I've never been and I want to go on a weekend trip there during the summer with the g/f.

What are some good places to stay?
Ocracoke, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Duck, Hatteras Island, etc.

I'm looking for a nice romantic place with good places to eat and nice beaches (which is probably applicable for all of the above locations).

What are some other cool activities beside going to the beach?

Any other information or experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks.

3/26/2008 12:08:32 PM

Go play on the dunes at Kitty Hawk, it's a blast. The Sea Foam in Nags Head is a nice place to stay and not too expensive.

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 12:16 PM. Reason : .]

3/26/2008 12:15:47 PM

I prefer the southern outer banks (aka Crystal Coast). Atlantic Beach is right by Morehead city and there are a ton of restaurants and little knick-knack/souvenir type shopping centers to browse, if you're into that sort of thing.

3/26/2008 12:17:51 PM

go to NAGS HEAD you can see jockey's ridge from my beach house!!! there aren't a lot of hotels so, maybe you wanna rent something like a small house/duplex?

anyway jockey's ridge for sure. you can take hang gliding lessons together!! and the store that is across the street from jockey's ridge (where you can sign up for lessons) is called kitty hawk kites, and it is just a pretty neat store to look around in in general

the wright brother's monument is ok i mean it is worth seeing but if you don't see it...you can imagine what its like.

plenty of putt putts

go see the lost colony its a good show, and the gardens are REALLY pretty. its on roanoke island, but not a far drive. i would say definitely do this it is totally worth it.

go to manteo and walk around (its not a far drive but the new highway completely by passes manteo and places that you USED to have to drive through to get to obx, and the little towns are pretty cool. you can go see the Elizabeth II if you go to manteo. its kinda cool.

you can go to the aquarium

and if you want, drive to hatteras one day and picnic/see the light house/etc. there are a bunch of cool pottery places on hatteras, too. its just a cool drive. a great place to go picnic.

if you want you could head down to corolla again see the lighthouse blah blah but you could also see the wild horses (if you are trying to be romantic)

if you go to nags head (or any of the above mentioned places) definitely drive down the "beach road" so you can see all of the old cottages that have been there since the late 1800s/early 1900s. there's a lot of history down there, a lot of style/architecture if you are in to that (with the old historic cottages).

http://www.townofnagshead.net/ the house at the top is mine (brag).

i'm sure you'll find places to eat, i don't really know the restaurants that well cause we never eat out---we always just eat seafood that we get from the sea. BUT, while there are a bunch of chains popping up down there now (outback etc) i'd recommend trying to find some local places to sample.

OH and i forgot, there are some cool bars and the OBX brewing station that usually has bands and stuff. plus you can sample the local beers.

and one more thing, its fun to go on the soundside and rent kayaks etc.

ok i'm done. PM me if you want more suggestions, i have tons

3/26/2008 12:43:21 PM

avoid Duck; it's a shithole tourist village

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 1:22 PM. Reason : ]

3/26/2008 1:21:53 PM

^^ and ^ awesome! really helpful

I don't want anything to touristy but I would like to be near good local restaurants

The pottery shops and the wild horses sounds great (my g/f is really into both).

I'd also like to kayak.

Quote :

"if you want you could head down to corolla again see the lighthouse blah blah but you could also see the wild horses (if you are trying to be romantic) "

where exactly can I find these horses?

Do I go to where route 12 ends and walk up the beach>

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 2:26 PM. Reason : yo]

3/26/2008 2:16:50 PM

Restaurants:

Breakfast -- Sam and Omie's, Jolly Roger, Magnolia Market (downtown Manteo)

Lunch -- Lucky 12, Mulligan's, Ortega's (downtown Manteo), Dune Burger

Dinner -- RVs, Lone Cedar (a bit pricey since the fire), Mama Kwan's, Black Pelican, Penguin Isle, JK's (hell of a steak and great ribs), Tortugas' Lie

3/26/2008 2:27:33 PM

stay in beaufort...


go out to Harkers Island, take the ferry to shackleford banks and cape lookout, bring food and what not

go out there and have a picnic, you can also camp if you choose to

it is closer and may be more entertaining to you and her, plus you're still seeing the outer banks, the horses, shells, all that good stuff, plus you don't have to deall with all the yankees clogging up hwy 12


you're not gonna be able to see the horses on corolla and carova if you don't have a 4x4 truck or suv

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 2:31 PM. Reason : !]

