Ocean city or Virginia Beach?

We are looking to go to the beach next summer with 2 other families. Each family has 3 children under the age of 8. Which area would be better for us to visit. We are comming from Ohio. We are looking to get one big house or Condo. Any input Would be Great. We would also like to have a pool or pool access. Has any one been to both places?

Thanks Jaymi

Ocean city or Virginia Beach?

I%26#39;ve been to OC countless times but to Va. Beach only once. Hands down it%26#39;s OC, especially for children. Va. beach is a nice area but they don%26#39;t have the boardwalk, rides, mini golf.... that OC has. Do a search on the forum, I recall this being discussed recently.

Ocean city or Virginia Beach?

yes this topic has been discusssed numerous times. A forum search will result in many responses. Here is part of a post I made earlier on the Subject:

OC is a small laid back Island(well almost)town with a great famlily oriented atmosphere. There are fun amusements, a great real boards boardwalk and fantastic Maryland crabs and outlet shopping. The beach is pristine with big waves and is always peaceful and relaxing.

VB is part of the large metropolitan area of Hampton Roads including Newport News and Norfolk as well as numerous army and naval bases. So there for you have rush hours and hustle and bustle. But as well as the oceanfront you can also see a play or go to the opera. Or visit one of the many many museums throughout the area. The boardwalk(concrete) is peaceful and a great place to people watch or for an evening stroll. It is sooo pretty lit up at night.

I usually go to Ocean city for a few years in a row and then to VB for a few years. As far as the kids, I agree with Crabby that there are more children oriented activities in Ocean City.

Thanks, for the info. We will have to talk it over.

Have you looked into the Outer Banks? They have AMAZING ocean front houses. Absolutely beautiful.

I am interested to know what you%26#39;ve decided. We are in the SAME situation right now! Planning our 2009 summer vacation %26amp; we typically go to VB. We LOVE VB however, with finances being tight, we are considering OC, MD. I have never been but it is about 6 hours closer than VB (we are from upstate NY). We always found something to do in VB. We have an RV and stay about 2 miles from the beach. Our camp site is right in the flight path of the F-18%26#39;s and we love watching them fly in and out. We usually took a day trip to Busch Gardens but basically went to beach everyday. The beach is clean and totally family orientated. The shops are great and they have a no swearing policy, which is a relief as we have children.

We vacationed on the Jersey shore a couple of years ago and I swaer I won%26#39;t go back. Did not care for the beaches although I heard they were great, we stayed in Sea Isle City. It is just so much better in VB but am curious if we will be happy in OC.

Ocean City isn%26#39;t exactly RV friendly. You%26#39;d have to park it in a camp ground outside the city limits and there is no public transportation.

Chamber of Commerce doesn%26#39;t really care for folks who bring their rooms with them .In fact,during the season you can%26#39;t even park an RV on the city street.

I think both have their perks and I haven%26#39;t been to VB myself I do want to go some day because it does sound nice. OC is more convienent to me because its closer and has a wide range of activities to do that cater to all ages. From put-put, arcades, boardwalk to home town taversn to Jamica style theme resort at Seacrets.

If your on a tight budget this year, Ocean City will do you fine and I think you%26#39;ll find yourself wanting to go back in the years to come.

Links to help find your lodging

ocean-city.com

oceancity.com

Actually one of the families that we were going to go with is having an early summer baby and My Dh just changed jobs so we are not going to go this year. My kida are little 6, 5, 3, and 1 so we have plenty of time to make the trip. My girls really wanted to see a beach so we may just go up to Lake Erie, (we live in Ohio) and be able to do this easily in just a weekend. SOMEDAY we will make it over there with the kids. I have been to Hilton Head and that was ';Nice';. My Husband and my beach vacations are usually In Mexico. and that is VERY nice!!