OT: Beach town vacation ideas

[bendm]

I always wanted to take a vacation to St Thomas to stay for a week instead of just spending the day on a cruise.

take the ferry straight to St. John instead

 

[Ts5034]

take the ferry straight to St. John instead

We took the shore excursion to St John and Trunk Bay one of the times I was there. Trunk Bay was probably the best beach Ive ever been to.

 

[bendm]

We took the shore excursion to St John and Trunk Bay one of the times I was there. Trunk Bay was probably the best beach Ive ever been to.

better snorkeling than St. Thomas. go to Cinnamon for some waves. Francis further up the north shore my favorite beach.

 

[UConnDad]

We really love OCMD. Pretty much anything you need for a beach vacation. Ten miles of beach that continues into Delaware for many more. Three mile boardwalk. Tons of bars and restaurants. Fresh seafood (shrimp and crab in particular) but all cuisines are available. Plus we pretty much don’t use the car unless we want to. Favorite beach vacation was Fuengirola, Spain on the Costa del Sol.

 

[imno1]

I was in North Carolina for vacation right before things got crazy with Covid. I was in the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area, and we spent a day down in Myrtle Beach. Great places to visit.

Willmington is a nice little city. I used to spend a lot of time in Sunset Beach.

 

[mussels]

If you're going to southern Florida, you can be in the Caribbean almost as quickly. Both the American Virgin Island and British Virgin Island are amazingly beautiful with warm clear water. There are a ton of islands to choose from. The American Virgins don't require a passport. I have vacationed numerous times on Virgin Gorda, BVI. It's sparely populated, really laid back, dozens of beaches, beautiful weather and water. You need, at least, one trip somewhere south or east of Puerto Rico, once in your life.

Would just point out that BVI is over 1000 miles from Miami (US health care) and 100 miles from San Juan with no real quick way to get there. About 30 years ago, my wife and I were down there sailing, and she developed a problem that we initially thought may require emergency surgery. It all worked out, and we have some pretty funny stories, but it was terrifying at the time. Not sure if things improved, but depending on your specific health issues, may be something to consider.

 

[Fatroony5]

Looking for vacation suggestions for beach towns on Atlantic or Gulf coast. An interesting town with other things to do, good restaurants, with prices that aren't too exorbinant. I love going up to Maine but am thinking would like to visit more down south. Where have people been that they really love it and return back to it? Or, does anyone go outside US to Mexico or another country like that? My preference is US though.

I live in North Carolina and my go to beach is Charleston SC, it’s a great town. You can find some cheaper places to stay in North Charleston, which still has some breweries and restaurants around depending on where exactly you stay. I like going to Isle of Palms, the beach area there is really nice and you’re surrounded by mansions, really cool spot. You could also spend a bit more and stay on Folley Beach which has tons of restaurants/bars, fun place as well. Charleston is a nice mix of some city life(downtown) with actual beaches. I’d definitely visit Charleston over Myrtle Beach. If you hit Charleston, Lewis BBQ is an absolute must, top notch BBQ.

If not Charleston, I’d go for Wilmington. Fun town as well, with lots of good restaurants. Can’t go wrong with the Outer Banks either, can have a nice quiet vacation out that way, if you want to rent a house and have it covid safe, might be a good option.

I like St Augustine as well. It’s possible to hit a few of these places on a trip depending on how much time you have.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Block Island really isn't a beach place, imo.

wow, first day of a new year, and already two yankee cards gettin pulled. turrible.

 

[glastonbury50]

Imo Savannah has a phoniness to it that I don't like. I too am a fan of Hilton Head, though only been off season.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Appreciate the renewed enthusiasm, and ideally look forward to enjoying quality beaches post-high season and a return to normal-er living sometime this year. May we all live in better times.

 

[huskeynut]

We live in Florida now. Either east coast or gulf coast have great beaches and communities to go with them.

We're partial to the Space Coast and St. Augustine. St. Augustine has some fantastic restaurants and plenty to sight see. We were just there for dinner at The Raintree Restaurant with family.

My brother-in-law and his wife built and now live in Fernandia Beach. Beautiful area.

 

[Palatine]

Would just point out that BVI is over 1000 miles from Miami (US health care) and 100 miles from San Juan with no real quick way to get there. About 30 years ago, my wife and I were down there sailing, and she developed a problem that we initially thought may require emergency surgery. It all worked out, and we have some pretty funny stories, but it was terrifying at the time. Not sure if things improved, but depending on your specific health issues, may be something to consider.

