Need Beach suggestions - for day trips

Hi, we visited our first NC beach since moving here 2 hrs ago. We were at Wrightsville Beach. My kids and I loved the beach, the parking was OK. They only thing I didn't like was the shortage of showers/bathrooms that we could use to get the sand off of ourselves and subsequently change our clothes to drive home.

Can anyone suggest other beaches to try? We'd be interested also in beaches that have nicer facilities to shower/change in.

I'd like for these to be either day trips or weekend trips.

Thx. in advance for any suggestions.

 

If it is a weekend trip "the world's best beach" is located on ocracoke island. http://www.ocracokeisland.com/

 

Wrightsville Beach is really not that tourist friendly. Parking is "okay" like you said and its more for the upper class IMO. Then just across the inlet is the ultra elite Figure Eight Island, where some of the wealthy like to vacation. Andy Griffith owns a house over there. A couple of movie producers have had property there. Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger had a house over there. SOme big tombacco execs and some property there as well. Al Gore has vacationed on Figure Eight before. Figure Eight has a one lane bridge that is guarded, so no public access. Carolina Beach is really the best blue-collar family beach in the Wilmington area and is more open for tourist. I've been recently to both Wrightsville and Carolina and I prefer Carolina even though it has the feel of a typical little beach town. Wrightsville seems to residentual for my tastes.

Emerald Isle is always a good choice. Its usually a clean beach and open to visitors. Okracoke is a good choice. Topsail isn't a bad choice either. Last I heard, steer clear of Surf City.

And of course, if you want all the family fun you can handle, there's always Myrtle Beach in northern South Carolina. North Myrtle Beach (separate township from MB) and is a bit lower key. Cherry Grove in SC is another good beach.

 

Last I heard, steer clear of Surf City.


What is wrong with Surf City?? That is the only place we ever go. It is very quaint and family friendly.

 

Surf City is a great place to go especially for day trips.

 

Oak Island (30 minutes south of Wilmington and 2 hours and 10 minutes from 40/42) is great for weekend or day trip. Never over crowded and completely family oriented. The parking is ample right at the beach at every street end and they just built a huge gazebo/shower/picnic place on or about 71st street. :mrgreen:

 

Kure Beach has a great bathroom/shower facility and the parking at the bathrooms is great.

 

I may have heard wrong about Surf City. As I stated, I was going by word of mouth on Surf City. Perhaps its another beach on Topsail Island. Somebody told me that there was a lot of rowdy types that visited one of those beaches in the vicinity. Maybe its not true or some of you Surf City regulars know of the one I was told about.

 

I second that one. I have taken a large group of teens from church there for a day trip and it was great. They also have a snack bar if you do not want to pack a cooler. Lifeguard on duty as well. Just hit I40 and keep driving until you get there. Past Fort Fisher at the end of the island. 2 hours and 10 minutes. Very, very clean.

 

Surf City is a very quiet beach. Good place for families to go.

 

So let's say I am heading to Kure/Carolina Beach in the next few weeks, based on your recommendations. We are thinking of staying for 2-3 nights.

What are your favorite places to stay? Ideal place is family friendly, has a pool, is clean and safe.

What are your favorite activities for kids in the area? I already know of:

Aquarium (free with reciprocal annual pass from zoo)
Battleship
Beach, of course
Fort Fisher
Putt-putt (any favorite places?)

Any favorite restaurants that kids love (not fast food)? Good seafood in relaxed atmosphere?

 

Frugal, I saw you started giving travel advice a few weeks back, do you travel much with your business? Where I stay on vacation usually evolves around my frequent stay accounts.

 

Hi Hugh,
I was just helping out Kim with her story - I don't profess to be a travel guru, by any means! I actually hate to fly, but love a good deal when I do.

I also use cc points to pay for travel. I just used a bunch for giftcards so I don't think I have enough for the hotel. Will check before I book anything, of course.

I don't know the coast well at all so any advice would be great! Hi to your wife!

 

Here is where we stay, of course I don't worry about the costs (have over 400K points with them).

 

Where was that, again? I can't see whatever it is you posted regarding hotel info.

I definitely don't have 400K points, though!

 

Sorry
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/...ionid=TEDEY1QEHXMTECSGBIV2VCQ?ctyhocn=OBXNCHX

 

FMO2...The Pier House, a resturant by the Ft. Fisher Pier, has our business. You can get mac and cheese, or fried shrimp...they have it all. And the waitstaff is great. We took MM and a friend for the day and they both wanted a club sandwich, the waitress told them that the sandwiches were huge, and why didn't they just split one? She told them if they were still hungry, she'd bring another out, but to try and split one first.

She was right, and she saved us $6....

Plus DH and I can split a shrimp plate and have PLENTY to eat!

We love it!

 

Hugh, we stayed there too a couple of weeks ago. One of my husband's stores is down there, so while he was working the girls and I had a free 4 night stay at the Hampton Inn. It was nice.

Suggestion for anyone going to Corolla. Take the wild horse/beach excursion. We really enjoyed it! Also, Kitty Hawk is only a short drive and there is PLENTY to do there. The museum, lighthouse, etc.

3 weeks until vacation. We've rented a huge beach house in Avon w/some friends. It's on the beach, has a pool and hot tub, pool table, etc. It'll be 4 adults + 6 kids! We wanted to have plenty for the kids to do while hanging out at the house. Can't wait to go to Ocracoke for the Day!

 

I want to go somewhere. :-(


no smart *** comments from the p-nut gallery :lol:

 

Wish we could go away for a week, but DH's boss does not allow them to use vacation in the summertime (I know, I know...).

We are going to the Outer Banks for a weekend trip though!