Anonymous wrote:OP here--casting a wide net to get ideas. We're new to the DC area (from west coast) so trying to gather intel on all the options, then narrow from there. If easier, we'll be there with a 5 year old and an infant. We like water activities and will have friends and family visiting throughout the 2 weeks. Price wise, something under $2k would be great.

Go up to Cape Cod with kids that age and target a home to rent that is close to Mayflower or Bayview beach in Dennis. No undertow at all, and lots of shallow tidal pools. Very relaxing for parents. Ocean's Edge in Brewster, MA (also on the Cape) is a great place for families as well. You will find TONS to do just along 6A with your kids and you will get a very relaxing trip out of it.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any non-US recommendations? Perhaps in Caribbean or Mexico? Oh and any Key West options? Or should we avoid since we have young kids due to Zika?

You will have to change your budget

Does anyone have any non-US recommendations? Perhaps in Caribbean or Mexico? Oh and any Key West options? Or should we avoid since we have young kids due to Zika?

Cape Hatteras or Ocracoke Island.

Stone Harbor, NJ

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Anonymous wrote:I can't understand why anyone would brave 95 south to go to the outer banks when we have Delaware right here, 3 hours away. The OBX are nice, but NOT worth the drive. Never again.

If you leave early in the morning, 95 South isn't a problem. We leave around 4:30 a.m. and we fly right down 95. It's obviously a really early start, but the bonus is that we are on the beach in the OBX before noon. We also leave early when we return to DC, to avoid the traffic on 95 North.

I like Rehoboth too, and that drive is short enough for a weekend. We leave early for that drive as well.

You could leave at 6 AM and beat most of the traffic. It all depends on where you are starting from.

To the person that complains about driving everywhere, OBX is not Atlantic City, or Ocean City. People go to OBX to get quiet.

I think there's more than one PP complaining about driving. You know that OBX is quiet, and I know that it is, but OP is not from the east coast and might be expecting a happening beach town vibe. You don't really get that there. I actually don't care for the Atlantic City type tourist traps, but I'd still be bored after 2 weeks in OBX.

OP here--looking for a laid back beach vibe--think Malibu, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz (minus the boardwalk), or parts of Kauai. OBX is much more appealing to me than some of the DE places from what I've read. Looks like OBX has surfing, stuff for kids, and is really laid back. A relaxing and pretty place to be with the family and friends for 2 weeks.

You will be SO disappointed. It was recommended (heavily) to us as well. We went there one year, and I can unequivocably say it is one of the least attractive places I've ever been on a vacation. The beaches are "meh" at best, there isn't much to do, it tends to be crowded...just no.

It is NOTHING like Malibu, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz....or Encinitas, Carlsbad, Point Lomas, anything.
Go north or try Kiawah--much longer drive, but better. At least Charleston is interesting.

Which beach in OBX did you go to? Duck, Corolla, Swan?

+1 where was the beach crowded? Have fun finding a mid Atlantic beach that has less of a crowd

People always comment that there is nothing to do in OBX, other than a boardwalk, what does OBX lack that other beach towns offer?

Beach in Cape May is super crowded and really rocky. Very unpleasant. I prefer the Delaware beaches or the Outer Banks.

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Anonymous wrote:I don't like the actual beach in Cape May but the town is cute.

Which beach(es) do you like more?

Windsor beach in cape may is my favorite. You can watch the sun sink into the water and see the lighthouses.

and the beach boxes? No more schlepping stuff up and back every day. Brilliant.

I disagree about Cape May. There are some grand old houses (not on the beach) but the rest of the town is super ticky-tacky. All the beachfront hotels we walked past looked really rundown.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the actual beach in Cape May but the town is cute.

Which beach(es) do you like more?

Windsor beach in cape may is my favorite. You can watch the sun sink into the water and see the lighthouses.

and the beach boxes? No more schlepping stuff up and back every day. Brilliant.

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Anonymous wrote:Remote but on the beach
https://www.twiddy.com/outer-banks/4x4/swan-beach/rentals/tranquility/

Yuck

Why is this yuck? Just curious

Not the PP, but it looks unappealing. Cheap furniture, no decor, ugly house, no pool. As a general rule, I don't vacation anyplace that's not as nice (or nicer) than where I live. Not much of a vacation if it's not comfortable.

