Please help!! Going to OuterBanks, NC

[lovebbw]

Have any of you been to OuterBanks? This is our first trip there and I sure could use any tips and info about this place. Where is the best place to stay? We are only planning to visit Duck, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. What are the important places that we shouldnt miss. Can we do beach camping here? My head is brimming with so many questions. Im trying to find out all I can from websites but first hand details and info from experience is what I rate high....help me ladies

 

[sorul82?]

visitnc.com

 

[casjen72]

You MUST go to the State Park, dang if I can remember the name. It is right on the main drag in Kitty Hawk. It is like a giant desert and the giant sand dunes are so much fun to climb on and slide down. It was great. We were full of sand in all our nooks and crannies though so be prepared!

We also went to the Aquarium in Manteo I think. It was a relly nice, small aquarium. Very well done.

We did go to the Wright museum and it was o.k. Nothing fabulous, but we're glad we did it.

It was in the 50's and whipping wind so we did not go to the beach. Brr!

 

[lovebbw]

Thanks for the info ladies...I appreciate it a lot!!

 

[TwistofLemon]

I think the park is Jockey's ridge. I went with a 7th grade class (about 90 kids?!?)(the things we do for our kids! LOL). Anyway, they LOVED it. Take something to slide on, like a flying saucer, or even a piece of cardboard.

 

[LaLaroo78]

We used to go there every summer when I was a kid. I went back in 2003 but stayed in Corolla. We went deep sea fishing and four wheeling on the beach and then they took you to see the wild horses. As a kid we mostly just spent the days on the beach but I do remember going to Ocracoke to feed the horses and shop. In Nags Head we stayed at Laughing Gull Cottages which were nice. This website has some great info. http://www.outerbanks.com

Have a great trip!

 

[HayGan]

We the Outer Banks. We prefer to stay in Duck or Corolla. We occasionally drive down to Kitty Hawk but for us the perfect OBX vacation doesn't involve much activity. We usually rent a place form www.villagerealtyobx.com or www.stanwhite.com . I prefer Village but SW has some really nice properties as well. We hardly ever eat out when we are there. We like to get fresh seafood from the various markets at cook out.

As far as activities (besides the beach), we really enjoy going to the aquarium and the Lost Colony both on Roanoke Island. You should really go and see the Wright Bros National Memorial at Kitty Hawk You can also go and see the wild horses (there are several tours that can take you to see them. Other fun activites are mini golf, kite flying (our favorite), and just hanging out on the beach

Have a great time! OBX is one of our favorite places to visit!

 

[shelly3girls]

We the Outer Banks. We prefer to stay in Duck or Corolla. We occasionally drive down to Kitty Hawk but for us the perfect OBX vacation doesn't involve much activity. We usually rent a place form www.villagerealtyobx.com or www.stanwhite.com . I prefer Village but SW has some really nice properties as well. We hardly ever eat out when we are there. We like to get fresh seafood from the various markets at cook out.
As far as activities (besides the beach), we really enjoy going to the aquarium and the Lost Colony both on Roanoke Island. You should really go and see the Wright Bros National Memorial at Kitty Hawk You can also go and see the wild horses (there are several tours that can take you to see them. Other fun activites are mini golf, kite flying (our favorite), and just hanging out on the beach

Have a great time! OBX is one of our favorite places to visit!

ITA! We go to the OBX to relax! Can I ask what markets you visit to purchase seafood? We are staying in Pine Island this year and have not really visited the markets since we usually stay in Carova Beach. We have looked around but don't really know the best place to go.
Thanks!

 

[jillyjoey]

Everyone is giving you great advice. We are another OBX family. We have stayed at Corolla, KDH, and our new favorite Hatteras (Waves). Our favorite things to do:
(1) rent a pontoon boat for a day and cruise around the sound
(2) Jockey's Ridge
(3) Wine tasting at the Native Vine (located in shopping center across from Jockey's Ridge)
(4) Pirate Cruise from Oden's Dock in Hatteras (this was a blast)
(5) Take a day trip to Ocracoke (the ferry ride was cool by itself)
(6) nothing

I am pretty sure there is camping near Oregon Inlet. At least I've seen tents around there. We visited the aquarium on a rain day last year -- it was okay - but if you are used to something like the aqaurium in Chattanooga you may be disappointed. The info on hurricanes was amazing and the kids will enjoy the hands on displays.

