Calling all those who go to the Carolinas!
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jenloveseeyore · 07-25-2004, 03:30 PM

Hi everyone!

I am planning a trip to the Carolina coast for next June for my parents' 30th anniversary. There will be a total of six adults (my parents, DH and me, sis and her boyfriend) and we would like to rent a house.

I am looking for recommendations on where we should go (location-wise). We have never been to this area, so we are not sure what areas are nice. We are pretty laid back people and are looking for something not too commercial but not too rustic either.

Anybody had experiences with a coastal vacation in the Carolinas? What recommendations can you make?

Thanks!!

ncgal · 07-25-2004, 05:35 PM

Hello!

I live in NC and love the following beaches: Anywhere on the Outer Banks, Atlantic Beach, Topsail Beach, Wrightsville Beach. Feel free to ask any questions!

Good Luck!

jenloveseeyore · 07-25-2004, 06:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Hello!

I live in NC and love the following beaches: Anywhere on the Outer Banks, Atlantic Beach, Topsail Beach, Wrightsville Beach. Feel free to ask any questions!

Good Luck!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for your response!! Are these islands or still on the mainland? We want to make sure we can take a car or two there and I saw that one of the islands in southern NC is a "no auto" island.

Also, what types of things are there to do at those places you mentioned? Mini golf or anything like that? My husband likes to regular golf, and the rest of us like mini golf. I'm also assuming that there would be cottages/condos to rent in these locations? I am going to look on a map to try and find these places.

Thanks for the help!!

ncgal · 07-25-2004, 08:07 PM

The 'no car' place your are talking about is Bald Head Island. All of the places I mentioned you can take a car to! Actually I think all of them are 'islands' but not like you are thinking. They should all have mini golf and most likely regular golf too. Activities would include: the beach of course, mini-golf, shopping, seafood restaurants. If you go to Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle one of the North Carolina Aquariums is there. Also Beaufort and Swansboro which are both quaint towns aren't too far away (30 minutes max). I really like to go to Emerald Isle. You could definitely rent a house or condo at any place I have mentioned.

Here are some links:
http://www.crystalcoast.com/ for Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle
http://www.villagerealtyobx.com/ for Outer Banks
http://www.wrightsville.com/
http://www.topsail-realty.com/

Hope this helps!

AnnetteO · 07-25-2004, 10:05 PM

I have to say that my favorite beach to visit is Atlantic Beach?emerald Island as well. THere are many sites to see, a few golf courses, Historic areas (Beaufort, Fort Macon), Aquarium, a few Mini Golf complexes with Water Slides and Bumper Cars, but you have lots of cottages to choose from.

I would be happy to send you some information from some of the rental companies that you could contact directly. I am back and forth to Emerald Isle all summer and would be happy to send some brochures.

Just let me know!

Happymommy · 07-25-2004, 10:18 PM

We rented a home in Duck, NC in June 2002 and loved it. Its on the Outer Banks -- Cars travel in this area. I would not go south of Duck, but north of Duck is also nice. If you are interested in renting a house in the Outer Banks, try a company called ResortQuest. I believe its www.resortquest.com. They rent hundreds of homes in OBX alone (also Bethany Beach, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, lots of other places). They will send you a catalog of their homes, or you can look online. Next summer's homes / prices don't come out until 1st of September. The homes are very clean (maids come and clean homes before you arrive), pools are well maintained. I just feel very comfortable because you know what you are getting. They categorize the homes into bronze, silver, gold, platinum. It was just me, my husband and my then 2yo son. So we just rented a townhome which was a silver. It was very nice. Though I think next time will go with a small home that is gold or platinum because they usually have private pools / hot tubs. We had a community pool, but were just steps away from the beach. I love the Outer Banks, wish I could take 2 vacations every summer-- one to Disney and one to OBX.

Straitlover · 07-26-2004, 10:50 AM

Check out Emerald Isle Realty . This is who I usually rent from.

EI is a really nice area. It's not too busy, but there's enough to do. It is on Bogue Banks. BB is an east-west island w/ a bridge at each end connecting it to the mainland. At the oopsite end of the island is Atlantic Beach. It's a little more commercial than EI. has putt putt, a small amusement/carnival park (ferris wheel, bumper cars, etc) and is busier.

