Outer Banks NC or Gatlinburg, TN?

[TheLittleRoo]

For a family getaway in March? I'm worried about the chill in the air in NC, but the price is great in the off season. It's probably the only time we would go, price wise. Our kids are 13, 6, and 3 and would be looking for things to do, although we'd be looking to cut back on expensive general admission type things.

Thanks!

 

[Dopey420]

For a family getaway in March? I'm worried about the chill in the air in NC, but the price is great in the off season. It's probably the only time we would go, price wise. Our kids are 13, 6, and 3 and would be looking for things to do, although we'd be looking to cut back on expensive general admission type things.

Thanks!

Ugh! gatlinburg... tolerable for about one day. Everything is spelled "Kuntry".

Outer Banks?

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are fabulous.

We went last year with a group of friends (5 couples total) and split the cost on a house.

We went to all of the lighthouses, kitty hawk, Aquarium, several historical sites and had a ball.

The downside is...that this is the off season. Lots of things will be closed, It may be cold out (it was cold and windy most of the time we were there in early April 2007).

If your kids aren't into historical things, Gatlinburg may be a better choice.

It was a great time and very relaxing, but was an all adult trip.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

My kids enjoy Gatlinburg. We get a cabin when we go.

They love the Dixie Stampede dinner theater, the Ripleys Aqaurium, Dollywood amusement park, shopping at the outlets and just hanging out at the cabin.

It's such a nice little get away with the kids.

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

We had to pay admission for the Aquarium, To go up in one of the lighthouses. Can't remember about Wright Brothers memorial. You can't go up in all of the lighthouses, but can get close to them.


It will certainly be less crowded than Gatlinburg.

The Ferries were a ball. The Ocracoke/Hatteras Ferry is free. the Ocracoke/mainland ferry had a fee.

You can drive on the beach at certain areas. It was fun watching all of the people fishing on the beach. Where we stayed (Rodanthe, NC) you could easily see the Ocean on one side and the Intercoastal Waterway on the other. Really Cool.

 

[jennobrn01]

Definitely OBX!! We've vacationed in the spring off season on Hatteras Island for 7 years now. We've been when the weather was 80 and sunny and when it was 50 and a nor'easter hit. We've always enjoyed our stay. It is inexpensive and beautiful! Wide open beaches. You can stay where there are tourist attractions (Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills) or further south on Hatteras Island where there is more of a beach lifestyle.

My in-laws lived near Gatlinburg for 6 years. We could only tolerate one night/one day in that place. Too kitschy. Too expensive! Every attraction has an exhorbitant (imo) charge. And I felt closed in on the narrow stip that is the tourist area between those 2 mountain ridges.

OBX

 

[agentpleakley]

OBX: what will you do in March. Most likely it will be too cold to do much. The aquarium -- not even a whole day event. Don't get me wrong, I love OBX, but not much to do in the off season.

Gatlinburg: you can still go to Nat'l Park (Cades Cove) - and hike even if it is chilly. Last time, we were there it was snowing and we still hiked. OberGatlinburg. Dixie Stampede. Caves to go through (sorry can't remember the cave name). You can go over the mountain to the Biltmore & hang out in Asheville for a day. You can mine for gems in NC.

While I would not hesitate to pick OBX in the warmer months, I'm thinking it is still too cold to enjoy that much at this time of year.

 

[agentpleakley]

Where we stayed (Rodanthe, NC) you could easily see the Ocean on one side and the Intercoastal Waterway on the other. Really Cool.

We've stayed in Waves -- near the DQ -- same thing -- my favorite place on the Outer Banks.