Okay, thanks. I agree it's very standard. I was just wondering if I missed something that was obviously disgusting.

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Anonymous wrote:I can't understand why anyone would brave 95 south to go to the outer banks when we have Delaware right here, 3 hours away. The OBX are nice, but NOT worth the drive. Never again.

If you leave early in the morning, 95 South isn't a problem. We leave around 4:30 a.m. and we fly right down 95. It's obviously a really early start, but the bonus is that we are on the beach in the OBX before noon. We also leave early when we return to DC, to avoid the traffic on 95 North.

I like Rehoboth too, and that drive is short enough for a weekend. We leave early for that drive as well.

You could leave at 6 AM and beat most of the traffic. It all depends on where you are starting from.

To the person that complains about driving everywhere, OBX is not Atlantic City, or Ocean City. People go to OBX to get quiet.

I think there's more than one PP complaining about driving. You know that OBX is quiet, and I know that it is, but OP is not from the east coast and might be expecting a happening beach town vibe. You don't really get that there. I actually don't care for the Atlantic City type tourist traps, but I'd still be bored after 2 weeks in OBX.

OP here--looking for a laid back beach vibe--think Malibu, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz (minus the boardwalk), or parts of Kauai. OBX is much more appealing to me than some of the DE places from what I've read. Looks like OBX has surfing, stuff for kids, and is really laid back. A relaxing and pretty place to be with the family and friends for 2 weeks.

You will be SO disappointed. It was recommended (heavily) to us as well. We went there one year, and I can unequivocably say it is one of the least attractive places I've ever been on a vacation. The beaches are "meh" at best, there isn't much to do, it tends to be crowded...just no.

It is NOTHING like Malibu, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz....or Encinitas, Carlsbad, Point Lomas, anything.
Go north or try Kiawah--much longer drive, but better. At least Charleston is interesting.

Which beach in OBX did you go to? Duck, Corolla, Swan?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't understand why anyone would brave 95 south to go to the outer banks when we have Delaware right here, 3 hours away. The OBX are nice, but NOT worth the drive. Never again.

If you leave early in the morning, 95 South isn't a problem. We leave around 4:30 a.m. and we fly right down 95. It's obviously a really early start, but the bonus is that we are on the beach in the OBX before noon. We also leave early when we return to DC, to avoid the traffic on 95 North.

I like Rehoboth too, and that drive is short enough for a weekend. We leave early for that drive as well.

You could leave at 6 AM and beat most of the traffic. It all depends on where you are starting from.

To the person that complains about driving everywhere, OBX is not Atlantic City, or Ocean City. People go to OBX to get quiet.

I think there's more than one PP complaining about driving. You know that OBX is quiet, and I know that it is, but OP is not from the east coast and might be expecting a happening beach town vibe. You don't really get that there. I actually don't care for the Atlantic City type tourist traps, but I'd still be bored after 2 weeks in OBX.

OP here--looking for a laid back beach vibe--think Malibu, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz (minus the boardwalk), or parts of Kauai. OBX is much more appealing to me than some of the DE places from what I've read. Looks like OBX has surfing, stuff for kids, and is really laid back. A relaxing and pretty place to be with the family and friends for 2 weeks.

You will be SO disappointed. It was recommended (heavily) to us as well. We went there one year, and I can unequivocably say it is one of the least attractive places I've ever been on a vacation. The beaches are "meh" at best, there isn't much to do, it tends to be crowded...just no.

It is NOTHING like Malibu, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz....or Encinitas, Carlsbad, Point Lomas, anything.
Go north or try Kiawah--much longer drive, but better. At least Charleston is interesting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remote but on the beach
https://www.twiddy.com/outer-banks/4x4/swan-beach/rentals/tranquility/

Yuck

Why is this yuck? Just curious

Not the PP, but it looks unappealing. Cheap furniture, no decor, ugly house, no pool. As a general rule, I don't vacation anyplace that's not as nice (or nicer) than where I live. Not much of a vacation if it's not comfortable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remote but on the beach
https://www.twiddy.com/outer-banks/4x4/swan-beach/rentals/tranquility/

Yuck

Why is this yuck? Just curious

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the actual beach in Cape May but the town is cute.

Which beach(es) do you like more?