Need some help with vacation planning - Outer banks, NC

[3boymthr]

DH wants to go to the Outer Banks in NC for vacation this year.

I'd like to stay somewhere closer but I'm okay with that choice as long as I can keep it inexpensive (relatively speaking) - my budget is $2,000 or less for accomodations for a family of 5 - 2 adults 1 teen and 2 younger kids.

Can anyone recommend some areas to stay, what to look for, what to avoid when planning a vacation on the Outerbanks? Are hotels or condos better, etc.

Activity recommendations would also be appreciated.

We live in MA and travel to DE every summer to visit MIL so we're used to going to either Cape Cod State Beaches and the National Seashore on the Outer Cape and the Delaware State Beaches (Henlopen, Delaware Seashore) mostly for day trips with the occasional cottage rental. The only other place we've gone to the beach was Malibu, CA and we camped there. I'd love any advice people can give.

We will be driving and will have our own car as we will also be stopping to visit relatives on the way.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Be ready to REALLY drive. The outerbanks is no joke, once you are on them there are very few "Cut overs" to get off. There are ferries as well, so make sure you do your research and plan for the times that they run. I have been there a couple of times and it is an AMAZING experience, truly beautiful. You can google search for places to stay, some of the waterfront houses are not very expensive. Your range opens up if you have 4wheel drive. A lot of houses with no roads to speak of, you will need to be able to drive on the sand. Unless you are close to mainland, like Manteo, there really won't be too too much to do, as far as town life. I mean, you're just on a strip of sand basically. Perfect for relaxing, and if you love the beach, that's all there is! It is definitely an experience that you need to have, at least once.

Have a great time, and welcome to NC!

 

[jfranklyn]

We rented a house for 15 people (my extended family) in Nags Head 2 summers ago. We had a wonderful time. It was a more populated area then say Carolla or Duck, but that also meant (imho) that there was more to do. It's very close to Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers Museum. That is not to be missed. Everyone loved it and we ranged from 5-75 with lots of teenage boys along! It was also close to the big sand dunes that everyone goes to for hang gliding or just running up and down. Bring your boogie boards if you want to go there and you have kids. Nags head was also only a short drive to Roanoke Island, where the lost colony of Roanoke was - and there is a great visitors center and education center there as well. If you're into history, it's a great half day sort of thing. We stayed in a subdivision in Nags Head called Seven Sisters - which was really wonderful because it was walking distance to the beach (about 500' maybe?) and also had a community pool. If you want to rent a house with a pool (many of them have their own pools) it jacks the price up quite a bit. We went through villagerealtyobx.com and they were WONDERFUL. Excellent service, no problems, beautiful home - it was perfect. Or, it would have been perfect if I wasn't spending a week in a house with 6 teenage boys....... but that's a whole other issue!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We've been going to the Outer Banks for almost 20 years. Where you'll want to stay depends on what type of vacation you're looking for.

For the last 7 or 8 years, we've stayed in Corolla, which is the town at the northern end of Route 12. You can stay further north, but only if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. We enjoy Corolla because it is quiet and the beaches are beautiful and quiet. Corolla is about 20 miles north of the main commercial areas of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. That being said, there are still 2 grocery stores, a movie theater, and numerous restaurants and shopping areas.

There are many other areas to stay. Southern Shores and Duck are the first two towns north of the bridge before you reach Corolla. Most of the beaches in Corolla, Duck and Southern Shores are relatively uncrowded because they are only accessible from the rental homes (no public parking). The towns of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head are the primary areas for the commerical establishments, so if you want to be in the middle of everything, you'd want to stay there. Finally, there are areas south of Nags Head, but they are fairly remote and quite a distance from the main areas.

One warning, there is only 1 bridge to the island when coming from the north, and the traffic can be a nightmare. Most rental homes rent from Saturday to Saturday and the traffic in summer is unreal. If possible, choose a rental company that allows early check-ins (for a fee) and get on the island as early as possible. We always try to arrive early and eat lunch before we check in to our house.

We always choose a rental home. For $2000, you should be able to find a very nice home. You may even be able to find a house with a hot tub and private pool.

