Planning spring 2011 trip Cape Hatteras area (Charlotte, Morehead City: to rent, how much, hotels)

[hmhdmb21]

My husband & I are from Minnesota & we're planning a trip to the Cape Hatteras area in Spring 2011. I've never been to NC before & have never seen the ocean.

I would like recommendations on some nice hotels to stay at for a few nights (preferably not too expensive) & some good places to eat. Also, where are the best places to see/take pictures of the ocean (beaches)?


Thank you very much for your help!!!

[MrBojangles]

If you're going in the spring, I would look about a vacation home. Depending on the dates, you could get something pretty decent.

[poodlecamper]

How exciting to see the ocean for the first time!!We went to Hatteras for the first time this past April.
(we stayed at a campground in Waves) Loved Roanoke Island. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is breathtaking. I enjoyed eating at "Paulie's" in Waves. And really, you can get great ocean pictures everywhere along Rt. 12. Have fun.

[hmhdmb21]

MrBojangles - Do you know of any websites with affordable vacation homes that I could check out? I didn't think of that because we'd only be staying a few nights, I figured they probably rent them out by the week. Thank you!!!

Poodlecamper - We are thinking of going in April too. I'm very excited to see the lighthouse & the ocean! Thanks for your input!!!

[SunnyKayak]

I hope you have lots of time because IMO the outer banks is the best place in North Carolina
Yes the ocean & sound run parallel to highway 12 but the sand dunes will prevent you seeing the ocean from most of Highway 12 but there is plenty of spots to park and cross over the dunes and see the ocean and since the OBX controls commercial development you will practically find spots to just enjoy ocean with only the ones you are with.
Also a post I did before might assist you.

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

Great information for me to work on with the age range of the parties that will be with you so I can recommend things they might enjoy.
I dont live there but have have lived in this state all my life and when I first visited the outer banks I fell in love with the area. It might because I live near Charlotte and I enjoy the serenity that the Outer Banks provides and I love Hatteras Island restrictions on commercial development adding to its essence.

The Outer Banks is narrow strip of land east to west but it is a long commute from one end to the other end heading north or south and I want you to get most out of your vacation without having to back track that much.

The following is going on assumption you are at the point where Highway 64 meets Highway 12 and are heading south on Hwy 12 to go onto Hatteras Island.
The first thing you will get to see is Bodie Lighthouse. Feel free to check it out and its historical innkeepers building. The Bodie Island Lighthouse, Hatteras Island - National Park Service - Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island and Ocracoke Island Lighthouses

Next you will cross this huge big bridge going over Oregon Inlet and once you reach the bottom of the bridge there will be a little road to your left I would suggest taking. You will see from higway 12 that this road takes you to abandon I guess coast guard station. I havent studied history of it but it amazing checking out how much of it buried under sand. It no more than around 1000 ft from highway 12. Highway 12 use to run by it before a hurricane destroyed the road.

After you check in to where you are staying the beauty about the outer banks you can just relax with your family and enjoy the peace for the evening but make sure you guys go to the sound side an hour before sunset and just watch.

Here some photos I took.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...s/22816c02.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...s/DSCN0138.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...DSCN0838-1.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...s/DSCN0082.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...s/DSCN0872.jpg

The next morning I would recommend going to Ocracoke and I would recommend get an early start so you will have a less crowd at the ferry station and fit everything in.

You will pass some things to check out but probably will be closed so go down to Buxton and as soon as you go around the curve on the right is a place called Orange Blossum . (It across from a mini putt putt)
They have homemade bagels, breakfast sandwiches, chocolate frosted donuts,
The apple uglies are delicious but sell out early.

Next go down to Cape Hatteras to board the ferry. When you go through Frisco watch to the left and you will see an alien ship sitting right beside the road.

I have not road the ferry during peak season but hopefully your wait will not be to long to board. It is Free and here is the schedules. NCDOT Ferry Division: Ferry Routes - Hatteras / Ocracoke (http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/routes/schedule/route003.html - broken link)

The ferry ride takes about an hour and you do have option once the ferry is moving to exit your car and walk around the ferry.

Once you exit the ferry the first 3/4 of Ocracoke island is nothing but sand dunes seperating you from the ocean . Feel free at anytime to get out of the car and look if you want. I really dont have any recommindations for Ocracoke except the lighthouse because the cuteness of Ocracoke speaks for itself.

