North Carolina Outer Banks suggestions?

[FatElvis]

We're planning a beach vacation this summer and I'm SO overwhelmed with choices. Being flat in the middle of the country, we're a 2-3 day drive from almost any beach we want.

I think we've finally decided on NC - we'd like to rent a house right on the beach and Florida didn't seem to offer as many affordable options for that. It'll be me & the husband and our 3 girls, 6, 3 & 1, plus my parents.

Does anyone have any suggestions for which area of the Outer Banks to choose? Even having narrowed it down to that area, there are still SO many options. I read that Duck was great for families, but I just don't know much about the whole place at all. Any tips would be much appreciated!

 

[blana]

I'm a big fan of Topsail Island, which is farther down the coast, closer to Wilmington. Very slow pace, and not too touristy. If you go there, go to the Topsail Island Trading Company & get some of the fudge. Great stuff! Duck is also a slow paced area, not too touristy, and in more of what is traditionally called the Outer Banks area. (TI is also part of the barrier island, which make up the OB, but once again is further south than what most think of as the OB.)

 

[LAL77]

You'll love the outer banks. We have been every year since I was a kid and now I take my own kids (three girls too!).

when I was a kid we stayed in Duck or Nags Head. More recently, we always stay in Corolla or Duck. All of these areas of the outer banks are so close to one another that your experience isn't that different. I would choose by the house you like and the type (beach front, beach access, sound side etc.)


Some things you may want to consider are how close you want to be to the grocery store/pharmacy etc. And how close you want to be to the outlet mall, mini golf and other entertainment. Just map quest specific homes to check how close they are to things you are going to need often.

Definitely check out the outlet mall and some of the neat shopping centers while you're there. You'll find kites galore! Tons of hammock stores but there are some other great little boutiques too!

And don't forget to get your crabs (or steamer pot) at Dirty Dicks.

Have fun!

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

Depends what you like Carolla, Sanderling, and Duck are the more private beach and Kittyhawk, Killdevil, Nags Head, and the Southern Shores tend to be a little more crowded and touristy. I dont think any choice you make will be a bad one ive stayed all over the Banks and always had a great time.

 

[WendyisDarling]

If you like a little more private beach, you may want to try the section called "Pine Island", it is between Duck and Corolla. Ocean front houses are pretty pricey. If you are going with a large group, though, you can rent one of the gorgeous mansions (a lot will sleep 18+), it can make the price more affordable.
We don't live too far away, so sometimes we will visit for a couple nights and stay at the Hampton Inn in that section. For a Hampton Inn...it is really nice. The address is Corolla, but if you go to the hampton inn website you have to put in nags head. Their "suites" are very large rooms. Indoor pool, a small lazy river outdoor pool, kiddie pool and regular pool. Gorgeous lobby with an awesome shell collection. You used to be able to make spa arrangements at the Sanderling and they provided transportion, but not sure if they do that anymore. But, if you want to cook for yourselves; not a good choice--only minifridge and microwave. Of course, if you want to really stretch out a house would be the best choice.
The beach in that whole Pine Island section is great. WAY less crowded than even Duck. I love collecting shells and on many visits have found quite a few. Sometimes, the beach is just littered with them. Downside is, there is nothing around. One little burger place and that's it. You'll have to drive to Duck or Corolla.
Duck is very nice and has much more to do. Extremely family friendly. I had some single friends who went for a visit and were very disappointed that there wasn't more of a nightlife and that kids were everywhere I would give Corolla a thumbs up also. The 4 wheel drive access only houses seem really neat. Anyone ever give those a try?
You will love the OBX.
Our family has had some great adventures there.

Topsail beach -- ah...some memories. My grandparents used to always rent a house and our whole family went for a week every summer. I have very fond childhood memories of there. I haven't been as an adult.

 

[2 lil' ladybugs]

We stay in Duck every year and love it. Be sure to visit Sunset Grill while you are there. There is also great shopping at Scarbough (sp??) Faire and around that area.

There are movies and other activities you can drive too. Last year we went to the Currituck Light house with DD3 and DD5. DD 5 climbed all the way up by herself!

 

[pigltlvr]

We go to Emerald Isle every year. It's just below the outer banks but you can reach the outer banks by Ferry from here. The island is 20 miles long and has Atlantic Beach, NC on the other end. We love this place because it's not over developed with tourist attractions. The whole island has stuff to do but you can also just be happy with laying on the beach. Our favorite part about going is our trip out to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. We take a ferry(small boat) across the sound and make a day of going to the lighthouse where no cars are allowed and no one really lives on the island. You can also go to Schacklford Banks where there are wild horses living on the island. Anyway I can go on and on about this. If you'd like to email me at kellyandscottve@aol.com I can answer any questions for you.

 

[scottygirl]

I have stayed in Corolla and Avon. Both were great Corolla is in the northern end and Avon is at the southern end. Believe it or not the water is warmer in Avon. Rent a house with a pool, you won't be sorry. I love OBX. It is one of the few places (except Disney!) that I will continue to go back to. Try resortquest dot com for your rental. We have used them several times and have not been disappointed.

