For those of you doubting Carolina Beach...

and for those of us who love the place....a little reassurance:

emediawire.com/releases/2007/7/emw543083.htm

For those of you doubting Carolina Beach...

Thank You.

I will be on vacation next month in Carolina Beach and looking forward to it. From the reviews Ive read and speaking with people I know who have been to the area, I see nothing wrong with going. This reassurance post confirms my choice with Carolina Beach.

Unlike some people who feel they have to post behind everyone%26#39;s comment about how bad a place is, for me is childish. Sorry you had a bad trip. Like one person posted, A vacation is what you make of it. And that comment is right on.

For those of you doubting Carolina Beach...

Amen!

I guess if you have not been to a 5star beach then Carolina Beach will be great for you all. Good Luck!

Trip Advisor has a forum so that people can voice their opinions on certain places (liked it or did not like it) and this is not childish. Sorry that some people can%26#39;t take a criticism. People will not be posting anything on this forum if it isn%26#39;t true (good or bad) based on their experience. This forum is to let future visitors make a decision on a place and it is entirely up to them if they want to pursue visiting a place they intend to. Again, this is not childish.

To future visitors at Carolina Beach, do yourself a favor and keep reading and re-reading prior postings on this forum and Goodluck!

bump

emediawire.com/releases/2007/7/emw543083.htm

Try Wrightsville Beach and Kure Beach first. Carolina Beach is in between these 2 nice beaches. Stay away from Carolina Beaches (especially the boardwalk).

If you have a reservation at Carolina Beach, make sure to go to www.googleearth.com first and type in the address and you can see where it is located. You can see the place where you are staying at beforehand. Pretty good tool to decided if future visitors want to go or not,

This is a great exchange of opinions on Carolina Beach. Our family spent a week in a lovely bayside cottage on the 900 block of Canal Drive last summer. While we had a wonderful time, we probably will not return. Let me try to explain. First of all, any future visitor should not be worried; you will have a nice time. As with most places, you will find diamonds in the rough. As one travels, one compares places with places previously visited. We so desparately wanted to love Carolina Beach, but we couldn%26#39;t. We are are from PA and are tired of the crowds and prices of the Jersey Shore. Yet there are some good reasons why the Jersey Shore is expensive and crowded (with considerable variability). The positives of Carolina Beach for us included the following: better deal on a vacation rental; the excitement of a new place; great beach; warm water; the Grind coffee shop; Britt%26#39;s Donuts; decent restaurant selection (and good quality); and plenty of activities nearby. The negatives for us are described next. Many areas of Carolina Beach feel densely packed with condos (the three and four story variety). Parts of N. Carolina Beach Avenue gave a sense of being in a city. There weren%26#39;t any sidewalks along Canal Drive and N. Carolina Beach Ave. in the vicinity of our house. Traffic moved along at a steady clip up and down these roads. While a bike lane is marked, it is very narrow. Bottom line: we did not feel comfortable having our children walk or bike to the beach or the town center of Carolina Beach. I also did not enjoy my bicycle rides around town. You had to very diligent navigating the streets. We%26#39;re just not used to that. For some, and for people with older kids, this is probably a non-issue. By the way, half-way through our week, my bike was stolen. That%26#39;s never happened before, and I was naturally miffed.

I can see how the town center of Carolina Beach is nostalgic for some. I%26#39;m sure the place looks different now than last year, as several buildings were being demolished during our visit. However, for our taste, the boardwalk area was mediocre at best. We had a sense that the area was to be redeveloped, a potential source of controversey among the locals. Again, we always have a good time wherever we go, it%26#39;s just that we%26#39;ve been to many better boardwalks and seashore communities (for our taste). However, Britt%26#39;s Donuts is special. Indulge in a donut and two, you%26#39;re on vacation! Nearby Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach have their own, unique feel and warrant a drive-through as well. Overall, our visit was satisfactory and memorable (in a positve sense), but the area didn%26#39;t have what it takes to lure us back.

