Help me find the closest beach

[Katie&Micah]

Dh made some promise to his mother years ago that he would take her to the ocean (she's never been). He asked me to try and figure out where the closest beach is from where we live in southcentral Missouri. I have no idea how to go about it. Does anyone have any tips/ideas for me? All I know is that they are planning on driving and he's more concerned about seeing the ocean than other area attractions.

[Niobe]

Well, I don't know from experience, but looking at a map, it looks like the fastest way to the ocean would be to head due east to Virginia Beach. Not sure what Virginia Beach is like, but it's on the Atlantic Ocean. :)

[AHammer]

might be good to head south to the "redneck riviera" -- mississippi or alabama coast. the gulf coast would definitely be the shortest drive for you.

(from springfield, mo)

gulfport, ms -- 650 miles
virginia beach -- 1100 miles
galveston, tx -- 700 miles

hope that helps a little

[Katie&Micah]

thank you both.. I really appreciate it. I will look into the gulf coast.

[phoenics]

I was going to mention the gulf coast too. Corpus Christi is nice, but that's probably too far.

You might even think about going to Florida's Gulf Coast - it's gorgeous.

[Katie&Micah]

I talked to dh about it and they are only planning on going for 3 or 4 days. So the closer the better since they are driving (mil refuses to fly). He's looking into Mississippi.

[phoenics]

I talked to dh about it and they are only planning on going for 3 or 4 days. So the closer the better since they are driving (mil refuses to fly). He's looking into Mississippi.

Cool - I hope they have a good time!!

[karlatta]

I'd probably go to Mississippi if I were you. There are prettier beaches, but since the main goal is just to see the ocean, it should work nicely.

[HeatherFL]

I agree. I'd really try to do the Gulf Coast, it's quite pretty. Less than an extra 100 miles and they can do the Florida Gulf Coast. It's worth it. It really is beautiful. Just be careful of where you go in Mississippi and maybe post on those boards here to see how the Hurricane Katrina clean-up progress is going.

Here's a website on the South Coast USA Beaches (http://www.southcoastusa.com/beach_attraction.asp) that may be helpful.

[Katie&Micah]

Thanks a bunch! One of my journal buddies is in Miss. so I'll definately ask her which beaches are nice to visit at this point.

[May27JnJ]

Yeah...I live in VA and go to VA Beach a lot. If you want a nice beach, you'd be disappointed. It's just not the nicest! You know? It's still a beach and it's nice to take a day trip here for me. But if the others are closer, I'd definitely cross VA Beach off the list.

[HeatherFL]

I was going to write that too. Todd is from Norfolk and we go to Virginia Beach a couple/few times a year. It's nice, but not *great*. Not the place I would take someone going to the ocean for the first time. I'm spoiled with our Florida beaches, though.

A wonderful trip to your MIL!

[phoenics]

I was going to write that too. Todd is from Norfolk and we go to Virginia Beach a couple/few times a year. It's nice, but not *great*. Not the place I would take someone going to the ocean for the first time. I'm spoiled with our Florida beaches, though.

A wonderful trip to your MIL!

Nags Head, Duck, etc. are just a bit further south and are far nicer. I'm from NC - Northeastern NC and we're only about 1 hour from VA Beach. I agree, its' not *that* nice, but it's okay.

Nags Head is better, imo. Hilton Head is my favorite though.

But the Florida Gulf Coast is awesome.

Heather that's so funny that your SO is from Norfolk - that's where I fly to when I go home... then we just drive over the border into NC - it's like 40 miles away to my hometown from Norfolk...

[Katie&Micah]

One of my friends recommended Gulf Shores, Al. Does anyone have any experience with that area?

[dreamgirly]

One of my friends recommended Gulf Shores, Al. Does anyone have any experience with that area?

Gulf Shores is ok. Pensacola beach is ok. But Destin/San Destin/ Seaside are AWESOME. They are harder to get to though since there is no direct interstate link like there is for Gulf Shores.

[HeatherFL]

phoenics What a small world! Yep, Todd's family is up there and he went to ODU. I like Hilton Head. I was there awhile ago, but I have to admit it was kind of boring for me. I'm so used to a lot of activity going on around the beaches here-even the ones that are empty and peaceful. There are still things nearby. Hilton Head was sort of dead to me. I get that's the point-LOL relaxation. I'm just too much of a busybody!

I've gotta agree with dreamgirly. Gulf Shores is okay. But those Panhandle Beaches are way better. I also liked Panama City Beach, but it's been years since I was there. I don't know if it is as nice as it once was.

