Outerbanks???

[kdibattista]

DH and I are going to the Outerbanks in July with another couple. I have never, ever been and need some advice/opinions/comments on what there is to do!!!!! I have been told by the couple (who have been there) that there really is nothing to do other than going to the beach. I DON'T LIKE TO RELAX ON VACATION!!! I know that sounds ridiculous but Disney is really my ideal vacation - on the go. I can't explain it. Is there any shopping malls, outlets or anything around

 

[Tiggeroo]

I just got back from the outerbanks. I would agree, it is basically a beach town. This was my first trip, and it was off season, so not everything was open. Since it was a surfing trip for a group of boys, we did little else. Some things you can do.. go to Ocracoke Island for some shopping and eating, go to a seafood restaurant, go on a deep sea fishing trip, go up to the top of the lighthouse, drive to Kitty Hawk see the Wright Brothers museum/monument, watch or go hang gliding, go to the beach, have a fire on the beach at night, sit on the balcony drinking frozen drinks. It really is a quiet beachy sort of town.

 

[Regina]

Well.........you can go to the aquarium and visit my DD who will be interning there this summer.

We did vacation there years ago. I'm like you, I prefer sightseeing to lying on a beach.

We visited lighthouses, the aquarium (who knew?? ), played mini-golf, did the typical touristy things.

They did have some incredible seafood restaurants. (The folks who we shared the rental house with mostly wanted to cook. Yet another "no-no" when I'm on vacation. )

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Our family (and at least three of my mother's sisters' families) went on vacation to the Outer Banks in 1988 (so long ago ). We went out to Kitty Hawk, to the Wright Brothers Museum, and Cape Hatteras to the lighthouse. Other than those two side trips, I don't remember doing much other than fishing, going to the beach and camping.

 

[snoopy]

I have to agree with your friend, if you don't like lying on the beach, you won't find much to do in the Outer Banks. I personally love laying on the beach all day, but my husband doesn't, so we've only been one time.

They do have some amazing property there though. You can drive around and look at all the fabulous homes and think about how you wish you could win the Lotto! Thats what I did when I wasn't lying on the beach!

 

[tar heel]

You can drive over to Roanoke Island (where the first English settlement in the New World was) and tour the Elizabethan Gardens and see the outdoor drama "The Lost Colony."

We've not been to the Outer Banks for years, but last time there we ate at a highly recommended restaurant called Owens Seafood. We were blown away by just how wonderful it was -- best shrimp I've ever had.

 

[JCarangal]

Thanks for all the info!! We are also going to the Outer Banks for vacation this summer (my first time). Although I like to sit on the beach for a day or so, I get quickly bored with it. I appreciate all of the tips/suggestions.

Hey kdibattista - We'll be in Nags Head from July 5th to July 12th. When are you going?

 

[kdibattista]

We will be there from the 19th - 26th..... I guess I will be spending most of my time heavily intoxicated

 

[loisg1]

We'll be arriving the end of July as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on places to stay with an oceanview?

Thanks!
Lois

 

[jlaspoq]

Oceanview sells out pretty quick. Or should I say, affordable ocean view sells out pretty quickly!

We go every summer - and most of these posts have mentioned the highlights.

You can also try parasailing on the sound side, hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge, or just climbing the dunes at Jockey's Ridge at sunset is a beautiful thing to do.

Eat DQ ice cream.

Play miniature golf.

Go shopping and eating in Duck Village or Sandbridge. (Sanderling Inn is very nice).

Try Kelly's Restaurant in Nag's Head.

Drive all the way up north to Corolla if you have 4WD and head out onto the beach - you can drive right next to the waves! Keep your eyes out for the wild ponies that roam up there. There's about 10 miles of 4WD only communities up there!

Try to relax and enjoy yourself!

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by kdibattista
We will be there from the 19th - 26th..... I guess I will be spending most of my time heavily intoxicated

Sounds like you would like Myrtle Beach a lot more. Malls, outlets, restaraunts, an aquarium, haunted houses, elaborate dinner shows, amusement parks, IMAX, etc... If you go to the outer banks...it's mostly bike riding and laying on the beach.

 

[Blondie]

I'm the kind of person that needs to be entertained on vacation, so quiet beach or mountain destinations do nothing for me at this point in my life.

I agree with the Myrtle Beach recommendation, more to do there!

 

[ead79]

My godparents live in the Outerbanks (specifically, Morehead City, NC), and we have been vacationing there my whole life. It's not super exciting, but it's a nice, relaxing place to go. I have been to Kitty Hawk (and the Wright brothers' museum) and I remember it being pretty interesting (it was a long time ago when I was young though). I do have to recommend our favorite restaurant--it's called the Sanitary and it's a great seafood restaurant in Morehead City on the coast. Yum!

 

[loisg1]

Can anyone provide me with a specific motel/b&b that they've used in the past? I'm used to choosing a familiar brand name and going from there. OBX has a lot of private lodging so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks -
Lois

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We go every summer and rent a house from Southern Shores Realty. Will be there July 11 - 18 this year.

There are a lot of websites for information:
outerbanksbeachguide.com
outerbanks.org
outerbanksexplorer.com

I haven't looked at these recently but had them in my address book.

There are outlets at about milepost 16. There are lots of sports to do like hang gliding, kayaking, sailing. There are waterslides and mini-golf. There is The Lost Colony to visit and of course the Wright Brothers Museum. Jockey's Ridge State Park is a great place to visit and climb the sand dunes in the evening. If you like lighthouses, the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is there, and there are many nature trails to hike. We love to relax on the beach and there never seems to be enough time in the week to do all that we want to do. I think there are a lot of things to do there.

I sound like a tour director. Have fun!

 

[Tarheel Tink]

ead79! I work in Morehead City!!! Small world...you are right that Sanitary Restaurant has got some great seafood and very friendly staff (ask for Rochelle as your waitress and tip her great!).

 

[Jenn Lynn]

This thread is great! My family has been looking into renting a house inthe Outerbanks.

When do these houses start filling up? We are not going this summer, but next summer. And how is the weather around the end of May/beginning of June?

Carol-Thanks for posting those links and things to do! I am going to copy and save it for future reference!

 

[loisg1]

Thanks to all for their helpful info!! Not much great seafood in PA!! We lived in coastal CT for 18 years and became used to it!

Can anyone suggest the name of lodging in the Kitty Hawk/Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills area that's on the ocean? I'd like to make a ressie real soon and just don't know what to choose.

Thanks for your help.

Lois

 

[Pammy jo]

We just got back from Duck last week. It was our 3rd trip down to Outerbanks. We usually go in the off season with another family and rates are incredibly cheap. We rent our houses through Resort Quest. They have been very nice homes and the company very reliable and friendly.

The other posts pretty much say it all about Outerbanks. If you stay in the north part, stay near Corolla, at least there are shops and restaurants nearby. There's quite a stretch between ther and Nags Head without too much of anything. Grocery stores are even a ways away. It's a great place to have kids just play on the beach all day. We went bowling this time on a rainy day. Shopping is scarce, but my little kids always enjoy a trip to the aquarium. It's small but kid friendly.

I enjoy Outerbanks, but it just can't compare with Hilton Head. That's just such a long drive and more expensive though. Maybe next year we'll splurge again.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Lois, we stayed at this Ramada in 1987, but it still looks nice. The same restaurant is in it now as then.

Ramada Inn