Dennis Everton

I am planning a trip to the outer banks. Where is the best place to go? there will be 5 kids under 5 yrs. and 8 adults. Is corolla better than duck or just farther away? Any details at all would be helpful.

ncgrrl

Depends on where you're starting at to determine if Duck or Corolla is farther away. (Are you heading south from Norfolk, or north from Manteo? and both are far from Topsail).

All the places you mentioned are great for sitting in the sand and doing about nothing else. If the kids want to play mini golf or the adults want to go shopping you might want to stay closer to Nags Head.

The northern outher banks have some big homes for rent to accomodate your group.

Dennis

From the map it appears that you have to go thru duck to get to corolla, or am I looking at an old map?

Homework is good

You've already asked this question, in effect, when you asked about how long it would take.

I don't mean to be impatient, but do look closely at a map and plot out the routes. Topsail is nowhere near Duck/Corolla. Corolla is about 10-15 miles north of Duck, but you have to go through Duck to get to it because there is NO access to the Outer Banks from the north; therefore no matter where you are coming from or what route you take, it will always take longer to get to Corolla. The age of your map has nothing to do with it.

Duck is an older, more established community, so there is slightly more for people to do away from the beach (shops, restaurants, etc.; also, it's not so far to whatever might attract you in Kitty Hawk/Nags Head, etc. Corolla is more isolated, but it has shops, a couple of decent restaurants, a miniature golf course, etc. and slightly less populated beaches. There is a Food Lion supermarket just south of Corolla in Whalehead, so you don't have to go all the way back to Duck for that.

My guess is that you'd be okay either place -- depends on how much and how often parents want to get away from the beach. One of the areas better resorts/restaurants is Sanderling, between Duck and Corolla.

Dennis

I don't mean to be impatient either, but that was not my question at all. And looking at a map and driving it (traffic delay expected?) are two completely different things. And I am fully aware where topsail is. my question is which of these areas would be the most enjoyable. Someone responded about a possible new access road from the north that was opened recently, so in that case the age of my map would matter, and the first response I got states that it depends where I am if duck or corolla is farther away....read that and you might begin to understand why I might question the age of my map. thanks for your help and lighten up.

Lisa

Dennis, I have stayed in all 3 places, although it hs been many years since I have been to Topsail. I had a really good time, but it is much further from the Northeast than your other choices, and there was very little to do. Last summer, we rented a house in Duck, and we ended up driving up to Corolla for almot everything. We went to the Food Lion up there, went to a restaurant up there, and we went up to tour the Whalehead Club. We decided that next time, we would rent in Corolla. With that group, and all the young kids, I would recommend the community of Corolla Light. There are two pools - the one on the ocean has a very nice kiddie pool, and a restaurant that delivers your lunch to your chaise lounge if you like. If the weather is bad,there is an indoor pool that you can use. There are handball courts and such for the adults. We always enjoyed our vacations there. Good luck.

Roger

For me, Topsail is heaven on Earth. Been going there for 34 years, since I was seven. Very family-oriented. I'm a bit rushed at present but, if you do a search of Topsail on this site, there have been many thoughtful posts. At Topsail, you can go fifty yards without having to come across another family's beach chair. One last quick recommendation- I love going July 4 week. Plenty of impomptu fireworks on the beach. My kids squealed in delight.

Dennis

Thanks Roger and Lisa. Your input is very helpful.

Kathy

My family has vacationed at Duck for many summers. I would probably recommend it over Corolla, although Corolla is also nice. If you want to drive into Kitty Hawk or Nags Head (I wouldn't recommend staying at either but there are some things to do there that aren't in Duck or Corolla) you're closer from Duck. There is an area of Duck called Schooner Ridge that is nice. There are 2 outdoor pools, plus a recreation complex with an indoor pool and tennis courts. In Duck you'll have a greater choice of restaurants and more shopping. If you don't already have a house I'd get going on that. When I booked our house last month there weren't many left. We always use Twiddy Realtors (www.Twiddy.com) and have never been disappointed with the houses. The Outer Banks is a great family vacation area.