Outer Banks??

[MemoryMakers2669]

We are thinking of spending a few days there. Anyone have any useful information for me about it? I have never been and have no clue where to even begin. I have been to a few websites, but I can't figure out where is a good place to stay, etc? Thanks!

 

[Tiggeroo]

We go to OBX every year sometimes twice. We love it. I go all the way down almost to the cape in Frisco. It is nice and quiet. You are very close to the ferry to Ocracoke which is nice. But when you go down that far you really need to enjoy the beach. All there is is the beach, some mom and pop seafood restaurants, a mini-golf and a go-cart place. But we love that. We always use Midgettrealty.com The other plus to Frisco is that almost every house is within three houses of the ocean and have ocean and sound views. The homes are beautiful and very reasonably priced. You get nice decks all around, outside showers, fish cleaning facilities and stocked kitchens. If you choose to go down this far let me know. I'll give you some more tips.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Thanks Tiggeroo. We will be staying as North as possible, due to travel time and only having three days. A 5 hour drive is about all we want for this time around.

Do you know anything about the Kitty Hawk, Duck, Nags Head areas?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We always rent a house in Southern Shores. We have stayed in a hotel around milepost 16 at the ocean. That is a nice area. There aren't any hotels in Southern Shores or Duck, where we usually stay.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I pass thru those area and there is alot to do. But it's bigger, houses tend to be further from the beach and more pricey. There are folks on here who stay in those places alot. I'm sure you'll hear from them.

 

[Patty3]

We love the Duck Corolla area! If you are staying for just a few days, I would highly recommend the Sanderling Inn. It is expensive, but you will save a little if you join the lifesaver club. It is free to join. There is also another motel chain a little further up. I have not stayed there, but have heard that it is nice and more reasonably priced. I think it is the Hampton Inn. If you like pizza, my family enjoys the Tomato Patch. Our favorite restaurant in that area is called "Red Sky" and it is in Duck. Duck is a quaint village with some nice shops. I am hoping to get away for a long weekend this summer and stay at the Sanderling.

 

[lindakmonty]

I'll ask my sister if she has any info. My uncle lived in Avon. I remember visiting all the time and his area was a tourist trap big time. It was really neat to see the lighthouse there. It is the oldest lighthouse... but it was really crazy in the summer.

 

[darrose]

My favorite restaurant at Outer Banks is Collington Cafe. Its not advertised in places like Sunny Day, but you can find it listed in the phone book. YUM YUM!!!!

 

[HayGan]

We go to the Outer Banks almost every year. We really prefer Duck or Corolla. We typically rent from Village Realty but have rented from Stan White and Sun.

We look at the Outer Banks as a peaceful vacation. Lots of beach/pool time as well as time for the family to bond. There are activities such as mini-golf and shopping to do in Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills but we usually only venture down that way once or twice during an entire week. We have been to the Wright Brothers memorial enough times to say "been there, done that" but it is an interesting thing to do if you have never been there. There are also other activities such as going to see the wild horses or fishing that can be alot of fun.

Have a great trip! OBX is by far one of our favorite places in the world!!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

We went a few years ago and rented a house in Nags Head right on the Ocean. I loved it. We went easter week since I couldnt afford summer prices lol.

Make sure you go climb the sand dunes at Jockeys ridge and bring a kite. Also go see the Wright Brothers monument. We also went to Manteo to the aquarium and the flower gardens.

 

[jlaspoq]

We just got back from a week in Corolla! We have always stayed in the north beaches (Southern Shores, Duck, Sanderling, Corolla), and love it. We use Twiddy Realty (twiddy.com) and stay in an oceanfront cottage - this year with a pool! It was awesome! Prices do vary dramatically, and are cheaper in the Nags Head area and if you're farther from water.

There IS a hotel now right where you come into Southern Shores - it's a Hilton Garden Inn, I think. The Sanderling Inn is not a chain and very posh. The Hampton Inn is farther north in Corolla. Keep in mind that if you're coming from the north, you're probably going to enter the Outer Banks at Southern Shores - so it's actually the shortest travel time even though Duck and Corolla are farther north on the map.

Things to do: we love Jockey's Ridge, and there's lots to do in the Manteo area if you're down that direction. Also the Outer Banks Music Showcase if you like clean family entertainment. You can rent kayaks, parasails, jet skis, etc. If you like horses and you're in Corolla, rent a jeep and drive in the 4x4 area to see the wild ponies. (we saw 24 in one morning! first time we've ever seen that many!) In the TimBukII shopping area there's bumper cars, paddle boats etc, and shopping for those who prefer it! Actually, there's lots of fun shopping in Duck as well.

Hope that helps! Oh, as far as food - most people go for seafood, which we don't like. If you're into gourmet, then there's LOTS to choose from. It's a little too pricey for our group. We like Tomato Patch and Sooey's BBQ in Corolla, Pizzazz pizza (several locations), etc.

Have fun!

And of course, the beach!

 

[vsimeone]

We just got back from a week in South Nags Head. We rent a house there every year. It is my favorite vacation (okay, maybe tied with WDW!) If you like the beach - OBX is the place to be!

 

[HOGFAN]

we are going for a long weekend in Sept. I think we will stay at the Comfort Inn near Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills. we already have tics to go HANG GLIDING

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Thanks for all the great information!!!! We are going, just for the beach, and to get away. We do want the mini golf and simple things to do though. I am off to research the hotels you all told me about. I tried the house rental thing and that is a no go I think, since we only want three nights, mid week. I will keep looking at that though.