Outer Banks this weekend? (Raleigh, Ocracoke: oceanfront, motels, houses)

[des1rees]

Has anyone driven down from Raleigh, making an overnight out of it? I was thinking of leaving early Sat morning, then touring lighthouses, stopping somewhere for the night, and then coming back Sunday.Can anyone tell me where I can go to plan the drive, and a mid-way point we can spend the night? Thanks,D

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by des1rees

Has anyone driven down from Raleigh, making an overnight out of it? I was thinking of leaving early Sat morning, then touring lighthouses, stopping somewhere for the night, and then coming back Sunday.Can anyone tell me where I can go to plan the drive, and a mid-way point we can spend the night? Thanks,D

I would suggest that you drive straight to the beach and spend the night, splitting some of your touring between Saturday and Sunday.
South Nag's Head has a few motels you might try, with some oceanfront.
You might even consider staying in Buxton, the location of Hatteras lighthouse, and work your way back.

It is about 4 hours from DT Raleigh to the end of US 64 East, at Whalebone Junction. There you can go south on NC 12 to see Bodie Island lighthouse, and an hour+ further south to see Hatteras lighthouse.

You can take the Hatteras ferry to Ocracoke and see the town and Ocracoke light, but I think it would be hard to enjoy trying to pack all that into one overnighter.

Oh.... Last summer, I think, SunnyKayak did a stupendous post with all sorts of photos and links and mentions of services on the Outer Banks. If you can dig it up....

//www.city-data.com/forum/2523427-post2.html

[Poggly Woggly]

I've done it many times. We usually leave before dawn and take 64 E. to 12 S., drive down the Outer Banks taking in all you can, then taking the Hatteras Ferry to Ocracoke. We always liked staying at The Pony Island Inn. Anyway, after spending the following day in Ocracoke we catch a late ferry to Swans Quarter(reservations in advance), and taking 264 W. back home. It's one of my favorites. We sometimes make a week of it and camp in the Federal campgrounds.

[des1rees]

Thanks, both of you, for the detailed information.D