Outer Banks Thread!

[KevinM]

Since I have to wait until December for my next WDW trip, I thought I'd start a thread about my second favorite vacation destination. We go every year for Memorial Day Week, and have stayed in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Rodanthe, and a few other places. This year we will be staying in Duck, on the northern edge of the OBX.

Let me know about your OBX trips...where you stayed, ate, and what activities you look for.

26 days and I'll be there (not before stopping for a quick 2 days at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg!).

 

[Nala56]

We will be in Nag's Head July 22-29. We go same time each year. We have also stayed all over island. We were in Corolla one summer, but like it better down south.

Our favorite restaurant is "Tail of the Whale". It's on the causeway toward Manteo. We love to walk around Manteo, all the shops and the small lighthouse.

Can't wait for the sun and beach!!

 

[Annette_VA]

I've been going to OBX for vacations every year since I was about 8 years old. Growing up that was our 1 'real' vacation - always in the same house at about MP 2.

Since I've gotten married & had kids, we still go along w/ my parents every other year or so. We now stay around MP4, though.

I love the charm of the Outer Banks. Our 1 nice dinner out each vacation is at Owen's.

And, I just got back from Busch Gardens a few hours ago - it was an awesome day!!

 

[E&BMom]

We are going in July for our 11th year. We love it!!! We 've stayed in Duck but now we stay in Corolla. It' s really nice. We love to climb the Corolla light house and do it every year. We have also done the 4 wheel drive thing to see the wild horses. It was a lot of fun. We travel pretty far (from St. Louis) and still think it is worth it.

 

[tar heel]

I've not been to the Outer Banks in years, but I was so glad to see that Owen's still exists. What a wonderful restaurant. The coconut shrimp there are the best shrimp I've ever had, and I've eaten my share of the little buggers.

 

[Bojo]

DW & I are planning a summer '07 trip. When do you think is the "best" time to go?

 

[Tiggeroo]

we go every spring break and stay in Frisco. This is one town before the actual Cape Hatteras. I love going here and am hoping to take a short trip there this summer.

 

[Griggle]

We're going for the first time July 1 and staying in a house in the Currituck Club. We're so excited!!!!

We're leaving Jersey about 3 am and hoping to get in a lot of miles before the kids wake up. We've got friends following us....I see plenty of Chinese Fire Drills during the later half of the trip down.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We have gone every summer since 1987 except one, and we might not make it this year. We stay in Southern Shores which is the next town south of Duck.

Two of the many places we like to eat are Quagmire's and Run Down Cafe. And a trip to the top of Jockey's Ridge is a must.

 

[Bob Slydell]

We're going for the first time in June with my whole family. We have a 5 bedroom place in Nags Head right by Jockey's Ridge. Looking forward to it.

 

[KevinM]

DW & I are planning a summer '07 trip. When do you think is the "best" time to go?

We always go on Memorial Day week and have had pretty good luck with the weather (although last year it rained 2 days). The temps are usually in the low 80's but can vary from year to year (in 2004 it was very, very hot).

If you like swimming in the ocean, I would wait until the mid-summer, because water temps in May / first week of June are still pretty cold.

 

[phisigprincess]

My fiance and I are going to Duck in June for our honeymoon! (Mainly so we had enough money to do Disney in December too. ) Neither of us have ever been there, so what can you tell me about it?? Where are the must eat restaurants and the must do things???? If you could drop me a PM I'd really appreciate it. Thanks everyone!!

 

[KevinM]

My fiance and I are going to Duck in June for our honeymoon! (Mainly so we had enough money to do Disney in December too. ) Neither of us have ever been there, so what can you tell me about it?? Where are the must eat restaurants and the must do things???? If you could drop me a PM I'd really appreciate it. Thanks everyone!!

IMO, the OBX is a great destination for families for a number of reasons. First, unlike Ocean City MD or some other eastern seaboard beach areas, there are very few hotels or condos, and the area is mostly private homes for rent. As a result, the beaches aren't nearly as crowded as other areas.

Secondly, you do not get the "senior week" or spring break crowds to the extent that other areas get (my wife calls them the "tattoo people". what's up with all the tattoos on these kids?). Almost all of the rental properties require that family groups only can occupy thier homes. This cuts down on the obnoxious teenager issues that can ruin many trips.

It is QUIET. A great place to go and just relax. For real solitude, check out the northern beaches of Corolla (4x4 access only) or the southern parts of Hatteras Island.

The downside:

-- The area has been experiencing a housing boom for several years, resulting in more traffic. The infastructure is not keeping up with demand, so traffic jams are common.

-- If you like a hot nightlife scene, there is not much there.

-- The place gets blasted every few years during hurricane season, so be careful when planning trips in September or October. I know several people that had to be evacuated during fall trips.

-- Many areas do not have full-time lifeguards and the OBX is notorious for strong rip currents.

Every year I see more houses being built, and more commercial construction (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc...). I am enjoying every minute that I can down there, because I'm afraid that the place will start to lose it's charm....