NC Outer Banks?

[100%Disney]

Has anyone visited the outer banks, if so can you suggest lodging? I live in NC and have never been there, it's such a long drive, 9hours, I could drive to Orlando in that time. Is it wonderful there?

 

[orvilleair]

I'll try not to make this long. Mom and Dad have been there every year for about 25 years now. I joined them this year. There are more houses to rent than traditional lodging, so I'll start by suggesting some realty web sites such as Sun Realty and Nags Head Realty. They have search engines that can narrow your choices down to availability, budget and location.

Outer Banks has a feel of natures awe when you go there. It is constantly changing. Tall sand dunes, climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, beaches, fishing etc.... It's commercialized, but there are areas of pristine beach south of Nags Head. It's peaceful and relaxing.

The bad: Biting flies this year. Threat of hurricanes in the late summer.

Nags Head around mile post 16 is where we stay at. The closest hotel is Nags Head Inn, and it is very well kept.

PS. obxer.com is a good bulletin board site if you want to lurk or post questions.

 

[Blondie]

We vacationed at Top Sail Island at the end of June and I am hooked for life! It's further down the coast in southern N.C.

One of my DH's co-workers bought a unit at Villa Capriani, 204B to be exact (I highly recommend it!) and the people who rented it out for that week had an emergency and backed out, so he asked around if anyone would be willing to take it for 1/2 price, so we grabbed it! It was wonderful!

There's a private beach, 3 pools, very upscale. The only thing is.....it's way out there in the middle of nowhere! It took us 6 hours to drive there. If you like clean and quiet, Top Sail Island is the way to go!



You can check out Villa Capriani here!

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks, we usually go to North Myrtle Beach, I have never been to the outer banks, I have been to Long Beach and Holden Beach in NC. Everyone talks about how beautiful the Outer Banks are, I just wanted some opinions. I am just scared that there will be nothing to do, you know Myrtle Beach is hopping all the time, my daughter wants to collect nice seashells, not pieces of shells. I do have to stay somewhere that has a pool, my daughter and I don't swim in the ocean. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Blondie]

If you are looking for action, then you might want to stick with Myrtle Beach then. The outer banks, Top Sail, Holden Beach, etc. is really all about beaching it! After 4 nights in Top Sail, we were all ready to come home! There's only so much staring out at the ocean and walks on the beach I can take! I also like to be entertained while on vacation, and there really isn't much more to do at Top Sail! It is ideal for quiet rest though, for people who are looking to get away from the rowdy crowd, Top Sail is your place!

 

[Tiggeroo]

we go to the outer banks at least once a year. We go all the way to the tip in Frisco/Buxton/Avon/Hatteras area. As said before it's all about the beach. And the better deals are on the rental homes. We always use MidgettRealty.com Now my guys are surfers so for them this is perfect. But if you don't love the beach it's probably not the place for you. In Kitty Hawk there is the Wright Brothers Museum, big sand dunes, and hang gliding. Nags Head is much more touristy with the typical mini golf, restaurants, etc. If you narrow it down to a town ask away. There are alot of folks here who go there.

 

[100%Disney]

I wanted to stay where there is a unspoiled beach with lots of seashells, I could drive to Nags Head for entertainment.

 

[shortbun]

If it's action you want, stick with Nags Head,Kitty Hawk area.
Anything south of there is very beachy and pools are not the
norm. If you want to spend a lot on a house rental, you could
get a pool but dunes block the view from the pools most of the
time and sometimes from the homes. Very few hotels in the area,
mostly rentals.

That said, we love Ocrakoke! The beach is amazing.
We like Rodanthe too.
Want lots of seashells? Sanibel Island in Florida has the
best shells in the country. In three trips to the OBX, we find
small shells but not great ones.

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks for the advice. It's weird to think about going somewhere new when you are used to the Grand Strand.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Get the ferry schedules and reserve a space for your car. You don't want to be stranded with no more ferries for the rest of the day.

Lori

 

[Patty3]

We just love the Outerbanks, especially an area called Duck. It has a beautiful beach, I collected at least 20 conch shells there last summer. Two places that I would recommend are the Sanderling Inn, it is very very nice and also the Hampton Inn, which is also nice. Sanderling has both an indoor and outdoor pool, Hampton Inn has a pool with a lazy river.

Things to do:

Beach, we usually spend our day there. It is great seeing the dolpins play.

Duck has bike paths, so you can bring bikes or rent them.

About 35 minutes away, there is a beach that you can only have 4 wheel vehicles. This is where you will see the wild ponies. You can also rent 4 wheel ATV's and go out with a guide, or you can take a guided van trip. You can also rent kyaks and jet skis.

There are many lighthouses on the outer banks and you can spend a day just seeing those.

Wright Brothers first flight took in Kitty Hawk and there is an area where you can walk around and see the largest sand dune and watch people hang gliding. Kids bring big pieces of cardboard and slide down themselves, it looks like alot of fun.

There are outlets in Nags Head, a Christmas shop in Manteo as well as the Weeping Radish Brewery which you can tour and have lunch.

There is also an Elizabethean (sp) garden and there is also an outdoor play called the Lost Colony. I have not seen it but have heard that others really like it.

Duck has really cute shops and great restaurants, our favorite is called Red Sky.

I just love this area and would not hesitate to vacation there. It is very family oriented. Right now, we are looking to buy something there, but oh those prices. I am just have to win the lottery first!