Family of 5 (kids ranges in age from 11 - 16) will be in New Bern, NC for at least 1 week. What is there to do? We will probably do a day trip to Myrtle Beach and possible down to Hilton Head. And, we may come by way of Washington, DC. Any advice?

I'm from North Carolina, so am partial, but instead of going to Myrtle Beach I would definitely head east to Morehead City, Beaufort, and to the beaches of Emerald Isle and Salter Path. You'll only be 30 minutes away. The downside is those beaches might not be as entertaining for kids, but it's a quieter area and there is public beach access as well as some putt-putt, etc.

Ditto on Morehead, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, NC. The beach is not as crowded as Myrtle, and if you've just driven from DC, you'll be ready to park the car. For a history lesson, tour Tryon Palace in New Bern and Fort Macon State Park at Atlantic Beach. Beaufort also has some historic points of interest. If you want a day trip, consider Wilmington; check out the Battleship North Carolina. I've spent many summers at Atlantic Beach, and held our family reunion there last summer. I think your family will enjoy it there as well; eat at the Sanitary Fish Market (Tony's) in Morehead. Good luck!

myrtle beach would be a four-hour drive one way ... hilton head would be another two or three hours beyond that. why bother? there's plenty to do in the new bern area.

folks have already mentioned tryon palace (colonial governor's mansion -- pretty, but might be boring for teens) and fort macon (with a nice public beach nearby). there's also the north carolina aquarium and the north carolina maritime museum, both of which offer extensive programming (classes for all ages -- do a search for the official web sites to find what's scheduled during "your" week, and register in advance for things like snorkeling -- and field trips). you can rent kayaks and jet skis. you can catch a two-hour ferry ride from cedar island to ocracoke (and, from there, another 30-minute ferry ride to hatteras). atlantic beach has a boardwalk -- your kids might enjoy surfing lessons.

if you're driving down from washington and you want to see different areas, i'd suggest driving to elizabeth city, n.c., and to the outer banks -- kitty hawk, kill devil hills, nag's head -- for a few days. there's plenty to do there, too (the lost colony outdoor drama, another n.c. aquarium site, the elizabeth II reproduction ship, the wright brothers' memorial), and then you could follow the coast and the ferries to ocracoke, cedar island and new bern from there.

you really need to get a map and study the area. i'm still amazed that someone would think of hilton head island as a day trip from new bern.

Some of this has already been covered above, but I have made a few trips to the area in the past few years and thought I would add my own opinions for you. In fact, I just returned from one visit yesterday. My daughter is only 2, so I can only guess what your kids would like. Tryon Palace is a must if you are already in New Bern. Even if your kids don't like history, it will only take a couple of hours to visit. In Kinston, you can visit the remains of the CSS Neuse, a Confederate iron clad ship. Ft. Macon is highly visited and would appeal to most kids. You can visit the lighthouse at Pt. Lookout (haven't been there yet). Beaufort is a nice place to walk around. The Maritime museum there was displaying items from Blackbeard's ship when I visited in October. There are several good shops, and Blackbeard's house is located in Beaufort (now privately owned - not something you can visit). The Aquarium is small but fun for an hour or two. My daughter loves it. Outside the building, you can walk down trails to the waterways and visit a snake exhibit. I would definitely spend some time at the beaches around Atlantic Beach. There are many piers for fishing or just walking, and the beaches are pretty decent for seashells. Saw several jellyfish last weekend and lots of crabs. There are amusement rides for kids of that age straight across from the bridge that enters Atlantic Beach - ferris wheel, race cars, and a scary looking bungy type ride. Down the main road a little is Jungleland. It has lots of younger rides, but also two mini golf courses, bumper boats, and a couple of other rides for older kids. I also recommend Sanitary Fish Market and have eaten there twice. Ask for a seat by the waterway. I also like to eat a seafood buffet when I visit the beach. So far, my favorite is Squatter's (ten or so miles south from the bridge into Atlantic Beach, on the left). It has a wide variety, and I found the seafood part of the buffet very tasty.

If you're already at New Bern, Don't go all the way down to Myrtle Beach. I heartily endorse the suggestion of hitting the beaches in the immediate area. If they tire of that, head north up the Outer Banks.

Do a search here on the Outer Banks. There are plenty of suggestions and web links already. Do a search on Wilmington as well. With a week in the area, you will only be bored if you want to be. Suggestion, buy an inexpensive stunt kite!

Everyone has had wonderful suggestions. I second going to Tryon Palace and Mariner's museum. I love the idea of driving down the Outer Banks and taking the ferry boats.

If you had planned a daytrip to Hilton Head for golf, how about going to Pinehurst instead? It's much closer and has more history to it. The town is quaint and the Pinehurst Inn/hotel has golf exhibits on display. Haven't been there in a few years, but I guess they would now have artifacts from the 1999 U.S. Open on display.