The family has been to the panhandle 3 times for vacation,we really like it but want a change. How does Myrtle Beach compare?

DO NOT GO if you have been in the gulf the ocean at myrtle looks like a sewer. IMO Went to myrtle for 5 years then went to gulf shores and for the last 16 out of 17 years have returned to the gulf. The water is always a nasty dirt color at myrtle. TOO MUCH commercialization also. But if you are a runner and don't want to relax and unwind myrtle is the place for you.

For me this is a turn off also.

Perhaps you could say what kinds of things you are looking for and we could make some suggestions.

Myrtle has lots of shopping, go-cart type activities, restaurants ect. My FIL took a fishing charter and caught some fish. If that's your thing, it might suit your family.

I prefer less people and more natural scenery. But that's just me.

Keep in mind that you have asked about a very large stretch of land (Florida panhandle) as compared with a specific beach city (Myrtle Beach). If you want to go to the Myrtle Beach area consider that not all of the area in the Myrtle Beach vicinity is as built up as Myrtle Beach itself. You could go to North Myrtle, Cherry Grove, or one of the beaches south of Myrtle Beach itself to get away from some of the crowds and commercialization.

I should have been more clear. Actually, I am interested in all of the Carolina beaches (North and South). Any suggestions are welcome!

Ill drive the 8 hours to Panama City over the 4 hours to myrtle beach every day of the week. Never, and I mean never go to Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day weekend!!!!!!!!!

Just got back from Gulf Shoes AL. I’ll never go back to PC

I have spent many weekends camping, fishing, and scalloping at ST. JOSEPH PENINSULA STATE PARK- https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/th-stone-memorial-st-joseph-peninsula-state-park. It has been quite a few years since i was there though. From the information on their site; it appears that they are still recovering from some recent hurricanes, so facilities and activities are restricted. The Florida panhandle has quite a few state parks.

We always go to the destin/ft walton area and swim with the kids on the inland side of the island. Its just a few feet deep for a couple hundred yards and no dangerous critters. If we want big ocean, just go on the other side of the road and its open big blue water. I dont see how anyone could enjoy the atlantic side beaches. Ive been to the beaches in myrtle and georgia. Good fishing, but not for swimming.

Outer Banks,NC. Miles of non commercialized beach. Decent fishing. At least one member on here lives on the Outer Banks.

I've been wanting to do the same thing. SC doesn't honor my permit to carry a pistol so to heck with them. I'd rather drive to Florida where I can still vacation like a free man.

All of the state parks near the beach in the Florida panhandle are already booked solid for the next month.

If anyone knows of a place a guy on a budget with a family of four can stay near the beach in the panhandle area in early June, I sure would like to hear about it. I want to get out of the midwest for a few days, take my boys to see the ocean, eat some fresh seafood, and hopefully do a little surf fishing.

This may sound ridiculous, but have you considered going to northwest Michigan? Around Petoskey, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, is a beautiful place. Lots of sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Clean fresh air - white birch and white cedar trees. You will know for sure you're not in Indiana anymore. Plus, the bugs aren't as big as they are down south. I would recommend that as a change up if you are open to considering it.

best idea yet!

the further north ya go the quieter it gets

we stay up in Corolla or 4WD to Carova Beach (where ya can go out on the deck and see feral horses often) nearly to Va line, but Duck was really nice and closer to activity areas of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, etc.

We , come back to Tanger Outlet in Kitty Hawk area for girls to shop (while I read trapping mags or books on the benches in or just outside the shops, since I am just the banker and chauffer.)

many great restaurants there too, contact Leary on here to meet up with him.

Myrtle Beach has become an armpit PLUS, had a 42% increase in Covid 19 cases last week compared to previous week, HIGHEST INCREASE IN THE NATION.

https://obxguides.com/
and
https://www.outerbanks.org/?msclkid=a67878e9a0431ff613952627cfbe3c22&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MI%20Outer%20Banks%20Brand%20-%20RELAUNCH%20-%20Max%20Clicks&utm_term=%2Bobx%20%2Bvisitors%20%2Bguide&utm_content=1%20Visitors%20Guide


will help ya get started, BUT, we never stay in Hotels anymore, just places off www.vrbo.com so we don't have to worry bout bed bugs and crap like that.

when we do family vacations, we do the Brunswick Beaches in NC. they have some family activities like mini golf and go carts, but aren't overly commercial.
many of them are close enough to Myrtle that if somebody wants to make a trip for a day or even afternoon its not unreasonable.

i prefer OBX, but I like to go south on the islands and get away from as much as I can which doesn't really work for the rest of the family. you could stay up around Duck or Kittyhawk though and there is plenty to keep everybody busy.

the NC beaches arent the same as the Gulf but it doesnt bother me in the least

North myrtle Beach is not bad. Not as crowded as myrtle beach

If anyone knows of a reasonable prices on sleeping quarters without cockroaches, I'm all ears. I have not had experience with the cockroaches on the OBX. We stayed at this one motel right on the beach that was a tad sketchy. The beach was fine but you need to do some homework.

Was it the Colonial Inn?

I can't remember the name- it does sound familiar.

Myrtle Beach has some pretty high crime any more. Shootings on a regular basis. Surfside Beach just south of it is nice still. So are the Outer Banks.
Joe