Tell me about Northeast beaches

[Anonymous]

Love the Jersey shore! Summered as a kid in Point Pleasant and OC NJ. Sister has a place in Bayhead (snooty)
and family in Spring Lake as well. Love it all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Growing up we only ever vacationed down south, think Hilton Head and the Florida panhandle. As an adult I've been out to Ocean City a few times. I hear a lot about some of the northern NJ beaches, or places like the Hamptons or along the NE shore including Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and on up into Maine.

I know that's hundreds of miles of shoreline but can anyone tell me about a vacation on one of these northern beaches versus what's in my mind as a typical beach vacation on the Outer Banks or Myrtle Beach. Are there differences in what there is to do, the vibe and so on. Are they more expensive or are they cheaper than southern U.S. beach vacations on average?

FWIW, we're well off by U.S. standards but not wealthy so we won't be staying at $10K/wk mansions in South Hampton.

Hamptons is very expensive, exclusive and beautiful. Rentals are crazy expensive, in laws owned a home there for many years, couldn't believe the rents they got! Ocean City, ehhh it's OK. Jersey has some nice beaches but the crowd doesn;t feel very sophsiticated but truth be told have only been twice.

Outer banks are lovely, have been a few times, the area near Duck is very nice and rentals are not cheap but less than Hamptons and the beaches are really beautiful. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I haven't been to Hilton Head in a long time but typically the southern beaches tend to be cheaper than those in NJ through Massachusetts. Rentals in the nicer NJ beaches go from something basic for a few thousand for the week to eight to ten thousand a week for beachfront.

[Anonymous]

Born in Neptune and still have family in Bradley Beach, Brick, and Wall. I personally love Point Pleasant, Avon by the Sea, and Sea Girt.

[Anonymous]

Know that every Cape Cod beach is truly different, and that you can NOT tell the difference by Googling them!

OBX has less to offer young children, IME.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. When I think of NJ I think of Snooki and company. Might need to check those areas out.

Stone Harbor and Avalon are more like Bethesda on the beach. They are much nicer than either Bethany or Rehoboth.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. When I think of NJ I think of Snooki and company. Might need to check those areas out.

Stone Harbor and Avalon are more like Bethesda on the beach. They are much nicer than either Bethany or Rehoboth.

+1

Ssssshhhhhh.

[Anonymous]

Long Beach Island!

[Anonymous]

To poster 19:04, shout out for Pete and Elda's! And love getting breakfast at the Pavilion before hitting the beach in Avon. I, too, grew up in that area and love those beaches. Sigh, when I think about what a house there cost 15 yrs ago vs now I could kick myself for not buying one ...
OP, from the DC area I'd stick to South Jersey beaches - Stone Harbor, Ocean City, Cape May. They are cute towns with white sand beaches (unlike a lot of New England beaches which are beautiful but rocky with cold cold water).

[Anonymous]

I'm a FL girl. Went to Newport, RI years ago and spent the time wrapped up in a towel due to the cold and stinging sand. Rocky beaches make for course sand which can really hurt on a windy day. The coast is beautiful and worth the trip to see the mansions. We had cocktails at the Breakers. Lots of events like wine and food festivals. Just wouldn't go for the beaches.

On the other hand, we ended up buying a house on the NJ shore, LBI. Felt like home. No boardwalk, just beautiful beaches and family-friendly. We moved from NJ, and still drive to the Jersey shore from DC. It is about a 4 hour drive.

[Anonymous]

If you like Southern beaches don't bother going North of New York for a beach vacation. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, etc. have charm, but the "beach" is not that great to hang out for swimming. My family has been to several Southern New Jersey beaches, Rehoboth & Lewes in Delaware, and OC Maryland. I think the water is too cold at all of them (unless it is 98+ outside) but I can at least wade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Know that every Cape Cod beach is truly different, and that you can NOT tell the difference by Googling them!

OBX has less to offer young children, IME.

I agree about OBX and toddlers. I posted a few days ago and folk got very upset and accused me of planning poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cape cod has gorgeous beaches but water is cold. Also think more "natural beauty" , including some rocky beaches.

Not the bay side (though this year, it is a bit chilly)

OP, think the bayside Dennis and/or Brewster beaches. Ocean's Edge in Brewster is a great place to stay with kids.