Thank you for your honest insight about Carolina Beach.

Great article!

For the last few years, the town council has been nastily divided in how to proceed with the revitalization effort. But fortunately, this past November election cycle brought in a council that is ready to move forward and begin the long anticipated revitalization of CB. I suspect this summer, repeat visitors will see a notable change in the boardwalk/central business district as the town and business owners take the first steps towards sprucing up the area. Longer term, I foresee the entire area undergoing major transformations which will make CB a much sought after destination.

If you go to page 29 of the master development plan, you%26#39;ll see what the vision is for the downtown CB area. We should begin to see movement on this plan beginning this year. And it sure is going to be beautiful when it is completed ;-)

carolinabeach.org/site_new/…home_012.html

Oops, wrong link. Here is the correct link

carolinabeach.org/site_new/pages/documents/P…

A few questions...

My family has decided to go to Carolina Beach this year. July 19-27. After reading some of these reviews, I wanted to ask a few more questions. We are looking into the Sea Breeze house, Thru Blue Water Realty. Anyone know anything about either of these? We are not familiar with the area, don%26#39;t know what%26#39;s good or bad. We don%26#39;t need alot of attractions, just a clean beach, and a good place to eat. If you have any do%26#39;s and don%26#39;t, or any other info, I would appreciate it! Thank you!

A few questions...

I am not familiar with Blue Water Reality. I live in the area and never heard anything about them positve or negetive. Micheal%26#39;s Seafood in Carolina Beach is great for casual seafood. Freddie%26#39;s in Kure Beach is my favorite for a nice dinner out.

A few questions...

I checked out their website...that house is wonderful! (Great kitchen!) You will be at the northern end of Carolina Beach...a great and very quiet area! Close to the pier...so you can take walks up there and check out the fishermen. We used to rent a house in this area of the beach years ago..we LOVED IT!!

Lots of neat little resturants to check out (not sure of the exact names, but you can find them easily there)..Kate%26#39;s Pancake House...great for breakfast or lunch! Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar..behind Sand Dunes hotel...(across the street from Pops Ice Cream Stand)...both GREAT! Big Daddys Resturant in Kure Beach, Freddies Resturant....and you MUST try Squiggleys Ice Cream...very popular place!!

Hope this helps!

Thank you both very much!

The realty company won%26#39;t be honest about the beach conditions, they do not want to lose business. I would look at local newspapers for conditions and also call local businesses such as veterinary office, pizza shop, the will be honest with you about beach conditions, they have nothing to lose!!! I can tell you the government has to refurbish the beaches and it is a long and expensive process. They just redid this last year( check local Paper) I would try to get out of rental contract and go to Wrightsville Beach or Ocean Isle Beach. I have been going to North Carolina Beaches for 25 years and would never again visit Carolina Beach. One wave and your little ones will never get back in the water. My daughter who is now 15 and has been a going to the beach since she was 3, she couldn%26#39;t beleive how wicked the waves and the drop off were at Carolina Beach, last July. Good Luck!!! We are going back to Ocean Isle Beach this year

Obviously, the perspective on CB is quite different from person to person. I%26#39;m sure if the weather offshore was not cooperating, some folks had difficulty navigating the shoreline. But when the fronts are not baning off shore, the beach is delightful as it was when this poster visited.

Before she arrived, she obviously had misgivings:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g49004-i399-k13917…

And then her post trip report:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g49004-i399-k14486…

Amy 96, just make the phone calls to the locals and research the local papers, also check travel photos. I would hate to have another excited family be disapointed. It is expensive to stay at any beach a week, and you look forward to all year. If you have never been to the beach, then you will probably like Carolina Beach, but I had many beaches to compare. If I were you I would stay elsewhere and drive to Carolina Beach for a day, then you%26#39;ll understand completely. I have no money invested in this beach and I am giving you my honest opinion. Just read all the Carolina Beach postings on Trip advisor.

