Any budget tips for vacationing in the Outer Banks

[dazzled]

Our family and another family or 2 are thinking of vacationong together in the Outer Banks, NC this summer. I would love to have some tips on saving money. Especially on housing there. I know this is prime season but any tips would be helpful. We will have at least 9 of us, maybe up to 13. That includes adults and children. We went a few summers ago and had a great time. We stayed in the Corolla area of the Outer BAnks. Thanks in advance everyone. We are thinking of going 3 or 4th week of June or the 1st week in July.

 

[HayGan]

Well, that is getting into prime season so deals will be harder to come by. I would suggest checking out several of the realty agencies now to see if any of them have deals running now. We prefer to rent from www.villagerealtyobx.com but we have also rented from Stan White Realty and www.sunrealtyobx.com We prefer to stay in Corolla or Duck.

In order to save some money look for properties that are soundside or oceanside. Oceanfront deals will be very hard to find.

If you are willing to risk not having something until closer to your departure date, you can hold off on booking now and book much closer to your trip. Often times owners will lower their rates if it looks like something is going to go unbooked (especially in peak season.) It can be very risky but it can also save you lots of cash!!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

I just got my catalog in the mail for www.carolinadesigns.com

we rented from them a few years ago. We went easter week. I cant afford the $5000 and up... way upppp for hourses in the summertime

 

[jillyjoey]

We went to Hatteras last year and would never go anywhere else on the OB. Previous trips to Corolla/KDH. Our rental was in Waves and we could walk from sound to beach in just about 10 minutes. AWESOME. We used Cape Escape and found there prices VERY REASONABLE! They only accept cash -- but they let all 3 dogs stay. Just watch -- some of their units do not have ac.

 

[mlraabe]

We usually rent from Sun realty. One year however, we did wait until the last minute and rented from Stan White. We got a great deal $600/week( around $300 per family with pool heat and taxes) for a 5 BR with a hot tub and private pool! There were 12 of us. After this experience I would say there are always lots of openings last minute if you want to deal with the stress of waiting for them (we made an offer on Thurs., they had to call the owner, we did not get official word that we had it until Friday at 5:00 for the Sat. rental). We were already packed and ready to go but it was hectic!

The other thing about Stan White is that the house was filthy. They claim that the owners were there the week before and cancelled the cleaning because they would do it. It was really bad. The cleaning company did come out the next day but Stan White did not want to except any responsiblity for it.

Our outer banks vacation is always our cheapest. We split a house with other families, we stay in corolla - out of eyesight of any $ attractions, we plan meals and grill or use the crockpot, usually have a pizza night and a night to go out for ice cream. Other than that we pretty much stay at the house in the pool or hot tub and spend the day at the beach. The kids love it and we hardly spend a thing!

 

[mcorbo]

We have been going every year for the past 10 or more. Usually we stay in Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills in an oceanfront or semi-oceanfront house. have used www.joelambjr.com and www.kittydunes.com. We usually pay about $2000 for the week. The best deals are the off weeks, just after memorial day and just before labor day. Some of the agents only discount the week before or after, some 2 weeks before and after.

 

[pantherlj]

Bring as much food with you as you can .... even the low end price store in NC (Food Lion) is expensive there! My parents live there year round and even in winter, every day prices are higher there than a few hours away in Durham.

Of course, when you get there, pick up the tourist magazines for coupons to attractions.

Make sure to sign up for the grocery store MVP or VIP cards (Harris Teeter and Food Lion) to save when you shop there. I think you can sign up for them on their websites. That would save you time at the check out line or customer service line.

I find that gas is the same price, if not cheaper, there than it is here (in the Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills area anyway ... Hatteras is higher).

 

[czycropper]

We stayed with 2 other families in a 7 bedroom house a couple of years ago and paid about $6,200. The house was in Southern Shores, it was beautiful - I'll be glad to send you photos. We bought all our groceries up here (Jersey) since believe it or not it was cheaper We only went out one night to eat and the rest of time ate at the house, which had a gourmet kitchen, wine storage, elevator, pool, jacuzzi and only a block from the beach.

Another option - my neighbors have a house near Cape Hatteras. I could find out for you how much they charge. It's a 5-bedroom, on the beach with a pool. We didn't use theirs when we went because it was rented the week we went then last year we went to Colorado for 10 days and in August went to Barnegat Light (here in Jersey & our very favorite place since we have friends with a house right on the beach!)

