Myrtle Beach?

buckeyegirl

buckeyegirl

Cathlete
Hello everyone,

We just got back from a wonderful vacation to the Eastern Shore of VA and Chincoteague (home of Misty of Chincoteague and the pony penning if that helps as a frrame of reference). We've been going there for 23 years for my family reunion, and had a blast as always.

Now that we are back...and depressed:(, we are thinking about heading to the beach again next year with just our immediate family. DH thinks the boys (will then be 12 and 14) would enjoy Myrtle Beach. I personally don't like all the commercial crap, crowded beaches, etc.

Anyone have any experience with a nice ocean front condo or rental house? Or do you recommend another smaller town nearby that's perhaps less congested but still fun enough?

Just thinking ahead...it helps me deal with the Debbie Downer syndrome I have going right now...getting back to reality sucks:mad:

Heidi
 
I have never been to Myrtle Beach, but I would love to hear more about Eastern Shore VA, DH and I are thinking about renting a condo around there, we live in Northern VA.
 
Well, I'd love to offer up any info to help! The eastern shore of VA is really quite an untapped area. We love Chincoteague because it really hasn't changed much over the last 25 years - little development, not really commercialized that much, etc. I will tell you that there are NO buildings on the beach - it's a protected national seashore - which is why I love it so. Wildlife, wild ponies dot the landscape as you drive to the beach. Lots of naturalist programs to enjoy - kayaking, birding, programs.

The houses/condos that you rent are on the main island of Chincoteague - let me know if you want any realtor websites, and I'll be happy to oblige!

Heidi
 
New Brunswick beaches, if you like beaches off the braten path

Buckeyegirl,
If you like beaches off the beaten path, I would recommending visiting my home province, New Brunswick (due east of Maine). New Brunswick has sandy beaches (Fundy Park), but also non-sandy beaches where one can view birds and wildlife. If you really want to see fishing outports, etc., visit our Grand Manaan Island, not that far from the Maine border. I guarantee nearly all of our ocean front is non-commercialized and affordable.

The Bay of Fundy parks can be read about here:
http://www.bayoffundytourism.com/

More info on Grand Manaan Islan can be found here:
http://www.grandmanannb.com/

-- David
 
Maine is a wonderful idea! We lived in NH and would go up to the beaches in Maine for fresh made salt water taffy!

Myrtle Beach was great when I was in my early 20s. I don't know what it's like now, but I would rank it up there with Daytona and Panama City Beaches in FL - school kids territory. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It has been quite a while since I've been there!

Tricia
 
David - thanks for the idea. We actually thought of Maine but may be going a bit early in the season next year for swimming in the ocean:eek: which is what my boys live for at the beach!
My dad actually bought a summer house in Eastport so we do plan on making a trek north at some point to visit them and all that Maine has to offer.

I love Maine - DH and I went up there right after we were engaged (he actually intended on proposing on Cadillac Mt. but couldn't wait and popped the question on my living room couch...romantic, I know...) We loved Acadia and all the hiking/biking trails.

Tricia - I know what you mean about it being a bustling beach town (Myrtle Beach). That's why I was inquiring about other coastal towns in that area. Even thought about Duck, NC, and the outer banks. I really want a small beach house so I can just walk out my door and be on the beach - is that too much to ask?;)

Heidi
 
If it's not too far for you, Navarre, FL is lovely. We went there for vacation this year and loved it. It's not commercialized. It's right next to a nature preserve/beach that is beautiful. It's between Destin and Pensacola, and we traveled one day to Pensacola to visit the Naval air museum, which my boys love (TONS of airplanes on exhibit). And the condo we stayed in was super affordable.
 
I was in Myrtle Beach on vacation with my family a couple years ago and wasn't thrilled but I like to do things and there wasn't much down there....You can eat, play mini golf, go on water slides, go to the beach...they have a small boardwalk that was totally lame. If you are the quiet time on the beach type, which you sound like you are, you might want to investigate Long Beach Island, NJ. Tons of houses/condos for rent. Quiet beach town. Nothin' else to do really with out getting in your car and taking a ride somewhere...It's not my bag (for more then a day or two anyway) but lots of folks LOVE it!
 
I have been to Myrtle Beach but never got to the beach!! My family and I used to go there every October to plan miniature golf. We've had a tournament (my family is strange) so it was nothing but shopping and miniature golf. We always had a blast there but we went in the off season so it wasn't crowded.

We always stayed at the Embassy Suites Kingston Plantation. I believe they have oceanfront rooms but we stayed in the Villas. They were really nice and quiet. I'm sure there are lots of things to do for kids (we were all adults) so they only kid thing we did was play miniature golf.

For beach vacations, I go to St. George Island, FL on the Gulf of Mexico. There isn't much to do there but it's nice for a relaxing vacation. We mainly have rental condos and homes.
 
If you want to be near the hustle bustle of Myrtle Beach, but prefer a smaller "beach town" atmosphere for where you stay, try Garden City Beach or Surfside Beach. Surfside is just south of Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand, (less than 10 miles) and Garden City is just south of Surfside.

There are plenty of beachfront condos and houses for rent at both beaches. The other good thing is that both places are about 5 miles from Murrell's Inlet, which boasts a string of some of the best seafood restaurants on the east coast.

It's a great area. We have owned a home in Garden City for 25 years, so we are there often. It's a great family oriented place, and the beach is beautiful & clean and not nearly as crowded as Myrtle. You can get in the car and drive north for about 20 minutes and go to any of the tourist type places you desire in MB, yet you don't have to stay in the middle of it.
 
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