My cousin is getting married in Raleigh-Durham, NC next summer around July 4th. We've never been to the area and we're thinking about turning the trip into a vacation for the family. We're trying to decide between driving to Williamsburg or heading to the Outer Banks or both. We will be 6 adults and 3 children ranging in age from 5 to 2.

I've done a little bit of research into the Outer Banks and I think that would suit us well. We usually go to the Florida panhandle and I'm wondering how the beaches in NC compare? Is the sand and water just as nice? Also, how's the fishing? Are there any amusement park type places nearby? Are there any other activities that we shouldn't miss?

Thanks,
Kim

Quite a bit of difference between FL panhandle beaches and OBX beaches. White, powdery sand versus grey/brown sand; calm, gentle water versus lots of waves/surf. One plus I think about OBX (and most east coast Atlantic beaches) is that they are better for walking, wider & flatter.

No amusement parks at OBX that I know of, but there is a great aviation museum at the Wright Brothers memorial, and there is Jockeys Ridge (a humungous sand dune), as well as all the lighthouses.

Depends on your point of view, frankly...I think the OBX beaches are much "nicer" than the ones in Florida but I like surf and areas that aren't as commercial.

If you want the "commercial" built-up aspects of the Outer Banks then stay somwehere like Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills; if you want less of that then consider staying somewhere along the National Seashore area itself such as Avon, Hatteras Village, etc.

You'll have far more places to choose from around Nags Head in terms of motels/hotels.

Kids that age will enjoy the beach more than Williamsburg, but Williamsburg does offer a Great Wolf Lodge with waterpark. Then again, a 2 year old won't have much fun there, either.

I'd opt for OBX, but don't compare it to the FL panhandle. Different area of the ocean shore.

You can rent some great, large, properties and make it a big group in one place, some with their own pools. Don't know your budget. We rented a house with a pool, so we had the best of both worlds.

It is a great kite flying, sand castle beach and you can rent bikes if you stay up near Corolla and Duck. They do have the trailers for kids.

On a rainy day, head to the Wright Bros Museum. There is a movie theater in town as well.

There were men fishing the shoreline regularly. I can't tell you how they did. We saw lots of pelicans, and dolphins swimming off shore, too.

Book early and you will have a good choice of rentals.

You might also consider the Outer Banks of Virginia--Sandbridge Beach. It is 20 minutes or so south of Virginia Beach and is very like Avon in the NC OBX in character. Nice thing about SB is that you have a family beach, with the walking and birdwatching and fishing and less than 1/2 hour away are all the amusements of Va Beach. + Williamsburg would be a do-able day trip for you. Best of both worlds!