OBX vs. Cape Cod

[Anonymous]

If you have gone to both, what’s the core difference outside of architecture and water temp?

Which did you prefer?

I’ve been up and down the East Coast (Acadia to Miami) and these two beach areas are two I have not stayed at. I’ve driven thru parts of the Cape for the ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. But I have never actually vacationed on the Cape.

[Anonymous]

Cape Cod. Water is obviously colder, but I like the towns. OBX just felt like houses on the side of one long Highway to me.

[Anonymous]

OBX has better beaches (sort of), but no charm at all. Cape Cod all the way.

[Anonymous]

If you just want to sit on the beach then OBX is better for that. If you also want to do other things then Cape Cod.

[Anonymous]

I have been to Cape Code one or two times. I guess it's too cold for us! We would also just prefer to have the shorter drive to NC. But YMMV - I suppose it's personal preference!

[Anonymous]

OBX!

[Anonymous]

The water is too cold for me but I still much prefer New England over NC. I like the charm and vibe better than OBX.

[Anonymous]

I like obx but it’s like its own “thing” in my opinion, kind of like Disney is its own thing. Some people hate it some people love it , it’s expensive but not high brow, it’s super hot. For me it’s nostalgic because I’ve gone every summer of my life. Sure cape cod is cuter and more sophisticated and classy but obx is where it’s at!!

[Anonymous]

The Cape: The vibe, more to do (the long bike path!), lobster rolls, a possible day trip to Boston or a ferry ride to Nantucket (recommended!). Water is warmer on the north (harbor) side.

[Anonymous]

They are very different. I wouldn’t compare OBX to cape cod, because the type of vacation and activities are very different. I would compare OBX to ocean city or Florida beaches or anywhere where the beach and beach related activities would be the main draw.

For cape cod, the beach is just a background, it’s not a central activity. You can compare cape cod to going to a lake in Michigan. The weather and activities are closer to that.

I like both and I would go to both for different purposes, but wouldn’t compare them with each other because they are very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cape Cod. Water is obviously colder, but I like the towns. OBX just felt like houses on the side of one long Highway to me.

This, but cape cod is huge. I like Chatham.

[Anonymous]

I love both OBX and Cape Cod. IMHO, the further down OBX you go the better- I don’t love Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, but really like the villages south of Oregon Inlet. For Cape Cod, water is too cold for me, but lots of charm, very scenic, good food and like that temps can be pleasant compared to mid-Atlantic and Carolina beaches.

[Anonymous]

Much more to do in Cape Cod besides swim (and you have to be mindful of the sharks). OBX is more a place you go with a giant crew and make your own experiences at a big house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OBX has better beaches (sort of), but no charm at all. Cape Cod all the way.

If you go to Duck in the OBX, there is at least a town with some really nice spots, especially the boardwalk along the bay, lots of shops, and some restaurants. You can walk a lot of places if you stay right in the town. It can't rival a New England town but it's better than just expansive strip malls.

[Anonymous]

If they were equidistant, we'd probably alternate, but the Cape is much harder to get to unless you fly. And you do need a car. I'm not sure if I would say it's really "classier," but maybe it seems so since your fellow tourists are more heavily New Englanders. It's fun to explore the Cape and the islands. For the same sort of rental, you will pay a lot more on the Cape because the season is shorter, and they don't cater to as many large groups. Sometimes there is a sweet spot just before schools get out up there, and that can be slightly cheaper. It's usually just a week or so now because of our longer school schedule here.