Chincateague and Assateague would be my suggestion. Quiet, wild ponies, cute little museum, candy shops, lots of seafood, small town vibe.
You can drive to OCMD and the MD side of Assateague easily. DC is about 3 hrs away.
I second this. We go to Chincoteague/Assateague every year. It’s so quiet and calm. There are a few places on the island where you can crab fish without a license. Lots of museums and food. Depending on when you’re there, you could also catch a rocket launch from Wallops Air Force base. Plus activities for adults and kids. Last year we all (me, husband and 7 year old) all kayaked for the first time and had a blast. The beach is a wildlife reserve so it is very clean, and I’ve never in the past 8 years met a disrespectful person on that beach. Most everyone cleans up after themselves and are very nice.
You won’t get very close to the ponies on the VA side of Assateague (they are corralled away from visitors), but the MD side is only about 45 minutes away and the ponies roam free there. It’s also pretty clean and has some fun National Park things to do.
I don't really have a ton of experience. The beaches that I have been to have been on Long Island which seems too hard to get to. I've driven past ones in Maine, but during peak beach season they appeared crowded. We've done Cape May (before kids). In the Carolinas we've done Myrtle Beach which is very touristy- no my cup of tea. And recently Bald Head Island which was very quiet and a bit isolated because it is a ferry ride. We've done Hilton Head but not the actual beach because we spent more time in Savannah that trip.
You probably won't find less than a week rental in the OBX. Even through AirBnB type. Before we owned, I looked for a long weekend in late October and couldn't find anything that wasn't $$$ or required a full week. Hotels "might" be easier, but then you're in a hotel.
Our across the street neighbor rents her ground floor through AirBnB, but it's full weeks only.
OBX is not a fun drive from DC, FYI. I would say at least 5 hours to the end of the bridge, then however long to your rental.
We like a quieter beach, which is why some of the Carolina beaches have been good for us. We don’t need things to do other than the beach. Maybe a restaurant or two. We also prefer an area with low rise condos and houses, not huge hotels/condos.
Kids will be 10 and 7.
I love the beaches on the more southern parts of the Outer Banks, NC. We've stayed primarily in Avon and Hatteras. There are a few putt putt places and a handful of small restaurants, but otherwise it's houses and quiet, GLORIOUS, beaches.
Jersey shore is for convenience. I would not drive from Chicago to spend time there (sorry).
I've always wanted to do Chincoteague/Assateague with my kids. But otherwise I'd probably stick with the Carolinas.
We do Chicago to Jersey shore every year. I grew up going to Ocean City, NJ and Stone Harbor/Avalon. I love Cape May, especially the cute (free) zoo.
NJ people either love or hate Wildwood. I'm not a fan. I frequently refer to the Wisconsin Dells as the Wildwood of the midwest.
I loved Assateague Island in MD when I was your kids' age. We'd camp there with Girl Scouts and the wild horses roaming the beaches were so, so cool to see as a kid.
Post by redheadbaker on Jun 20, 2022 15:53:24 GMT -5
I loved going to Wildwood when I was growing up, but we took DS in 2020, and it was ground zero for Trump fans. Every other family on the beach and every other shop on the boardwalk had a Trump flag.
Jersey shore is for convenience. I would not drive from Chicago to spend time there (sorry).
I've always wanted to do Chincoteague/Assateague with my kids. But otherwise I'd probably stick with the Carolinas.
We do Chicago to Jersey shore every year. I grew up going to Ocean City, NJ and Stone Harbor/Avalon. I love Cape May, especially the cute (free) zoo.
NJ people either love or hate Wildwood. I'm not a fan. I frequently refer to the Wisconsin Dells as the Wildwood of the midwest.
I loved Assateague Island in MD when I was your kids' age. We'd camp there with Girl Scouts and the wild horses roaming the beaches were so, so cool to see as a kid.
Wildwood is the northeast Philly of NJ beaches. And I say this as a NEPhilly native 🤣.
We go to Long Beach Island, NJ. Very quiet, tiny little amusement park for the kids, beautiful beaches. Surfing if you’re into that. And this is the location of the actual shark attacks that inspired Jaws.
Our family loves Bethany Beach, DE! Cute and family-friendly, and a short drive to Dewey/Rehoboth Beach or Ocean Coty, MD if you want something more to do.
Where do you stay when here? We like Bethany also but have only stayed at sea colony which my H does not want to do anymore.
We actually stay at Sea Colony too, but we go with extended family and rent a townhouse back on the tennis side (rather than one of the buildings right on the beach).
Where do you stay when here? We like Bethany also but have only stayed at sea colony which my H does not want to do anymore.
We actually stay at Sea Colony too, but we go with extended family and rent a townhouse back on the tennis side (rather than one of the buildings right on the beach).
This is where our house is too. I love sea colony for the easy walk to the beach and the pools but I can see how one might want more…nightlife 😂
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
We actually stay at Sea Colony too, but we go with extended family and rent a townhouse back on the tennis side (rather than one of the buildings right on the beach).
This is where our house is too. I love sea colony for the easy walk to the beach and the pools but I can see how one might want more…nightlife 😂
He actually thinks it’s a little too busy on the condo side and right after we stayed there once is when the condo in Miami collapsed and it was built by the same builder or had similar design or something and so he said never again.
