OT-OuterBanks NorthCarolina?

[brockash]

I just wanted to pop on & say to skip Rodanthe & Southern Shores area. It's tempting because it is cheaper than Duck & Kitty Hawk. But if it rains and you can't go to the beach you are really far away from shopping and activities. We go often to Outer Banks and love it for a family trip but have only done Rodanthe once and said never again. Corolla is a bit better of the cheaper, further away ones but Duck is best.

I'd agree with this, if you're looking for things to do. We stayed in Rodanthe last summer, and it was very nice, great house, great pool and we had great weather, so no problems being stuck inside, but yes it's pretty secluded and there's not much of anything around. The nearest grocery store is like a half hr. away- I can't remember the town it's in though. I happened to drive through Duck (took a wrong turn ) anyways it looked very nice and there seemed to be much more to do there and much more civilization. Have fun!

 

[NJFabFour]

Another vote for the Northern OuterBanks, Duck or Corolla (we've stayed in Corolla since I was a kid and Dad has a house there now but I love to eat/shop in Duck too) and I would add that you may want to check www.vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner) which can save you a lot in fees from the rental companies. You'll love OBX!!

 

[klineyqueen]

WE LOVE OBX!!!! We alternate Disney and OBX vacations!!!! We are North beachers too!

We used Sun Realty one time...but we prefer SouthernShores.Com

We stayed in Duck but ever since staying in the small town of Southern Shores...we are HOOKED!!! The beach is really empty in this town. Many of the homes are not rentals, they are regular homes...so they are at work while you are at the beach!!!!

Enjoy your trip!!!!!!

 

[kkrull]

I would also look at Avon. I've stayed with a large group of people (7 adults and 6 kids) in both Duck and Avon. Both were good. Avon was a further drive for us but it was more secluded and a lot less commercialized. There's also mini golf, and I believe a mini water park not too far from there. We also drove down to Hatteras and took the ferry to Ocracoke. We had a ball. Have fun!!

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

I was going to try Topsail, NC. It's a little further south than OBX and signficantly cheaper rentals. Try rentabeach.com

We stayed there last year. It was our first NC vacation and we loved it. Had a house second from the beach with a little pool and private walk. Way on the other end from the turtle hospital but not a bad drive. The teens found some stuff within biking distance and enjoyed body boarding. The 5 and 8 y/o were happy as was my toddler. We all had fun in the ocean and felt safe, too. Mini golfing wasn't too far for an afternoon trip and we spent a day at the Battleship Carolina (I think?)

 

[Disneydreamer5]

This is a wonderful thread and I am so happy I found it. We too are looking to expand the mighty dollar this year and try to take a trip to NC outerbanks as well and I had no idea where to begin with this and now I do.
My only qestion is this, how is the weather in May acutally it would be the very last weekend of May first week of June or would you wait and go at the end of August.
We do want to take a trip back to Disney sometime in the holiday season so I would prefer to space out our trips so that is why I want to compare the weather.
Thanks everyone

 

[luvmy3jewels]

This is a wonderful thread and I am so happy I found it. We too are looking to expand the mighty dollar this year and try to take a trip to NC outerbanks as well and I had no idea where to begin with this and now I do.
My only qestion is this, how is the weather in May acutally it would be the very last weekend of May first week of June or would you wait and go at the end of August.
We do want to take a trip back to Disney sometime in the holiday season so I would prefer to space out our trips so that is why I want to compare the weather.
Thanks everyone

May can sometimes be unpredictable. Usually it is warm by then, but I have seen cooler temps and windy days in May that were quite chilly. Also, if you want to spend any time in the ocean, it will still be quite cool in May. I would probably recommend the end of August, since it is guaranteed to be warm enough to fully enjoy your trip!! The only advantage to end of May/early June will be that traffic will be less and there won't be quite as many people in the shops and on the beach.

 

[renae3]

We too are planning our first trip this summer to the outer banks! This thread has given me so much information, thanks so much!

 

[minniemomof3]

I am so happy I found this thread. I'm looking to book a house in OBX for this summer, this is the first time going there. We have 3 kids and want to stay in a central location with lots activity, I'm thinking Duck or Corolla. Are those good choices for what I am looking for?

Also, what does is the difference between soundside, soundfront, oceanside and oceanfront?

Thanks.

 

[matthse]

Can any NC beach be a bad choice?

