Attn: Outer Banks Experts

We are going to the Outer Banks for the first time next weekend. We have 3 children (11,5,3) and are staying in Nags Head. If you have experience in this area, please provide the "must do" things. Restaurants, tourist activities etc. Much appreciated. Feel free to send recommendations to ron@ronsusser.com

Thanks,
Ron

 

We're heading to OBX on Saturday too! Have fun and be sure to check out the wildlife/dolphin boat tours on the bridge to Roanoke (off R 12).

 

Cross the bridge to Cape Hatteras. There's a nice visitor center for the National Seashore. Drive another 45 or so minutes and visit the Hatters Lighthouse. If you don't want to go that far, you can visit the Bodie (pronounced "body") Island Lighthouse.

 

The NC Aquarium in Manteo is a must do!

 

We are in the Outer Banks with our 3 year old and I agree the NC Aquarium is a must do. This week we have done the Corolla 4x4 Wild Horse tours, Corolla Light House (went to the wine festival yesterday), purchased & flown several kites at Kitty Hawk Kite Company and went on a Plane ride.

A few days ago we picked up a Steamer's bucket...YUM.

Another tip, when we arrived we picked up a bunch of brochures from the Harris Teeter and that helped us plan a ton of events. Of all the East Coast beaches, I have to say OBX is the most family friendly. The ocean is PERFECT...about 74 degrees and the temps have been in the mid 80's all week.

 

1. Shore fishing at the Oregon Inlet.
2. Climb the sand dunes in Kitty Hawk and watch the sunset.
3. Also fly a kite while there. Great kite store across the street from dunes.
4. Eat at Pamlico Jack's. Great place with kids.

 

Jockey's Ridge...kids will love it.

 

If you go to Manteo, stop in at The Hungry Pelican for lunch. great sandwiches. The owner is a Loudoun County native and has been running his business down there for about 8 years or so.

 

Go to the grocery store. Buy what you need. Head to your house, hangout on the beach and do nothing. Don't over engineer the value of the OBX.

 

LOL - as I am typing this I am sucking down my 4th Corona in Corolla, feeling the ocean breeze and hearing the waves. OBX value: beer, beach, pool, grill & repeat. Best vacation in a long time.

 

I was there 2 months ago. this post makes me miss it! As for the original poster - all of the above is 100% accurate, there are plenty of other things too, like mini golf, etc. It's not hard to have a good time there!

 

Super suggestions so far. Many, many thanks. Keep em coming.
We really appreciate it.
Ron

 

The Outer Banks is my favorite place in the whole wide world. My parents have owned a cottage in the middle of Kill Devil Hills for 23+ years so growing up I spent a lot of time year-around there. Now my family spends a week at the cottage every July.

There are many wonderful activities to do at the beach, as other posters have mentioned, such as the aquarium at Manteo, Manteo's waterfront (especially during the art festival), Hatteras, Jockey's Ridge (go on one of the plane tours, if you dare). During the early evenings, head to Oregon Inlet when the fishing boats come in and watch the day's catch being thrown up on the docks. Really though, I'm with the posters who say the best thing about being at the beach is....being at the beach. I'm happiest sitting on the beach with a book or trying not to look like a fool in the water with my boogie board. My parents have a sign in their cottage which reads, "If you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you're lucky enough."

Food-wise (and I'm all about the food)...! Check out Food Dudes (MP 9.5 or thereabouts) on the beach road in a small strip mall. It's a tiny restaurant with amazing everything. We eat there 2-3 times during our trips. High Cotton (MP 1 - beach road) has delicious NC Style BBQ and yummy Brunswick stew. This last trip we had a tasty lunch at Stripers which is in Manteo. My mom and dad like Darryl's clam chowder. It's also in Manteo, right by Stripers. In the middle of the OBX at MP 8.5 is the Brewing Station - the place with the huge windmill. Great food, and from what I hear, great beer. John's is a teeny, squat, grungy looking building around MP 5 on the beach road and it has great burgers and fried okra. Austin's Seafood, which is right by the Jockey's Ridge shops, is one of the best places for cheap seafood. I love their steamed shrimp. Then there's Awful Arthur's, Jolly Rogers (my son likes the pancakes, "They are as big as my head, Mom!"), Goombays.... I will stop here with the food. I'm getting really hungry and missing the beach (really wishing for an "omnomnom" smiley)!

 

I second Jockey's Ridge. It is AMAZING.

 

Sounds like you are having a ball (no pun intended) out there. Enjoy it!!! I've always had fun out there even though my car got totalled out there (no fault of my own except for the other driver who got charged for running a red light! ) Getting back home was an ordeal since the only car rental company out there wouldn't allow me to take the car out of NC. Took my auto insurance co to intervene and get them to release the rental car!...

Love the outer banks and want to go back soon again!

Keep inhaling those Coronas! Love them with lime in it!

 

Could not agree more! I vacation in Cape Cod every summer (38 and counting) and I have not done 1/10th of the things visiting friends do. I go to the beach and that's about it!

 

I've never been to the Outer Banks but would like to go. Spring Break is the last week in March. Will the weather then make it an enjoyable visit or would it be too cold or windy? Will things be open?

I definitely want a place right on the water to enjoy the view and walk the beach - any recommendations on a place to stay? Not many house rentals have under 3 bedrooms but we don't need that many.

We're looking for a fairly quiet, relaxing time with some sightseeing and communing with nature.

Advice welcome!

 

Tomato Patch restaurant...the sand dunes are amazing and a really fun/exciting family adventure if you guys are up for hiking the dunes and the guided jeep horse tour is really really cool!!

 

We went the last week of March a few years ago and I just looked at my pictures to remind myself of the weather. I seemed to remember it being pretty chilly. The pics show us down on the beach in shorts with jackets & hoodies.

 

If a house is too big, there are lots of ocean front condos too. Check the websites for Sun Realty and Carolina Designs. Those are 2 we have used and have been really pleased with. (There are other good ones too - Village Realty comes to mind too...)