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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 23, 2015 15:39:44 GMT -5
I'm not much of a beach girl but we are heading to the Outer Banks for vacation this summer, we actually let the boys pick and they chose the Outer Banks!! The more research I do, the more excited I am getting.
Any suggestions on which towns are better than others.... Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Rodanthe, Avon....
We are looking for a relaxing vacation. I don't care if there is much around, I'm sure we will eat out sometimes but I don't mind cooking, we like water sports like jet skis and parasailing.
Suggestions? Experiences??
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Post by Evil Yoda on Feb 23, 2015 23:13:37 GMT -5
Go north (Duck, Corolla), if you can. Traffic is less.
If you can find a Sunday to Sunday rental, do that. The reason is that there is exactly one bridge onto that island, and on Saturdays it clogs like a fat smoker's arteries. It's terrible; I stopped going to the Outer Banks because of that.
You may be surprised at just how long you have to drive to get some of the places.
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Post by aponderer on Feb 24, 2015 0:43:52 GMT -5
We always went to Ocracoke before it got too crowded. The NPS has a nice evening talk, there, about pirates. BTW, Ocracoke Inlet is where Blackbeard met his end at the hands of 1st Lieutanant Robert Maynard in 1718. The legend is that when Maynard dispatched Blackbeard and hung his head under the ship's bowsprit, Blackbeard's headless body swam around the ship seven times. There was even a woman pirate who somehow hid the fact that she was a woman. Up and down the OBX the NPS had quite a number of talks and demonstrations about the US Life Saving Service. Because ships used to run aground in the OBX shoals, the LSS was kept busy rescuing the shipwrecked crews and passengers. I'll not tell you how Nags Head got its name... The lighthouses in the OBX are interesting to visit, too.
Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island in the Outer Banks. The next island below that is Portsmouth Island, which is the northernmost island in the Core Banks. One can drive to Ocracoke Island (via a ferry from Hatteras Island or the mainland), but to get to Portsmouth Island, one has to take a private ferry out of Atlantic, NC which is on the mainland. I've lost count how many times we went to Portsmouth Island on the ferry Green Grass out of Morris Marina (Atlantic, NC).
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 24, 2015 9:52:18 GMT -5
Go north (Duck, Corolla), if you can. Traffic is less. If you can find a Sunday to Sunday rental, do that. The reason is that there is exactly one bridge onto that island, and on Saturdays it clogs like a fat smoker's arteries. It's terrible; I stopped going to the Outer Banks because of that. You may be surprised at just how long you have to drive to get some of the places. Very good advice, thank you!
I have emailed a few agents regarding pricing, I will check back regarding Sunday to Sunday. I already know Friday to Friday is not an option, that's what we originally wanted!
I do hope to not do much driving at all.... focusing on relaxing!!
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 24, 2015 11:18:32 GMT -5
We always went to Ocracoke before it got too crowded. The NPS has a nice evening talk, there, about pirates. BTW, Ocracoke Inlet is where Blackbeard met his end at the hands of 1st Lieutanant Robert Maynard in 1718. The legend is that when Maynard dispatched Blackbeard and hung his head under the ship's bowsprit, Blackbeard's headless body swam around the ship seven times. There was even a woman pirate who somehow hid the fact that she was a woman. Up and down the OBX the NPS had quite a number of talks and demonstrations about the US Life Saving Service. Because ships used to run aground in the OBX shoals, the LSS was kept busy rescuing the shipwrecked crews and passengers. I'll not tell you how Nags Head got its name... The lighthouses in the OBX are interesting to visit, too. Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island in the Outer Banks. The next island below that is Portsmouth Island, which is the northernmost island in the Core Banks. One can drive to Ocracoke Island (via a ferry from Hatteras Island or the mainland), but to get to Portsmouth Island, one has to take a private ferry out of Atlantic, NC which is on the mainland. I've lost count how many times we went to Portsmouth Island on the ferry Green Grass out of Morris Marina (Atlantic, NC). Thanks AP! All sounds very interesting, especially the lighthouses. I'm fascinated with lighthouses!!
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Post by Evil Yoda on Feb 24, 2015 11:40:08 GMT -5
They had to move the Hatteras light away from the sea a few years ago. It's a nice climb, but it's an oven in there; the walls are something like eight feet thick at the base. Corolla Light, in the north, also worth a climb. Get up EARLY for the Hatteras ferry to Ocracoke Island; the lines are long in summer and early fall. There's one I haven't climbed near Kill Devil Hills; can't remember the name of it. IIRC, Ocracoke Light was closed when I visited so I couldn't go inside.