 

[mcqueen n' sally]

add me to the Duck suggesters!
we stayed there last summer in a house a few hundred yards from the beach... it was great... we were there with 6 adults and 2 little kids and it was fun and relaxing...
and, coming from new jersey, the rental seemed so reasonable (you can spend twice the price for half the house down the shore!)

i also stayed in nags head a few times about 10-15 years ago... that's nice too.. you really can't go wrong anywhere you go!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I guess we're strange, we like to stay in South Nags Head. We usually go in the off season though, but it's not quite as expensive (from what I've seen, YMMV) as Duck/Corolla.

Definitely take time to visit the lighthouses, it's so pretty! We also like to drive down to Hatteras(?) and take the ferry to Ocracoke Island.

 

[mtomlin66]

I agree with bigbabyblues. We've stayed oceanfront in South Nags Head twice and LOVED it. For us, we thought the location was perfect - close to shopping (for groceries) but it was very private since we were right at the border of undeveloped land for the National Seashore Park. We had ocean and sound views and could sit on our porch to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets The beach was very private, since public access was quite a distance away. hth

 

[LovePug]

We go to Emerald Isle every year. It's just below the outer banks but you can reach the outer banks by Ferry from here. The island is 20 miles long and has Atlantic Beach, NC on the other end. We love this place because it's not over developed with tourist attractions. The whole island has stuff to do but you can also just be happy with laying on the beach.

I love Emerald Isle, also. I haven't been in quite a while and I'm glad to read that it hasn't changed much it seems. I've been itching to go back...

 

[amsafko]

We've stayed in Corolla, Nags Head and South Nags Head. I loved Corolla for the more private atmosphere but we like to tour a little and it is a bit of a drive to the Manteo area (near Nags Head). We stayed in Nags Head, much busier but closer to other things. Then last summer we (husband, myself and my 5, 3, and 1 y.o.) stayed in South Nags Head - I really loved the beach and the location in terms of proximity to the Elizabethan Gardens, lighthouses, etc. South Nags Head was much quiter than Nags Head if you want privacy but also want access to other activities.

 

[irishbacker92]

No one has mentioned the 4x4 area "Corova" north of Corolla. We stayed there our first time at the banks. Wow, it is a great area and definetly nice homes for the money, but when they say 4x4 required-they mean it!! They mean 4x4 not a all wheel drive minivan or small crossover type SUV(We had an off road suburban and a lifted crew cab truck. We had a great time but the conditions varied widely. We were 10 miles north of "where the road ends" and high tide was no time to be traveling. If you are an adventurous off roader there is no better place, not such a good idea for everyone else. We loved it, but it is a pain to travel with the tides. If we ever go again I will take a drive out there but I wouldn't stay there again.

Have Fun!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Last summer we stayed on Hatteras in Avon. We loved it, but there is nothing -just what we wanted! No shopping malls, no fast food, very laid back! Everything is relaxed. When we went out to dinner, you could go as is! We took the ferry to Ocracoke one day. We loved Ocracoke too! Our other touring day we did The Lost Colony and Wright Brothers (I am a teacher!), and it just seemed so much more crowded. Hatteras is skinny so it can't get too crowded!

Have fun!!

 

[shelly3girls]

We go to the OBX every year. We get an ocean front house with a private pool. We personally love Pine Island b/c the beaches are almost private. We have also stayed in the 4x4 section and loved it. The kids enjoyed seeing all of the wild horses. The only downside is the traffic on the beach which is busy on the weekend but only occassional during the week.

Both of these areas are pretty expensive for just one family, we always go with several. To reduce cost you could rent oceanside which is still close to the beach. We looked into Topsail b/c we heard it was very nice. There were some smaller houses (duplexes) for rent that would fit a smaller group.

 

[summersalt]

If you like a peaceful, quite, not too touristy place... Ocracoke Island is awesome! Be aware that is only accessible by a 2 hour ferry ride...

The Nags Head area is nice too if you like movies, restaurants, shopping, etc...

I live in the Cape Lookout area. I think we're going to plan a trip to Duck this year.

 

[Mamadis]

We have been going to the Outer Banks since my husband I got married 20 years ago. We have stayed in Duck and Corrolla. Our kids love it and look forward to it. My husband's siblings, their families and his mother meet us there every year. It is a wonderful place to vacation and very low key. This will be there first year we will not be going. We will be going to Italy on an Adventures by Disney Tour. Hope you have a great time and enjoy it as much as we do. If you like crabs, there is man named Cuz who sells them. PM me if you need a number for him. he catches them fresh daily. He usually needs to know 24hours ahead of time how many you will need so he can set out the traps.

 

[shelly3girls]

We have been going to the Outer Banks since my husband I got married 20 years ago. We have stayed in Duck and Corrolla. Our kids love it and look forward to it. My husband's siblings, their families and his mother meet us there every year. It is a wonderful place to vacation and very low key. This will be there first year we will not be going. We will be going to Italy on an Adventures by Disney Tour. Hope you have a great time and enjoy it as much as we do. If you like crabs, there is man named Cuz who sells them. PM me if you need a number for him. he catches them fresh daily. He usually needs to know 24hours ahead of time how many you will need so he can set out the traps.

Oh, DH is dying to do this. I can't wait for a trip report!