***Outer Banks***

[llori7]

We are going to the Outer Banks next Friday. I need some suggestions on what do. I have been looking up things online, but it is always better to get tips from my dis friends!!! There will 8 of us in a house, ages ranging from 4-86! So we need lots of family friendly ideas. The house we are staying at is in Kitty Hawk.

Naturally, we will be spending lots of time on the beach, but looking for other tourist things to do. We will be going to the Wright Brothers site. What is your favorite lighthouse? Is it worth the drive? What about the aquarium down there?

I will take any tips!!

Thanks

 

[seals]

museum/historical park was fun (this was June 2007), aquarium if I'm remembering right was nice but small. Climb on the sand dunes at Jockey Ridge State park.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

We've gone several time with babies up to senior citizens, and we can go days without leaving the house other than go back and forth to the beach or pool! It was truly a relaxing, family vacation for us! Sometimes the teens need to get out to do mini golf, wave runners, etc. but for the most part it's the time when we all get to hang out together. Enjoy your week!!

 

[DisneyNutMic]

I've never been but we are heading down in August. We can't wait to drive on the beach and look for the wild horses (Corrolla).

 

[summersalt]

Oh, I hope you have a great time! My favorite thing to do (especially if it's a rainy day) is to drive down to the Hatteras ferry and go over to Oracoke. You can rent bikes and ride all over the village. There are lots of nice shops to stop in and browse around in. Howard's Pub is a good place to stop in for a bite to eat ( i highly recommend the peel and eat shrimp) . The kids can play foosball. Hope you enjoy the little paradise that i call home!

 

[kimnvbva]

There is a big outlet shopping center if you are interested in finding bargains. There are a lot of good restaurants too. Our favorite is Dare Devil Inn Pizza on Mile post 9 (beach road). There is pizza is great! The aquarium is nice too. There is a big fishing pier the kids can check out some fish! I don't know for sure if they are allowing driving on the beach anymore. They have had a couple of accidents in Corolla where people have hit the horses with their cars. So sad. They were talking about banning it. There is a movie theater too. Have fun! Relax and enjoy the beach!

 

[lisaross]

I'm going down the following Thursday..This wil be our 1st time to the Outerbanks..i have family their - we'll be staying in Nags Head - hoping for nice weather to spend many hours on the beach...I'm figuring they have some type of strip w/mini golf arcades etc.

We are going to the Outer Banks next Friday. I need some suggestions on what do. I have been looking up things online, but it is always better to get tips from my dis friends!!! There will 8 of us in a house, ages ranging from 4-86! So we need lots of family friendly ideas. The house we are staying at is in Kitty Hawk.

Naturally, we will be spending lots of time on the beach, but looking for other tourist things to do. We will be going to the Wright Brothers site. What is your favorite lighthouse? Is it worth the drive? What about the aquarium down there?

I will take any tips!!

Thanks

 

[starann]

The Aquarium is small, but well put together. VERY kid Friendly. It is in Roanoke. I am pretty sure they hav a web site if you search.


Should you go to Hatteras Lighthouse (When were were there over Memorial Day Boddie Lighthouse was closed for repairs) there is a GREAT (did i mention GREAT) ice cream place called Uncle Eddy's Custard. They also have mini golf..nothing fancy, but it was only $6 adult, $3 child. I suggest the Hatteras Island flavor (cherries, pinapple and cocconut.....oh man what I wouldn't give for some!).

Also down that was is Scotch Bonnett, they make the BEST fudge and have been featured on the Food Network.


We also like the ferry to Oacrakoke....you drive your car onto the ferry and can get out and walk around the ferry. Remember to bring a bag of bread or popcorn and feed the seagulls (just make sure it is at the back of the boat or seagull poop will cover you!).

 

[starann]

Oh, and stop at the Dollar Tree and get some $1 kites...the wind on the beach is GREAT for kite flying!

 

[virginiamama]

We've been going for years and still love it, Here are a few random suggestions.

Stop by the visitor center just past Walmart/Home Depot and pick up a Sunny Day coupon book and a restaurant guide. They are free and the bathrooms there are nice.

Get to know your location by mile post. (MP) They are along the sides of the road and practically every location is referred to by its mile post.

Stop by Brew Thru and get a t-shirt.

Stop by Life is Good and get a t-shirt.

Be sure to buy either an OBX t-shirt or a pirate t-shirt.

Have 4-legged friends? Bring treats from Salty Paws home to them.

