***Outer Banks***

[taylor3297]

Cape Hatteras lighthouse is our favorite.

 

[**eeyore**]

We were just in Nags Head in late May/early June with our 5 yo twin DDs. Had a great time. Here were some of our favorites:


Great restaurant - upscale, but totally acceptable to bring children:
http://www.pamlicojacks.com/

Great seafood restaurant - fun atmosphere, plus you can go across the street to see the fishing pier if you have to wait for your table:
http://www.awfularthursobx.com/

Amazing Jeep tour to see the Corolla Wild Horses. A little expensive, but well worth it. We rented a Jeep to drive and got to follow the tour guides that drove other tourists in the guides' vehicles.
http://www.corollajeeps.com/

If you have your own 4WD vehicle, you can drive on the beach without a tour, but I'm not sure we would have known where to go without the guides. Also, they took us past the dunes and into the "backroads" of Corolla - very cool!

Best ice cream (actually frozen custard) - by far!
http://www.killdevilsfrozencustard.com/
(Don't waste your time at the Snowbird - rude workers and crummy ice cream!)

Cape Hatteras lighthouse - kids have to be at least 42" to climb. Otherwise Corolla lighthouse might be a better option:
http://www.hatteras-nc.com/light/

After doing the Hatteras lighthouse, we stopped for lunch at the Dolphin's Den on our way back to Nags Head:
http://www.hatterasguide.com/lp/dolphinden/

Aquarium on Roanoke Island - perfect for young kids. They had a neat presentation with divers in the shark tank that could hear the questions the kids were asking and had microphones to answer while undewater.
http://www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island

Here is an article Disney's Family Fun mag did on OBX:
http://familyfun.go.com/summer/summ...beach-towns/exploring-the-outer-banks-713942/

Of course, spend lots of time at the beach! My husband just said to remind you to bring lifejackets for your little ones in the ocean - the waves can be pretty strong, even right at the beach. Definitely peace of mind knowing they had their jackets on when they were searching for seashells & getting buckets of water & wet sand to make sandcastles (even though we still kept a close eye on them).

Have a great trip!

 

[Tistal]

I'll second virginiamama's advice; she hit most of what I'd suggest. I grew up about 2 hours from OBX. It is worth mentioning there is no elevator to the top of the lighthouses. You will have to climb. This may or may not be an issue for some members of your party. Jockey's Ridge has sound side access. Ask the people in the little information booth how to get there. The sound is great, especially if you have little ones. You don't have the rough water from the ocean, it's shallow even if you go way out, and you can often see wildlife (i.e. crabs and small fish) in the water. If you're eating out down there, go to the places that aren't chain restaurants. 9 times out of 10 it won't look as "fancy" on the outside, but the food will be a million times better (and often cheaper). Stop in the visitor's center and get some travel guides (they're free) and look at them. Sometimes you'll find something nifty and off the beaten path to go check out (and they're fun to look at).

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Another vote *not* to miss Cape Hatteras Lighthouse! The drive itself is interesting and you get to go through Rodanthe which is where they filmed "Nights in Rodanthe". The climb to the top in summer heat can be brutal so if you do it, just pace yourself and if you decide not to climb, again it's still beautiful to see it in person.

The OBX are awesome!

Enjoy,
Heather

 

[sjms71]

We are here now, staying in Duck for 2 weeks. The weather has been awesome. However, not our first trip here by far we never get tired of doing the same things. Did the drive to Ocracoke yesterday. Bodie lighthouse is being renovated but still worth a stop. Stopped at the Chicamacomico life saving station for the first time and toured that. Then ate about 1 mile down the road at the Atlantic Cafe (very good). Ventured to hatteras lighthouse, stopped at the Grave yard of the Atlantic museum just beyond the ferry to Ocracoke then took the ferry to Ocracoke. It was a great day. Each of these places also has programs throughout the day. Jockey Ridge is also fun to visit but, we usually go after dinner time. We aren't doing this this year but The Lost Colony is a great show to see and fairly inexpensive. Have fun!!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

we are headed to OBX in 3 weeks. I have never been, but DH has been a couple times. He has raved and raved about how much he loves it there, and I cannot wait to experience it. We are only going for a long weekend and plan to visit ockracocke, and doing a little fishing and of course hatteras lighthouse. Can't wait to hear what everyone else has to say about!!!

