Every tourist destination offers unique attractions that draw visitors. New York City boasts the bright lights of Broadway, a plethora of museums, and the expanse of Central Park. Philadelphia charms with Fairmount Park, the iconic steps of the Museum of Art, and the vibrant Reading Terminal Market. Washington, D.C. captivates with its awe-inspiring monuments and museums, while Nashville enthralls with its rich musical heritage.
However, none of these cities can offer what the Outer Banks has in abundance: beautiful, sprawling beaches.
Many East Coast destinations feature beaches and numerous activities, just like the Outer Banks. Let’s explore how the Outer Banks compares to the popular Myrtle Beach, to see which is better for the vacation experience you’re looking for.
Myrtle Beach has gained a reputation as an all-around resort and it tries to have something for everyone. Interestingly though, its beach may not be the city’s number one attraction.
The Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: The Beach Experience
With over 100 miles of pristine coastline stretching from the Virginia state line to Ocracoke, the Outer Banks offers a diverse array of beach experiences that appeal to everyone. The emphasis on preserving the natural beauty of the beaches has led to unique decisions that set the Outer Banks apart from more urbanized beach destinations like Myrtle Beach.
Any picture of the Myrtle Beach shoreline tells the story—towering hotels line the beach.
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks’ commitment to maintaining its natural charm means you won’t find towering 25 or 30 story hotels dominating the shoreline. Unlike Myrtle Beach, where high-rise hotels line the coast, the tallest building on the Outer Banks is the four-story Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk, which is set back from the beach.
As a consequence, one of the things that our visitors often notice about the Outer Banks beaches is that from morning until sunset, when the sun is out, it’s warming the beach.
Myrtle Beach
In contrast, Myrtle Beach features numerous high-rise hotels that cast long afternoon shadows over the sand. These towering structures not only affect the beach atmosphere but also create access challenges. While the beaches in both North and South Carolina are public, meaning anyone can use them, access points can be a different story.
Accessibility and Parking
The beaches in North and South Carolina are in the public domain, meaning they are public property and anyone is permitted on them. North Carolina is a little more open in how public domain laws are interpreted, but for the most part, if you are on the beach you are permitted to be there in either state.
However, access to the beach is not a public right, and that’s where massive the hotels lining a few miles of beach becomes a problem.
The Outer Banks excels in providing free public parking close to the beach, ensuring easy access for everyone. Most areas offer either beachfront or adjacent parking, with Southern Shores being a notable exception due to property lines. However, ample parking is available for residents and guests.
Myrtle Beach, on the other hand, has metered public parking controlled by the city. Depending on the location, parking costs range from $1.75 to $2.00 per hour. This can add up quickly and may be inconvenient for visitors looking for a carefree beach day.
Summarizing The Beach Experience
Both the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach have their unique draws, but the Outer Banks’ commitment to preserving its natural beauty and ensuring easy beach access offers a distinct and appealing alternative to the more commercialized Myrtle Beac
The Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: The Family Vacation
The difference between metered parking in Myrtle Beach and free parking on the Outer Banks highlights varying philosophies on what makes an ideal family vacation.
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is tailored for extended family vacations, with a heavy emphasis on rental homes near the beach. Families planning one or two-week stays will find the comfort and convenience of a beach house far superior to a hotel or motel. While Myrtle Beach offers some weekly rentals, the selection pales in comparison to the Outer Banks, where rental homes dominate the lodging options.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, with its urban-like setting, features a high concentration of hotels and motels. These accommodations are well-suited for shorter stays but can be costly and inconvenient for extended vacations. The city, though smaller in area, matches the Outer Banks in population, leading to a more densely packed environment.
Family-Oriented Marketing
Both Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks market themselves as family-oriented destinations, but the family experience differs significantly between the two. Myrtle Beach boasts a bustling boardwalk with numerous businesses and entertainment options, including at least three amusement parks within the city. This urban setting provides a vibrant, activity-filled vacation.
Outer Banks’ Unique Appeal
In contrast, the Outer Banks offers a more relaxed, spacious environment. The focus is on creating a home-like experience with ample space for families to spread out and enjoy their time together. The free public parking and easy beach access further enhance the convenience and appeal of a longer stay.
The Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: Which Is Best For Your Family?
