[billethkid]

We have a pretty good idea how we want to get there....we will not be traveling from TV.....we will be driving from East TN.

We are looking for recommendations where to stay that MAXIMIZES the experience of what the Outerbanks has to offer.

Also what to do/see. What to not waste our time on.

We are thinking about sometime in June (good? Bad?) but have the flexibility of going other times.

btk

[coach]

Must sees include: Wright Bros. Memorial, Jockeys Ridge, Oakracoke (sp) Island, see the play "The Lost Colony" and of course The Hatteras Lighthouse.

[ijusluvit]

You might try a place called Emerald Isle. For some years we had a beachfront condo on the western end in a complex called the Point Emerald Villas and thought it was heaven. Our place was about 200 yards from the water, a quiet, gorgeous beach perfect for peaceful walks and exploring nature. There are only very expensive beach homes for a mile in either direction, so there is little traffic or congestion. There are stores, a movie complex, etc, a mile and a half away. The impressive North Carolina Aquarium is just down the road, and the charming historic town of Beaufort is just a little further. Cape Lookout, one of the famous lighthouses is there as well. This is a VACATION place. No hassles. The northern OBX near Kitty Hawk and Nags Head have their appeal as well, but we preferred the more natural environment, the less expensive costs and the peace and quiet of Emerald Isle. If you are there before the last week of June you will beat the larger summer crowd. We rented our place when we weren't there and dealt with a very good company, Sun-Surf Realty. Google them and see some nice rental properties. Have fun!!

[wendyquat]

Do you want motel, condo or cottage? How long will your visit be? I have some suggestions if you answer those questions. The "souther" banks are much less commercialized than the "traditional" Outer Banks and have less choices as far as beachfront motels/hotels. It is much more laid back but then it also has less to offer in the way of activities. It does have the NC Aquarium. Some folks make the trip to Hatteras and over the ferry to Ocracoke and then another ferry to the "southern" banks via Cedar Island. It can be done in one day but more enjoyable if you can spend at least one night on Ocracoke. Might be a little difficult to do all that in June as most motels will require at least a two night stay. Lived up that way for 45 years so will be glad to help if I know a little more of what you have in mind.

[obxgal]

The OBX (outerbanks) goes the whole coast of North Carolina. Are you planning on the area of Carova, Corolla or Duck to Nagshead or Hatteras to Ocracoke, or Morehead City, Beaufort, Wilmington, or Carolina Beach.

If between Corova to Ocracoke, you should go before the 2nd week of June or after Labor day. During "tourist season" you will be dealing with 250,000 to 300,000 people coming in every weekend and leaving every weekend.

[wendyquat]

If you choose the Corova to Hatteras section I highly recommend a jeep tour to see the wild horses! You rent a jeep and drive on the beach from Corolla almost to the Virginia line where you can see wild horses! Well worth it. We like the Hampton Inn in Duck NC.

[GOJODO]

Stop at "John's" on the beach road in Kitty Hawk,it is a dumpy looking place but has the best milkshakes and while you are there get the Dolphin Boat (fried fish). We never miss an opportunity to go there.

[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!

[JC and John]

Originally Posted by billethkid

We have a pretty good idea how we want to get there....we will not be traveling from TV.....we will be driving from East TN.

We are looking for recommendations where to stay that MAXIMIZES the experience of what the Outerbanks has to offer.

Also what to do/see. What to not waste our time on.

We are thinking about sometime in June (good? Bad?) but have the flexibility of going other times.

btk

Just so you know, OBX is rather rustic and laid back in comparison to Ocean City, MD or Virginia Beach, VA. Don't try to arrive on a Saturday in season as this is when the rentals start and the roads can be quite congested. I recommend the Nags Head Inn in Nags Head. Stayed there many times. It is a nice clean oceanfront property. Nothing fancy. The Dunes restaurant has some good home cooked meals. Have fun whenever you go!

[wendyquat]

You may want to eat breakfast at Bobs Eat and Get the Hell Out!

[billethkid]

we have completed our homework (I think). We have decided to stay at The Inn at Corolla Lighthouse....20 miles north of Kittyhawk.

My wife wants to do the wild horse tours and I want to do the drive yourself jeeps, so this appears to be a great place to do it.

We will be checking in mid June....on a Monday night and leaving Friday morning, thus avoiding the weekend crush and change over crowds.

We will make day trips to explore the rest of OBX.....so a little more home workk to do on where else to go/do/see.

Thanx to all for comments/suggestions.

btk

[obxgal]

Just some approximate mileage for you:
Corolla to Kitty Hawk 25 miles
Kitty Hawk to Hatteras 62 miles
Kitty Hawk to Ocracoke 90/95 miles ... from Hatteras to Ocracoke you have to take the ferry which takes about 45 minutes. Free and interesting
Kitty Hawk to Manteo 25 miles (Roanoke island)

Roanoke island(Manteo) things to see:
North Carolina Aquarium North Carolina Aquariums » North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Elizabethan Gardens Nags Head Gardens | Events Outer Banks | The Elizabethan Gardens | Visit Nags Head | Nags Head Attractions

Lost Colony Outdoor theater 8:00 P.M.Tickets & Information | The Lost Colony Make sure you take bug spray if you go to this because it's on the sound and in the evening.

Oooops forgot to say if you do the 4 wheel drive on the beach, make sure you check when high tide is, and if the sands real soft let some of the air out of your tires.