Outer Banks, NC

[Starbrite]

Two part question....

We've been invited to join family for a week in the Outer Banks. I've never been there so I'm not sure what to expect.

1) I dream of just lounging on the beach the whole trip. But is there anything you recommend we do or see while there? Is there even anything to do other than the beach?
2) How much spending money would you budget for a family of 3? This does not need to include lodging...that's already done. And most meals will be at the house. Do I really need much?

Never being there, I have no idea what to expect!

 

[Priorityonecb]

Definitely go to Jockey Ridge! I thought we would enjoy it a bit, but we wound up absolutely loving it there! It's an amazing feeling and place! No, I wouldn't say you need much spending money at all. There might be a few littel souveniers you might want, but nothing big. Most of our money was spent eating out, but you've got that covered. We liked going out each night to the numerous local icecream/fro-yo/Italian Ice places for a sweet cold treat. Enjoy!

 

[mom2t]

Just returned from there on Saturday. We did a lot. We spent 800 including souvenirs, gas, tours, ate out 2nights. We only spent 2mornings on the beach because there was so much to do and we still did not do everything. Best money we spent was the wild horse tour at Corolla. Do not take your 4 wheel vehicle on the beach. We saw many people stuck. We used Wild Horse Adventure. There are no paved roads so you must ride on the beach. Our agenda was
Sun. Horse tour, Grave Digger Shop in Grandy, Wright Brothers Memorial, ate out at Owens
Mon. Beach morning, life Saving Station at Rodanthe where heard about filming of movie Night in Rodanthe from local who was in the film in a pivotal role.
Tues. Traveled to Ocracoke, saw ponies, lighthouse, English soldiers graveyard, shopped at Pirate Chest very reasonable priced souvenirs, Maritime Museum at Hatteràs, Hatteràs Lighthouse
Wed. Drove to Norfolk - my DH and DS are military buffs. Naval Base tour, Nauticus Museum, Virginia Zoo -ate at Millers at Nags Head
Thurs. Beach morning, afternoon rested, Lost Colony play with behind the scenes tour in the evening
Fri. Aquarium (disappointed seen better in NC at Ft. fisher, Manteo waterfront, packed up ànd cleaned house
We had a house at Rodanthe and found groceries expensive. Took everything but eggs and milk and spent 9 at local store. We packed picnic basket for lunch on days when we where out all day. we also saw all the lighthouses.
Be careful this is not calm waters to swim in. Rough waves and strong rip tides. A 54 old man drowned while we were there. Half our money we spent was on gas ( we live in western NC), horse tour -highlight of the trip and play.

 

[mjkacmom]

Love the Outer Banks. Where are you staying (it's a long stretch of beach). We also love the sand dunes - get some kites! We also rented wave runners, which was really fun, and we rented a kayak for the week (we had a house on the sound with a beach). We have stayed in Avon, Nags Head, and Duck, and preferred Duck (quieter than Nags Head, busier than Avon).

 

[brooke789]

Where are you going specifically?

We've only stayed on Ocracoke Island and it is vastly different than some areas. You have the areas with no chains (stores, restaurants, etc), hotels, etc (like Ocracoke Island) and you have the super touristy areas that are practically like Myrtle Beach of hte Outer Banks. So, depending on where you're going...

Ocracoke had wild horses (so doi some of the others) and lighthouses to see. Cape Hatteras has the big lighthouse (probably one you picture when you picture a lighthouse) -- also both of these areas are part of the "National Seashore".

 

[ccstrickler]

A lot depends one where you are staying. I agree with OP about ice cream places--best IMO is Booty Treats (10.5 MP Beach Road)--the booty is pirate themed not the other. If you do eat out try local places--Kill Devil Grill (Beach Road), I've Got Your Crabs (By-pass about 4.5 MP), La Fogata (By-pass Nags Head location is better than Kitty Hawk), South Beach Grille (MP 14ish Beach Road). Nags Head Pier and Outer Banks Pier have 10 cent shrimp specials in the afternoon.

Jennettes Pier is good. All wind powered, but if you have kids be careful. THe first thing you see is the gift shop with lots of junk!
As you can see, all locations are based on Mile Posts (MP) and/or By-pass or Beach Road.

Groceries are a bit high. Food Lions everywhere. Harris Teeter (more up scale, more expensive)is in Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk and Corolla.

The weather may also determine what you do.

What every you do enjoy your time in "my little slice of heaven."

 

[Disney2013Girl]

Two part question....

We've been invited to join family for a week in the Outer Banks. I've never been there so I'm not sure what to expect.

1) I dream of just lounging on the beach the whole trip. But is there anything you recommend we do or see while there? Is there even anything to do other than the beach?
2) How much spending money would you budget for a family of 3? This does not need to include lodging...that's already done. And most meals will be at the house. Do I really need much?

Never being there, I have no idea what to expect!

I LOVED my week in the 4x4 beaches of the OBX. :sighs:

We were as far north as you can go, where the road stops and you have to have a 4wd vehicle to access your rental car. I wanted to visit the whole stretch, but it was right after Irene hit and washed out the roads and did all of that damage. While we were there, Katija (sp?) came off shore right at high tide and caused some MAJOR surf which was scary to ride through on our way home.

However, all of that being said, I loved it. Where we stayed it literally was just walk out the front door (avoiding the wild horses) and straight out to the beach. If we walked out the back door (and over a couple acres) we could get to the sound side. ((not possible in all locations!))

Honestly, for our family of three, if I were going out for a vacation now, I'd plan on $300 to last the week (basically allotting $100 a person), but that's due to our beach-dwelling personalities. If you see yourself sight-seeing and shopping, you could go through that very quickly.