June 2008 -- Topsail versus OBX

Just starting to plan June vacation and cannot decide where to go. We are considering Topsail and the OBX. If we go to Topsail, which area should we stay -- North, Surf City? I%26#39;m not familiar with the area. Same goes for OBX. I%26#39;ve been looking at rentals on vrbo and have some possibilities. We will be traveling with a 6-year old boy and 9 year-old girl.

June 2008 -- Topsail versus OBX

Both are very nice places to vacation.

There is more to do on the OBX but it is more expensive.

While there is less to do on Topsail, it is very family oriented and not too crowded.

If you do stay on Topsail, do not stay on the extreme north end of North Topsail Beach (only about the last 1/4 mile of the island) as there is quite a bit of erosion there along with several condemned houses sitting on the beach strand. Anywhere else is fine.

North Topsail Beach is very quiet and mostly residential; Topsail is mostly residential with a few shops; and Surf City has the most shops and restaurants.

Both the OBX and Topsail are great places to vacation, so no matter which one you choose, you can%26#39;t go wrong.

June 2008 -- Topsail versus OBX

Where ever you find a house you like...that%26#39;s the beach I would pick.

I really like N. Topsail. Quite, laid back beach and Wilmington is close if you want to venture out for the day.

On the other hand I really like the OBX (Hatteras Island is my place of choice). Quite, laid back beaches with better fishing than Topsail. Depending on where you stay on HI, Nags Head/Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills and Manteo are between 25 minutes to a little over an hour away depending on traffic.

Most folks on here will tell you about the NH/KH/KDH area. There is more to do in that area as far as non-beach activities go and there is more congestion. It depends if you want more non-beach activities, more shopping and more restraunts or more of a quite, laid back vacation.

Good luck on your planning.

We have gone to OBX for the last 3 years. Every year we have gone to South Nags Head. Its quite, less commercialized (less traffic, less people) and within a 20-50min. drive of anything you want to see or do. I think you will find this true of anything south of Whalebone Junction or north of Kitty Hawk.

The beaches and water are soooo much nicer down on Topsail. Anytime you get south of Cape Hattaras you find bluer water.

And I love how you can go out on the beach, sometimes even on a Saturday at Topsail and have hardly any crowd.

Thank you! You have all been very helpful!