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Post by aponderer on Feb 24, 2015 12:48:47 GMT -5
EY, is that the Bodie Island lighthouse near Nags Head?
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Post by Evil Yoda on Feb 24, 2015 13:09:47 GMT -5
EY, is that the Bodie Island lighthouse near Nags Head? That might be it. I thought it was Currituck, but that's the red brick lighthouse in Corolla (just about as far north as you can get on public roads, last I was there years ago).
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Post by stevez51 on Feb 25, 2015 8:04:01 GMT -5
EY, is that the Bodie Island lighthouse near Nags Head? Bodie is just south of Nags Head on the way to Avon & Hatteras. Last there a few years ago it was not open to the public to enter. Did see the Hatteras lighthouse after the move and climbed it after it was placed in its new home. And it was hot that day. Nice view from the top.
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Post by stevez51 on Feb 25, 2015 8:26:32 GMT -5
We always went to Ocracoke before it got too crowded. The NPS has a nice evening talk, there, about pirates. BTW, Ocracoke Inlet is where Blackbeard met his end at the hands of 1st Lieutanant Robert Maynard in 1718. The legend is that when Maynard dispatched Blackbeard and hung his head under the ship's bowsprit, Blackbeard's headless body swam around the ship seven times. There was even a woman pirate who somehow hid the fact that she was a woman. Up and down the OBX the NPS had quite a number of talks and demonstrations about the US Life Saving Service. Because ships used to run aground in the OBX shoals, the LSS was kept busy rescuing the shipwrecked crews and passengers. I'll not tell you how Nags Head got its name... The lighthouses in the OBX are interesting to visit, too. Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island in the Outer Banks. The next island below that is Portsmouth Island, which is the northernmost island in the Core Banks. One can drive to Ocracoke Island (via a ferry from Hatteras Island or the mainland), but to get to Portsmouth Island, one has to take a private ferry out of Atlantic, NC which is on the mainland. I've lost count how many times we went to Portsmouth Island on the ferry Green Grass out of Morris Marina (Atlantic, NC). Thanks AP! All sounds very interesting, especially the lighthouses. I'm fascinated with lighthouses!!
Depending on what area you stay to see some sites involves driving. If you stay in the north, Duck, Corolla, there is lots to do. There is one road, think its Rt 12, that can get busy at times. We usually stay in Corolla. Find a house on beach side or bay. We try to get a house with a pool. If you have kids it keeps them busy either after the beach or just to take a dip. Rentals can be expensive but the houses are huge and we would go as a big family to split the cost. Each family would cook a dinner on a different night to save $$$ on eating out. Corolla has shopping, restaurants and activities for everyone. The Currituck lighthouse is at the northern end and you can climb it. We would plan little trips down the road during the week. Head south down 12 for shopping or activities in Duck. You can do day trips to Kitty Hawk to the Wright Brothers Museum. Its a National Park so you pay per car and the pass is good for the week. If you want to plan ahead for a day trip head to Hatteras. But depending on where you stay it is a long drive. At the end of Hatteras is the ferry to Okracoke Island. The ferry is free but you may wait to board. Do it early to beat the rush. Ferry ride is about 30 min+. Small town but nice beaches. Plan on spending the day. As you can see we have been the a lot. It is more family friendly than OC. The beach in the area is yours to use. We take a pop up tent, chairs and a cooler. You can eat & drink on the beach. I've seen people BBQ on the beach. Its a calm relaxing vacation.
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Post by rocketwolf on Feb 25, 2015 12:20:54 GMT -5
A friend of mine runs a spa and pool cleaning business down there. I have gone with him a couple times There is no way in Hell you could get me to enter a pool or spa in a summer rental house Far too much DNA left behind
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 25, 2015 16:28:50 GMT -5
A friend of mine runs a spa and pool cleaning business down there. I have gone with him a couple times There is no way in Hell you could get me to enter a pool or spa in a summer rental house Far too much DNA left behind I'll try to keep that thought out of my head!! LOL...
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 25, 2015 16:40:29 GMT -5
Thanks AP! All sounds very interesting, especially the lighthouses. I'm fascinated with lighthouses!!