I guess that if I was taking someone to the ocean for the first time, I'd do one of the better ones. It would be worth the extra effort. :)

[ManteoChik]

Nags Head, Duck, etc. are just a bit further south and are far nicer. I'm from NC - Northeastern NC and we're only about 1 hour from VA Beach. I agree, its' not *that* nice, but it's okay.

Nags Head is better, imo. Hilton Head is my favorite though.

But the Florida Gulf Coast is awesome.

Heather that's so funny that your SO is from Norfolk - that's where I fly to when I go home... then we just drive over the border into NC - it's like 40 miles away to my hometown from Norfolk...

Small world...you must not be that far from me on the Outer Banks.

[Katie&Micah]

They just don't want this to turn into a 2 day drive.. because 2 days there and 2 days back is really ALOT of time in the car. It would be easier if they would just fly. But that's really non-negotiable with mil. Thanks for the suggestions.. I'll pass them on.

[maxandmolly]

I'd probably go to Mississippi if I were you. There are prettier beaches, but since the main goal is just to see the ocean, it should work nicely.

I agree. I'd really try to do the Gulf Coast, it's quite pretty. Less than an extra 100 miles and they can do the Florida Gulf Coast. It's worth it. It really is beautiful.

But the Florida Gulf Coast is awesome.
Um-the Gulf Coast does not have any oceanfront. It's the Gulf of Mexico, and it's really a very different experience than the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. The sand is different, the waves, the water temperature. But both of these are quite out of reach for a one day drive!
*ahem*
That said, I am amazed at how many people are recommending the Gulf Coast. I've lived within an hour (most of the time far less) of the Gulf almost my whole life. I guess I tend to forget how 'special' it all is to tourists.

[karlatta]

Um-the Gulf Coast does not have any oceanfront. It's the Gulf of Mexico, and it's really a very different experience than the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. The sand is different, the waves, the water temperature. But both of these are quite out of reach for a one day drive!
*ahem*
That said, I am amazed at how many people are recommending the Gulf Coast. I've lived within an hour (most of the time far less) of the Gulf almost my whole life. I guess I tend to forget how 'special' it all is to tourists.
By that logic, it's not really "ocean" when you go to the Caribbean - because that's a sea, after all.

I know the Gulf Coast isn't the same as the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans (I live within an hour of the Gulf Coast as well), but I think in most people's minds, it's sufficient to fit the definition of "seeing ocean" for the first time.

[HeatherFL]

I'm not a tourist - I'm a Miami native and I have lived near the ocean for most of my life-whether on the Pacific Ocean in California, and Washington State, the Atlantic Ocean in South Beach or the Gulf Of Mexico (and yes, I do mean the Gulf is part ocean) here in Tampa Bay and I still think the Gulf Beaches are beautiful. Atmosphereic and Oceanic Science Techology was my major in high school (yep, high school. It was Marine Science and Math based) so I do have some knowledge of what an ocean is.

Um-the Gulf Coast does not have any oceanfront. It's the Gulf of Mexico, and it's really a very different experience than the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. The sand is different, the waves, the water temperature. But both of these are quite out of reach for a one day drive!


Actually that's not really accurate (except regarding water temperature, sand type, etc..) Technically, all the oceans meet at some point or another with areas of land/bodies of water and form other bodies like Gulfs, Seas and so on -so you have a land/ocean connection. So yeah, it's still the ocean since it connects with the Atlantic through the Florida Straits and the Caribbean Sea which is made up of, well, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. So it's all a big circle. So you see the Gulf, you see a sea and an ocean too. Three birds with one stone. ;)

Though I miss Miami terribly, I think the Gulf Beaches are prettier than most of the Atlantic Ocean beaches. The Gulf Beaches are also consistently named some of the best beaches in the world year after year. I also consider Tampa Bay to be on the Gulf Coast since our coastal area "touches" the Gulf. And for someone going to see the "ocean" for the first time, for *me* I'd want that person to see something pretty. Not like some of the other areas I've been to in the country that have some sand, brown water and that's a beach.

ETA: Also regarding the two day drive, my family has driven from Miami to St. Louis several times in one day (long days, mind you LOL.) If you're in Southern Missouri and just going to the Gulf (like the Destin area) it shouldn't take two days. From St. Louis that's maybe 12 hours. So it would probably be less than that.

[isign]

"redneck riviera" -- mississippi or alabama coast.
I just have to say that I've never heard it called that, nor do I really care for it. Not trying to be snotty, honest.

As I said before Katie, if they want closeness, here's ok, but if they want waves, Gulf Shores, is great. Alot of our beach is open since Katrina, but you can't stay on the beach yet, like you can in Gulf Shores.

[Katie&Micah]

Thanks for all the suggestions.. I think dh has decided on Gulf Shores, Al. They have some gorgeous pictures on their website. Anyways.. I'm leaving it up to him now.