Chuck

I am planning a family beach vacation next summer (2001) for 14 Adults and 8 children(ages 13-1.5 yrs). We are planning to rent a big house on the beach. We have done this before at Isle of Palms SC and loved it. But, now are looking for something a little closer to Cleveland. Any suggestions for a family oriented beach community in NJ, VA, DE? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Pat

I am a fan of Ocean City, NJ. I have stayed with 5 adults and 4 kids in one house before. A few years right on the beach and a couple one street back. Ocean City is very family oriented. There is no booze sold in the city so you don't generally get throngs of rowdies. The boardwalk is great- food, t-shirt shops, arcades, a few rides but no carnival type games, and of course mini-golf. There isn't a lot else to do right in OC but you can go visit Lucy the Margate Elephant which is a nice way to kill an hour, or drive down to the Cape May Zoo- a very nice, small and shady zoo. It's free and there's a nice playground and lots of picnic space. If you take turns going out adults-only, Atlantic City is just 15 minutes away if you want to blow some money in the slots. Cape May is probably 40 minutes away and you can see the lighthouse as well as some great Victorian architecture. Philadelphia is approximately an hour and a half drive and there's a lot to do there as well as Sesame Place which is another 20 minutes north of Philly.
And even if you just want to walk the boards, swim and play in the sand you can't beat it. If you do decide to go to Ocean City just make sure you book early. By early next year the best places will already be booked.

Diane

We've spent many, many family vacations throughout the past 25 years at Chincoteague Island. www.chincoteague.com will give you some idea if it's the spot for you. While you can't stay directly on the beach, it is a wonderful little town and the national seashore with it's wildlife refuge is fabulous.

kellie

Chuck,
if you aren't flying, you really should consider Cape Cod. Talk about family oriented!!!

kellie

woops, i meant if you are flying...

sam

I would go to Duck, NC. It is a few miles north of Nags Head/Kitty Hawk. The houses there are new and big and it is the playground for the rich and fameous. but also the normal. You have Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area where there are restaurants, shopping, Wright Brothers Memorial, Jockey's ridge State park (the largest sand dune on the east coast), plus you can drive down the outer banks and go to Ocracoke, one of the most magical places to visit, because there is nothing there but a little village. That would be my choice.