All true. But nowhere in the states has the clear, warm water of the Caribbean. I will never forget being 100 feet under water off seven mile beach in Grand Cayman and looking up and seeing the boat. It was like seeing a peanut from the bottom of the pool. Just amazing.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Imo Savannah has a phoniness to it that I don't like. I too am a fan of Hilton Head, though only been off season.

Good example of beauty lying in the eyes of the beholders. Without being a massive Savannah fan, its' less touristy area has a gritty appeal lacking in a few too many of Hilton Head's and Charleston's dressed up rednecks and self-impressed charmers. To their shared advantages, none of the 3 locations are Myrtle Beach.

Unrelated observation: Someone above suggested the Midwest-established and currently headquartered Dairy Queen inexplicably symbolizes New England. Inconveniently, one of Vermont's founders, the Litchfield born and raised Ethan Allen may have objected.

 

[Palatine]

No one has mentioned the Redneck Rivera. The beaches of the Florida panhandle and L.A. (lower Alabama) are off the hook. It's baby powder sand. As nice as anywhere. Panama City is a big touristy town with miniature golf, go carts and bungee rides aplenty. But there are plenty of great places like Destin and Ft Walton beach are a bit less crowded and all the beach community you could want.

 

[Hurleyman216]

For some reason I've always really liked Cape May as a beach town. It's a bit of a drive, but feels different than the rest of the jersey shore.

 

[Improviser]

Would just point out that BVI is over 1000 miles from Miami (US health care) and 100 miles from San Juan with no real quick way to get there. About 30 years ago, my wife and I were down there sailing, and she developed a problem that we initially thought may require emergency surgery. It all worked out, and we have some pretty funny stories, but it was terrifying at the time. Not sure if things improved, but depending on your specific health issues, may be something to consider.

US health care is something to think about. Especially for those of us over a certain age or with a health condition. I would be hesitant about trusting the medical care on a Caribbean island. Maybe, not so much with the Cayman's since it is a higher income place where some Americans and British live.

 

[superjohn]

Imo Savannah has a phoniness to it that I don't like. I too am a fan of Hilton Head, though only been off season.

Wow, I've never heard that before. Savannah is much more depressed and gritty than Charleston. I always get a laid back nobody cares at all about appearances or who your are vibe in Savannah whereas Charleston has a slightly snobby New England of the South vibe to me. Charleston seems like it may be hard to be accepted and fit in if you're not from there, Savannah seems totally welcoming to everyone of every stripe.

 

[Chin Diesel]

No one has mentioned the Redneck Rivera. The beaches of the Florida panhandle and L.A. (lower Alabama) are off the hook. It's baby powder sand. As nice as anywhere. Panama City is a big touristy town with miniature golf, go carts and bungee rides aplenty. But there are plenty of great places like Destin and Ft Walton beach are a bit less crowded and all the beach community you could want.

Been living in the area since end of '06 and have about 20 years total living in the area.

The Redneck Riviera from Panama City Beach westward to Gulf Shores Alabama has a bunch of different vibes depending on what you want.

I'd put Panama City Beach at the bottom because it is the most touristy trapped beach along the northern gulf coast. They have also tried as a city to lose the spring break crown with young kids getting loaded. It's also still recovering from Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Destin/Miramar Beach/Seaside/30A has definitely gotten a bit more upscale and the traffic around there has gotten worse. It's far from a sleepy enclave.

Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island has some nice beaches and stuff but is a step or three behind Destin nowadays.

Navarre Beach has been a hidden jewel for a bit. No hotels so you are renting condos which tends to lessen the crowd and raise the overall profile of visitors since the condos usually cost more and need to be rented for a week compared to hotel visitors.

Pensacola Beach has been the traditional western tip of Florida beaches. Not quite Destin nice but plenty to do on the island. Having Ft Pickens as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore is a great 8 mile stretch of beach and biking roads with no development of any type. At the western tip of the park are some historical forts and other buildings from pre- Civil War. It's also closest to the city of Pensacola which has more to do than any other area near the beach towns. As of now there is a 45-60 minute detour between Pensacola Beach and mainland due to a bridge which was damaged during Hurricane Sally by construction barges that broke loose. Bridge should be functional by March 2021.

Perdido Key is where Florida and Alabama meet up. Similar to Navarre, no hotels, so it's condos or beach houses. Very much a locals vibe where beach is king. Perdido also has a large part of Gulf Islands Seashore with Johnson Beach which is 8-10 miles of untouched beach and dunes. No amenities, just wood walkways to get over dunes.

