Favorite North Carolina beaches

[phaedrus]

Anyone care to share their favorite spot on the NC coast? My girlfriend is coming to visit next week, and barring any approaching hurricanes, I'd like to head out to the ocean for a couple days. The only beach I've been to in North Carolina is Wrightsville; seemed pretty nice, but I'd like to consider something else. Proximity to Durham (4 hr drive or less) is key.

[CameronBornAndBred]

You can get to our beach, either Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle, in under 3 hours from Durham now that Clayton is bypassed. It's not as high-brow as some of the other ones in the state, and I live here, so it's my preference. Plus you have Beaufort, which is great for a cultural day out. All within 15 minutes of each other.

[jimbonelson]

Anyone care to share their favorite spot on the NC coast? My girlfriend is coming to visit next week, and barring any approaching hurricanes, I'd like to head out to the ocean for a couple days. The only beach I've been to in North Carolina is Wrightsville; seemed pretty nice, but I'd like to consider something else. Proximity to Durham (4 hr drive or less) is key. i always enjoyed going to kure beach

[devildeac]

i always enjoyed going to kure beach

We live in Raleigh and now enjoy Topsail, about 2 hours and 15 minutes away. We also like the OBX, Emerald Isle (the whole island), Wrightsville, Kure/carolina area and Bald Head, though it's a pain to get to with ferry connections.

[roywhite]

For a change of pace, consider the Outer Banks. This would be at the upper end of your travel time, though the roads (basically Route 64) are good now.

Nags Head and Kitty Hawk are interesting; you can also see the Wright Brothers Museum. Many great seafood restaurants, Owens in Nags Head is my favorte.

[pamtar]

Just go back to Wrightsville. I've been to every beach in this state hundreds of times and nothing beats the WB. Its the only beach where there is actually something to do after you get done bronzin'. Did I really just say that.

Anywho, its the best. Negro Modelo will get ya...

[wilson]

Everybody knows that the beach is in South Carolina.

[billybreen]

Everybody knows that the beach is in South Carolina.

Word life.

As for NC beaches, I've only ever been to Bald Head, so I'm probably not qualified to compare. But I grew up on the Isle of Palms, Sullivan's, and Hilton Head, so SC is home.

[ForeverBlowingBubbles]

no joke, on bald head island I saw a police golf cart chasing a drunk guy on a golf cart. Everyone look out, high speed golf cart chase!!

[summerwind03]

This is timely, as we're trying to figure out where we'd like to go for our vacation the week of Sept 22. I would really like to go somewhere where there's likely to be some warm/hot days. My husband would like to go to Maine! But would also consider the NC beaches. We'll have our 3 year old with us.

[Papa John]

Anyone care to share their favorite spot on the NC coast? My girlfriend is coming to visit next week, and barring any approaching hurricanes, I'd like to head out to the ocean for a couple days. The only beach I've been to in North Carolina is Wrightsville; seemed pretty nice, but I'd like to consider something else. Proximity to Durham (4 hr drive or less) is key.

My wife and I honeymooned in the northern Banks and went there for a number of years after until we moved from NC... It's pushing your 4-hour limit, but I recall it being a little quieter up there [if that's what you're looking for]... We honeymooned in Sanderling and Duck, which provides relatively close/easy access to the activities in Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills... Corolla is a bit further up but also nice... The beaches up there are smaller, less impressive, and steeper than what you'll find in the southern banks and in SC, but we were always looking primarily for a quiet getaway with great dining [there are some truly amazing restaurants in the area up there], so the northern banks fit the bill...

[captmojo]

This is timely, as we're trying to figure out where we'd like to go for our vacation the week of Sept 22. I would really like to go somewhere where there's likely to be some warm/hot days. My husband would like to go to Maine! But would also consider the NC beaches. We'll have our 3 year old with us.

If you swim, or intend to, drop the Maine ideas and head to a Gulf stream fed beach. It may reach triple digit air temps in New England summer days but that water was intended for strong-hearted polar bears!

