water is too cold.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Cathy, I'm speaking of Topsail -- down at the bottom end BEFORE it was all developed. We would stay in the very last small house right in the dunes. (It doesn't exist anymore.) No air conditioning, no TV, no phones, no nothin'. There was only pristine sand, water and sky for about as far as one could see in any direction. Warren's Soda Shop up near Surf City had a pay phone and ice cream. And minimal groceries were at the Red and White a few miles further north. Oh, and I forgot -- there WAS a rather primitive miniature golf place where everybody took their ice cream cones and played.

The first year we went for one week, thinking that's all we'd be able to take being away from civilization. But, after that we went for broke and stayed for TWO. Then things got all built up and commercialized, boom boxes were invented, arcades,contractors, realtors, restaurants, interior decorator shops, clothing stores, jet skis etc. came.

It takes a LOT of money to find that old kind of peace and solitude anymore. You would sorta have to buy your own island!
Love, Ima

[CathyCA]

True. Topsail has changed from that, Ima.

When I was little, my mom and dad and I vacationed at Topsail with my grandparents, my aunt and uncle and my cousin. We would play all day on the beach. It was so much fun! While the moms and dads were cleaning up from dinner, my granddaddy would take my cousin Al and me out on the front porch. We would have a "contest" for "who will see the street light come on first." I mean, we would stare at the street light until it came on! And then it was time for bed.

When I walk along the beach at Topsail and smell the spray from the waves, I am instantly transported back to that magical, simpler time.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Nothin' like it. (And I think I would have loved that granddaddy of yours!)

Love,Ima