***Outer Banks***

[sjms71]

Does anyone know the best italian food on the island is? Not Pizza pasta and stuff?

FYI for anyone interested: We ended up trying La Dolce Vita in Corolla tonight. Cute place DH and I ordered the lasagna and it was very good. DS had kids pizza standard and DD had baked ziti she said was good. Lasagna portion was huge and so was DD's meal. We had cannoli's for dessert and DD had chocolate mouse cake which were all good also. Prices were not outragous either.

 

[lisaross]

Another question since so many have been, when on the beach what do u do for lunch? Do they sell food or anything?

Again i'm staying at the Seafoam so their is a beach their...

Are their some beach areas that have food near them and some that don't?

 

[Kimberly]

Another question since so many have been, when on the beach what do u do for lunch? Do they sell food or anything?

Again i'm staying at the Seafoam so their is a beach their...

Are their some beach areas that have food near them and some that don't?

When I was little, we always had cold cuts from the local supermarket for lunch. We always stayed at Emerald Isle though (which isn't really the outer banks, and much further south - even more isolated), so I'm sure that made a huge difference.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We are also going to the Outer Banks for the first time this year, but we are tent camping in Waves. Does anyone have any camping tips to share for that area?

I'm getting tons of info from this thread, thanks for starting it OP!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Another question since so many have been, when on the beach what do u do for lunch? Do they sell food or anything?

Again i'm staying at the Seafoam so their is a beach their...

Are their some beach areas that have food near them and some that don't?

You won't find any hot dog stands (or similar food vendors) on the beach. There are restaurants scattered along the beach road (Hwy 12/Virginia Dare Trail) which will be on the other side of the dune from the ocean side. I think a lot of people that plan to spend the day on the beach pack a picnic lunch and then at the end of the day clean up to go out for dinner.

As far as July 4th fireworks go, I've heard that the Hatteras/Ocracoke fireworks have been canceled this year. There was a really bad accident last year during their July 4th preperations that killed a couple of people relating to fireworks. However, there will be fireworks in the town of Manteo and in Corolla (at the Currituck Heritage Center by the Corolla lighthouse).

Places that I recommend to eat include:
Duck Donuts
Prime Only (melt in your mouth steaks/filets)
Basnight's Lone Cedar (on Manteo Causeway)
Hurricane Mo's (kind of a hole in the wall local's place)
Rundown Cafe (Carribbean flair)
Good Life Gourmet (sandwiches)
Colington Cafe (no high chairs)
Black Pelican
Dare Devils (pizza)
Ocean Blvd (a little pricey, but very nice and food is great)
Duck Deli (breakfast)

Have a great trip!!

 

[lisaross]

OK, i will bring bread and peanut butter & jelly! My kids don't eat cold-cuts.

thanks

 

[gillenkl]

I haven't read the replies - but definately go to Big Al's for lunch or dinner. I also recommend the Wright Bros museum and the aquarium.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

For those of you with experience, where would you suggest going out to dinner for a nice seafood dinner. Not terribly expensive but nice. We will be celebrating my birthday while down there and I would like to go out for a nice seafood dinner.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

For those of you with experience, where would you suggest going out to dinner for a nice seafood dinner. Not terribly expensive but nice. We will be celebrating my birthday while down there and I would like to go out for a nice seafood dinner.

For seafood, my recommendation would be either Basnight's Lone Cedar, Owens or Kellys.

Forgot in my previous post to warn visitors to stay away from the OBX Outback. I won't go into the details of my personal experience (and things that I have heard about that place) here, but I strongly recommend skipping this one.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

I won't ask about that one but thanks for the heads up. I appreciate the advice too.

 

[llori7]

WOW! Thanks for all the great tips everyone. Looks like I have lots of choices of things to do. I can't wait for this trip!!

 

[DreadpiratK]

We stayed in Avon last year for a week, it was awesome. There's not that much to do on Hatteras, but that was OK, the beach and the sound were enough for me, but not quite enough for the teens with us. We brought sea kayaks that my son and I built over the summer, and the used them on the sound all week, very awesome, except for the mosquitoes. They were so bad we had to run from the car into the kayaks and paddle out as fast as possible to get away from them, but a few yards out there were none.

Anyway, our best 'accidental' event was taking the ferry from Avon to Ocracoke (fun anytime) and touring the island, but then by chance taking the ferry back right at sunset, which was spectacular! you've just got to do it, I've never seen such a beautiful sunset over the water. BTW, the ferry is free, and there's some nice shopping and restaurants there by the landing. On the way back through Avon stop at the Frogy Dog. Excellent Steaks and seafood, and lots of fun.

