outer banks v. virginia beach v. rehoboth

[Anonymous]

Well, you explained your problem. You had bad weather, which could happen to anyone. But you also did not plan out well your drive down there. That's on you.

[Anonymous]

Why is nobody talking about the Jersey Shore? We go to LBI (Long Beach Island) in under 4 hours. It is super family friendly and there is plenty to do. The beaches are nice and it has never been insanely crowded.

[Anonymous]

Ocean City is also more fun if you get a night out without the kids. Bring the grandparents or someone as a baby sitter, and head over to Seacrets ...

[Anonymous]

I've done all 3. Outer Banks is great if you're renting a house with a big group, because some of the rentals are really nice and cheaper than the beaches around DC or NY, and it's easier to get a house with a pool. But it took a long time to get there and back, and there really wasn't much to do. Virginia Beach and Ocean City have a more blue-collar feel than Rehoboth or Bethany, I thought, but there is a ton for kids to do, and that might be worth it. I personally love Rehoboth but their boardwalk only has rides in the arcades, not big outside ones like VB and OC. I find Bethany kind of dull, but that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ocean City is also more fun if you get a night out without the kids. Bring the grandparents or someone as a baby sitter, and head over to Seacrets ...

I would rather chew off my own arm than go to Seacrets, ever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6 hours? You must live in Woodbridge.

From DC, it took almost 9, and the last 1.5 were spent parked on that ridiculous two-lane road. Seriously -- I considered getting out and walking, because I would have reached the house faster.

And it rained 3 days straight, which in OBX means you're stuck in a big house watching TV and doing puzzles unless you want to return to that ridiculous two-lane road and sit in traffic just to wander through dumb shops and eat an overhyped $6 hot dog.

Do. Not. Get. OBX.

Nope, live in Arlington. Been going to there off and on for the past 10 years and it has always averaged 5-6 hours. You must not be timing it right or going a different route. I'll have to check out the other beaches mentioned since in your experience it never rains, there's no traffic and food is dirt cheap. Sign me up. And note, in my email I did not take the time to slam all the other beaches. Just responded to the question asking how long it takes to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 hours? You must live in Woodbridge.

From DC, it took almost 9, and the last 1.5 were spent parked on that ridiculous two-lane road. Seriously -- I considered getting out and walking, because I would have reached the house faster.

And it rained 3 days straight, which in OBX means you're stuck in a big house watching TV and doing puzzles unless you want to return to that ridiculous two-lane road and sit in traffic just to wander through dumb shops and eat an overhyped $6 hot dog.

Do. Not. Get. OBX.

Nope, live in Arlington. Been going to there off and on for the past 10 years and it has always averaged 5-6 hours. You must not be timing it right or going a different route. I'll have to check out the other beaches mentioned since in your experience it never rains, there's no traffic and food is dirt cheap. Sign me up. And note, in my email I did not take the time to slam all the other beaches. Just responded to the question asking how long it takes to get there.

I'm from Arlington, too (Arlington Ridge area), and I have had the same experience of a 5-6 hour drive.

[Anonymous]

If you leave for OBX super early it takes about 5 hours from NoVa and you're there to have lunch and relax. It takes 9-10 hours if you try to leave after 7am on a summer weekend, which is poor planning.

[Anonymous]

I've spent substantial time in all places.

OC is the trashiest of them all. Yes, Boardwalk is a kid draw. Rehobeth has a Boardwalk and is much nicer/quieter. OC is dirty with lots of drunks staggering around (I say this as someone not a teetotaler). Couldn't pay me to stay there for any length of time.

Rehobeth/Bethany are nice and a good mix of OBX/OC. There is the Boardwalk in Rehobeth. Restaurants are fun. It's definitely nicer than OC.

OBX is my favorite, even with small kids. We have gone the last few years with two families (all of whom have small kids) and we are never bored. Beach, house with pool, pony watching, "paint the ponies", shopping, restaurants (depending on where you are it may be a short drive), outlets (ditto previous comment), wine festivals . . . The beaches are clean and nice. There is a wide range in how remote you are and will feel among the towns. I like remote but understand others do not. It is very expensive and the traffic is bad (if you leave early, it is usually not a problem). However, we don't venture very far once we are there. We love it. Can't wait to go back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done all 3. Outer Banks is great if you're renting a house with a big group, because some of the rentals are really nice and cheaper than the beaches around DC or NY, and it's easier to get a house with a pool. But it took a long time to get there and back, and there really wasn't much to do. Virginia Beach and Ocean City have a more blue-collar feel than Rehoboth or Bethany, I thought, but there is a ton for kids to do, and that might be worth it. I personally love Rehoboth but their boardwalk only has rides in the arcades, not big outside ones like VB and OC. I find Bethany kind of dull, but that's just me.

Who wants to do stuff on a beach vacation? We go to the beach to chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is nobody talking about the Jersey Shore? We go to LBI (Long Beach Island) in under 4 hours. It is super family friendly and there is plenty to do. The beaches are nice and it has never been insanely crowded.

+1

Hooray for Ship Bottom, NJ!!!

[Anonymous]

I get it. OBX = big house + pool. You know why the big houses are there right? They say it is to rent to extended family, whatever. Do none of you know they are hit with hurricanes almost every year? The shacks on posts were not cutting it anymore and were blown down almost every season.

OP, if you want to go on "vacation", see the same sour faces you see here, and have nothing to do after driving six hours, then I can not tell you how to spend your money.

We actually do not have television at home PP. Not that it is any of your business. We probably employ you. Not for long.

OP, have a great vacation wherever you decide. If you are a decent, happy, successful person without a chip on your shoulder, I hope to run into you sometime!

[Anonymous]

LOOOVE NJ beaches. Some of the most beautiful on the east coast! Shhhhh....don't tell anyone here, we don't want it contaminated!

Honestly, I have no idea why anyone would want to drive further for lesser beaches? I thought people here were supposed to be smart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP who said Rehoboth is sleazy is hilarious.

+1
where did that come from? It's almost exclusively young families. Maybe PP was thinking of Dewey, which we avoid.

The Sleazy OP might be a homophobe.

[Anonymous]

ridiculous two-lane road

This is why I don't understand why anyone stays in Duck or even worse, Corolla. We've been to OBX half a dozen times, with friends, other couples and with family. We have always stayed in Nags Head which totally avoids this problem. There is plenty to do. We're in Chevy Chase and it always takes us less than 6 hours - leave early. What separates OBX from Rehoboth (which I grew up with and love) and the Jersey Shore (which my husband grew up with and loves) is that you can rent a house right on the beach so there is none of the schlepping of the beach stuff to and fro. I would never go down there and not have an oceanfront house, and those are just not available or if they are, remotely affordable, anywhere else that I know of. Never been to Virginia Beach.