Depending on what area you stay to see some sites involves driving. If you stay in the north, Duck, Corolla, there is lots to do. There is one road, think its Rt 12, that can get busy at times. We usually stay in Corolla. Find a house on beach side or bay. We try to get a house with a pool. If you have kids it keeps them busy either after the beach or just to take a dip. Rentals can be expensive but the houses are huge and we would go as a big family to split the cost. Each family would cook a dinner on a different night to save $$$ on eating out. Corolla has shopping, restaurants and activities for everyone. The Currituck lighthouse is at the northern end and you can climb it. We would plan little trips down the road during the week. Head south down 12 for shopping or activities in Duck. You can do day trips to Kitty Hawk to the Wright Brothers Museum. Its a National Park so you pay per car and the pass is good for the week. If you want to plan ahead for a day trip head to Hatteras. But depending on where you stay it is a long drive. At the end of Hatteras is the ferry to Okracoke Island. The ferry is free but you may wait to board. Do it early to beat the rush. Ferry ride is about 30 min+. Small town but nice beaches. Plan on spending the day. As you can see we have been the a lot. It is more family friendly than OC. The beach in the area is yours to use. We take a pop up tent, chairs and a cooler. You can eat & drink on the beach. I've seen people BBQ on the beach. Its a calm relaxing vacation. I did find a place today.... it's in Kill Devil Hills on the Bay and it looks beautiful. Bayside is MUCH cheaper than ocean side and there is a pier so we are taking our boat and a jet ski, the jet ski belongs to a friend. There is a community pool but not a private pool at this house.
I'll do a lot of the cooking which I don't mind! A couple dinners out and maybe one breakfast will be fine.
We were gonna go with friends but we bagged that idea and now we are going with our boys and they each get to take a friend. That will keep them entertained, my boys are 20 and 16. Fishing, boat, jet ski and beach will make them happy. It's so much easier vacationing with older kids, especially when they get along.
I like the cooking on the beach idea, we may have to do that! Thanks for the tips on Hatteras, not sure we will do that this time and we will be very close to the Wright Museum.
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 25, 2015 16:41:26 GMT -5
EY, is that the Bodie Island lighthouse near Nags Head? My son's name is Brody.... we may have to check it out!!
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Post by darave on Feb 25, 2015 17:28:34 GMT -5
funny story about a friend and son went golfing along the bayside. they came upon a pond that had golf balls galore so they went in and retrieved the balls noticing little black heads of something kept popping up in the water. finished the round and told the guy at the pro shop all the balls they collected the guy told them that pond is infested with water mocassins.
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Post by darave on Feb 25, 2015 17:29:41 GMT -5
My brother said traffic is horrible getting on and off the island, you got to beat the crowds.
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Post by stevez51 on Feb 26, 2015 7:49:38 GMT -5
Depending on what area you stay to see some sites involves driving. If you stay in the north, Duck, Corolla, there is lots to do. There is one road, think its Rt 12, that can get busy at times. We usually stay in Corolla. Find a house on beach side or bay. We try to get a house with a pool. If you have kids it keeps them busy either after the beach or just to take a dip. Rentals can be expensive but the houses are huge and we would go as a big family to split the cost. Each family would cook a dinner on a different night to save $$$ on eating out. Corolla has shopping, restaurants and activities for everyone. The Currituck lighthouse is at the northern end and you can climb it. We would plan little trips down the road during the week. Head south down 12 for shopping or activities in Duck. You can do day trips to Kitty Hawk to the Wright Brothers Museum. Its a National Park so you pay per car and the pass is good for the week. If you want to plan ahead for a day trip head to Hatteras. But depending on where you stay it is a long drive. At the end of Hatteras is the ferry to Okracoke Island. The ferry is free but you may wait to board. Do it early to beat the rush. Ferry ride is about 30 min+. Small town but nice beaches. Plan on spending the day. As you can see we have been the a lot. It is more family friendly than OC. The beach in the area is yours to use. We take a pop up tent, chairs and a cooler. You can eat & drink on the beach. I've seen people BBQ on the beach. Its a calm relaxing vacation. I did find a place today.... it's in Kill Devil Hills on the Bay and it looks beautiful. Bayside is MUCH cheaper than ocean side and there is a pier so we are taking our boat and a jet ski, the jet ski belongs to a friend. There is a community pool but not a private pool at this house.