Hmmm - all sorts of advice on this topic. Choosing a ';beach'; based on wave is almost always a gamble most anywhere. The local papers will not tell you much (only if a huge escarpment has developed because of high wave activity), and travel photos are just a snapshot at one point in time and place. Beaches are constantly changing - they%26#39;re made of sand which, of course, moves. They%26#39;re typically steep in winter, mildly sloped as the summer progresses. Any tropical storm or nor%26#39;easter can drastically and quickly alter the beach face and the offshore shoals.

Carolina Beach (around the boardwalk area) has recently and frequently been much steeper in the summers than other beaches. Wrightsville Beach is usually less steep (due to renourishment projects), but there are times (and at certain tides) the drop-off is severe and waves pound the shore harshly there too. On either Beach one can often walk 100 yrs down the beach and find a good place to have kids play in the surf. All NC ocean beaches have rip current postings a couple times a year, but you won%26#39;t know in advance when. So there%26#39;s no absolutes.

WB has a better track record than CB for gentler waves at the shoreline, but it%26#39;s generally pricier to stay at WB, so it%26#39;s a trade-off. Atlantic Beach is a good alternative as well. I don%26#39;t have experience for comment on beaches south of Cape Fear though.

Best airport to use to access outer banks

I%26#39;m in the early stages of planning a family vacation to Outer Banks. We would like to fly into North Carolina and rent a car. Is Charlotte the best bet for us? I appreciate any words of wisdom!

Best airport to use to access outer banks

Hi, I think the closest airport is Norfolk, Va. My friends flew last year and this is where they had to land. They rented a van from there and drove over to the banks. We drove but they flew. You can either get one of the private planes to fly you to OBX from norfolk, you can rent a limo, a shuttle or rent a car/van for the week. I think they got a car trough enterprise. Please call either the Kill Devil Hills

(252) 480-1838

Or you could contact outerbanks visitors bureau to find out all the details. Hope this helps.

Best airport to use to access outer banks

Thank you. This does make sense. Of course I spent my morning looking for airfares to Charlotte (and got some great rates), but I%26#39;ll look at Norfolk now. I was planning on renting at the ariport...

Thanks again!

Some have foregone the Newport to OBX traffic for arriving at the Greenville, NC airport. The New Bern airport is another alternative. All depends on what rates you can get.

Now remember skybus.com as well. They don%26#39;t seem to have their schedules up for summer yet...at least not the last time I checked. But there is the potential of those $10 one way rates and the potential of their arriving in Charlotte and/or Greensboro. But, if that shedule isn%26#39;t up by the time you are prepared to book, you might want to go another way to be sure you get your preferred transportation.

Can we get there and back?

We are coming to Fayetteville on a Friday to visit our son. Flying out of Raleigh Sunday afternoon. Can we get to Hatteras, spend the night, and back in time for our flight? I have mileage markers on a map, ferry schedules, but NO idea if I am wedging too much into a weekend. TIA.

Can we get there and back?

Its doable but that would be a hectic weekend and I just don%26#39;t think it would be worth all the driving. Hatteras to Raleigh, without traffic, is about 4 1/2 to 5 hours.

If you are interested in staying at a beach location I would go toward Carolina Beach, or Wrightsville Beach. 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. to Raleigh.

Can we get there and back?

