Anyone out there who has lived in THE OUTER BANKS N.C. or S.C.?

[senior citizen]

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[billethkid]

Beaufort, SC is like a mini Charleston. Absolutely beautifull low country.

As for the Outer Banks...we just did our first trip there in June. In our opinion the best part (personal preference) is Corrola. It is the farhtest North before running out of highway leading to 4 wheel drive only. Significantly less traffic; enough to see and do to last 3 or 4 days; fantastic, not crowded public beaches and many good places to eat. Stay at the Inn at Corrola Light....on the sound side of the road....fantastic!!.

btk

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[manaboutown]

Don't miss visiting Ocracoke Island. You might want to obtain a reservation on whatever ferry you choose to take.

http://www.outer-banks.com/ferry/

Although it has been several years I spent a month there on each of two separate occasions. I love the islanders' accent, very Olde English style.

http://www.ocracokevillage.com

You can also visit Portsmouth Island, no longer inhabited, which has a lot of history.

http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/visit-portsmouth.htm

[MsBrown]

I lived on the Outer Banks for almost 40 years. It can be a very magical place, but depending on what time of year you want to visit, it can be quite crowded. Think of The Villages in Jan, Feb & March....... only more so. If you want isolation and have a 4 wheel drive vehicle try Carova. No paved roads, just sea, sound, and the famous wild horses. Houses can be quaint up to enormous. Carolla is all large houses. Duck has both sizes and a very quaint small town. Southern Shores, again has both types of homes. I could go on and on and explain each and every area...... all the way to Ocracoke Island. Let me know when you're planning your visit and how many people will be involved (ages, also) and I'll give you some ideas. Also, check out the web site for The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. That should help.

[casita37]

Leaving Raleigh, most people take hwy 64 to the beach. It's a nice drive, but if I may suggest either going, or coming back, vary the route and take 264. You can get the ferry to Ocracoke at Swan Quarter (where I went to high school), or keep going through the rest of Hyde County, which bills itself as the "Road Less Traveled"....and believe me....it IS. I grew up in Engelhard, right on the Pamlico Sound. Population somewhere around 600, and don't blink, or you'll miss the whole town. Not a stop light in the entire county...at least as of a few years ago. Haven't been up there for about 6-7 years. As you continue on 264 toward Nags Head, take a cut off for Stumpy Point, a little fishing hamlet where just listening to the people talk is worth the short side trip.

Then, it's on to Manns Harbor, which used to be very quaint. Since the major boom on the OBX, the little towns, slightly inland are barely recognizable anymore. Note...that boom has not made it to Engelhard....It is still a slice of, as my kids dubbed it, "out in the middle of nowhere!!!" Next is Roanoke Island and Manteo, where you will find the Lost Colony and Elizabethan Gardens and another hamlet called Wanchese. If you enjoy different accents, it's a must visit. You may not even be able to understand the locals there, even though they are speaking English. When you get to Nags Head, at Whalebone Junction, where you turn south to go down the banks toward Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke, there is a great little eatery called Sam and Omie's. Been there for a gazillion years, right across from Jeanette's pier (where I learned to play pool).

Dang.....now you've gone and made me homesick!!! LOL....last time I was at the beach, it did not look like home, at all. Huge, expensive houses taking up every inch of oceanfront. I liked it better 40 years ago, but I suppose that's natural.

Enjoy!!

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[wendyquat]

Be sure to rent a jeep in Corolla and travel North to see the wild horses! You can take your own 4WD but if you get stuck it'll cost a lot to be pulled out!

[mrbgull]

we owned a condo mile marker 12 0n 58 beautiful. great vac. if u want to rent the Ocean
club in salter path n.c. great place

[obxgal]

Check out this threat too for additional info.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/travel-forum-119/outerbanks-nc-trip-77929/

Ferry rides from Hatteras to Ocracoke island are free and they do not take reservations.

If your going to Swans Quarters or Cedar Island you must have reservations. Not sure what the fares are now but they were $10. about 12 years ago.

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[obxgal]

mrbgull I believe meant 158 not 58 because there are only 2 main highways on the Outerbanks one being Rte 158 and highway 12 also know as the beach rd.

There was a breach in the road just north of Rodanthe and last I heard they put in a temporary bridge of sorts. Also the Serindipty Inn from Nicholas Sparks book "Night in Rodanthe" was moved off the beach side of the road over to the sound side. Link is here http://hookedonhouses.net/2011/07/25/the-inn-from-nights-in-rodanthe-rescued-and-renovated/

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[CaptJohn]

You might check out Wrightsville Beach off the coast of Wilmington, NC.
I am a civil war historian, so I like the south end at Ft. Fisher. From there is a ferry ride to Smithville/Southport and you can continue south or head back to Wilmington. You might also want to visit Orton Plantation in the area.

[senior citizen]

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