On the way back stop in frisco if you want to go horseback riding
Equine Adventures
(252) 995-4897. Frisco.
Explore Hatteras Island from Horseback. Enjoy a 2 hour guided tour through the Maritime Forest out to the pristine beaches of Hatteras Island. Open year round. Reservations required. Don't miss this opportunity to see the Outer Banks from a different perspective.
Website
Next stop the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse near Buxton.
Cute historical property and shop

Next stop Avon.
Between Buxton and Avon you will reach a narrow area that there is no development Once you reach Avon look for the Food Lion on the left and in that shopping center is a store called "Try My Nuts" They have all varietys of cook nuts to eat.

Next just relax and enjoy each other on the beach. I would recommend beach chairs because of the drifting sand can get annoying. Let me put it this way I put sun oil on laid my towel on the sand and in no time I look like a peanut log ... LMAO

Dont forget the sunset!

The day of departure you might want to take both cars because there things to see on the trip back up for them and eliminate unneccsary trip back to get a car

It might require alot of walking but there is a bird refugg called Pea Island that you can observe coastal wildlife and birds http://www.fws.gov/peaisland/

Kitty Hawk the Wright Brothers Museum then drive up to Corolla there some real cute shops in this area and if your lucky to find parking stop at the Currituck Banks Estuary. North Carolina Reserve
When visiting Currituck Banks, take the 1/3 mile boardwalk which begins at the parking lot and leads to a view of Currituck Sound. A 1.5 mile primitive trail departs from the boardwalk and heads north through a maritime forest.

They have left.

Enjoy doing whatever you feel like doing . The place is great to be just lazy at.
Bring a book and enjoy each other but if you get an adventurous feel free to try some of the sports out there
Windsurfing
Kiteboarding
Hang gliding
The store Kitty Hawk Kites has a store in nearby Waves and Waves is popular with the surfers and kiteboarders.
In case you guys want to do that I am in same age bracket and I wanted to do those things but my partner doesnt like there feet leaving the ground.

I was thinking now you might want to hold off on Pea Island and save it for the both of you and try a kayak tour of the island

You would have past many things to see when your riding around the folks that you might wanted to check out while you was there but this area has a relaxing feel that you just want to enjoy the beach and the seclusion from hussle and bussle that we normally deal with in life.

I didnt mention restaurants due to the first part was on a time frame but the way we did it just cross our fingers hope for the best .. lmao

The prices at seafood restaurants I thought was steep so keep that in mind if you plan to eat out alot.
If you are cooking in the home I recommend buying as much non perishable items before you leave and do not go to grocery stores at obx on the weekend. The crowd is insane.

Here is a restaurant guide to what each restaurant serves and customer reviews Outer Banks Restaurants - Outer Banks Restaurants Guide (http://www.obxconnection.com/outer-banks-restaurants.htm - broken link)

activity guide OBX Connection | Outer Banks Things To Do (http://www.obxconnection.com/todo.asp - broken link)
Outer Banks - What to See & Do

Have fun and if rains go to the museum or read a good book

[Dusty Rhodes]

Yup, Jockey Ridge is nice as is Kitty Hawk, but.....I have always been partial to Morehead City/Atlantic Beach. The fishing is great, the people are friendly and the food is delicious, thanks to the sea breeze, even in the dead of summer it is tolerable. There is a restaurant across the street (6th Street) from the Carolina Princess Office that does wonderful things with seafood, as best I remember, the front door of the restaurant faces 6th.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by hmhdmb21

MrBojangles - Do you know of any websites with affordable vacation homes that I could check out? I didn't think of that because we'd only be staying a few nights, I figured they probably rent them out by the week. Thank you!!!

Poodlecamper - We are thinking of going in April too. I'm very excited to see the lighthouse & the ocean! Thanks for your input!!!

I like Hatterasrealty.com. They LIKE to rent by the week, but some houses will allow partials. Plus it being in the spring time, there will be a better chance of having an open house.

[hmhdmb21]

Thank you everyone for your help & suggestions!!!

[VaVet96]

We've used outerbeaches.com for years. Great experience every time.

[suedonym]

if you dont want a beach HOUSE, are only staying a few nights and want NON FANCY and affordable - my vote is for the cavalier inn in kitty hawk- i think? They have rooms that literally open onto the beach which is really cool, especially if its a whole new expereince for you.

its simple, cheap and clean and right on the beach.

(edit)

oh crud, someone resurrected a thread from last year. oh well, ill leave my post, still a decent place and might help someone else LOL