Yes, that would likely be a hectic weekend. If you a coming during the summer, the traffic on the Outer Banks can be awful, adding hours to a drive. You mentioned ferry schedules, if you are considering traveling from the south to Hatteras (via Ocracoke) that will actually take longer even though it%26#39;s a shorter distance. The area is beautiful but I think you probably need a bit more time to enjoy the trip.

email

outer banks vacation in July

We are planning a vacation to the shore south of DC, specifically the Outer Banks or Virginia Beach. We are planning on going in July (probably the first two weeks). Is there anything during that time of year that would negatively impact our vacation? I won%26#39;t mind heat and humidity, but I don%26#39;t like biting bugs! How bad are the mosquitoes and other biting flies? Are there greenheads or the equivalent(I live in MA, and you don%26#39;t want to go the beach in July because the greenheads are SO BAD)? What locations are best for our family -- mom, dad, and two active boys (13 and 11)? I%26#39;ll assume the water temperature is warm in July? Thanks for any help we can get!!

outer banks vacation in July

I would say Va beach I have encountered very few insects there, the outer banks has them but it depends on the wind if there is plenty you have no problem but if there is non they can become a nuisance and yes there are green heads and another called noseeums they just itch

outer banks vacation in July

Hi, it depends on where you stay. The sound side of the outerbanks would have more bugs. I haven%26#39;t come across any mosquitos at OBX. We have vacationed there for the last 4 years. It is a WONDERFUL area for families. It is for family units. Virginia beach is much more crowded and obnoxious. Alot more college age people at virginia. Not that it is a bad beach. It just depends on what you want. We like a nice family oriented area but with some things to do. We stay in Nags Head or kill devil hills. Mainly KDH. It has the most to do. you will find go karts, fishing pier, putt putt golf. Nags head has an outlet mall. I have not found a nicer family oriented beach than OBX. With 11 and 13 year old boys you will want to be in Kill devil area or Nags head. Make sure you eat at Outer banks brewing company. The food is SOOOO good. It doesn%26#39;t look all that from outside but inside it is so nice. The food is presented like the food network chefs would make. They start you off with a a boule bread and oil dip. It is a brewery but it is a restaurant with a brewery not a brewery/bar with food. :o) It is very family oriented as well. I hope this helps.

Thanks!! Very helpful info.

Most towns on the OBX have mosquito control once a week during the summer to keep the mosquito population down. It helps a lot.

We have vacationed in the OBX 6 out of the last 7 years (late August, the week before school starts). We always stay oceanfront or semi-OF. We have NEVER had a problem with mosquitos, unless you head soundside in the early evening. As long as the wind is coming from the surf side, there%26#39;s no worries. We stopped over once at VA Beach on the way down and did not enjoy the college/party atmosphere. I would recommend you try and find a house in South Nags Head. It%26#39;s close enough to all activities, but is located off the beaten path. The water is almost warm in late Aug, but seeing that you%26#39;re from MA, the water temperature should be just fine for you.

Our family goes to OBX each summer in July. We have never had a problem with bugs (there is always a nice breeze). Last year, I will say there were a few days where the wind was coming from the sound (we stayed in Kitty Hawk) and we did get bothered by little tiny black bugs (no see ums?) while we were at the pool. Other than that, never been a problem.

We enjoy both the OBX and VB. AT either place, depending on where you stay, you can ostensibly park your car and walk everywhere. Restaurants and shops might be closer to the hotel in VB and more nature preserved in OBX. Gigantic wide beaches in VB....wide beaches in OBX. Boardwalk in VB...seems like every weekend has an art show, wine thing, music, some kind of festivity. OBX, we find great times of quiet exploring the inner joy of family relationship. (Of course, one can also go to all the stores and golf, etc. on the OBX as well.) VB north and south ends are quieter.

Do remember trip insurance, as one would get anywhere when booking an expensive place several months in advance. Hurricanes and all.

Water temps are great. The OBX gets the gulfstream waters nearby.

Coming such a long distance already, the OBX isn%26#39;t too much further than VB. We go to Corolla usually and it%26#39;s 1 - 1 1/2 hours further drive, arriving during off hours.

Thanks for all of your replies!:)

Planning a return visit, this time with the grandparents

We had such a wonderful time in Carolina Beach last September that we are planning a return vacation this fall, and we%26#39;re bringing my father and stepmother with us. I talked to the realty company we rented from last year (Victory Beach Vacations -- highly recommend them by the way) and she mentioned that the recent Nor%26#39;easter did some damage along the beach. Can any of the locals give me more info on that? We%26#39;re torn as to which area of the beach to stay in this year.