[ugadevil]

My family and I used to go to Sunset Beach every year during the summer. It's probably been almost 10 years since we've been back, but it was always an awesome place to go. It used to be that you could only rent a house and there were no high rise hotels or anything, but I have no idea what it's like now.

[devildeac]

My wife and I honeymooned in the northern Banks and went there for a number of years after until we moved from NC... It's pushing your 4-hour limit, but I recall it being a little quieter up there [if that's what you're looking for]... We honeymooned in Sanderling and Duck, which provides relatively close/easy access to the activities in Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills... Corolla is a bit further up but also nice... The beaches up there are smaller, less impressive, and steeper than what you'll find in the southern banks and in SC, but we were always looking primarily for a quiet getaway with great dining [there are some truly amazing restaurants in the area up there], so the northern banks fit the bill...

Wonderful area. If you like to be in the ocean, the water is a bit cooler up at the northern OBX-good or bad.

[hudlow]

I was going to suggest Lake Lure beach....and then you said "coast".

[phaedrus]

I love lakes too, but my girlfriend is coming down from Wisconsin. If she's coming to North Carolina to go to a lake, we might as well also spend the day grilling brats and drinking Spotted Cow.

[wilson]

I love lakes too, but my girlfriend is coming down from Wisconsin. If she's coming to North Carolina to go to a lake, we might as well also spend the day grilling brats and drinking Spotted Cow.

While your point is well taken, you could definitely do worse...

[devildeac]

I love lakes too, but my girlfriend is coming down from Wisconsin. If she's coming to North Carolina to go to a lake, we might as well also spend the day grilling brats and drinking Spotted Cow.

Please, please, please have her bring some Raspberry Tart and/or Wisconsin Red from the New Glarus Brewery:o:D. Some Spotted Cow would be great, too. And, well, now that you mentioned it, a few bottles of Uff Da stuck in a side pouch of a suitcase would be greatly appreciated. I'll meet you just about anywhere in NC to pick up the elixir and pay you royally. Well, maybe not royally, but fairly. And, just to keep this from hijacking the thread, we like most of the NC beaches, too;).

P.S. Wisconsin has lakes:rolleyes:?

[captmojo]

Please, please, please have her bring some Raspberry Tart and/or Wisconsin Red from the New Glarus Brewery:o:D. Some Spotted Cow would be great, too. And, well, now that you mentioned it, a few bottles of Uff Da stuck in a side pouch of a suitcase would be greatly appreciated. I'll meet you just about anywhere in NC to pick up the elixir and pay you royally. Well, maybe not royally, but fairly. And, just to keep this from hijacking the thread, we like most of the NC beaches, too;).

P.S. Wisconsin has lakes:rolleyes:?

Uff Da. Norwegian Cod soup puke.
I keed I keed.

[jimbonelson]

This is timely, as we're trying to figure out where we'd like to go for our vacation the week of Sept 22. I would really like to go somewhere where there's likely to be some warm/hot days. My husband would like to go to Maine! But would also consider the NC beaches. We'll have our 3 year old with us.
ocean city maryland. that time of the year the water temp. is great, it is offseason so the rates are cheaper, and the fishing is great

[mapei]

I just got back today from Corolla and spent a week last summer in Duck. Can't say that I like either very much - every inch is developed with something built in the 80s or 90s, there is zero character other than in Manteo, the beach is narrow, relatively speaking, and, although we did have one truly great meal in Kitty Hawk, for the most part it just seemed like being in a big new suburb except with more beer drinking.

I like the SC beaches and Bald Head much better, as south Atlantic beach experiences go. Of course, everyone has his/her own preferences and experiences so my impressions obviously wouldn't hold for everyone. If you like getting away or nature, though, you might think about somewhere else.

[jimbonelson]

I just got back today from Corolla and spent a week last summer in Duck. Can't say that I like either very much - every inch is developed with something built in the 80s or 90s, there is zero character other than in Manteo, the beach is narrow, relatively speaking, and, although we did have one truly great meal in Kitty Hawk, for the most part it just seemed like being in a big new suburb except with more beer drinking.

