Single woman visiting the coast (Chapel Hill, Beaufort: oceanfront, 2009, transporting)

[lovinch]

I hope this has not already been answered. I am a single woman needing to RELAX after my first year of grad school. I would like to take a trip to the coast in Mid May and I have no idea where to go. Cost is definitely an issue, but I can go midweek to save money. I think that is still the off season, too. I thought about Okracoke, but I am worried about accumulating the costs of transporting my car. I don't need nightlife, just good food, a nice, quiet beach, and some shopping. I am worried about my safety, too, as I will be alone. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Ellise]

Topsail Island (Surf City, Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach) is peaceful and safe. There are a few restaurants and shops, but the beaches are the main attraction.

[RedRockAAAA]

Ocracoke is a long long lonely drive, not suggested. Takes a lot of gas too.

Kitty Hawk is quiet at that time, not quite the season. Its safe. It has choice of restaurants. The beach is mostly vacant at that time. There are off season rates. We have used Southern Shores Realty as our rental agent. Some times they can find a gem as they have property owners who rent short term. Ask for Chritine in rental department and tell her Mr. and Mrs. Las Vegas suggested her. They also have a web site as I can't recall the phone number. Christine is single and your age. She'll understand your needs and be honest with you. Have Fun. Oh, by the way, the breakfast at Jolly Roger is great. Its on the beach road. Their Karaoke used to be good too. Tell Alan Miss PattI like patteye said hello. Don't miss the Wright Brothers Memorial. My great grandfather built it. Really.

[LittleDolphin]

Beaufort's a cozy little town for a single visitor. There are a couple of pubs like Cheers where it's easy to strike up conversations. Front Street has kayak rentals and little passenger ferries to take you to pretty places with nice beaches and wild ponies.

If you like strolling and bike riding, Beaufort's leafy streets in the historical district are perfect for pedaling--flat as a pancake, little traffic.

I think you can come here with no worries about your personal safety and have a relaxing time, visit the Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores and eyeball the fish (and vice-versa) and be in restorative nature. Something about the steady lapping of the waves eases stress..at least it's so for me...

There are nice B&B's to stay at in Beaufort, or if frugal's on your mind, you can opt for an oceanfront motel room on Bogue Banks, a 15 minute drive from Beaufort...the Atlantis and the Clamdigger Inn come to mind (both in Salter Path)...there are many others...including a Sheraton in Atlantic Beach.

You can be alone but not lonely here, I think.

[dsobotta]

I think you would feel very safe in Beaufort. We have always enjoyed the Beaufort Inn. You get a great breakfast included in the price of the room. You can check out my travel guide on Beaufort. There is plenty of great food in Beaufort, but it is a little pricey. There are a number of shops.

Here are some pictures of the Beaufort area.

Another choice with restaurants close by would be Emerald Isle. It is a beach town compared to Beaufort's marina and shops. In Emerald Isle you are right at the beach as opposed to having to drive twenty minutes or so to really enjoy the beach if you stay in Beaufort. You have shops in Emerald Isle and very cute ones nearby in Swansboro. Beaufort is just a 35 minute trip if you want to do a day there. This is my Emerald Isle travel guide.

This is one of my favorite beach walks on Emerald Isle.

The Islander on Emerald Isle would be a nice spot to stay. It's right on the beach.

Your best room deal might be in a place like The Best Western at Silver Creek in Cedar Point. I have often recommended it to travelers. It's reasonably priced, safe, very clean, and under ten minutes to the beach and under five minutes to the Swansboro shops and area restaurants.

Area restaurants in general would be fine for a single lady, but you would feel very comfortable at the Fairway, Rucker John's, Yana Mama's, Trattoria, Riso's, Bogue House, Mike's, ChowdaHeads and Flipperz. It you want one really good meal of seafood and are willing to pay $25 or so for the entree, go to Riverside Steak and Seafood in Swansboro. Fantastic grouper and very good steak. In general Swansboro/Emerald Isle area restaurants are just slightly less expensive than the Beaufort area.

If you want reasonable reasonably priced food in Beaufort, try No-Name Pizza on Highway 70.

If you want waterfront and restaurants and shops that you can walk to, go to Beaufort. If the beach is more important, head towards Emerald Isle.

Here is a map that will give you an idea of the area. Just zoom down to street level and click on the icons.

You will have fun safely in both places.

[Ann in Oriental]

Transporting your car is free if you are taking the Hatteras ferry, and $15.00 each way if you are taking Cedar Island or Swan Quarter. Ocracoke if by far the best place and best beach in my opinion. Beaufort if a cute little town but no actual beach. Also, NO safety concerns in Ocracoke, it's the safest place I've ever been!

[trlhiker]

I agree with Ann, havng been to both Ocracoke and Beaufort, I would choose Ocracoke hands down. A little bit father away but very quant and safe. The ferry from Hatterus to Ocracoke is free.

[dsobotta]

I love Ocracoke as much as anyone and have spent plenty of time there over the years.

However, the last time I was there in 2004 you had to go a pretty good distance from the town where all the accommodations are to reach a beach access.

This guide pretty mirrors my last impressions of Ocracoke.

Some of those beach access points have few if any people depending on the time of year. I am not sure that is a good safety recommendation for a male or female visitor coming to the island by themselves.

My oldest daughter who is single and has been to the Outer Banks several times would likely not venture to Ocracoke by herself.

It is great to be on a beach with not many people around, but being on a beach with no one around and the only town a few miles from you maybe isn't the greatest thing for everyone. I was camping on Ocracoke once and got sick. I had to be driven all the way back to Nags Head to get medical attention. The ferry ride and drive of almost 70 miles for medical attention was a long trip.

Anyone who has visited Ocracoke will not deny that Ocracoke is a long drive. The shortest distance from someplace like Chapel Hill is using the Swan Quarter ferry which does cost a few dollars.

If you drive to Hatteras and take the free ferry, the drive is almost 300 miles plus the time on the ferry. There are lots of places in NC with great beaches closer than that.

Ocracoke is a cute little town with some interesting shops but I never ran into what I would consider anything beyond just a few adequate restaurants and not all of them are open early in the season. I am sure things have changed in the almost five years since we have been there, and I would love to hear the names of some really good restaurants and accommodations that are now there.

If I were going to the Northern Outer Banks, I would pick a place like First Colony Inn in Nags Head and save myself a lot of driving. You would have some nice restaurants nearby also, and it is very quiet before the main tourist season.

[uncletupelo]

I would choose Beaufort over Ocracoke any and every day. Dsobotta does a great job of explaining why.

[Bill Hitchcock]

Ocracoke is a barrier island. It is literally a sand dune in the water.
For some living on Ocracoke Island (or anywhere OBX) it is absolute heaven. For others it would be absolute Hell.

Take a look at the picture below of Ocracoke. I've written in a few key locations.
It's an island with two inlets. On the otherside of Hatteras Inlet is Hatteras Island. On the other side of Ocracoke Inlet is Portsmouth Island, which is uninhabitted.
Note where the town (village) of Ocraoke is located. All the rest of Ocracoke Island is uninhabitted.

Heaven for some. Hell for others.