You should be able to find really cool shells too. Last year, DS found 3 starfish.

 

[Ileana]

Went to Corolla in September, 2006

It was soooooooooo relaxing!! We made the drive out to Kill Devil Hills every day which was about a good half hour drive.

We didn't much other than drive & look at the scenery (and eat) haha

 

[HayGan]

ITA! We go to the OBX to relax! Can I ask what markets you visit to purchase seafood? We are staying in Pine Island this year and have not really visited the markets since we usually stay in Carova Beach. We have looked around but don't really know the best place to go.
Thanks!

Sorry I can't remember the names but there is one in Duck and one in Corolla (Light) that we like. The one in Corolla is the better of the 2. It is in a small shopping center directly across from the Spindrift community. If you are staying in Pine Island it won't be far from you at all Just head up Duck Rd towards Corolla. The shopping plaza will be on your left side. If you get as far as the Food Lion shopping center, you have gone way too far!

 

[autumnsmommy]

Nobody mentioned the lighthouses???? You can climb or just go view many of the lighthouses. You have to have "disney" legs to get to the top Long walk up a spiral staircase with little or no room to pass, so not for those who are claustrophobic. Great views at the top though. Not all are open to climb. The aquarium is nice. At pea island (I think) you may or may not be able to see a shipwreck on the beach depending on how the winds have shifted.

Be sure to stop at the visitors center as you cross the Wright bridge... lots of brochures, coupons, and the local giveaway paper that has event listings in it.
Food:
Georges Junction= overated seafood buffet
Carolina Seafood (original one in brightly painted building on beach road) is pretty good
Dirty Dicks has pretty good food and tacky t-shirts
Don Gatos -yummy Mexican
Mako Mikes okay
Fishbones in Duck - rawbar and bar- good

And the Kellogg hardware in Duck has open stock of Fiestaware...I was so happy!

Donnas Designs across from Jockeys Ridge used to have a wokshop where kids could print a shirt with a real fish.

My SIL used to live there, so that used to be our weekend getaway...6 hours to nice PEACEFUL beaches. Not that a boardwalk is bad, but quiet is nice to enjoy the beautiful views. Then, go north of Corolla to see all the McMansions that have popped up in recent years.

Oh, bring a kite...you'll have a blast!

 

[Keara'sMom]

If you do go to Jockey's Ridge, be sure to take some kites, as the kite flying there is amazing! We've stayed in Kill Devil Hills and Duck, and I preferred Duck--a little more relaxing. Both times we stayed in rented beach houses that had private pools and were fairly close to the beach. Beautiful! Enjoy your trip!

 

[vsimeone]

Nobody mentioned the lighthouses???? You can climb or just go view many of the lighthouses. You have to have "disney" legs to get to the top Long walk up a spiral staircase with little or no room to pass, so not for those who are claustrophobic. Great views at the top though. Not all are open to climb. The aquarium is nice. At pea island (I think) you may or may not be able to see a shipwreck on the beach depending on how the winds have shifted.

Be sure to stop at the visitors center as you cross the Wright bridge... lots of brochures, coupons, and the local giveaway paper that has event listings in it.
Food:
Georges Junction= overated seafood buffet
Carolina Seafood (original one in brightly painted building on beach road) is pretty good
Dirty Dicks has pretty good food and tacky t-shirts
Don Gatos -yummy Mexican
Mako Mikes okay
Fishbones in Duck - rawbar and bar- good

And the Kellogg hardware in Duck has open stock of Fiestaware...I was so happy!

Donnas Designs across from Jockeys Ridge used to have a wokshop where kids could print a shirt with a real fish.

My SIL used to live there, so that used to be our weekend getaway...6 hours to nice PEACEFUL beaches. Not that a boardwalk is bad, but quiet is nice to enjoy the beautiful views. Then, go north of Corolla to see all the McMansions that have popped up in recent years.

Oh, bring a kite...you'll have a blast!