I like the SC beaches and Bald Head much better, as south Atlantic beach experiences go. Of course, everyone has his/her own preferences and experiences so my impressions obviously wouldn't hold for everyone. If you like getting away or nature, though, you might think about somewhere else.

was that good meal at the black pelican

[mapei]

No, it was at Meridian 42. We had to wait for a table but it was fabulous. I saw the address listed as both Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores, but it was the same place - in a nondescript strip mall, but excellent food and decent atmosphere.

[Papa John]

I just got back today from Corolla and spent a week last summer in Duck. Can't say that I like either very much - every inch is developed with something built in the 80s or 90s, there is zero character other than in Manteo, the beach is narrow, relatively speaking, and, although we did have one truly great meal in Kitty Hawk, for the most part it just seemed like being in a big new suburb except with more beer drinking.

I like the SC beaches and Bald Head much better, as south Atlantic beach experiences go. Of course, everyone has his/her own preferences and experiences so my impressions obviously wouldn't hold for everyone. If you like getting away or nature, though, you might think about somewhere else.

It's been awhile since we were there [10 years perhaps], so I imagine there's been more development... Meridian 42 must be newer [relatively speaking]... I recall there being extraordinary cuisine in the northern banks area, which is one of the reasons we enjoyed it so much... Elizabeth's Winery & Cafe had by far the best wine selection in the area [written up by Wine Spectator magazine], and offered a wonderful prix fixe six course meal in peak season that shouldn't be missed... The Blue Point Bar & Grill was simply sublime (reminiscent of the Magnolia Grill in Durham) offering fine cuisine in a 50's style diner atmosphere... The guys who ran Blue Point opened up a place called Ocean Boulevard Cafe in Nags Head which was more of a bistro but with the same sublime menu... Then, of course, there was the Left Bank at the Sanderling Inn...

Of course, Hilton Head has much better beaches and comparable cuisine (and much better golf), so these days when we are opting to head to the Carolina shore, we also tend to head further south than the banks...

Back to the issue at hand, though... If you have a Wisconsin gal in town and want to show her the true Outer Banks, I think you need to take her out to Hatteras...

[dukemomLA]

Nags Head and Kitty Hawk. NOTHING in the world compares! (...and of course, a short drive to Duck for a day of fishing).

The NC coast is the best ever. Enjoy your stay.

[killerleft]

A vote for the Atlantic Beach/Morehead City/Beaufort area. The Crystal Coast has fine beaches, very good seafood, a recently-renovated and enlarged NC Aquarium, and Fort Macon. Beaufort is a great historical and dining destination, and has a nice maritime museum.

Fishermen/women can either charter a boat from Morehead or fish at the ocean or sound.

Coach K, when he used to mention it was time for the beach after the season, meant Pine Knoll Shores, located on Bogue Banks along with Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, and one of my favorite place names, Salter Path.

You can spend more money at a S.C. beach, but you can't have a better time.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Fishermen/women can either charter a boat from Morehead or fish at the ocean or sound.

We still have one pier left at Atlantic Beach, and Emerald Isle has one. Plus, they have added a real nice public/free pier on Radio Island that juts out a nice distance into the sound. It should be productive during trout season. And the fishing is always fun at Ft. Macon. I believe they allow beach traffic after Labor day (not at Macon though, state park and all), you can purchase passes at the town halls of each town. Atlantic Beach is the best one for fishing in my opinion; the passes have gotten expensive, but they are for the whole year until Memorial day.

[phaedrus]

Please, please, please have her bring some Raspberry Tart and/or Wisconsin Red from the New Glarus Brewery:o:D. Some Spotted Cow would be great, too. And, well, now that you mentioned it, a few bottles of Uff Da stuck in a side pouch of a suitcase would be greatly appreciated. I'll meet you just about anywhere in NC to pick up the elixir and pay you royally. Well, maybe not royally, but fairly. And, just to keep this from hijacking the thread, we like most of the NC beaches, too;).

P.S. Wisconsin has lakes:rolleyes:?

