Outer Banks, anyone?

elledi61

8 years ago

Getting some unexpected time off the first two weeks of September. We've never been to the Outer Banks.

What would be the must see and go to highlights.? What are the best/ popular places to stay?

TIA!

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writersblock (9b/10a)

8 years ago

Ocracoke which is probably too quiet for a family

Gosh, has the world changed that much? We used to go to Ocracoke when I was a kid (back in the days when the ponies were just getting corralled off the village streets) and we loved, loved, loved it, despite no TV or movies or anything like that.

I dragged my parents there the first time after reading Stephen Meader's "Wild Pony Island", but they were even more enthusiastic than I was once they'd been there.

Personally, I can't abide what the Outer Banks have become. I used to want to live near Buxton or Duck, since it was the most isolated deserted beach I ever saw. Sigh.

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Comments (9)

diane_nj 6b/7a
8 years ago
We used to rent a house for a week, and it has been a very long time, so I can't help much there.

Kitty Hawk, to the Wright Brothers Memorial, then to Kitty Hawk Kites for hang gliding. And the lighthouses.
Oaktown
8 years ago
What do you like to do?

Personally I prefer the Hatteras area which is less developed and more wild -- but then we'd pretty much just play on the beach and fish and catch crabs. We'd take the ferry to Ocracoke for a day trip. I have not seen the Corolla ponies but heard that they were in the Rodanthe movie? Also in the "get away" vein south of the Outer Banks there is another (long) ferry from Ocracoke to Cedar Island, from there you could visit to Cape Lookout/Shackleford Banks (by boat).

The Nags Head area is more accessible for tourist stuff with better stores, mini golf, go karts, etc. -- close to Kitty Hawk, Jockey's Ridge, Lost Colony in Manteo. One of the NC aquariums is on Roanoke and a decent rainy day outing for younger kids.
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maire_cate
8 years ago
When we go we rent a house on the beach. Last year we had a 6 bedroom in Duck which is quieter than the Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills area. It's a family tradition to climb Jockey's Ridge and watch the sunset and then stop for ice cream before heading back to the house. The kids (all ages) get a kick out of catching ghost crabs on the beach after dinner. Depending on the age of the various nieces and nephews who join us we'll rent kayaks,fly kites, fish off the wharf or go paragliding.

But most of the time we just relax on the beach. Our house last year had a pool and a hot tub. We never went in the pool but the teens loved the hot tub. Even after doing this for years we've still never gone to see 'The Lost Colony' - maybe next time.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
8 years ago
We go to Ocracoke which is probably too quiet for a family and it is about as far as you can go unless you are going from points south. The ferry ride is fun though. I would definitely do Jockeys Ridge, the Wright Memorial (Nags Head and Kitty Hawk), and the lighthouses. If you head up to the northern end, there are wild horses at Carolla which can be fun if you rent there. Duck has some cute shops-when we started going to OBX in 1968, Duck was one little white house and the sign for entering and exiting was on one pole with both sides of the sign saying "Duck"- very different now. Also, the road ended a mile or so up from that spot. If you go south as far as Hatteras, there is a shipwreck museum (OBX=Graveyard of the Atlantic) which might be fun, but I have never been.

Also, be aware that you will be there during prime hurricane season, so you could end up being forced to evacuate.
LynnNM
8 years ago
It's been a while, but we rented a home on the water one Summer in Duck a number of years ago. We spent a lot of time on the beach relaxing. As Maire_Cate mentioned, Duck is quieter that Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills. The beach was lovely, although I do recall that there along the Atlantic side of the island there is (can be?) a significant undertow. Because of that, we didn't swim out very far. We also shopped, ate a lot of fresh seafood, climbed the lighthouse, but I can't recall specific names of restaurants and shops we enjoyed.
maire_cate
8 years ago
Lynn's comment about the undertow reminded me - will you have children with you? You do need to be aware of the Rip Currents. One summer we were in the water about waist deep and in a matter of moments my son was pulled away from the shore by a rip current. Luckily DH and my nephew are strong swimmers and they were able to catch him and bring him back in.

In all the years we've gone to NC we were only near a life guard once. There aren't very many on the beach and I don't even know if they're on duty in September.

DH and my sons also liked getting up early in the morning to surf fish before the beach goers arrived.
eld6161
8 years ago
Thanks everyone. Lots to consider.
tinam61
8 years ago
We have not been in several years but we stayed in the Duck/Corolla area. Rented a cottage. Best I remember, there are not (at least then) many hotels (which is not our preferance anyway) in the area. We like a quieter beach area and enjoy just relaxing and time on the beach, although we do like to get out and investigate. LOL I would see the ponies, visit lighthouses, do the ferry. If you have children with you, they may want to do more.