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Advice-Wrightsville Beach area Vs Bogue Banks area

pcgirl54

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For a family vacation with our adult sons/girlfiriends what area would you recommend and why. We have been from Maine to OBX and from Myrtle to Key West. Somehow we have skipped this area. Heard Wilmington is very nice. There are a few Timeshares in Atlantic Beach and 1 in Carolina Beach so not much choice hence thinking of renting my summer Cape Cod week and rent myself in NC.

What parts should we avoid-college crowdish or not so nice area. I have read Wilmington NC is worth seeing so Atlantic Beach is too far away. I could have had a 3bd there and hesitated for that reason.

Atlantic Beach-far from Wilmington
Emerald Isle-my boss said this is gorgeous. I have no clue
Pine Knoll
Carolina Beach
Kure Beach
Wrightsville Beach

We love the beach. Thinking of renting a house shoulder season Late May - firs two weeks of June range before it gets too pricey. Need 3-5 bedrooms depending how many are coming. One son lives in VA and one in NYC.

Any experience with rentals in these places? What should I ask that I do not know to ask?

Thanks to all!
 

Laurie

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Although it's been awhile ...

Carolina Beach used to be the kind you describe as wanting to avoid - nothing too bad, but it had the arcades etc - it may have changed, I haven't been to Wilmington area beaches in many years. Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach were quieter, Wrightsville more upscale/expensive. As I recall, most Wrightsville houses weren't direct oceanfront, they were on cross-streets, if that's a consideration (and if still true). If you want to spend some days in Wilmington, these would be the best choices.

It's true that Emerald Isle is very pretty, I used to go most summers. Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach are both on Emerald Isle the island, as well. One nice feature of this island is that it lies east-west, so you get both sunrises and sunsets. Personally I've always preferred Emerald Isle beaches to Wilmington area beaches, but visiting Wilmington wasn't on my agenda. And I preferred the end towards Swansboro, which I guess would be the western end. There are several good restaurants at either end, in Swansboro and in Beaufort.

Topsail Beach is another to possibly consider, it's in-between the 2, and has the most plentiful sharks' teeth. A couple of times when I had to be in Wilmington on business, I drove up to stay at Topsail, so it's within reach. Again, I like the western/southern end better - maybe it's the currents, the eastern/northern ends have more severe beach erosion.

I don't know if that's helpful, esp since all of these areas have experienced more development in recent years.

Emerald Isle Realty is the only agency we've rented from, they're reputable, if you choose to stay that far from Wilmington.
www.emeraldislerealty.com
 
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pcgirl54

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Laurie it is helpful. When you don't know the area you want to plan as well as one can so as to not be disappointed.

I have read so much about Wilmington being a nice place.

We have been to all these VA/NC/SC beach areas and they are all unique from each other-OBX , Myrtle Beach,Virginia Beach and Hilton Head. I do not know what Atlantic Beaches to Wrightsville is like. Some have soft sand and others have hard sand.


A nice beach in a good area where there are things we can do/see is we are looking for. Nice casuals places to eat. Not a honky tonk or nightclub/bar scene area.
 

riverdees05

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Any recommendations on where to stay one night in Wrightsville Beach in early March? We will be visiting in conjunction with a trip to M B.
 
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