Ultimately, the choice between Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks depends on what kind of family vacation you’re seeking. If you prefer a lively, urban atmosphere with plenty of entertainment, Myrtle Beach may be the right choice. However, if you value a more laid-back, extended stay in a home-like setting, the Outer Banks offers an unbeatable experience.
The Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: The Natural Side
The Outer Banks is geared toward experiencing the area as an environmental event. There are a number of businesses offering kayak tours of the sounds. One of the most exciting things to do on the Outer Banks is to take a wild horse tour to see the Spanish Mustangs of Corolla that live in the 4WD area of Carova.
Something that sets the Outer Banks apart from other coastal resorts is how close the beauty of nature is to where our guests are staying.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore extends south from South Nags Head to Ocracoke with beautiful beaches, some of the best fishing in the world, vistas of wetlands and marsh, and hunting opportunities.
Surrounded by CHNS, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on the north end of Hatteras Island is a birder’s paradise, especially in fall when thousands of migratory waterfowl arrive.
There are also four protected maritime forests along the Outer Banks with trails suitable for any age. Nags Head Woods in Kill Devil Hills is the most easily accessed.
Jockey’s’ Ridge State Park in Nags Head is the crown jewel of the Outer Banks concept of something for everyone when it comes to family vacations. The highest natural sand dune on the East Coast, it is one of the finest places in the world to fly a kite. Adding to how wonderful flying a kite at Jockey’s Ridge is, there is an outstanding kite store just across the street.
And for anyone 80 pounds and up that want to try their hand at flying a really big kite, hang gliding lessons are available at the park.
The Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: Entertainment
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach’s urban setting makes it well-suited to support a variety of live theater performances. With numerous venues and a larger population base, visitors can enjoy a wide array of theatrical productions year-round.
Outer Banks
While the Outer Banks may lack the extensive live theater scene of Myrtle Beach, it offers unique and rich cultural experiences. The region is home to The Lost Colony, the longest-running outdoor drama in the United States. This historic play brings the story of the mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke Colony to life, providing a captivating theatrical experience.
Musical Entertainment
What the Outer Banks might lack in theater, it more than makes up for with its vibrant music scene. From mid-May through September, some of the finest local musicians perform regularly at numerous bars and restaurants, adding a lively soundtrack to evening outings.
Music Festivals
The Outer Banks is also known for its outstanding music festivals, which attract top talent from various genres:
- Duck Jazz Festival: This free, two-day festival in the town of Duck features some of the finest jazz musicians from around the country, making it a must-visit event for jazz enthusiasts.
- Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival: This festival brings together some of the best-known names in bluegrass music, offering an unforgettable experience for fans of the genre.
- Mustang Music Festival: Held in both spring and fall, this festival showcases a diverse array of musical styles, including blues, jazz, and more, providing a dynamic and entertaining experience for visitors.
While Myrtle Beach excels in providing live theater and a more urban entertainment experience, the Outer Banks offers a unique blend of historical drama, vibrant local music, and exceptional music festivals. Whether you prefer the buzz of city life or the charm of a coastal retreat with rich cultural offerings, both destinations have something special to offer.
The Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: Golfing
Myrtle Beach is also renowned for its abundance of golf courses, far more than could fit on the Outer Banks, making it a premier destination for golf enthusiasts.
While the Outer Banks may not have as many golf courses as Myrtle Beach, it does offer some exceptional ones. The Rees Jones-designed Currituck Club and the Tom Steele-designed Kilmarlic are both highly regarded and have hosted tournament play. These courses provide a high-quality golfing experience in a beautiful coastal setting.
Outer Banks vs Myrtle Beach: Which Is Better?
The Outer Banks is ideal for those seeking a more relaxed, natural beach experience with easy public access and ample family-friendly rental homes, whereas Myrtle Beach offers a lively, urban environment with numerous entertainment options, high-rise hotels, and convenient access.
Myrtle Beach’s airport and numerous golf courses offer convenience and a wide range of activities for visitors. However, the Outer Banks’ more remote location and its select, high-quality golf courses appeal to those seeking a quieter, more exclusive vacation experience. Which destination is best for you, is decided by whether you prefer easy access and a more urban experience, or a serene retreat with top-notch golfing in a picturesque environment.