I only asked her to bring squeaky fresh cheese curds. I've already got a secret stash of Spotted in my closet... don't tell anyone.

[killerleft]

Are there any Harkers Island natives left who use that unique English dialect I used to hear as a kid back in the 60s?

My memory is hazy, but I seem to recollect that the word "old" would be pronounced as "owled", or something close to it.

I was there maybe four years ago, and I detected a slight accent from the guy we hired to take us out to Cape Lookout for the day.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Are there any Harkers Island natives left who use that unique English dialect I used to hear as a kid back in the 60s?


Oh yes, they are still here. They congregate on the beach at "hoi toid", but if it's raining, they are mommicked and have to meet elsewhere. :)

[killerleft]

Great! I just wiki-ed Harkers Island. The article was way more extensive and interesting than i expected. Should anyone else care to read it, here it is:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYA,GWYA:2008-28,GWYA:en&q=harkers+island+wiki

[DukePA]

You can get to our beach, either Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle, in under 3 hours from Durham now that Clayton is bypassed. It's not as high-brow as some of the other ones in the state, and I live here, so it's my preference. Plus you have Beaufort, which is great for a cultural day out. All within 15 minutes of each other.

Gotta chime with my neighbor. I love it down here. If you're looking for nice laid back beaches that aren't terribly crowded and top-notch dining, you can't go wrong with our beaches and restaurants. If you're looking for more nightlife, you'll probably be better off at Wrightsville.

[merry]

My family and I used to go to Sunset Beach every year during the summer. It's probably been almost 10 years since we've been back, but it was always an awesome place to go. It used to be that you could only rent a house and there were no high rise hotels or anything, but I have no idea what it's like now.

I haven't been there in about 13 years myself but Sunset was always our favorite too. Wrightsville and Topsail have the benefit of being a lot faster to get to than most of the other beaches so they're good if you only have a weekend, but we like Sunset Beach and the Outer Banks the best.

[ArnieMc]

Gotta chime with my neighbor. I love it down here. If you're looking for nice laid back beaches that aren't terribly crowded and top-notch dining, you can't go wrong with our beaches and restaurants. If you're looking for more nightlife, you'll probably be better off at Wrightsville.
I'll third that. Love Emerald Isle.

[aimo]

Ocracoke Island is the best, but probably beyond your 4-hour time-limit. I prefer beaches that are more wild with nature than with bars and surf shops. And I like how you can park your car at the hotel and just ride bikes the rest of the time you're there.

[ForeverBlowingBubbles]

Here is a view of Wrightsville Beach right off of my back porch at about 6:00 am this morning.

You can see the Holiday Inn in the distance.

The first pic I think is a little blurry but it still does WB justice.

[2535Miles]

You can get to our beach, either Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle, in under 3 hours from Durham now that Clayton is bypassed. It's not as high-brow as some of the other ones in the state, and I live here, so it's my preference. Plus you have Beaufort, which is great for a cultural day out. All within 15 minutes of each other.


Gotta chime with my neighbor. I love it down here. If you're looking for nice laid back beaches that aren't terribly crowded and top-notch dining, you can't go wrong with our beaches and restaurants. If you're looking for more nightlife, you'll probably be better off at Wrightsville.


A vote for the Atlantic Beach/Morehead City/Beaufort area. The Crystal Coast has fine beaches, very good seafood, a recently-renovated and enlarged NC Aquarium, and Fort Macon. Beaufort is a great historical and dining destination, and has a nice maritime museum.

Count me in for a vote for the Crystal Coast. I spent middle and high school in Havelock (about 15 miles down the road from Atlantic Beach). I love the beaches there, a bit more quiet than Wilmington, Wrightsville but still plenty of family fun at both ends of the island. Oh and there's Fort Macon (http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/foma/main.php) for all of the history nerds.

[2535Miles]

The Sheraton Hotel in Atlantic Beach circa 2005.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c97/long1118/IMG_0340.jpg

[phaedrus]

Well, thanks for all the suggestions guys, but I think I may just hole up in my apartment away from the windows. Maybe some other weekend.