I'll do a lot of the cooking which I don't mind! A couple dinners out and maybe one breakfast will be fine.
We were gonna go with friends but we bagged that idea and now we are going with our boys and they each get to take a friend. That will keep them entertained, my boys are 20 and 16. Fishing, boat, jet ski and beach will make them happy. It's so much easier vacationing with older kids, especially when they get along.
I like the cooking on the beach idea, we may have to do that! Thanks for the tips on Hatteras, not sure we will do that this time and we will be very close to the Wright Museum.
Before you hit the beach, check out the parking in the area. There may be only a few spaces at each beach entry. Drive over to check it out. From Nags Head you would be only about 1 hr to Hatteras. If you head down that way there is a sort of amusement park with go carts before Avon. There is a huge fishing area before one of the bridges. People drive up on the beach to fish. I would usually stop at the Kitty Hawk visitors center and pick up maps and info on what's going on that week. It's a couple of miles past the bridge. Leave early to head down. The Wright bridge gets backed up around 10 on rental day. It could back up for 20 miles.
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Post by shutout on Feb 26, 2015 22:28:06 GMT -5
Enjoy OBX! We have had great times there. My family has been going there since the early 70's.
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 27, 2015 13:51:54 GMT -5
funny story about a friend and son went golfing along the bayside. they came upon a pond that had golf balls galore so they went in and retrieved the balls noticing little black heads of something kept popping up in the water. finished the round and told the guy at the pro shop all the balls they collected the guy told them that pond is infested with water mocassins. OMG.... good thing I don't golf!!
on a side note: Dear Golf Club, maybe you should post a sign!!
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 27, 2015 13:54:14 GMT -5
My brother said traffic is horrible getting on and off the island, you got to beat the crowds. Thank you.... a number of people have told me that. I think we will plan on getting there super early!!
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 27, 2015 13:57:22 GMT -5
Enjoy OBX! We have had great times there. My family has been going there since the early 70's. Thanks shutout! We're really looking forward to it!!
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Post by Cowboyz on Feb 27, 2015 13:59:38 GMT -5
I did find a place today.... it's in Kill Devil Hills on the Bay and it looks beautiful. Bayside is MUCH cheaper than ocean side and there is a pier so we are taking our boat and a jet ski, the jet ski belongs to a friend. There is a community pool but not a private pool at this house.
I'll do a lot of the cooking which I don't mind! A couple dinners out and maybe one breakfast will be fine.
We were gonna go with friends but we bagged that idea and now we are going with our boys and they each get to take a friend. That will keep them entertained, my boys are 20 and 16. Fishing, boat, jet ski and beach will make them happy. It's so much easier vacationing with older kids, especially when they get along.
I like the cooking on the beach idea, we may have to do that! Thanks for the tips on Hatteras, not sure we will do that this time and we will be very close to the Wright Museum.
Before you hit the beach, check out the parking in the area. There may be only a few spaces at each beach entry. Drive over to check it out. From Nags Head you would be only about 1 hr to Hatteras. If you head down that way there is a sort of amusement park with go carts before Avon. There is a huge fishing area before one of the bridges. People drive up on the beach to fish. I would usually stop at the Kitty Hawk visitors center and pick up maps and info on what's going on that week. It's a couple of miles past the bridge. Leave early to head down. The Wright bridge gets backed up around 10 on rental day. It could back up for 20 miles. Woah, thanks! I think I'll pay the additional fee for early check in!!
Good advice on the beach parking, thank you!!
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Post by stevez51 on Feb 27, 2015 17:35:56 GMT -5
My brother said traffic is horrible getting on and off the island, you got to beat the crowds. Thank you.... a number of people have told me that. I think we will plan on getting there super early!! It helps to beat the traffic. Also depending on which way you go Virginia traffic can be brutal at times. South of DC and around Hampton/ Norfolk backs up.
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Post by shutout on Feb 27, 2015 19:34:57 GMT -5
A friend of mine runs a spa and pool cleaning business down there. I have gone with him a couple times There is no way in Hell you could get me to enter a pool or spa in a summer rental house Far too much DNA left behind They can't get it clean?
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Post by shutout on Feb 27, 2015 19:35:18 GMT -5
Enjoy OBX! We have had great times there. My family has been going there since the early 70's. Thanks shutout! We're really looking forward to it!! Do you all like to fish/crab?
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