Grew up in Delaware and now live in Virginia Beach and have spent time on just about every beach in between.

I would recommend Rehoboth Beach in that it is very quaint and very kid friendly. It also would be closer for you travel wise. It has a "traditional" boardwalk with a variety of shops, restaurants and a kiddie arcade. We spent a week there last summer with daughter, SIL and grandson. We loved being able to just get up in the morning, plop him in his stroller and go for a walk, or to take him out on the boardwalk in the evening and not have to drive to get to where we were going. There are no "resorts", the few hotel choices that you have on/near the boardwalk are all locally owned places with maybe the excepttion of one or two hotels (like a Quality Inn or Comfort Inn, I believe). There are a few selections of Condo choices as well as houses. The water isn't always as calm as you might like, but I can't think of anyplace that really is 100%, except for Lewes, DE which is just a few miles North of Rehoboth and it's pretty calm most of the time. Not a lot of accomodation choices in Lewes at all though and you would probably find yourself driving into Rehoboth or other areas for strolling.

I personally am not fond of Ocean City, MD. I think it's more for a younger crowd moreso than families (at least not as much as Rehoboth) It does have some upscale hotels and condo options, but none that I remember being on the boardwalk. Is very spread out and you would find yourself doing more driving. I have found it to be crowded, both with traffic and people, although September may not be bad since kids will be back in school. The water is pretty much the same in temperature, etc as Rehoboth.

My last recommendation would be Virginia Beach. There are hotels/resorts on the boardwalk (although not a traditional wooden boardwalk) and some do offer kitchen facilities. It too, is someplace where you could walk out the door of your hotel and go for an evening stroll without the necessity of a vehicle. You again have shops, restaurants, arcades all within walking distance. While I can't guarantee you calm waters 100% of the time, I have found that the water does tend to seem calmer here than my other recommendations (other than Lewes) most of the time. Again, the water temperature should be about the same, but the temps in all locations should still be pleasant in early September. September (the later the better for me) is one of my favorite months here as far as weather goes. It will be a longer drive for you though and I don't know that it's a location that you would be able to reach in 12 hours.

Don't know if this helps or not, but hopefully, it helps you narrow down your choices and gives you some pros and cons to consider in each location.

Well thanks chasechow, I was thinking of Virginia Beach but was afraid it would be too busy, how about Virginia's eastern shore beaches? The Delaware beaches are a definite possibility, I just hope the weather is ok there in September, we're looking at the first 2 weeks to go. Any other advice is appreciated!

The summers here (Virginia Beach) are usually hot enough that the heat/warmth of the air/water temperature easily carries over into the first couple of weeks in September. I'm not sure of your definition of busy. Most of the tourists (provided you are coming after our Labor Day) will have dwindled considerably as kids will be either in school or will be going back. Is another reason, I like it here that time of year. I'm able to drive 5 miles from my house and be on the main street/strip. I can park my car, and spend the day perusing the shops(before they get ready to close for the season) and choose where I want to enjoy a meal.

In general, the City of Virginia Beach is a large geographical area, with a lot of people, but you would be primarily concerned with the actual beach area, as opposed to the entire city.

I've provided a website for you to review what the Eastern Shore has to offer. My husband and I sometimes go to Chinacoteague Island for a day trip or Cape Charles. I don't know that you are going to find an area there that will satisfy your requirements. There are no "resorts" per se. There are some B&B's and Inns. Chincoteague has a few hotels, but I believe they are mostly locally owned, with the exception of 1 or 2. I don't know how much luck you will have locating a 2 bedroom and a kitchenette, but look at the info on the site regarding lodging. None are directly on the beach to my knowledge. The few houses/cottages that I saw weren't something that I would want to splurge on. I found the water to be a little on the rough side the few times we've been there. Really wouldn't be my first choice, but here's the site so that you can see for yourself.

http://www.esvatourism.org/home.asp

Provided we have a hot/humid summer, I don't think that you should have to worry about a significant difference in the water temps between here and the DE beaches. I've often gone back on weekends in September and enjoyed the beach and the water. Is actually better sometimes than coming in June because if cooler weather sticks around longer, the water hasn't had a chance to warm up yet.

IF the drive wasn't a big consideration, I would say Virginia Beach. It has the most to offer as far as accomodations, whether it be a hotel/resort, condo, or houses for rent. All within walking distance to the beach. There are a couple of places that I know offer kitchenettes (I recommend you check out WWW.TRIPADVISOR.COM, type in Virginia Beach, then hotels, and see how they are rated and read up on each hotel to see what they offer.