If you go here, be sure to check out the neighboring areas of Morehead City (esp the waterfront area), Beaufort and Swansboro. Another fun thing is taking the ferry boat over to Cape Lookout where the lighthouse is. Takes a good chunk of a day but is a nice trip. I think there's a ferry out of Beaufort, but we went up to Harpers Ferry and caught the one there. A new fun way to get there is this cool speed boat. It's birght yellow and it just flies! Can't remember the name of it; something like Shark Attack. We just did the harbor tour. You did go to Cape Lookout and back w/o getting off. You can do a separate tour where you get off and they come back later to pick you up. Discount coupons can be found everywhere.

Also check out the NC Aquarium at Salter Path and the Maritime Museum in Beaufort. At one time, the museum was running a boat tour to take you out to the wreck of the Queen Anne's Revenge, Backbeard's ship.

EDIT: forgot to mention Fort Macon at Atlantic Beach. If you have kids, they would enjoy this (adults, too).

Laura W. · 07-26-2004, 05:56 PM

We've been going to the Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms for 5 years now and we LOVE it! (www.wilddunes.com)
The resort is beautiful and there are accomodations for every budget. (we rent 37 Grand Pavillion) The main attraction is the golf courses there - but they have a wonderful (private) beach, many swimming pools, tennis courts, great childrens and teen programs - I could go on and on. Then - your a skip away from Charleston! The historic houses, the restaurants, the museams, and the shopping. And you must include at least one plantation per visit!
If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Laura

jenloveseeyore · 07-26-2004, 05:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
We rented a home in Duck, NC in June 2002 and loved it. Its on the Outer Banks -- Cars travel in this area. I would not go south of Duck, but north of Duck is also nice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi! Thank you to all for your responses! Happymommy, I was just wondering about why you said you wouldn't go south of Duck? Cleanliness, too crowded, too expensive? Just trying to get an idea of why I should stay north of there.

I am so excited about all the choices you sent. I am going to write everything down and do some research tonight, since I don't have a lot of work to do. I will definitely post more questions, and when we start to narrow things down, I may take some of you up on your offers to send some brochures.

Thanks again all!!

LisaJ · 07-27-2004, 01:36 PM

Depending on when you go, the Outer Banks area can be quite crowded.

I've heard good things about Emerald Isle, too.

I used to stay in a place called Salvo, but didn't care for it.

LisaJ · 07-27-2004, 01:40 PM

Laura - I just went to the Wild Dunes website. It's beautiful there. I think this is a must see on my next vacation. I really like that it is close to Charleston, too. The homes for rent are very pretty. Grand Pavillion 37 is gorgeous!

Laura W. · 07-27-2004, 03:08 PM

The first year we stayed at the Linkside villas and they were very nice (and less expensive than a house)
Also, some other websites like - www.dunesproperties.com and www.vrbo.com also rent out properties in Wild Dunes for much cheaper. But if you do that, make sure you understand if all the resorts amenities are included in your stay.

Laura

**HiddenMickey** · 07-27-2004, 03:12 PM

As a nearly native of NC, I've been to quite of few of our beaches. Personally, I prefer the beaches from the mid to southern portions of our state. The beaches of the Outer Banks to the north consist of larger bits of shells in the sand, not the white, soft sand a lot of people want at the beach. I even ripped open a hip on the sand when trying to bodysurf in Nags Head one year.

I would suggest the island that is home to Emerald Isle, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach for a nice area to try. There are several tourist attractions (aquarium, civil war fort, boat builders, etc in the area to visit if you want to do something). Also look into Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach in the southern part of the state. They are beaches for those who like peace and quiet and not much else (though it's an easy day-trip to the Myrtle Beach area). Also Topsail Island north of Wilmington is another nice quiet beach with lots of rentals.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want more information.
Personally, I love Bald Head Island for its remoteness and lovely beach. It could be quite expensive to stay on, but is beautiful and has lots of bike paths. Most homes come with golf carts for getting around and there are a few nice places to eat on the island.

blondie · 07-29-2004, 08:34 AM

We absolutely love going to the Charleston South Carolina area, and will be again this August on our way to Orlando. We usually stay in Mount Pleasant and are a hop skip and jump away from the beaches, historic plantations and beautiful Charleston. You can tour an aircraft carrier, go on a horse and buggy ride, take a boat ride out to the fort and all the other things a large city has to offer. However, Charleston does not feel like a large city and is very laid back. We also find it easy to get around, considering it's overall size. Hope you consider this in the future.

**HiddenMickey** · 07-29-2004, 09:55 AM

When I first read this an replied, I was thinking you were talking about NC. But, my all time favorite beach place is in SC.....Hilton Head Island. You must look into going there. Also, look at Kiawah Island as well. Both have a laid back feel, but there is plenty to do and see on the islands if you want to venture off the beach.

-HiddenMickey