Best Beach House Vacation: Wrightsville or Outer Banks?

[Inimicus]

Britts shouldn't be the deciding factor.

They are pretty outstanding donuts.

[Creep59]

Ocracoke

 

or if you have some money check out Bald Head Island

[Captroop]

So the latest is we are looking at Atlantic and Top Sail. The old hens in the family like it because they can fly in rather than drive 8+ hours (it's a 6-hour drive, but the way they drive...). We've pretty much ruled out Wrightsville (Sorry Biscuit) due to the bridge work and yet unscheduled closures. But that may be relented if you can assuage our bridge fears.

 

Oak Island/Kure looks great, but damn is that a drive. I'm still pushing for the Outer Banks since, as a Washingtonian, it's the closest. 

 

Also, bear in mind we're going the week AFTER Labor Day, so the human zoo should not have quite the summer insanity.

[Hawk]

ummm....you are aware that the week after Labor Day is opening week of the football season, right?!!!!

 

I'm just sayin

[Captroop]

And I'll be in Carolina, in a beach-side bar watching the Panthers, instead of Washington D.C. rubbing elbows (or fat folds) with Redskins and Steelers fans. In what way could that possibly be a bad thing?

[Hawk]

just throwing it out there...sometimes when people book so far ahead, some of the details fall between the cracks!!!

[C47]

If you end up at Topsail a word of advice is don't stay too close to the end of either side of the island.  The beach itself is actually awesome on the South Side (water is almost clear as you get to the point), but the rip tide is killer if you have kiddies....

[thefuzz]

Wrightsville and it's not even close.

 

 

Unless you have a boat, then Topsail may be better.

 

Flying into Wilmington should be a breeze, and the bridge is not that big of a deal if you know when to leave.

 

If you are going to stay on the island (no reason to leave) the bridge should be a non issue.

 

None of the other beaches will have what Wilmington/WB can offer in terms of things to do.  

 

It's expensive, but worth it.  The beaches are clean, they have excellent water rescue/life guards and some of the hottest tail in the East Coast.

 

But to each his own.

[Darth Biscuit]

That's fine if you don't want to come see us catpoop. :P

[Doc Holiday]

Hey if you are looking for a place closer to Charlotte, Wilde Dunes is super nice and just out side of Charleston SC making it only 2 hours from Charlotte.

The OBX is also nice, I'm going to Corolla next weekend

[pstall]

agree on Charleston. a very very easy drive from Charlotte. 77 then 26, jackpot.

[Bronn]

Our weekend home is very close to Topsail... We cross the bridge at Surf City and head to the south end of Topsail on a regular basis.

It isn't as crowded as the Surf City area nor the north end of Topsail, IMHO, and the beach is good.

I grew up going to Topsail and Atlantic... Atlantic is growing in popularity and sometimes seems more crowded than Topsail, to me at least. There's more to do closer by Atlantic beach, but Topsail will have you about 45 minutes from some other good areas like Wilmington and Carolina Beach (Britts FTW).

 

All that said, I kinda prefer the quiet/peacefulness of the OBX, but the drive can seem hella long just getting there, and depending on where you go there might not be poo to do.

 

The only real negative to me about Topsail is the traffic in the Surf City area, especially if the bridge is open letting a boat or two through. Other than that, it is great.

 

[PanthersBigD]

OBX are better for a quiet, secluded vacation. There's nothing but beach and highway for miles and miles. For a family vacation, I'd err on the side of Wrightsville/Carolina/Topsail, as there is more to do off the beach close by.

And traffic is not really going to be THAT bad. It's not like you're going to Myrtle during Bike Week or anything.

Sounds like you're already set on one or the other, but for future reference, for the best of both worlds, I'd suggest looking at Kiawah Island. Great for family vacations.

[Davidson Deac II]

Wrightsville and it's not even close.

 

 

Unless you have a boat, then Topsail may be better.

 

Flying into Wilmington should be a breeze, and the bridge is not that big of a deal if you know when to leave.

 

If you are going to stay on the island (no reason to leave) the bridge should be a non issue.

 

None of the other beaches will have what Wilmington/WB can offer in terms of things to do.  

 

 

What is there to do in Wrightsville Beach besides the ocean, bars, and restaurants?  We usually pick a different place to go every year, and I have considered wrightsville, but I drove thru it one year and there didn't appear to be much to it.