Also the Graveyard of the Atlantic museum is near the Hatterras ferry landing, and worth a stop. It's not huge, but if you're into ships or maritime history it's a must do, and only takes an hour or so.

Also look for Canadian Hole state landing on Hatteras island, it's a world class destination for wind and kite surfing, and it's fun to just sit and watch for a while.

Have fun! I almost wish we were going back there this year instead of Disney, but you can't do everything.

 

[llori7]

Question for everyone. The Hatteras Lighthouse is about an hour and a half from where we are staying. Is it worth the drive? I was trying to find other things to do down in Hatteras, to make the drive worthwhile. Some people mentioned the Graveyard of Atlantic Museum. Also, the ferry to Oacrakoe. Is that near the lighthouse in Hatteras? Is the ferry free? How often does it run? Is there a schedule somewhere online?

Thanks~

 

[lisaross]

still wondering about the parking situation. Again, i'll be staying in Nags Head..i know i need to drive the car from the motel to the strip area, but is it easy to park and then i can just walk around?

 

[vsimeone]

still wondering about the parking situation. Again, i'll be staying in Nags Head..i know i need to drive the car from the motel to the strip area, but is it easy to park and then i can just walk around?

You are staying at the Sea Foam. It is right on the beach so you won't have to drive to the beach. There is no "Strip." There are two roads on the Outer Banks: the Beach Road and the Bypass. The Beach Road is State Route 12 (also called many other names such as Oregon Inlet Rd where we stay in South Nags Head). It is a two lane road and has a speed limit of 35-40 miles per hour on the entire 20 + mile stretch. The Bypass is a 4 lane road (a 5th turn lane in the center) and has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour but also has MANY lights. MOST restaurants and shops are on the Bypass but there are some FANTASTIC restaurants on the Beach Road.

There are a couple of restaurants near the Sea Foam. I believe you are near MP 16 so you can walk to Sam and Omies. FABULOUS restaurant to spend a quiet evening! Otherwise, you will need to drive to whatever location you are heading to but nowhere is further than about 15 miles or so.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[pantherlj]

For those of you with experience, where would you suggest going out to dinner for a nice seafood dinner. Not terribly expensive but nice. We will be celebrating my birthday while down there and I would like to go out for a nice seafood dinner.

Black Pelican! Great food

http://www.blackpelican.com/res/index.html

 

[lisaross]

Great thanks soo much...i'm thinking its like the jersey shore or something! Anyway i assume those restaurants on the beach side in walking distance i can go for lunch?

You are staying at the Sea Foam. It is right on the beach so you won't have to drive to the beach. There is no "Strip." There are two roads on the Outer Banks: the Beach Road and the Bypass. The Beach Road is State Route 12 (also called many other names such as Oregon Inlet Rd where we stay in South Nags Head). It is a two lane road and has a speed limit of 35-40 miles per hour on the entire 20 + mile stretch. The Bypass is a 4 lane road (a 5th turn lane in the center) and has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour but also has MANY lights. MOST restaurants and shops are on the Bypass but there are some FANTASTIC restaurants on the Beach Road.

There are a couple of restaurants near the Sea Foam. I believe you are near MP 16 so you can walk to Sam and Omies. FABULOUS restaurant to spend a quiet evening! Otherwise, you will need to drive to whatever location you are heading to but nowhere is further than about 15 miles or so.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[vsimeone]

Great thanks soo much...i'm thinking its like the jersey shore or something! Anyway i assume those restaurants on the beach side in walking distance i can go for lunch?

Yes. Sam and Omie's is open for lunch. Have a great trip!

 

[disneyfan2kids]

... with a total of 3 families (13 people, 7 of which were aged under 7). Going again in 8 weeks.... with 5 more people added to mix!.) It was FANTASTIC!

We found that the BEST parts were just hanging out. Beach, pool, riding bikes, playing kickball, etc.

Don't plan too much "touristy" stuff... you'll miss the best part of OBX...just relaxing and watching kids have fun!

 

[lisaross]

Yes, i'm looking so so forward...going next week!

Thank U everyone for all the great tips!

Only "touristy" stuff i definitly want to do is climb the sand dunes in Jockey Ridge!!!! Perhaps the Wright Brothers Museum!

... with a total of 3 families (13 people, 7 of which were aged under 7). Going again in 8 weeks.... with 5 more people added to mix!.) It was FANTASTIC!

We found that the BEST parts were just hanging out. Beach, pool, riding bikes, playing kickball, etc.

Don't plan too much "touristy" stuff... you'll miss the best part of OBX...just relaxing and watching kids have fun!