 

[lisaross]

Any feedback on the Wright Brothers Museum?

 

[sjms71]

Any feedback on the Wright Brothers Museum?

We were there years ago and thought it full of information. I think there was also like a scavengerhut kind of thing for kids. However, my childeren were pretty little the last time we went and not that into the exibits. Going again this week now that they are older. I'll give more feedback in a few days.

 

[lisaross]

Great, lmk

We were there years ago and thought it full of information. I think there was also like a scavengerhut kind of thing for kids. However, my childeren were pretty little the last time we went and not that into the exibits. Going again this week now that they are older. I'll give more feedback in a few days.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

You might want to look into the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla. It's a free center with a movie and museum and there's a lighthouse.

http://www.ncwildlife.org/Education_Workshops/Outer_Banks_Center.htm

The center has various wildlife programs. I remember going on a tour looking for ghost crabs one night several years ago.

As for food, we really liked The Tomato Patch, also in Corolla: http://www.obxpizza.com/

 

[sjms71]

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

 

[Kimberly]

Fishing would be fun too! Have a great relaxing day, just rent some poles and tackle from a local shop, and just cast right off the beach! You'd be surprised what you catch.

 

[starann]

Fishing would be fun too! Have a great relaxing day, just rent some poles and tackle from a local shop, and just cast right off the beach! You'd be surprised what you catch.

Youy may have to pay for liscense from the Park Services....if you get 'caught' with out one, they WILL ticket you!

 

[sjms71]

Youy may have to pay for liscense from the Park Services....if you get 'caught' with out one, they WILL ticket you!

DH just got his at the Walmart in Southern Shores area. It was cheap $5 for a 10 day license.

 

[LaNina72]

DH and I got back last night from our very first week long trip to OBX. Here are some of our experiences...

Shopping-Get your coupon books!:
The Cotton Gin... fun place to browse and they have wine tasting. Free cork screw with purchase of a bottle with coupon.
Tanger Outlet... typical outlet place. Don't forget to get your free coupon booklet. But get to the "office" before 5:00.
Wings & Sunsations... typical touristy stuff. 3 T's for $10. Coffee mugs, pens, hats, swim suits, etc.
Forbes... more touristy stuff but they have 4oz blocks of fudge for $9.99 lb. and with the sunny coupon book PP mentions you can save $3 per lb. We got 4 blocks of fudge for a little over $7. And pick your own flavor of taffy for $6.95 lb.
Thrift Stores... A Penny Saved at MP 5.5 has some great costume jewelry and cottage prints. CHKD Thrift Store at MP 4.5 has great clothes... tons and tons of sun dresses!

Restaurants:
The Sugar Shack... at MP 16.5. Great food overlooking the sound. We got the popcorn shrimp boat with chips and slaw for $7.99... and these shrimp were the size of my thumb. And don't get me started on the Jumbo Clam strips... HUGE!
Jolly Rogers & Carolinas... at MP 6.5, good food and the price gets better with the B1G1 early bird dinner coupon.
Jimmy's Buffet.... at MP 3.5, Hubby did very well here with the all you can eat crab legs (10 different kinds) But they made $$ on me. I think the cost was around $30pp
Austin's Fish Market... at MP 12.5, the boats were a great price but the market prices were a little more then what we wanted to pay.

Do I still have your attention... or did ya doze off....?