3/26/2008 2:31:01 PM

Any of these towns are likely to have what you'd want in spades, so it's really a matter of preference.
I used to spend quite a bit of time out there when my family had a place in Kitty Hawk, but now I usually end up in Hatteras when I'm out that way. I like Hatteras because it has all I need, and nothing I don't. Plenty of places to boat, swim, and fish. A couple of fishing marinas with a charter fleet. Plenty of places to stay. Plenty to eat. A liquor store and one small grocery store. Lots of nice beaches and shallow water to play around in. Plenty of points of interest/history (lighthouse, Graveyard of Atlantic Museum, etc).
There's also plenty of freedom from chain-style restaurants, heavy traffic, and ugly putt-putt places and surf shops. If you're looking for a coastal area that is close to the polar opposite of the Myrtle Beach-style tourist trap, Hatteras is your place.

3/26/2008 2:47:07 PM

Quote :

"There's also plenty of freedom from chain-style restaurants, heavy traffic, and ugly putt-putt places and surf shops. "

that's exactly what I am looking for

3/26/2008 2:56:25 PM

i used to work at kitty hawk kites. There are so many things you can do with that company. You can go on a guided 2 hour kayak tour, go hanggliding, just rent kayaks and go where ever you want with them and so much more. Check out the website at http://www.kittyhawk.com If you are going to book a hotel I would suggest doing it soon or if you are into camping there are a few camp grounds near the beaches. It almost doesn't matter where you stay because you can drive to lots of different things.

Make SURE you bring/buy a kite and go up on Jockey's ridge and fly it around sunset. It's the most romantic thing ever to watch the sun go down over the water

3/26/2008 3:19:01 PM

bttt

6/8/2009 9:17:18 AM

Quote :

"you can also camp if you choose to"

you do NOT want to camp on Shackleford Banks

6/8/2009 9:47:55 AM

^We camped at Shack a couple times. It's not that bad if the weather is right. Having a keg helps.

6/8/2009 9:53:28 AM

I went to Ocracoke last fall; really nice place, but it's one hell of a drive (~5 hours, then a ~30 minute ferry ride). We stayed 5 days/4 nights so it was worth it, but I wouldn't want to do it for a weekend trip. Just for the weekend, Nags Head is probably your best bet. From what I saw of it on the way through, it's more commercial, but not too bad compared to places like Atlantic or Myrtle. Aquarium is definitely fun.

For a longer trip, I unreservedly recommend Ocracoke. Very romantic, plenty of good restaurants and nice little non-chain gifts/arts/craft shops, lots of neat little b&b's/hotels. Only catch there is none of the places to stay are on the beach, since it's all protected seashore. Most of them are on the harborfront and you have to drive to get to the beach (or on the beach at certain times of the year).

6/8/2009 9:56:24 AM

Beaufort is awesome. My boyfriend and I did a weekend getaway there a few years ago. We stayed at this B&B: http://www.anchoragehouse.net/ The owners were really nice and they made some delicious food while we were there. For dinner we went to this bar that has a 200 year old pool table in it and some amazing NC clam chowder. We also went to a seafood restaurant in nearby Atlantic Beach that was a tad touristy but also had delicious calabash. One night we did the ghost walk tour of Beaufort, which was really fun.

I also am a big fan of Ocracoke. My family used to always stay in the Anchorage Inn, which has a waterside pool and is in the middle of "town" which is nice. Last time I went though we stayed in one of the motels that has a kitchenette and free bikes you can use and that was fantastic. We would ride the bikes around town and to some of the more remote beaches. One night for dinner we picked up some clams and shrimp from a guy selling them out of the back of his truck and did a clam bake for dinner back at the motel. It was awesome. There's also some nice little bars on the island and it's more intimate than some of the other areas on Hatteras Island.

I also agree with everyone saying avoid Duck.