You can also use the tripadvisor site to review lodging and accomodations for Rehoboth, Lewes, Bethany and Dewey Beach, which are in close proximity to each other, with Rehoboth having the most to offer. Same with Chincoteague and Cape Charles. Also review their forums. Let me know if I can be of amy further help.

A lot of people like going to Rehoboth after Labor Day since "the season" is basically over but the weather is still good.

I suspect the same applies to Virginia Beach.

605 miles vs. 750

In terms of driving

North Carolina's Outer Banks. If you are willing to go to Virginia Beach, you may as well spend another hour or so to go to better beaches.

I would love to go to the outer banks, my worry is the driving time (with twins and a small baby in tow, we want to drive the night and arrive at our destination before they get too cranky!) On mapquest, it gives me 12 1/2 hours to Virginia Beach, but 15 1/2 to Hatteras, NC. Is this accurate??? (the distance doesn't seem to be that much) If it is give or take an hour more, we could go that route. Where would you recommend?

It takes us about 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours to get from Virginia Beach to Hatteras. The beaches and the area are more scenic, but I'm not really familiar with any areas that you could get out and stroll around with the little one so much as you could in Rehoboth or Virginia Beach. Has been a couple of years since we've gone down to Hatteras, although we often go to Nags Head. Again, Nags Head is more scenic and beautiful as well, but we found we had to drive pretty much everywhere.

Isn't Duck about 1 1/2 hours down that expressway from Virginia Beach?

Could you tell me about Duck? Or anywhere else near there that fits the bill? Thanks!

Hi George, you're absolutely right. Duck is about an hour and a half away. Is basically on the north end of the Kills Devil/Nags Head area.

Sandy - I've provided a link for you. I think you're going to find that you will want to take a look at rental property in this area as the lodging, again aren't resorts, but rather B&B and inns. There is the Sanderling Resort, but they don't offer 2 bedrooms or kitchenettes. There is no public access to the beach in Duck, so in order to use the beaches, you do have to be staying in Duck.

There are shopping areas, restaurants, etc., but you will probably find (depending on where your rental is located) that you may have to drive a a mile or so to park your car and then get out to enjoy strolling around.

I will say, out of all of the areas suggested, Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Hatteras, etc., are by far the prettiest. I don't know if you would consider the water "Calm" enough. We don't go down that way every weekend, rather a few times each summer, but when we have, the water was more on the wavy side. Here's the site for Duck:

http://www.duckncguide.com/index.htm

On the other hand, you could consider Cape May or Cape May Point, NJ. We have stayed in VA, DE and the outer banks, but we have settled on Cape May Point. It is quiet, full of families and close to Cape May, which has a lot more activity. But if you are looking for a family oriented town, with lots of rentals and good beeches, you should check this place out too. And, it has the benefit of shortening the trip just a bit.

Thanks everyone for the great advice, I am considering between Virginia Beach (as it may be a bit warmer in Sept) and Rehoboth (which sounds like a very interesting place too). Can someone compare the 2 in terms of beach quality/ocean conditions/accomodations/weather in September/overall vacation value? Thanks alot!!!

I am going with my kids to Ocean City this Summer. From what I hear, Virginia Beach is fun but I keep going to Ocean City. If you haven't been to Ocean City, you should go for the experience. My friends and I agree that getting a place on the bay is best for little kids. This way, they don't get overwhelmed by the waves - which to them are huge. And vacation rentals are awesome - sometimes I get a large rental and the kids and I share the rental with friends. It's fun. I just booked one online at Century 21... http://www.century21newhorizon.com/index-rentals.htm And you MUST take your kids to the Fractured Prune - it's an awesome donut shop where you get hot donutes made to order. They'll love that. Have a great vaction. OC is fun!

Didn't we already answer some of these questions on your other thread?

I recommend Bethany Beach, here's a map of Delaware Beaches:
http://www.ocbound.com/BethanyBeach/BethanyBeachMap.htm

If a quiet, family-friendly beach community is what you're seeking, than you will fall in love with Bethany Beach. Located at the lowest of Delaware's 30 mile coastline, Bethany Beach is a charming, family-oriented community with pristine beaches and a mile-long boardwalk.

We like rehoboth. Embassy Suites is about a block off the beach. Can park your car and never move it. The Sands is right on the beach with ocean front rooms. Fifteen minutes at most is route 1 and tons of outlets shopping and theaters. Ocean City is about 45 min drive if you want more action. Lewes is about a half hour and is a quaint little town. Grotto's pizza is great and all over rehoboth. September is usually warm and not very crowded. Have fun