Another OBX lover here! I agree with everything that's been said! Sadly, I have to add that Georges Junction was no longer there last year (2006). Carolina Seafood is our FAVORITE and we also enjoy Jimmy's Buffet. I recommend getting to either one EARLY as the lines get REALLY long!

I saw someone mention the NC Aquarium in Manteo. It's a great place to spend a couple hours. Lots of great activities for the kids including a "petting pool." It too gets crowded if there is a Tropical Storm (like Alberto!!!) Also in Manteo - for a change of pace from seafood is the Weeping Radish - wonderful German food and fantastic micro brewery, and the Lost Colony outdoor Drama. Of all the times we have been to OBX (around 25) we did this for the first time on our last trip - I don't know why we waited so long!

Have a wonderful time on the Outer Banks and most of all, relax. Take in the beach, sand dunes, pelicans and dolphins and RELAX!

 

[Dizma]

The farther south that you go the quieter it is. We usually stay in Avon or Frisco (closer to the Hatteras lighthouse in Buxton). If you own a 4WD vehicle you can drive out on to the beach. When our kids were small we would take a tarp and 2 poles and tie it off the side of the vehicle for shade and spend the days lounging and playing on the beach. Midgett Realty, Surf or Sound Realty, Outer Banks Realty, or Hatteras Realty have great web sites to find a home to rent. There is a fishing pier in Frisco if you like to fish and a golf course there too. If you are a camper there is the Hatteras lighthouse campground or Frisco campground right on the ocean. I second the Oracoke ferry trip. If you are looking to relax, it is the perfect place. Last, but not least, you have to do Bubba's BBQ.
P.S. I would not recommend August-we have been evacuated twice due to approaching hurricanes.

 

[Jsme]

The OBX is one of my favorite places to visit. We have friends with a house there and we go down several times a year.

The aquarium is nice. If you like to fish, fishing is fun there too. The Wright Brothers is a MUST!! Same with Jockey's Ridge. Ocracoke is lots of fun as mentioned if nothing else for the trip over. The lighthouses are a MUST do too!!!

We just came back from there Sunday. A few good places to eat are Awful Arthurs, Mulligans and Jolly Rogers. Decent prices and the locals frequent there so you know the pricing is right. You can eat JR's breakfast special for 1.99 pp. It is very good too!! They also make some of the best coffee around. I also like Stack em High ( I think that is the name of it) because they make a killer cup of coffee.

 

[autumnsmommy]

Was there anything in the George's Juction building? Or did it get "hurricaned"? We didn't try to go there in 2006, we were up in Corolla that year..

This time of year is nice at OBX, right before it gets tourist-jammed. Okay, yeah, I am a tourist, too, but I DONT enjoy the 4:00 Saturday jams at Food Lion Off season the traffic is much more reasonable.

 

[vsimeone]

Was there anything in the George's Juction building? Or did it get "hurricaned"? We didn't try to go there in 2006, we were up in Corolla that year..

This time of year is nice at OBX, right before it gets tourist-jammed. Okay, yeah, I am a tourist, too, but I DONT enjoy the 4:00 Saturday jams at Food Lion Off season the traffic is much more reasonable.

The building is no longer there. I almost cried when the Wharf went out of business and then Georges! The great seafood places are fewer and further between!

We always go the last week of "mid-season" rates. It always falls the first week that my son and I are done with school. This year we are staying in a smaller duplex as our house buddies ditched us - one couple got married and pregnant and the other family bought a new house! We have a Sunday check-in which will be odd for us. I guess I kinda think the Saturday evening Food Lion run is fun! Call me strange!

We are about 4 weeks from our trip to the beach! I CAN'T WAIT!

 

[lovebbw]

OMG you guys are awesome!! So much of great information I never knew about OBX. Thanks soooo much ladies!! I know where to come for info if im planning a trip. Thanks again everyone

 

[pantherlj]

A quick plug for The Black Pelican. Great restaurant in Kitty Hawk on the beach road (turn at the light where the 7-11 is).

They have awesome pizza - I don't like seafood so I get the BBQ chicken. Everyone raves about the seafood pizza though.