Is Outer Banks worth it? Help convince my husband it’s better than any New England beach
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Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
+1 Same. Would much rather drive or fly quick to NE for better people, better seafood, better beaches and better vacation experience. If I want to see strip malls and rbf, I’ll stay in the dmv for free. |
Anonymous
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We love it but you have to know that it’s not like Rehoboth or Ocean City — there is no boardwalk, limited restaurant options, and not a ton to do on bad weather days. (The outlets or the movies and Duck is cute but small.)
Now that I’ve said all the bad stuff, here’s the good stuff. There are large homes for big groups (we do a multigenerational trip every year and always fit comfortably) that are right on the beach. Many homes also have pools for young kids. The Outer Banks is for people who like to spend a ton of time on the beach. For me, my favorite thing in the world is spending all day reading and swimming, followed by cooking, cocktails, and dinner under the sunset. We also always rent on a private beach so there are fewer people and the next group is never closer than 20 feet from you. I cannot stand the crowds at the DE beaches where everyone is on top of one another and can’t see the ocean unless you set up a spot at 8am. We never have that problem in the outer banks. If you like to shop and eat out a ton, it’s not for you. For us, it’s amazing and relaxing family time. |
Anonymous
I laughed really hard at this. Cuz its true. -Annual Corolla Renter |
Anonymous
Can you give some suggestions for someone converting from NC and DE beaches? I grew up going to Emerald Isle but its too unpredictable weather-wise and there are no lifeguards where my Dad has a place. I also will be 7-8 months pregnant this summer so cooler anything sounds amazing. DE sucks- the beach drops off, there are HUGE horseflys when the wind blows the wrong way, and my family always gets too small of a place and then invites all these random people and it is not relaxing. |
Anonymous
I love Cape Cod - have spent time in, off top of my head, Chatham, Brewster, Orleans, Dennis/port, Wellfleet, P-town- and have been to Rockport and other non-CC Mass beaches. The towns are great, there is lots to do, you can have ocean, bay, ponds, etc all on same visit, much to enjoy and recommend. However, I have never been to a beach there that is world class. The beaches are often small, are almost always crowded, the sand isn’t great, the ocean water is freezing, and while the bay has its benefits (mostly with very young children, and even then the tides make it a PITA), to me that does count as swimming in the ocean for those who want to trot out the bay/sound/ponds as warmer places to swim. Vs the OBX beaches I’ve been to in Duck are gorgeous - soft whiteish sand, uncrowded, ocean water cold enough to cool off but still warm enough to swim in. What isn’t great about the OBX are the “towns,” which are basically strip shopping centers, and that it is so hot there in the summer off-ocean that there isn’t much to do besides the beach. Pros and cons to both. I’d visit and if your family enjoys it great and if not try someplace else the next year. |
Anonymous
| OBX has little charm. The Cape and its islands are much better. |
Anonymous
This seems fair. I think it's best for a few families sharing a house together. We went with just our kids and I will admit that everyone was a little bored. We also had a hard time getting into restaurants. It was pretty, and we liked the relaxed vibe. Lots of afternoons listening to the neighbors' country music while we floated in the pool. (I realize that doesn't necessarily sound like a good thing, but it was fine.) |
Anonymous
Agree that OBX isn't charming. New England is waaaaaaaaay more charming and polished when it comes to beach towns. But we still go to OBX every year because it's 7 kids under the age of 10 and we need to get a house that fits all of us. And the drive honestly isn't that bad from the DC area if you staying an entire week. I'm shocked at all the cars we see at OBX from Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio, NY, NJ, Indiana, Pennsylvania, etc. Those folks have LOOOOOOOOOOONG drives. But OBX is a deal compared to nicer parts of NJ shore, Hamptons/Montauk/Fire Island, Cape Cod, MV/ACK/Block Island, etc. It's at least $20K/week for a similar OBX-style house in those locations. Plus, those other beaches are a lot more crowded. |
Anonymous
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Would rather rent a modern OBX beach house with amenities and have access to warm ocean water than -- for more or less the same price -- rent a tiny shack that was built in what seems like the 1800s. Some are fine with that quirkiness. I'd rather have an oven from this century, level floors and windows that actually close.
And all the people complaining about Trumpers in the OBX clearly have never been more than three miles away from the ocean in Maine, a state that twice elected Paul LePage as its governor. |
Anonymous
+1 we don't like the crowds at MD/DE beaches. OBX is quieter than NE & MD/DE IMO. OBX is also a lot cheaper than NE. |
Anonymous
My family from Colorado and California has flown to OBX multiple times and they love it. I guess if you’re from landlocked Colorado, you will like any beach, but even my California family likes OBX/Hatteras. As for me, I like both OBX and Cape Cod. Typical DCUM, sees it as black and white. I think both are great. |
Anonymous
I love Hatteras and Ocracoke too. Very quiet and relaxing. |
Anonymous
| Sorry—he’s right |
Anonymous
And the DE beaches are ok. Cape Cod is the best. Haven’t been to Maine beaches though |