Outer Banks(NC), Myrtle Beach(SC), or Hilton Head(SC)

[StevieISU23]

The Wife (and kids 8,12) want to go on a Summer Vacation to 1 of the 3 Areas noted.

Seeking advised on positives and negatives or each location.
I have never been to the Eastern Coast.

Help me out CF-
Recommendations, Thing to Do, Not to Do, which location, Restaurant Ideas, Activities, Sights to see....

Go!

 

[TXCyclones]

Outer Banks FTW! This thread needs a poll.

 

[Rabbuk]

Hilton head is kind of tourist trappy in my opinion but ymmv.

 

[2122]

The kids might like Myrtle Beach more.

 

[pulse]

Outer banks normally wouldn’t be as hot but the water temp is cooler and the sand is probably not as fine.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I can't speak for the Outer Banks, but I went to the other two when I was around your kids' age. I liked Myrtle Beach over Hilton Head, but that's been decades ago. Hilton Head seemed a little more geared for adults.

I'm guessing if they are like any other kid from Iowa, all they need is a beach and they're good to go. Maybe rent some jet skis and your golden.

 

[FouchodeHond]

With kids, Myrtle Beach. Just grownups, Outer Banks.

 

[Gonzo]

We went to HH for spring break 3 or so years ago. Looked into both HH and Myrtle Beach. Seemed to us like MB was a little more "touristy", a little busier, but might be more there to entertain the kiddos given the ages of your little peanuts. Our daughters were 14-18 when we went. HH was a little quieter and geared towards adults and older kids. I did read some reviews that said the beaches in MB were a little dirtier than HH, but everyplace is going to have reviews like that. If you zero in on HH let me know, I can send info on where we VRBO'd, which was pretty nice, right on the beach, had a pool, and not far from Harbortown, which was fun but again probably not the most entertaining for young kiddos.

 

[MugNight]

Hilton Head definitely attracts an adult crowd. Think retirement, golf, bicycles. As an island, it gets a little cramped out there in peak summer months. Gorgeous though. The mainland suburb Bluffton has a charming downtown. Savannah, GA is 90 minutes away.

Myrtle would be fun for kids, and of the 3 it seems like the most tourist focused beach spot. There’s a boardwalk with a Ferris wheel, lots of shops, restaurants, etc. They have a minor league baseball team (The Pelicans). I’d expect it to be crowded in summer. You’re 2.5 hours from Charleston which is a fun city.

OBX offers more of a nature centric experience. You can drive from island to island and explore the small towns and marshes. There’s wild horses in some spots.

It all depends on what activities y’all like to do. I think OBX and Hilton Head are the more relaxing spots. Myrtle has it all for entertainment.

As far as pretty beaches, I personally prefer the gulf. Destin, Pensacola, Gulf Shores, etc have a beautiful white sand and clearer water than the Atlantic.

Sounds like fun no matter where you choose!

 

[clonechemist]

They're all touristy but I'd vote outer banks. Myrtle beach might have more 'attractions' but it has a trashy nightlife-heavy vibe IMHO. Like, it's where Cletus from the sticks goes to party. Outer banks has a great aquarium for the kids and a much more laid back vibe. I've never been to Hilton Head but I think golf is the big draw there?

 

[20eyes]

OBX

 

[2forISU]

MB is a dump. HH or OBX

 

[JimmyChitwood]

If you hit Charleston, make sure to take in all the history

 

[cyclones122]

If you hit Charleston, make sure to take in all the history

Agreed. I know you aren't considering the Charleston area, but look into it. We stayed on Isle of Palms last summer and enjoyed it so much we are going back this summer. We personally don't have kids, but there were lots and lots of families there. About 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, and we stayed right on the beach.

 

[legi]

If you hit Charleston, make sure to take in all the history

Charleston is a must if in the area. Many cool things to do for a family.

 

[CysRage]

MB is a dump. HH or OBX

This. I was shocked of how bad Myrtle Beach was when we visited a few years ago. The north side is ok but Myrtle Beach proper is horrible.

 

[Gonzo]

If you hit Charleston, make sure to take in all the history

Couldn't agree more. And there's a cool (though locals consider it 'touristy') seafood place in Charleston called Hyman's. Food was solid, and the tables have little placards indicating what celebrities have sat in all the spots. At our table, I sat in the same chair as Anthony Hopkins. The owner was making rounds, chatted us up for a few and asked us where we were from, super cool guy, then 5 minutes later they brought out a pretty amazing appetizer dish that we didn't order but was on the house.

 

[davegilbertson]

The Wife (and kids 8,12) want to go on a Summer Vacation to 1 of the 3 Areas noted.

Seeking advised on positives and negatives or each location.
I have never been to the Eastern Coast.

Help me out CF-
Recommendations, Thing to Do, Not to Do, which location, Restaurant Ideas, Activities, Sights to see....

Go!

Outer Banks (was) the most down to earth of the three IMO. I used to work w/ their tourism board, visited multiple times. Very 4 wheeler on the beach with a trunk of beer vibe to it.

I don't know if the video series has changed them as a tourism vibe.

 

[cysmiley]

Think for the kids, MB, they have more entertainment for kiddos, like Ripleys Aquarium, but yes it is touristy and busy in summer.

For pure relaxation and food OBX, try Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant in Morehead City. Also northern OBX has Kitty Hawk, Curatuck lighthouse and other island Lighthouses nearby and Cape Lookout Island with wild horses, but be prepared to wait for ferry boats in Summer, if you go off the beaten track. If near Kitty Hawk, try Awful Archers Oyster Bar. OBX is long especially if you consider the Crystal Coast, which is where we have been staying lately, but nothing there for kiddos, except maybe a movie theater and bike paths. Can rent boats but expensive in Summer months, my teenager liked parasailing,

Hilton Head for golf!

Edit: Take ample Sunscreen, make kiddos put it on, us Northerners are easy to burn!

 

[clonechemist]

To second the Charleston recommendations - incredible little city and worth a day or maybe two if you’re into history. You can also stay on Folly Beach, a sleepy little beach island about 30 minutes outside of downtown Charleston, if you want to be at the beach but still in reach of Charleston (though I probably wouldn’t spend more than a few days there if seeking a ‘family beach vacation’ vibe)