 

[Piecey]

We rented a 3 bedroom oceanfront Condo... It's called The Golden Strand. There was a website somewhere to rent them but it seems to be down right now. They might be updating with the information for the new year. They're very affordable (my parents stay there 2-3 times a year).

I'm excited to go this summer! I love how relaxed the Outer Banks is! There is a lot of exploring to do, but like someone else said... lots of driving! It's not all packed into a tight area like Myrtle Beach is.

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks so much for the replies. Keep them coming.

 

[jfranklyn]

Regarding the traffic issue that someone else mentioned: We were very concerned about this as well - all we had heard from people was how heavy the traffic was on move-in day, the bridge, etc. So since we were coming from NJ, we decided to start down the day before. We stayed in hotel just a little ways past the Cheseapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and it worked out great. We were on the road by 9 the next morning and got to the bridge around 11. There was little to no traffic (by NJ standards anyway!). We got to Nags Head by 11:30, went grocery shopping, and were able to check in early around 2. It worked out great. The horrible traffic that everyone talked about definately did not materialize that week for us, and since it was the week that ended in July 4th, I think we were very lucky.

 

[Christine]

Regarding the traffic issue that someone else mentioned: We were very concerned about this as well - all we had heard from people was how heavy the traffic was on move-in day, the bridge, etc. So since we were coming from NJ, we decided to start down the day before. We stayed in hotel just a little ways past the Cheseapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and it worked out great. We were on the road by 9 the next morning and got to the bridge around 11. There was little to no traffic (by NJ standards anyway!). We got to Nags Head by 11:30, went grocery shopping, and were able to check in early around 2. It worked out great. The horrible traffic that everyone talked about definately did not materialize that week for us, and since it was the week that ended in July 4th, I think we were very lucky.

My coworker stopped going there for that very reason. He couldn't stand the ride in. VERY trafficky. Now, he wouldn't change his schedule in any way so he just stopped going. One of my son's doctors goes every year and loves it. He said he avoids the traffic by leaving Virginia at 5:00 AM. Seems to get him ahead of the traffic. He says that his other companions refuse to leave that early, then get stuck in the horrendous traffic, and complain for two days. But they won't leave at 5:00 a.m.

 

[luvwinnie]

We're going in April, but staying at an RV resort in Waves. What is that area like? happy to see this thread.

 

[shortbun]

We stay on Hatteras because I hate the helter skelter activity and development around Nags Head and Kitty Hawk - the main road is packed. Once we've crossed over onto Hatteras, we open the windows and let the seabreeze blow our hair. It's marvelous and much less developed. We have found great houses on the sound side in Buxton/Frisco area and there are new condos in Rodanthe on the sound side that are very nice. As far as beachfront homes go, the budget for a beachfront home would be around $5K minimum with a pool and hot tub but a few rows back you can get some great prices and still walk not too far to the dunes and the beach. On Hatteras, there is no fast food, only one large grocery and a couple smaller ones. There is one chain restaurant and Dairy Queen, otherwise all food service is private and small. There is windsailing, kayaking, fishing, surfing(really great surf), one executive golf course and some of the longest, widest amazing beach in the United States!!!!

 

[starann]

I can't help you on the housing aspect, as we have friends who live there year round (we stay with them for free!), but where to stay really depends on what you want to do.

Nags Head and Kitty Hawk are pretty commerical (READ BUSY!). There are is a lot more to do up that way as far as activites go (mini golfing, shopping and such)

Avon and Rodanthe and Hatteras are further south, but not as commercial althought there is still stores and pizza places as well as resturants. The nice thing about being down that south is the beaches are not as busy, I havne't been further north so I can't speak for the beaches there. So if you plan on spending al ot of time at the beach, then maybe the south is better, but if you want to keep the kids occupied you may want further north.

There is an aquarium on Roanoke which is cute, nithing huge, but my kids like it. We also go to Hatteras to the lighthouse as well as take the Ferry to Okrakoke (sp) and visit over there.....watch though, the Ferry gets VERY busy during the summer months, last year we waited about 2 hours for it to come (at 11am)....either go early or late!


I am pretty spoiled by OBX...the water is warm, the beaches are clean!!!!! I can't wait to go Memorial Day weekend!!!