Climb Jockey's Ridge in the evening when it isn't so stinkin' hot. Bring water and a camera - put the camera in a bag or backpack to keep from getting sand in it - we leave our shoes in the car. We always stop at Jockey's Ridge during our trip as well as on our way out of town. We love to go home with sand in our pockets and between our toes!

If you go to the aquarium at Manteo, be sure to go out back and search for shark teeth.

Kill Devil Hills Custard is yummy!

Take a flashlight out on the beach at night and look for ghost crabs!

Bring home a hermit crab.

Pick up some fresh fruits and veggies at the roadside markets on the way in and on your way home.

Stay up late playing cards and laughing.

Be sure to bring home some shells you've collected.

... and roll down your windows as soon as you come over the bridge and soak it all in. Get ready to be sweaty, sandy and happy!!! I hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[redlawyer]

Got to second that vote for a kite. I have one from one of the numerous kite shops on the island. Its awesome to fly the kites on the beach, the wind is so strong it, it makes it so easy to get in the air. We bought a nylon one several years ago and its still in great shape.

 

[tnkr mom]

We have been several times (alternate years for the last 14) and love it in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Corolla; may go again this year. Anyway we have NEVER seen a wild horse on the beach, sadly! And out of all the above great things we have also done, my kids LOVE the ocean kyack. We call ahead to one of the many rental places and they deliver it before you arrive and pick it up when you leave. Also good if you have to rent baby equi & etc. Have fun and relax. My favorite thing to do is stay on the beach until sunset with gourmet snack and ah.....beverages!

 

[Mickeyorbust]

We have been several times (alternate years for the last 14) and love it in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Corolla; may go again this year. Anyway we have NEVER seen a wild horse on the beach, sadly! And out of all the above great things we have also done, my kids LOVE the ocean kyack. We call ahead to one of the many rental places and they deliver it before you arrive and pick it up when you leave. Also good if you have to rent baby equi & etc. Have fun and relax. My favorite thing to do is stay on the beach until sunset with gourmet snack and ah.....beverages!

I think they banned individuals from searching for the wild horses at the end of last summer, a lot of accidental horse deaths. In fact we saw the aftermath of one. It was very sad. We were told by the tour guide that the horses tend to stay away from the "beach" area as it's crowded with tourists and loud. The best place to see them is in the "neighborhood" ,so to speak, off the beach. However, it's been banned to all except residents and licensed tour groups. There are a few licensed tour guides down there and it really is an exciting thing to see. Last year we witnessed a rarely seen occurance. Two males in a territory battle. The tour guide was great, he told us what would happen before it did and what each action meant. As well as the different theories on how the horses got there. It was def. worth the money and so glad we did it. Here's one of the pic's from the tour.

 

[starann]

I forgot to mention....look for dolphins in the ocean. We saw a group of them when we were there over Memorial Day....there was maybe 4 or 5 of them about 300 yards off the coast!

Some people pay to see them on 'dolphin cruises' adn never see one....we saw them for FREE!


Oh, the kite stores are called Kitty Hawk Kites!

 

[Mickeyorbust]

I almost forgot. Try Duck Donuts. There are two locations, Duck and Kitty Hawk. Awesome, made to order donuts. They alone are almost worth a trip down there.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

One question on the guided tours for horses if anyone knows. I know we can rent a Jeep and follow the tour. But what if we have a Jeep and just need the tour. Is that an option?? I can't find that answer anywhere I'm looking.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

Oh, one more thing....I don't want to seem like Debbie Downer here, but practice ocean safety. If you're on the beach were there is a life guard present ask him/her where the rip current is. He/she can easily spot it. Here are some great tips from NOAA... http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/tips.shtml

Just want everyone to have a good trip.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

One question on the guided tours for horses if anyone knows. I know we can rent a Jeep and follow the tour. But what if we have a Jeep and just need the tour. Is that an option?? I can't find that answer anywhere I'm looking.

You should probably call them and ask. The one place we booked to do the tour you could rent a jeep but a guide drove it. The regular tour was in a suburban, or other similar vehicle, and you might have another group in there with you. But that may differ in another tour agency.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

You should probably call them and ask. The one place we booked to do the tour you could rent a jeep but a guide drove it. The regular tour was in a suburban, or other similar vehicle, and you might have another group in there with you. But that may differ in another tour agency.

Can you PM (or list) what tour company you used?? We are trying to get that scheduled and I have no clue which one to use.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

Wow you're in luck. They offer self-driven tours now. They didn't offer that last year.

http://wildhorsetour.com/