Adventures:
Alligator River... on Manteo. A very fun drive to see all kinds of birds and turtles... and a chance namesake sighting. I wouldn't recommend the walking trail. We almost got carried off by some horse fly type stinging bugs. I still have the mark! Bonus this is free... Although when we did see the critters, DH reminded me that they weren't Disney-fied... whadda ya think he meant by that those ostrich eggs are too real!
Elizabeth Gardens... on Manteo. Gorgeous gardens to stroll around. They have many places to stop and take a break. And several picture taking opportunities. This is $8pp.
NC Acquarium... also on Manteo. We didn't get here due to the lines out the door. We got here about 11:00a... and the line was about 200 deep. So we headed right to the Gardens (which are a short drive away). If you go, go early when they open, there is a great calendar of events with some really fun things to do. This is $8pp.
Jockey Ridge State Park... DH and I walked up to the top of the Dune for the Kite Festival on Sunday. And it is a great place to fly kites. But no matter how tempted, keep the shoes on... soles will get burned! This is free.
Wright Brothers... A really nice place to go and find out why NC is the "first in flight" state. Sit and listen to the informative presentation about these amazing men. Then when ready hike up to the monument, but don't forget the camera! This was $4pp, but with receipt was good for 7 days, so we visited twice during our stay.
Oregon Inlet... DH was able to get on a make-up crew. (6 per boat) At the office tell them what days you are available to go out, and where you want to go and they will try to put together a tour. DH came home with about 15-17lbs of fresh fish! Yes we did bring the vacuum sealer with us.

First thing to do is grab all the coupon books you can! We had a really great time there. Our house was in a very quiet neighborhood so it worked perfect for us.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Did the Wright Bros. monument last yr, with Dh and my parents. its is really very nice. Nice auditorium with a speaker there on the first flight a couple of times a day, and a small walking trail with re-creations of the buildings that were on the land when they camped. We missed the movie, but it is a very nice place to visit. and it won't take the whole day either. Worth doing

 

[vsimeone]

Just got back from, at least, our 20th trip to OBX last week!

Everyone has some fantastic information here! I'll just add a few more:

Produce: Someone mentioned to stop for produce on route 158 on the way in. I HIGHLY recommend this and we LOVE Morris' Produce. You'll see tons of signs for Powell's but Morris' has tons of tasting and you HAVE GOT to use their restrooms. No lie, they are like nothing I have ever seen before!!!

Jockey's Ridge: Someone mentioned how hot the sand is. Go in the evening, after dinner. The sand is nice and cool so you can easily go barefoot and the view of the sunset over the sound is AMAZING! Get some ice cream or fudge for dessert after your walk at the shops across the street.

Ocracoke: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do this day trip! Be sure to stop at Teach's Hole. It's a little Blackbeard museum with a LOT of great information and a really fun gift shop.

For the first time this year, I brought down my crock pot. I used it to make bbq pork so that we could spend our entire first day on the beach. No one had to cook and we didn't have to get cleaned up to go to dinner! That will now become a staple in my OBX supplies!

Have a wonderful time on your trip and come back and tell us what you did and how you liked it!

 

[lisaross]

HOw is the parking all around? We're staying at the SeaFoam Motel mile post 16 1/2. I believe we need to drive to get near the strip..will it be easy to park and then we could walk around?

Is the water real rough on the beach right there?

Do u think Jockey Ridge will be Crazy Crowded on the 4th to watch the fireworks?

 

[starann]

I was just talking to our friend who lives there (Avon) year round, and he told me their 4th of July fireworks will not be done this year.

In years past they had HUGE fire work shows, cost them about $15,000 (so I hear).......................however this year Park Services wouldn't issue the permits. A lot of the locals are very upset with PS....a lot of the beaches are closed down in Hatteras area which the local busniesses are worried that the tourists won't come in the already bad economy.


But talking to our friend, I WANNA GO BACK!!!! Their house is always open to us, but sadly our vacation time is not endless!

 

[lisaross]

No Fireworks for the 4th...pretty disappointing!

I was just talking to our friend who lives there (Avon) year round, and he told me their 4th of July fireworks will not be done this year.

In years past they had HUGE fire work shows, cost them about $15,000 (so I hear).......................however this year Park Services wouldn't issue the permits. A lot of the locals are very upset with PS....a lot of the beaches are closed down in Hatteras area which the local busniesses are worried that the tourists won't come in the already bad economy.


But talking to our friend, I WANNA GO BACK!!!! Their house is always open to us, but sadly our vacation time is not endless!