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We will be heading to the NC Outer Banks area the week of April 11th-19th and having never been there before would like some insider ideas as far as rentals (would love simple cottage on the beach or close by), best places to visit and eat and all that good stuff. We are a family of 3: mom, dad and 15 year old (so need some cool things so he doesn't go crazyyy) plus, maybe the family boston terrier, haven't decided whether to leave him home or not...
Also, what's the weather like by that part of April as we really will be looking for some heat.....
r+ental houses south of Nags Head are cheaper for instance I stayed in a nice 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath with heated pool and jacuzzi for $525 for 7 days last May. Fully equipped except for towels.
If he could bring a friend that would be great. Some rentals have game rooms, billiards and fooz ball, alot of rentals offer games we had playstation 2 in ours but if you choose a rental with games make sure to bring your own games the rental places are not always up to date. For restaurant recommindation check out visitob.com
Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills is where a little more entertainment for the adults and kids but Im not sure of that early in the season. Nags Head and up North is more commercial develop with chain stores. South of Oregon Inlet the stores are more mom n pop I found to be nice "Island feel"
The wind from the ocean can be brisk so make sure pack for cool weather. Due to no comercial skyrise hotels allowed you will feel like you have beach to yourself.
You might want to go on Deep Sea Fishing Tour and probably see some Dolphins while you are out, Also up near Corolla you can 4x4 tour up to the wild horses .
Kite boarding, parasailing, hang gliding is other options.
It a great place to do nothing .. excellent for adults , get the kid out of your hair and have them bring a friend. Make sure you are on the sound side an hour before sunset for spectacular views. You might even see sea turtle hatching since that is about the time they hatch. For restaurant recomindations check out site above; I can only recommend around Avon and Buxton
Hope you have fun
Last edited by SunnyKayak; 02-24-2008 at 12:07 PM..
I can think of several things that a family and teenager might like at the beach. Be sure your child carries a camera so they can take pictures of everything.
Your family will enjoy climbing up the giant sand dunes at Nags Head. It's called Jockey's Ridge Park now, hang gliders go off the edge of the biggest one, people just trek all over that place, folks fly kites, views are great to just sit and look. There's a hang glider shop at the base, your 15-yr-old might think that's a "cool" place. Also used to be a drive-up ice cream place near that vicinity, too.
Let's see, go out on one of the piers, all the way to the end if you're brave, one has a lunch spot on it at the entrance. Fishing off the pier is popular, but only if you all like that sort of thing. And sitting on the beach near one, you can sometimes watch surfers who like the waves that break under there. Put a big towel and a short beach chair, and THE favorite pastime is to walk along the surf a long ways, pick up shells, and then come back.
Near Jockey's Ridge on the beach road, the "Casino" building used to have Bingo in the evenings, lots of fun, but not sure if they're still there or if it's open in April. And way down the Beach Road, almost to where the Manteo turn-off is, on the beach side was a great shell place in a tiny pink building, worth a stop if you like to collect such things.
Over in Manteo, they've got a replica ship, like Columbus used to cross the Atlantic, I think it's parked at the little town boardwalk area on the sound, with guides in costume. And the Christmas Shoppe just as you come into Manteo from the beach is one-of-a-kind, another world in there.
Consider leaving your four legged baby at home....
My husband and I vacationed on the Outer Banks this summer. We decided to stay at the Inn at Corolla Light because they are pet friendly. When we called to make our reservations, they advised us that if we left our dog in the room, and he barked, they would have to call us on our cell phone and we would have to come immediately to get him.
This policy is to protect guests in adjoining rooms from having to listen to a barking dog for hours on end. Fair enough, as listening to someone elses barking dog is on my list of pet peeves (no pun intended )
We thought about this and decided not to bring Spike, our beloved little Maltese dog baby (he's three, but will always be my baby!) after all. There were too many places to explore that he couldn't go, and no way was he staying in the car even if it hadn't been July.
So he spent seven days at the fantastic kennel we use, instead. We pay a little extra for daily play time and "nature walks" while he boards. He comes home happy.
Turns out we did the right thing. Our room was waterfront, so sounds of people frolicking in the water were heard during the day, and of course you can always here folks walking and talking on the breezeway outside the rooms. Spike would have gone nuts barking. Our vacation would have been ruined.
There's also a small Wrights Brothers Museum at apprx. 9 milepost - kind of fun to wander about inside and out as well (but it's been a while since we've been there) - there's a couple very small movie theaters there - there's a local popular historical play, THe Lost Colony, that's neat to check out (outside theater) but that might be just during summer months - DUck isnt too far away and there's some neat shopping at Scarborough Faire shops - there's a nice all-you-can-eat breakfast around 8 milepost (Western Sizzlin' - ??) - and Awful Arthur's is a neat restaurant on the beach road around mp 6 by the pier (you'll prob. want to get an Awful Arthur t-shirt, they're pretty popular). Lots of nice inexpensive restaurants in the area.
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Tough about the pet policy at the motel but like you said, it's understandable. As much as I love dogs (and have several), I dont like their barking and dogs are dogs and if they're in a strange place and hear strange noises, it's inevitable. Glad it worked out well w/ your guy in the kennel, sounds like a nice place, hope you brought him back a good souvenir <G> (there's a dog store/bakery right on the hwy too which is a fun place, they like to take pictures of dogs, there's also one at Scarborough Faire which also takes pictures of dogs and sometimes has a 'yappy hour' -
I live in Corolla and own a business in Duck. (Northern Outer Banks)
The time you are arriving is great kayaking weather. Of course, cycling, kite flying
and everything but swimming.
The restaurants are empty and you have a choice of
terrific homes to rent.
Recommendations:
In Duck, morning coffee at Duck's Cottage (free refill)
Walk the deck at the Waterfront Shops (just across the parking lot)
Enjoy the views of the sound,ducks and swans.
Book a kayak tour at North Beach Outfitters.
After the tour, lunch at Blue Point. (fresh seafood or homemade soups)
Rent a bicycle, tour the village of Duck.
In the evening, dinner at The Roadside.(casual)
after dinner, walk or drive to the Sunset Grill for late evening music.
Just my thoughts.
It's that kind of day that brought us to OBX to stay.
Yep don't let the weather fool you. It can be in the 70s in April or it can be in the 40s The weather has trouble deciding at this time of year so it's best to come prepared for anything. Plus the wind off of the cold ocean water keeps the outer banks and coastal areas cooler than the inland areas during this time of year.
By the way, my family has 2 Bostons and we LOVE them! My grandparents had 3 throughout the years when I was growing up. Such fun dogs.
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or not...
Consider leaving your four legged baby at home....
)
nuts barking. Our vacation would have been ruined.
