What's The Best/Closest Beach To Richmond?

[ghost]

We usually do a summer beach vacation on the panhandle in Florida, but this new deal at Richmond with the sprints on Friday night along with IRL quals, and then Silver Crown and the IRL both on Saturday has really got me interested.

For those of you know, is it feasible to combine a beach vacation with Richmond? How long of a drive? And what's the beach like?

[jandj]

From Richmond , you're less than two hours away from Va.Beach. Very nice.
If he doesn't show up on this thread , I suggest you PM gofastturnleft . He's done what you're asking about and can fill you in on what you need to know.

[CrewChief]

Va.Beach would be your closest, I am guessing about an hour to hour and a half. Ocean City, Md is probably about 2 to 2 1/2 hours and is very nice. I've never been to Va.Beach but Ocean City has a clean beach area, a nice boardwalk, good resturants (if you avoid the tourist traps) and some kicking bars if you're looking for nightlife. Seacrets maybe the best bar/nightclub I have been to.

[gofastturnleft]

Combining Richmond and a beach trip is great. Just don't plan on going to Cape May or anywhere else in New Jersey. It is not as close as it looks.

I would go with whatever jandj offers up. His advice has been spot on for me every time I've been in town.

Feel free to send me a note though and I'll fill you in on what I know.

[CrewChief]

Dan, the Jersey Shore, why even mention it ? He said he wanted somewhere nice

You trying to get him stuck with a needle washed up on shore.

[DavidM]

Lots of cool stuff to do in the area. Kings Dominion is close as is Williamsburg. One year, the day after the race took a riverboat tour on the James River. Wife really liked that. If you're into the Civil War, there more stuff to do they you'll have time for.

[OW fan in OK]

Ocean City about 4 hours away, depending upon the time of day when you travel. Rush hour is towards DC in the morning, and away from it in the evening. Dont even think of going through it. Stop and crawl for 3 hours!

VA Beach is also a very nice area. Less traffic.

Heck, take a few days to visit both. Next time I'm out there again I plan to.

[Novi-]

Va Beach tends to be more adult oriented, 21 & over, Ocean City Md is more family like, IMO the downside is the hundreds/thousands of kids just cruising up and down and around the streets after dark, every night, no trouble while we were there, just a major traffic jam all night. Nice boardwalk, clean town, nice beachs, good body surfing etc. We left Richmond ~ 7am, drove through VB and took a walk and got into OC ~ 12-1pm IIRC. Nice Sun morn drive no traffic etc.

[ghost]

Thanks for all the good input TF'ers! Now I have to talk the wife into it.

[rev-ed]

Hey ghost, me & the fam did the VA Beach/Richmond race weekend deal in 2003. Easy to do, although traffic is a bear most anywhere in that area. Virginia Beach even has some decent family stuff to do after you've had too much sun.

[Niseguy]

Depending on what you want the beach to be, you might think of the North Carolina outer banks. Not as commercial, lots less stress, but you have to bring your own entertainment.

It is a couple hours further than Va Beach though.

[jolly]

OBX

I'm with niseguy

It's certainly not the closest beach at 3.5 hours from Richmond but the Outer Banks in NC is worth the time.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&ct=NA&1y=US&1a=&1c=richmond&1s=va&1z=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=kill+devil+hills&2s=nc&2z=&2ah=

Things to see include the Wright Bros. First in Flight memorial and the Pea Island Natl wildlife preserve. Nags Head/Kitty Hawk/ Kill Devil Hills has it all with stores. restaurants and entertainmnent. For more seclusion traval farther yet onto Highway 12. If your a real pirate make it all the way to Ocracoke Island. It is possible to access pristeen beaches here that you can have entirely to yourself. Talk about getting away from it all. We call it an "Island State of Mind".

http://www.outerbanks.org/

[Slim]

I've been to VA beach and I've done the Outer Banks many times...I prefer to go to the Outer Banks despite it being a bit longer of a drive. It's a lot more peaceful out on the Banks. You can just find a place to pull over, climb a sand dune and voila, you have instant beach a lot of times with no tourists. We've been to all the lighthouses and they are very interesting to see and get to know their pasts. Did you know that not too long ago they had to move the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse more inland because of beach erosion?
Even if you don't want to go all the way down to Kitty Hawk/Nags Head there are still nice beaches up around Duck and Corolla.



Oh, and Niseguy, I'm guessing that I know who you are
*meow*