This is where our house is too. I love sea colony for the easy walk to the beach and the pools but I can see how one might want more…nightlife 😂
He actually thinks it’s a little too busy on the condo side and right after we stayed there once is when the condo in Miami collapsed and it was built by the same builder or had similar design or something and so he said never again.
Ah, well the non-condo side (west side, tennis side) is better anyway
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Post by wanderlustmom on Jun 21, 2022 5:10:30 GMT -5
It is definitely farther afield but my favorite beach is Kiawah outside of Charleston. It’s quiet, serene and lush. Can’t say enough about how much we love it
Post by karinothing on Jun 21, 2022 7:27:15 GMT -5
I live in DC and we always go to the OBX and stay in Duck. I find duck to be somewhat quiet as in the beach isn't too crowded (there is only ever one row of people, if that makes sense). There are no public beaches in Duck so it stays pretty calm. Restaurants can be crowded but we haven't ever had an issue with reservations for the larger places and the smaller places we just walk in. We are going to Maine during our normal beach week this summer but decided we couldn't pass up on a beach vacation so we found a 4 day rental over labor day weekend on VRBO. You can generally find non 7 day rentals if you are looking at apartments/condos vs. houses.
Warning about the OBX though. The water can be rough it is not a gentle beach. Pay attention to the flag warnings. My kids still wear life jackets there at 10 and 6 (and the 10 yr old is a very strong swimmer).
I have heard good things about top sail too.
We have been to VA beach and it is not quiet or calm. Lined with hotels and fighter jets buzz the beach It is an experience but not the one you are looking for. I have also been to Assateague and it was gorgeous and quiet but we only camped there.
Post by HoneySpider on Jun 21, 2022 8:06:55 GMT -5
I grew up in Central NJ so the beaches I went to the most were Belmar, Avon, Manasquan, etc. Avon was my favorite for just going to the beach because although there's a boardwalk, there's not much there - people are there for the beach only so it's quieter. But, you're close to a lot if you want to go do something. Our go-to for boardwalk games, rides, etc is Point Pleasant.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Jun 21, 2022 8:34:28 GMT -5
I grew up going to Florida beaches, which are similar to beaches in the Carolinas in a lot of ways. Then I went to Rehoboth *once* -- I was absolutely in shock at how busy it was. I'd never seen anything like it -- you were *right next* to everyone else. I felt like if we'd gotten there later in the day, we wouldn't have been able to find somewhere to even put a towel down. Not that you shouldn't go, but just be aware that if you're used to beaches where when you arrive you make sure to put at least 10-20 feet between your spot and where anyone else is, you'll have a very different experience!
From DC, I'd either go up to New England or Chincoteague/Assateague.
I find people define the ideal beach based on what they grew up on/are used to. If Carolina equals the beach to you, do that.
My grandparents lived on a private beach in Cape Ann, MA which kind of spoiled me. I still judge all beaches for sugar sand and space away from others. The first time my dad took us to Wildwood NJ I was horrified by the sheer amount of humanity and honky-tonk. It's the Blackpool of NJ.
I still like Cape Ann's beaches, but its north of the Gulf Stream and cold. In NJ, I like LBI, Avalon/Stone Harbor and Cape May. Water is warmer here than MA, but still chilly and the currents are tough.
In DE, Rehoboth is nice and really no worse to get to than OCMD from DC IMO. Both take longer than they should, especially on the weekend. I'm not wild about Bethany; it has a sort of manufactured feel that reminds me a bit of The Grand Strand in SC. So many high rises and new construction. DE has some lovely state park beaches. I don't care for OCMD at all. It has all of the downsides of Wildwood with an inconvenient drive from everywhere and the food seems to be pretty mediocre. My parents retired to the area, so I have been many, many times. Assateague is amazing-- especially if you're camping. Words to the wise 1) there are hot showers in the restrooms on the state park side but not at the national park campsites and 2) there is an unofficial nude beach in a remote area north of the national park group (scouts and church groups, mostly) camping area at times.
My BIL lives near North MB. His area is OK because the tiny town has a private beach, but the rest of the area is lots of high-rises and beach concessions that make accessing the water from your own towel almost impossible. I was surprised how good some of the food we had was-- especially the high end dinners and big breakfasts.
Post by fivechickens on Jun 21, 2022 10:27:48 GMT -5
My dad used to take my brother and I to Nagshead/Duck NC. I have so many fond memories of that place. Swimming in the ocean, walking on the pier, crabbing in the sound (then returning the crabs to the sound because I cried when my stepmom went to cook them), shopping at Ben Franklin’s, the restaurants… man I want to go back. It has been years and years since I have been there so a lot has probably changed but I will always recommend it.
Post by simpsongal on Jun 21, 2022 10:56:41 GMT -5
I grew up at the Jersey Shore - it has everything and every vibe, just pick the right beach/town. If you do LBI, make a day trip to the Popcorn park zoo. And be aware the water is quite cold up until August. You can buy a wet suit for the kids, but it's a bit of a shock if you're used to the Carolinas.
Cape May is one of my favorite places ever - it books up SUPER fast though, very hard to find rentals. I'm checking out the Golden Isles of Georgia this summer, I'll report back but i've heard good things.
I grew up in Maryland and now we love Rehoboth. It has a cute little town with shops and restaurants as well as a nice beach. My kids LOVE the little Funland amusement park on the boardwalk.