Seriously, Topsail Island is a personal favorite of mine.

There are others further south, but then you get into the overcrowded beaches.

Good luck and have fun

 

[NJFabFour]

I am so happy I found this thread. I'm looking to book a house in OBX for this summer, this is the first time going there. We have 3 kids and want to stay in a central location with lots activity, I'm thinking Duck or Corolla. Are those good choices for what I am looking for?

Also, what does is the difference between soundside, soundfront, oceanside and oceanfront?

Thanks.

Either Duck or Corolla would be great choices. As far as kids' activities go, there are some small playground areas, mini-golf, hairwraps/braiding, go-go carts, crabbing, lighthouse touring, wild horse tours, jet-skiing/waverunners, and Kitty Hawk Sports in Kitty Hawk has a big rock-climbing wall an some fun kid-friendly activities.

OBX is basically a narrow strip of land off the coast of N.Carolina. The sound side faces the sound between the coast and OBX . . . the water is very calm and there really isn't a beach on that side to wade into. There are houses that are soundfront, meaning facing the water, and houses that are simply soundside, meaning on that side of the OBX but not necessarily right by the water (though in Duck or Corolla they would be within a few yards.) Oceanfront and oceanside are the same concept . . . there are houses that are facing the ocean and right on the beach and some that are a short walk away. If you are oceanside though (as opposed to oceanfront) and you are in Duck or Corolla, you are still within a 5 minute walk to the beach! You'll love it wherever you choose!

 

[minniemomof3]

Thanks for the responses. Now I have to find on a rental home, there are so many choices, it's hard to make a decision.

 

[Colleen1011]

We have been going to Corolla Light now for 8 yrs. It is a resort community in the OBX. It is great. There are activities for everyone to participate in, the area is quiet and the beaches are not that crowded.We like that it is a small community that you can bike around, play tennis etc. We have used Corolla Classic Vacations, Resort Quest and Twiddy in the past. Another website to check out is corollalightresort.com. This shows all of the houses in the community and has links to all of the realtors. There are houses and townhomes to rent in Corolla Light.

Good Luck

 

[minniemomof3]

We have been going to Corolla Light now for 8 yrs. It is a resort community in the OBX. It is great. There are activities for everyone to participate in, the area is quiet and the beaches are not that crowded.We like that it is a small community that you can bike around, play tennis etc. We have used Corolla Classic Vacations, Resort Quest and Twiddy in the past. Another website to check out is corollalightresort.com. This shows all of the houses in the community and has links to all of the realtors. There are houses and townhomes to rent in Corolla Light.

Good Luck

Thanks for the info! I love corollalightresort.com, it's so much easier to navigate and find a house.

 

[mindyb7]

Another vote for Emerald Isle. It's one of my favorite beaches. My kids love it. We have the advantage of living nearby and during the summer months we go almost daily. There is plenty of activities nearby for the kids. There's also an aquarium nearby which my kids love.

 

[DVCsince02]

I have to agree with the majority of posters here. Duck is awesome. Lots of great communities with pools and tennis courts to use. We've stayed in the community of Four Seasons a few times and loved it. The houses are newer and the community amenities are great. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, workout room, walking trails, and fishing/crabbing pier.

Corolla is also a great choice. Monterey Shores, Pine Island, etc. Also nice communities.

I prefer the Northern part of the island. Close to bigger shopping areas, but far enough away.

We have rented with twiddy.com and resortquest.com and been very happy.

 

[SAMANDEM]

Avon is our area of choice. We drive 9 hrs from PA. We have always used Hatteras Realty & they have been great!

 

[TnTWalter]

My brother rents a house in July with 5 families in Hatteras. They LOVE it. Because they can split between so many, it's really affordable. They stay beachfront. The kids are all much older than mine so we don't go but it sounds awesome.

We're going to Anna Maria Island after WDW this year. It's a small beach town <2 hours south of WDW on the gulf side. No buildings over 3 stories, very family friendly, there's even a free trolley that goes up and down the island. It's much less expensive and closer than Sanibel or Captiva and the sand isn't as shell-y, it's soft. Just another idea for you!

Trish

 

[LisaNJ25]

We went a few years ago and had an ocean front house in Nags head. We had a great time. We went Easter week to make it for affordable. The same house was going for $5,000 more a week in the summer. The of the houses are out of control.

I used www.carolinadesigns.com