Traffic will not be quite as bad and prices drop significantly in late August. Duck and Corrola are very nice as is Hatteras. Take a look at the agencies people suggested. It's very easy to search most of the websites.

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Thanks everyone. Sounds like we are not going to like Sea Colony. The idea of high rise condos on the beach does not appeal to me, coming from a childhood of New England beaches. How long is the drive to OBX in the last week of August? And how do you find rentals without knowing the area?

Most houses rent through agencies. Find one you like (we use Hatteras realty bc we stay as far South as we can get). You'll find photos & house info, and then you reserve online. Most of the island is less than a mile across, so anything will be close to the beach. We like sound side for little kids, but surf side is great, and you'll find lots of houses with pools. Hatteras realty also has a "club" with a pool & some organized activities, though we've never used them. You can also have gear like kayaks & paddle boards delivered to your house during your stay.

Why not go to Cape Cod?

OP -- in the OBX, I recommend looking in the Town of Duck or Corolla. Twiddy has rentals in both. Corolla Classic Vacations also has nice homes. Georgetown Sands are nice townhomes in Duck -- should fit your budget.

I second the suggestion to look for a Sunday rental at OBX.

OP search some threads for OBX. There is lots of advice but the bottom line is this: You need to leave the DC area BY 5:00 or 5:30 AM and head down to OBX to avoid traffic nightmares. You'll be down there likely before your rental is ready to check in. Pack some suits and go to one of the public beaches, (there are several) or go shopping/eat an early lunch. You want to be well south of DC by 6 am. We do this every year and it's not a bad drive.

OP here: Thanks everyone. Sounds like we are not going to like Sea Colony. The idea of high rise condos on the beach does not appeal to me, coming from a childhood of New England beaches. How long is the drive to OBX in the last week of August? And how do you find rentals without knowing the area?

It's a pretty big difference. We have done both. Sea Colony is crowded, really crowded at the beach. But, they have way more activities and pools and stuff to do. More restaurants and bars.

OBX is way more relaxing and quiet, but less or no organized activities. Not too much to do - restaurants are sparse so they are crowded and many people cook in their beach houses.

Most people prefer one or the other, for those reasons.

Sea Colony looks like a bunch of prison buildings.

I think for $2500 a week, an oceanfront place will be pretty shabby.

We have done both. One summer we couldn't find the time to get down to the outer banks so we did a few days at sea colony.

While sitting on the beach I look to my left, I se a sea of people. I look to my right, I see a sea of people. I look forward and sea the sea full of people.

The next year we get back to the outer banks, I look to my left I see sand and the closest family 20 yards away. I look to my left and see more sand and the closest family 30 yards away. I look forward and see nothing but the waves rolling in and the sounds of the birds and waves crashing.

The last week of August is less expensive in the Outer Banks. Should be less traffic too. If you can, get a Friday or Sunday rental instead of Saturday. It's very easy to find a house rental. There are tons of companies. We've used Twiddy and Southern Shores but there are plenty of others.

I have been to both. My brother (lives in NYC) and his family rented a condo at Sea Colony. I wasn't impressed by the lodgings. The Outer Banks has plenty of rentals right on the beach. The beaches are nicer further south and much better for surfing or kite surfing ( my husband does both). I would recommend OBX. We usually go there every summer.

Sea Colony Oceanside doesn't get very noisy at night - you are elevated and the beach is private. Edgewater has a large plaza in front and may get extra noise. On Thursdays they have a marshmallow roast with music in front of Georgetown but I never thought it was especially loud. I would say Island is the quietest, and Edgewater the loudest.

The difference between the two must also highlight the torturous drive down to OBX vs Bethany. BIG difference.

Some people love Sea Colony but I am not one. Lots of people. Big condo buildings right on the beach as opposed to houses on the beach. That said they do have the kid activities you are looking for.

I much prefer the Outer Banks - much more peaceful there. You can get a house on or very near the beach and there is plenty to do for kids, though I think you'd have to check with the particular town in which you are staying to see if there are organized kids activities. An alternative is to sign your kids up for lessons like surfing (http://khkss.com/corolla-surf-camp/) horse back riding or something similar.

If you like Cape Cod then I think the Outer Banks will please you.

I've posted two other times on this board b/c I'm trying to plan our first "immediate family only" summer vacation for our family of four (2 girls 8 and 10). We are from NE so I spent summers as a kid at Cape Cod and more recently went to the Cape or NH/Maine with extended family. We have been to Rehobeth and didn't love the crowds and boardwalk. Would like to rent a beach front house or condo that also has access to a pool - doesn't have to be completely quiet like a private beach in Wellfleet but we don't want huge noise at night and huge crowds. We are traveling last week of August and would like to spend less than $2,500.

We are thinking of Sea Colony, and know nothing about the Outer Banks (and where to find rentals). How do the two areas compare? Are there organized kids activities offered at Sea Colony or in any of the communities in OBX?

thanks!