Last year we stayed in a condo a bit south of the Mariott and just loved the area. The beach was fairly wide and very clean and definitely not crowded. During one of our many drives through the island we drove around the north end of the beach and found some of those areas to be incredibly crowded with house upon house upon house and some of it rather rundown. Were our impressions correct? We have found a stunning rental at the northern end of the beach but hesitate because of our first impression. I would hate to turn down a gorgeous rental if our opinion of the northern end is misguided. Can anyone describe the beach area north of the Marriott?

Our other alternative is a HUGE condo at Ocean Dunes in Kure Beach. It looks like a nice enough area, and fairly quiet. How is the beach there? Our kids loved the pier and arcade at Kure so we%26#39;re not ruling that out.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Planning a return visit, this time with the grandparents

maya..We stayed at Ocean Dunes 2 years ago and LOVED it! The beach area right in front of our condo and also to the south of us was perfect. Gently sloping, no erosion at all. However, just to the north of us the beach was terribly eroded. Basically no sand at all. (our condo number was in the 2000%26#39;s...so anything much lower might not be as nice) Ask whoever you are renting from about the beach in front of your condo.

Having said that...Ocean Dunes is a great resort. Very clean, nice pools (3), tennis courts, fitness center. Nice quiet area.

We also used to stay in a nice house in the northern end of Carolina years ago. Yes, some houses were run down even then..but it made no difference in our vacation at all. The beach was nice and not crowded. Nice walks in the morning over to the marina area and up to the pier.

Planning a return visit, this time with the grandparents

Thanks Beachlady. The Ocean Dunes condo we%26#39;re looking at is in the 1800s so I assume that%26#39;s fairly close to the one you stayed in??? It%26#39;s a very large resort so I%26#39;m not 100% sure of the layout. I will ask the realty company about the beach conditions there.

It%26#39;s nice to know you had a good experience at the northern end of Carolina Beach. I%26#39;m really torn as to which place to stay!

this works

Driving from New York/New Jersey to Charlotte

Hi

We are travelling to the US from Australia in June. We are going to stay in New York/New Jersey from 15 June until 23 June when we need to leave to head to Nashville booking in at the Grand Ole Opry on 30 June. So we have about a week to drive to Nashville. I want to go via Charlotte to visit and stay with friends for two nights.

I%26#39;m considering catching AMTRAK from New Jersey to Washington having one or two nights there and then hiring a car and driving to Charlotte and then onto Nashville.

Would like some help please with the following

Should we drive from New Jersey or take the train to Washington and drive from there. While my hubby will be driving I%26#39;m a bit scared of driving from New Jersey ... will the traffic just be too awful? Will it be any different leaving Washington?

What should we look at in Washington? After leaving Washington do you have any recommendations of what to do along the way.

Many thanks.

Driving from New York/New Jersey to Charlotte

If you drive from Washington to Charlotte the conventional way ( I-95 and I-85) there is little to see except a couple of Civil War battlefield sites. When you get to Winston-Salem, NC, there%26#39;s Old Salem ( check out their website). The most scenic route would be to drive over from D.C. to N. VA where the Blue Ridge Parkway begins and head south on that. Beautiful and leisurely drive.

What to see in D.C. ? Too much to recommmend! You%26#39;ll want to see the Smithsonian museums, but there are scores of others also. The Cathedral, The Capitol, The Zoo, etc... just pick up a guide book when you get there and buy a metro pass and take off! Or, you could buy a ticket on one of several tour company buses/shuttles that will let you get on and off frequently anf they will take you around to major sites and get you oriented. Getting around D.C. is easy- IF you take public transport - don%26#39;t drive.

Best wishes.