[Rebel Pirate]

As with many things, it depends on your expectations. What is your preference...to "see" things or to "do" things? What are your preconceived notions about the OBX? If you want an experience that most closely resembles what OBX was like in the old days, you might want to rent a home in "four wheel drive country" which is at the northern most stretch of OBX. The last 10 miles or so do not have a hard surface road; you drive on the beach or on sand roads. If you are definitely interested more in "seeing" typical tourist type attractions, the suggestions by Coach are good. To that list I would add, visit the Corolla lighthouse and the Whalehead Club...both with websites findable by Google. I also second the suggestion by Wendyquat to see the wild horses of Corolla.

No matter where you go, I'd suggest visiting in the early fall. In spring the water is still cold and the weather can be unsettled...you might even catch a late season nor'easter. (Mrs. Pirate and I weathered two back-to-back dry nor'easters about 15 years ago; that was about a week's worth of 50 mph+ winds...at the end of May.) OBXgal is right...visit in the "high season" (Memorial Day - Labor Day) and it will be VERY crowded...enough to make January in TV seem like it's deserted! The nice thing about early fall is the water is warm, the weather is nice, and the crowds have dissipated. August is the month that seems most susceptible to hurricanes. I personally prefer late September, early October.

Enjoy...it's a great vacation site!