 

[shelly3girls]

If you own a 4 wheel drive then consider staying in Carova Beach. We stay about 8 miles past the end of the highway. The beach is pretty quiet and the houses are much cheaper. The kids love seeing the wild horses every day! We rent through twiddy.com and have been very pleased with their customer service. Keep in mind when you are looking at the prices that insurance and taxes a quite a bit on to the price of the house. It was almost 20% if I remember correctly.

Our OBX vacation ends up being our cheapest trip each year because we spend NO money while we are there. We bring most of our food then buy some perishables when we get there. We only go out to eat once during the trip.

Also, the earlier in June you go the cheaper it will be. June is not quite peak season yet. We always stay ocean front but often the houses just one house off the beach are quite a bit cheaper yet still have a beach access path.

 

[Livin'4Disney]

Ocracoke! Ocracoke! Ocracoke!

Wonderful Island just south of Hatteras.

Bring your bikes and groceries and eat at Howard's Pub one night for sure.

If you have a 4WD driving on the beach is fun, but not a must if you don't have one.

http://www.ocracoke-island.com/

There is no oceanfront property as it is all National Seashore.
And you have to ride a ferry boat to access it.

 

[disykat]

One meal idea from our trip a few years ago. We wanted to go out for Seafood, but didn't want to spend much money. We picked up a "Seafood Bucket" from a place in Kitty Hawk (Jimmy's?). It was about $50 I think - remember our trip was a few years ago. It had all sorts of seafood along with onions, potatoes, and corn packed in ice. You set the bucket right on the stove and cooked it all at once. We added a few extra potatoes and ears of corn, made a salad and dessert and had a nice seafood meal for 4 adults and 4 kids for about $60. To clean up, we just tossed all the shells etc. in the bucket and threw it away.

 

[dazzled]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I knew I could count on my "friends" at the DIS. You all have given such great suggestions. We do plan on taking most of our food supplies with us, because we learned how expensive it is at the grocery stores down there the last time we went. I appreciate all of your help. Now we just need to decide if we go, when and where. Thanks again!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Dont miss Jockey's Ridge!!! its the best attraction there! Plan to get sand in places you didnt know you could get it, and be sure and SLIDE DOWN THE HILLS!!! Bring a kite if you have one. Avoid Days Inn in OBX. The back room (on right side in back; bottom floor) is VEERY dark outside, and the bathroom blinds have a 1" space between blinds and window thats unavoidable. peeping Toms paradise!!!

 

[jillyjoey]

Not cheap, not expensive and not to be missed.... leaves from Hatteras Village. This was one of two outings of our trip and our kids and DH loved it. I can't remember the number but when you get there it is in all the books or go to Sunny Days website and order a guide from Hatteras.

 

[grlpwrd]

Yes, the price of food is much higher. For example, that .99 loaf of French bread I usually get at WalMart was $3.99 at Food Lion. It was still cheaper than eating out, though. We cooked most of our meals and had spaghetti night, turkey dinner, pizza, and other reasonably priced meals for our extended family of 10.

When you are looking for a rental beach home, be sure to check if they have internet access (ie wireless) if that is important to you. There are some stores/cafes that offer wireless access, too.

Last time we stayed in Waves and it was gorgeous. Have fun!

 

[Tiggeroo]

I'd recommend going far south, Avon, Frisco, Buxton, Hatteras and Ocracoak. The prices there are better. We always stay in Frisco. There you are never more then two houses from the beach and always have ocean views. We use Midgettrealty.com They are fantastic.
Bring some staples. Go to Avon to the Foodlion and stock up rather then using the local store. Grill and cook at home almost every night. Go to the seafood market one night and get special treats to grill. Go to Ocracoke to the Pelican from 3-5 I believe, for ten cent shrimp that are great. Have fires on the beach and roast marshmallows.
It's very informal. By staying that far south there is little to spend your money on. There is one mini-golf/go-cart place. You can also spend an afternoon biking around Ocracoke and doing a bit of shopping. Go to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which is small but cool and donation only.
Just spend your days on the beach. Bring kites and surf poles. Spend your evenings grilling, nights on your deck sipping drinks or on beach bonfires. It's our favorite place to go. I'll be taking my kids for a week in March during spring break. Dirt cheap then.
Oh go to the light house. It's also really cool to go at night when the light is on. My kids have gone with bunches of friends and played freedom under the lighthouse.