6/8/2009 10:20:19 AM

What's the hate on duck? I've been going to duck since I was 5 maybe? I love it there, my parents have a house there, my grandmother has a house, my aunt, and my great aunt all have houses there. We love it

6/8/2009 10:26:42 AM

Quote :

"What's the hate on duck? I've been going to duck since I was 5 maybe? I love it there, my parents have a house there, my grandmother has a house, my aunt, and my great aunt all have houses there. We love it "

Quote :

"Hometown : Arlington, VA"

Heh, I think you are making their point for them.

6/8/2009 10:44:34 AM

touche

6/8/2009 10:45:12 AM

Quote :

"you do NOT want to camp on Shackleford Banks"

WTF are you babbling about?

6/8/2009 11:00:54 AM

The Nags Head Pier has the best breakfast on the beach. I ate their this morning. Also, if you aren't in the seafood mood, Slice has the best Pizza at the beach...it is awesome.

Quote :

"you can see jockey's ridge from my beach house!!!"

Me too. My parents place is in the neighborhood across from the park entrance.

6/8/2009 1:45:28 PM

I'll be vacationing for 4-5 days this time. I would like to start in Nags Head and work my way down to Okracoke.

What's Beaufort and that area like?

6/8/2009 5:39:51 PM

go to awful arthurs (mile post 5.5 on beach road), go play arcade games at avalon pier, rent a sail boat on the sound, go play at jockey's ridge, and catch a show at the pit

6/8/2009 7:24:23 PM

I know it's been said before but it should be said again DEFINITELY go see the Lost Colony outdoor play, it is great.

6/8/2009 8:04:04 PM

Quote :

"Okracoke"

6/8/2009 8:14:14 PM

Nags Head Pier. Yep.

Slice Pizza. YEP!

Duck Donuts (it's next to Slice in KDH). YES!

Duck the town sucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Duck the town sucks to stay in unless you like walking and shopping in little stores. There are some good small restaurants in there, and the girls working the fruit/veg stand are usually HOT.

The Pit isn't great, but everyone has their own opinion. The Outer Banks Brewing Station is where most people go these days.

Currituck has stuck a little speed trap area just north of Pine Island and south of Ocean Sands. Used to be 45mph the whole way, now that section is 35.

6/8/2009 8:54:15 PM

Quote :

"WTF are you babbling about?"

are you a douche or a complete twat?

6/8/2009 9:33:29 PM

Quote :

"The Nags Head Pier has the best breakfast on the beach."

6/8/2009 9:40:31 PM

Corolla NC is awesome. I personally like to rent one of the houses on the 4X4 access only (located directly on the beach and you drive to them on the beach). Its really nice if you have kids as well because you throw all there junk in the car and the big cooler and just drive down and park by the beach and enjoy. Also, the wild horses are there.

6/8/2009 9:52:20 PM

Lost Colony outdoor play?

TJB627 says yay. Anyone else been?

I just booked 2 nights at the Colony IV Hotel in Kill Devil Hills. I'd like to stay the last 2 nights on Ocracoke. Any suggestions on where to stay?

6/8/2009 10:25:07 PM

When I was in middle/high school, I used to sneak in 3 or 4 times a summer since I lived less than a mile away and was always bored. If you haven't been it's fun once. Wear bug spray.

6/8/2009 10:32:09 PM

Quote :

"you do NOT want to camp on Shackleford Banks"

I've camped out at Shackleford a number of times and always had a great time. The mosquitoes can get pretty bad depending on when you go though.

6/9/2009 12:36:42 AM

Quote :

"I'd like to stay the last 2 nights on Ocracoke. Any suggestions on where to stay?"

I stayed at the Ocracoke Harbor Inn, which is as the name implies on the main harbor (where a lot of the lodgings are). http://www.ocracokeharborinn.com/ Really enjoyed it--nice little place, friendly staff, great location. Nice to be able to have breakfast looking out over the harbor. Not sure if it's still available but ask about the studio suite which is over the top of the office--it's not actually in the main hotel building but in the separate office building which is right up on the water (the main hotel is across the road). Private deck, big jetted tub, kitchenette, great for a getaway with the lady. If that's unavailable the main place is very nice too, but try to get a second floor room--the harbor view is a bit compromised on the first-floor rooms since it does sit a ways back from the water. Definitely recommended though.