Orange Beach, Alabama starts the Alabama side. It's somewhere between Destin and Pensacola Beach in terms of clientele and amenities. Don't think mainland Alabama. You have plenty of nice places to stay and things to do.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is like Panama City Beach to me. They go all in on the touristy area and all the trappings that go with it. Not pretentious at all. They know you don't live here and will make dumb purchases for t-shirts and hermit crabs. So, they sell them to you.

That gets you about 150 miles of beaches Panama City to Gulf Shores. You have airports in Panama City, Destin and Pensacola to get in/out.

As others have mentioned for other locations, the shoulder season, especially in the Fall is the time to be here. Mid September through Mid November are great times.

On a cautionary note, this isn't South Beach and Miami. During the winter you will have days in the 30's-40's so it's not exactly bikini season from late November through Mid March.

All the beaches have plenty of beach house rentals and condo rentals. Navarre Beach and Perdido Key are hotel free. Plenty of great seafood shacks to enjoy snapper, royal red shrimp, grouper and other local seafood. One more cautionary note- Apalachicola oysters have been decimated and they've been closed down for harvesting for the next few years. BBQ and cajun cuisine are easy to find as well.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Wow, I've never heard that before. Savannah is much more depressed and gritty than Charleston. I always get a laid back nobody cares at all about appearances or who your are vibe in Savannah whereas Charleston has a slightly snobby New England of the South vibe to me. Charleston seems like it may be hard to be accepted and fit in if you're not from there, Savannah seems totally welcoming to everyone of every stripe.

Totally agree on the comparison between the two cities.

 

[methodology]

Ive been to St Thomas and St Martin a few times on cruises. They are beautiful islands with amazing beaches. I always wanted to take a vacation to St Thomas to stay for a week instead of just spending the day on a cruise.

I like st croix better and the bvi's.

Anguilla is my favorite of the places I gone in Caribbean but $$$

 

[methodology]

Would just point out that BVI is over 1000 miles from Miami (US health care) and 100 miles from San Juan with no real quick way to get there. About 30 years ago, my wife and I were down there sailing, and she developed a problem that we initially thought may require emergency surgery. It all worked out, and we have some pretty funny stories, but it was terrifying at the time. Not sure if things improved, but depending on your specific health issues, may be something to consider.

You fly into san juan then Cape air puddle hopper to beef island in like 40 minutes actually pretty easy travel.

 

[bendm]

I like st croix better

never heard anyone say this before. john > thomas and croix, among the USVI. agree that tortola and virgin gorda are just as nice if not nicer than john though

 

[Waquoit]

No one has mentioned the Redneck Rivera. The beaches of the Florida panhandle and L.A. (lower Alabama) are off the hook. It's baby powder sand. As nice as anywhere. ...But there are plenty of great places like Destin and Ft Walton beach are a bit less crowded and all the beach community you could want.

Serious question, how are the waves in the Gulf?

On a UConn related side-note: For all accounts and purposes, 1999 was pre-internet for consumer travel. And I had 2 tickets to the Final Four without a way to get there. So I'm on the phone for a long time with a patient travel agent who finally came up with a decent flight I thought: Providence to Ft. Walton Beach. I had never heard of FWB but it was Florida so how far could it be? Pretty freakin far since I had to drive to Venice.

 

[uconnfan68]

The best part about living in New England is that you don't have to leave in the summer. Why venture down South if you don't have to?

Welfleet (Upper Cape) is my absolute favorite - everywhere else is a distant second.

I also enjoy Chatham (Lower Cape), Narraganssett (RI), Ogunquit (Maine), and Watch Hill (also RI).
Martha's Vineyard can be fun, but it's a bit too snobby for my liking.
Hampton Beach (NH) can be fun, but it's a bit Trumpy.

I've never been to Block Island, Nantucket, or Montauk, but they are on my list.

My wife’s family has been going to Eastham since the mid 1950s. Never bought. Too bad. I think they only missed 1 year. I’ve been going since 1980, when I joined. Our family now continues the tradition, joined with one or more of my wife’s siblings and their families. We used to have 2 cottages next to each other, but have split up more lately needing more room. Hard to find 6+ bedrooms.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

if the vineyard is too snobby for you dont bother

yeah I’ve been going to Nantucket for 40 years but if the vineyard is too snobby skip it. Best way to do the tuck is to rent a house.

Renting a house on St. John in the USVI is my recommendation.