Holding off on booking anything until probably next month (Waiting to gauge COVID reopenings), but I wanted to ask you all what are the best beaches in NC or SC preferably with a boardwalk. Anything outside of OBX I figured there are enough Carolinians on here to get a good suggestion.

Side note: It be a family trip with my wife and kids.

I'm from Holden Beach originally and while it doesn't have a boardwalk it's a good family beach so I'd recommend that. A few restaurants and generally less crowded than Carolina or Wrightsville. About an hour up the road from Holden, Carolina Beach has a boardwalk that is pretty touristy but Britt's Donuts is the main draw there. There are plenty of places to stay there and it's way more affordable than Wrightsville although Wrightsville is more upscale. Coming from the position of someone who has lived at the beach all his life I don't have the perspective of a tourist, so someone will probably be able to answer it better than me.

surf city/topsail and emerald isle have been favorites of our. The outer banks has the most attractions for a short drive. Wilmington can be nice. The downtown has nice areas to walk by the water. The shops are traps. Moorheadcity/beaufort/atlantic beach area is nice. Only Wilmington as a long boardwalk. Some of the smaller cities have short boardwalk like areas but nothing really significant.

Agreed with Carolina Beach. You can’t go wrong there, and Britt’s Donuts are worth the trip in itself. Plus Wilmington is nearby so you can make a day trip there if you’d like.

appdaze wrote: ↑

Wed May 20, 2020 12:10 pm

surf city/topsail and emerald isle have been favorites of our. The outer banks has the most attractions for a short drive. Wilmington can be nice. The downtown has nice areas to walk by the water. The shops are traps. Moorheadcity/beaufort/atlantic beach area is nice. Only Wilmington as a long boardwalk. Some of the smaller cities have short boardwalk like areas but nothing really significant.

Surf City is open for business right now, with the 2-3 restaurants open for takeout. However there are some rental restrictions still in place. Public parking is open and free (from what my in laws said - they have a house there).

I think Emerald Isle is the prettiest beach in NC. South facing so you can get both sunrise and sunset and close to Beaufort which is worth a day trip to see the waterfront. Nice aquarium in neighboring Pine Knoll shores. EI town is lacking but it's got a Dairy Queen so that's enough for me. Couple surf shops and good restaurants too.

beav910 wrote: ↑

Wed May 20, 2020 11:59 am

I'm from Holden Beach originally and while it doesn't have a boardwalk it's a good family beach so I'd recommend that. A few restaurants and generally less crowded than Carolina or Wrightsville. About an hour up the road from Holden, Carolina Beach has a boardwalk that is pretty touristy but Britt's Donuts is the main draw there. There are plenty of places to stay there and it's way more affordable than Wrightsville although Wrightsville is more upscale. Coming from the position of someone who has lived at the beach all his life I don't have the perspective of a tourist, so someone will probably be able to answer it better than me.

I've been going to Holden since I was a kid! My grandmother has a house on the Island. I've been twice since the Pandemic started. Good thing ProCo was still doing takeout.

Cherry Grove in SC is a really great family spot. It still has a lot of houses for rent. No boardwalk but you want miss it. Easy driving distance to the shopping and such in Myrtle Beach but removed from the huge condos and hotels. Very close as well to Calabash and Little River N.C. Both have some good eats. Great beach with a couple of piers and a family atmosphere. Also very close to OD in North Myrtle Beach. This is sort of like a boardwalk area. If go the SC route I would also suggest an evening in Muriels Inlet, an old fishing town that’s now full of good restaurants and a really cool atmosphere.

Gonzo wrote: ↑

Wed May 20, 2020 1:55 pm

beav910 wrote: ↑

Wed May 20, 2020 11:59 am

I'm from Holden Beach originally and while it doesn't have a boardwalk it's a good family beach so I'd recommend that. A few restaurants and generally less crowded than Carolina or Wrightsville. About an hour up the road from Holden, Carolina Beach has a boardwalk that is pretty touristy but Britt's Donuts is the main draw there. There are plenty of places to stay there and it's way more affordable than Wrightsville although Wrightsville is more upscale. Coming from the position of someone who has lived at the beach all his life I don't have the perspective of a tourist, so someone will probably be able to answer it better than me.

I've been going to Holden since I was a kid! My grandmother has a house on the Island. I've been twice since the Pandemic started. Good thing ProCo was still doing takeout.

Nice! I was just there last weekend surfing tropical storm Arthur. And yeah ProCo is the shit. I'm 28 but it seems like it's changed so much from even when I was younger. The Causeway is completely different.

I'd recommend Ocean Isle.

Just curious, why the objection to OBX?

IOP, Kiawah, Hilton Head, and Murrells Inlet were the usual destinations for my family when I was younger. Oddly enough I didn't make it to an NC beach until I was in college.

If you were a TApp regular you'll be able to find Solle working down on Folly.

Grew up going to SC beaches—my favorite for low-key family trips is Edisto, though I love Sullivan’s, IOP, and Folly for proximity to Charleston. We went to Pawleys a fair bit thanks to a family friend, but houses are pricey and public access is rare. I also like the beaches down around Beaufort (SC), where my grandparents lived when I was growing up.

Having said all that, we go to Holden now that we have kids and live in NC. Quintessential beach vacation spot. We’ll be there in a few weeks. It’s actually perfect for the current weirdness—spacious beaches with plenty of access so the crowds are distributed, and the only places we typically eat out are ice cream places and Provision. It’s best suited for people seeking days on the beach, bike rides, etc.

Appstrong wrote: ↑

Wed May 20, 2020 2:38 pm

Just curious, why the objection to OBX?

Just wanting somewhere new that we've never been. I love OBX. Nothing against it at all.

Carolina Beach is small enough to be considered old school atmosphere but has nice hotels, good food and family friendly. Bring your own bikes or rent when you arrive. Lots of quiet streets to ride just off the main drag. Also has a new, wide boardwalk and Britts donuts just a few steps away. Hurricane Alley on the boardwalk features rooftop dining and drinks, and has been expanded . Open for take-out and may be open when you go. Food Lion and Publix.

Check this...

https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRen ... -carolina/

And this for a bit of a twist...

https://www.visitnc.com/coast

Our family has had a preference for Wrightsville, Kure and south of the border at OD since the 50s. Many other great choices available!

I retired to Little River. I go to Cherry Grove. I also like Sunset Beach NC. Not sure it is open. Ocean Isle Beach NC is nice and is open.

I was a lifeguard at NMB and have a place in Crescent, so I am biased. If I were taking small children and IF you enjoy swimming in the ocean, NMB and especially the Crescent area has the flattest nicest beach and ocean swimming areas. Long slow slope into the ocean. As you can tell from my previous comments, I am a beach bum and love the beach and ocean. I hate how much the city part of NMB has grown. The latest strip mall with TJMax and Ross hurt me. SUNSET is really a little better but it is too expensive for me. I don't think Sunset has ever been replenished.