blej

The drive from Savannah to Ocracoke looks like its more than one days trip?!? We've never been to the area.

Would Morehead City or someplace a little south be a good place to stop and get a good meal? Any recommendations?

cmcfong

In Morehead City the Bistro by the Sea for fine dining...or the Sanitary Fish Market for very casual, but awfully good seafood.

In Beaufort the Spouter, the Beaufort Grocery or Front Street Grill are good choices. Beaufort has considerably more appeal than Morehead City.

Enjoy the visit.

Cassandra

If you can get to Morehead City in one day, you can get to Ocracoke.

You pass through New Bern and then Havelock on your way to Morehead City, and if you turn east at Havelock, you can get to the Cedar Island ferry out to Ocracoke. Check a map (it's 101 to 70 to 12 to the ferry).

I checked what GoogleMaps does to route you from Savannah to Ocracoke, and inexplicably it takes you way north to Rocky Mount and then out to the Swan Quarter ferry. That's way out of your way. If that's the route you have, it's peculiar, at best.

As I said, you need to check a map, but you need a detailed NC map.

Cassandra

In case it wasn't obvious from my post, there are 2 ferries to Ocracoke, one from Cedar Island (ene of Morehead City) and one from Swan Quarter (further north, on another peninsula).

blej

Thank you both. We booked a room in Beaufort at the Langdon House and will definitively try one of your restaurant suggestions.

Cassandra - I ran mapquest every which way. It still seemed like an 8-hour trip without rushing or too much traffic, plus a 2 1/2 hour ferry ride. Add lunch and the unexpected and its just like being back in NY -too much rush. Beaufort seems like a nice place to relax and have a good meal.

Cassandra

Beaufort's interesting, too. But the ferry from Cedar Island is only 1 1/2 hrs., just fyi (or for planning your return).

blej

Cassandra thanks for all the support. I'm sure you're right - and you just handed us a couple of hours in total. enjoy

Cassandra

In the interests of full disclosure, the jaunt from Havelock over to Cedar Island goes pretty slowly, about 1 1/4 hr. -- rural but when you get close to the sound, you should see some of the little fishing boats (esp. the shrimpers) in the small villages along the way (well, not IN the villages...).

Two other tidbits: whichever way you choose and whichever ferry, it's worth making sure you have a reservation, and be there on time. There are slightly more departures to/from Cedar Island than from Swan Quarter. http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/r.../route004.html

1.800.856.0343 Cedar Island
1.800.773.1094 Swan Quarter
1.800.345.1665 Ocracoke

AND if you are making it a two-day jaunt, you might be interested in the horseback rides through the surf at Cedar Island. We did it once waiting for the next ferry -- lovely (I don't ride, but that's not an issue).

Cassandra

When you get back, pls. post re: your trip. Have a great time.

GeorgeW

I have not much to add to Cassandra's informative post. The ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke is about 2 1/4 hours and you probably need a reservation. $ 30 a ride. I have found that the ferries are pretty rigidly scheduled. If you're a minute late, the ferry may well be gone.

As for a stopping place between Savannah and Ocracoke, let me suggest Wilmington or Topsail Island.

Dukey

Don't get too upset if you get on the Cedar island feery and it isn't full...it happens but I would NOT do the trip without a reservation and do not get there too late as George has advised.

Depending on the time of year that crossing can be very hot and humid although there is an air counditioned "lounge" area on the ferry; some folks simply remain in their cars.

The drive out to Cedar Island can be very relaxing, especially as you get closer to the ferry point itself.

This is NO WAY "like New York City" (thank God) even when it IS actually 'busy' so kick back and enjoy it.

GeorgeW

In the summer, I would definitely have a cooler with beer in it for the ferry ride. However, sodas should be available in the ferry galley. I take the Aurora-Bayview ferry several times a year and it is stocked with sodas and snacks.

blej

Thanks for all the assistance. We made it fine to Beaufort and had dinner at the Spouter Inn. It was one of the better meals on our trip from Miami area back home to NY. Beaufort was also a nice little town to walk in and spend time on the little boardwalk. There were at least six huge multimillion dollar yachts docked there.

We stayed at the Langdon House. While it was relatively inexpensive and was clean I would not recommend it for anyone who enjoys the nice little touches you receive at most b&bs. Breakfast was extra, no shampoo, the soap was a tiny piece of a bar left over from a previous visitor. The owners had company and left their wine bottles and dishes on the porch table when they went to dinner, making it very uncomfortable to sit there.

Beaufort has a very nice wine bar and store with a knowledgeable young lady. She recommended two very good wines, including her favorite - Petite Petite.

We had reservation and made it to the ferry with plenty of time to spare. Nice ride. Thanks again.

cmcfong

I am glad you had a nice visit. I love to walk or bike through Beaufort.
The Langdon House sounds downright inhospitable. The mess from the owner's personal guests and the soap are BAD. Thanks for the heads up.
Next time you may want to consider the Inlet Inn. I haven't stayed there in several years, but I used to love sitting on the balcony, drinking wine and watching the horses at sunset. Yep, I love Beaufort.