We also considered Captain's Landing, which seemed quite nice from the web site and reviews on tripadvisor, but it was booked the week we went. Also a bit more expensive.

6/9/2009 9:37:06 AM

I'm looking for a suite/condo place in the KH/KDH/NH area.

Something with two bedrooms and maybe a living area. I don't have a shitton of money, but I'll pay a decent price to stay somewhere nice -- somewhere within walking distance of the ocean. If anybody has any suggestions, it'd be very much appreciated.

6/9/2009 10:48:32 AM

Dude, I lived in Beaufort for a year. You know I was there last week. Why not just call me with Beaufort questions lol.

6/9/2009 10:51:57 AM

^^

small, near ocean, nice........


That doesn't exist. The closest would be one of the "cottage" rental places that has a handfull of tiny units on one property, just west of 12.

6/9/2009 12:24:06 PM

i'm going next weekend. i wanted to go this coming weekend but i forgot i have to nanny on monday

so i'm going next weekend HOPEFULLY thurs - sunday. but it may just be friday - sunday

it is probably our last year in this house because my grandma is old and they want to sell it.

[Edited on June 9, 2009 at 1:14 PM. Reason : nags head]

6/9/2009 1:14:37 PM

Quote :

"Lost Colony outdoor play?"

yay

wear bug spray though

6/11/2009 10:53:13 PM

Were leaving this Sat and staying for a week. To the guy who mentioned the Black Pelican place above, would that place be like a nice sit down anniversary dinner. We dont want ridiculously upscale... just a nice place?

This is like our 4th year going to the outer banks, we know most everything else about going out there, just haven't gone to the nice restaurants normally... didn't know what to expect.

6/11/2009 11:23:40 PM

The Black Pelican is a nice restaurant that definitely isn't too upscale. If the weather's nice you can sit out on the deck and look at the ocean. It's on the west side of 12, but there's no homes on the east side in that area so it's an unobstructed view.

PM me if you're seriously considering getting portraits done on the beach while you're down here. We still have some availability for this summer. We can do just a couple up to 60+ family reunions and have been in business for over 13 years.

[Edited on June 12, 2009 at 8:17 AM. Reason : ]

6/12/2009 8:14:31 AM

why is it that all the women always want to go to Nags Head?

6/12/2009 8:46:21 AM

I hate all the fucking Virginians that come down and run it.

6/12/2009 8:55:55 AM

Goddamn Virginians.

6/12/2009 12:51:30 PM

Quote :

"Lost Colony outdoor play? TJB627 says yay. Anyone else been?"

like a thousand times. if you like that kind of thing it will be fun i second the bug spray advice though. i used to LOVE going to see this. might have to do it when i go down this weekend....but i dunno if i'll have time.

6/13/2009 4:08:12 AM

I would say that the play is worth seeing. I've seen it about 5 times now (my family goes out there a lot) and its entertaining. I actually saw one of the drama kids from HS in there

For food, I never went to a bad restaurant or one that should be avoided. And I've been to 20+.

Jockey's ridge is a must. Wright brothers museum is worth saving if you run out of stuff to do.

When I went there with my g/f, we didn't really do anything that could be considered romantic. There is one nice restaurant that has a dock/pier and really nice screen porch seating. I cannot, for the life of me, remember where or what it is called.

6/13/2009 9:40:36 AM

Quote :

"The Black Pelican is a nice restaurant that definitely isn't too upscale. If the weather's nice you can sit out on the deck and look at the ocean. It's on the west side of 12, but there's no homes on the east side in that area so it's an unobstructed view."

They catered our wedding at the whalehead club in corolla. The bacon wrapped scallops were amazing.

6/13/2009 11:40:32 AM

yeah, their catering division is top notch.


The only restaurants I would avoid are anything that has a buffet.

[Edited on June 13, 2009 at 1:26 PM. Reason : ]

6/13/2009 1:25:20 PM

6/13/2009 3:11:47 PM

Way to fuck up the thread with a picture the size of the moon.

6/13/2009 4:06:02 PM

there not thier

6/13/2009 4:25:31 PM