My wife and I (mid-30s)are looking for somewhere to go for a week in July. We want a nice beach that is not overly touristy nor over run with kids. It would also be good to have some decent places to eat and browse. It can be anywhere along the East Coast, preferably from NJ on south. (We don't want to drive TOO far.) Any ideas???

My husband and I enjoy Fenwick Island, DE. It is mostly private/rental homes with some shops and resturants. It is close to Ocean City, MD and Bethany Beach, DE if you decide you would like to hit the boardwalk.

Great suggestion. The beach is really nice. We've done it from DC area on a day trip several times. Also, there is no state sales tax in Delaware, so there are some great shopping opportunities. AND there is a small casino somewhere around there, if you are interested in that.

Outer Banks, NC if that's not too far. Specifically, Duck or Corolla on the northern end; Hatteras on the southern end. Everything else inbetween is what you said you *don't* want.

Try Kiawah Island near Charleston, SC. The combination is tough to beat - Kiawah has beautiful beaches, great tennis and golf and above all, peace & quiet. Charleston, 15 minutes away, has fantastic restaurants, antique and nick-nac shops, art galleries as well as many
historic buildings. My wife and I have gone twice from New England.

Try Ocracoke Island, NC, at the southern end of the outer banks. The beaches are protected so there is no development on them whatsever. The town is on a little harbor and is cute as a button and not touristy at all due to its remoteness (you have to take a ferry to get there). The locals have an interesting accent unlike any other I've heard anywhere. The town has enough to do to keep you interested -- a lighthouse, very good restaurants, good deep-sea fishing (ask for Cap'n Dave) -- but is totally low-key and relaxing. Getting there was an adventure but once you're there, you don't want to leave -- it's like going back in time. If you want to see what it looks like, go to www.ocracoke.com -- that's a local photographer's website, but it has other links to more info. Good luck.

We always go to Emerald Isle, the south of NC. It is about a 14 hr dr from where we are, the very very north of NJ. (part of our town is in NY) so it would probably be about 10 hrs. from where you are. Part of the island is Atlantic Beach, which we find much like the Jersey Shore (too overpopulated) However, the emerald isle part is much more quiet, and the water is wonderful. It is very warm and the waves aren't rough at all.

THE OUTER BANKS...the Maryland and Delaware beaches are nice, but very family oriented, touristy and crowded. Try Midgett Realty.

Hi Craig! I live in a suburb of Philly, only an hour's drive to the Jersey shore. If you want nice beahces, Jersey is NOT the place to go at all! It's overcrowded unless you know EXACTLY whre to go, but you'd have to live here to know. I recommend Duck, NC, it's beautiful, lots of nice houses, and quite peaceful, as is the rest of the Outer Banks in NC. Good luck.