blej

We're two vaccinated senior couples looking to get out of the house, out of the cold, and breath some nice fresh air. We are thinking to drive down to OBX from NY the first week in April ( 3 weeks) for 7 days.
We've never been there and would greatly appreciate any help on where to stay. We would like to be by the water, either walking distance or a short car ride to a choice of restaurants. We're open to renting a cottage, a house, a B&B or staying in a hotel.

OBX seems quite long. Is there a difference between the northern and southern areas?

Also, would appreciate knowing any covid restrictions re: restaurants and the beach.
Thanking you in advance,
blej

tomfuller

You will find a lot more commercial development north of Manteo. Stop to see the Wright Brothers monument. You can drive south to see the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which they moved to keep it from falling into the ocean. Continue south and take the free ferry over to Ocracoke Island. There is (or was) a restaurant at the southern tip of Ocracoke.
On the way south from NYC, you can take US 9 and take the ferry from Cape May NJ over to Lewes Delaware. Take US 13 south through Delaware.

blej

Thanks Tom,

We were wondering about the Cape May-Leves ferry - helpful. We are considering the possibility of only going as far south as Virginia to save on driving time. Its open at thed moment.

blej

euro18

We were there in February. Drove down, just desperate to get out of the house for a few days as covid safely as we could. We stayed at the TownPlace Suites in Kill Devil HIlls. It's perfectly in the middle of everything and right across from the ocean. They have a private beach and relaxing area on the beach. We chose it because we could get a studio with a full kitchen. We wanted to minimize our eating out/takeout exposure. It has a full size refrigerator, two burner stove, micro etc. Worked out beautifully for us. An awful lot was closed, but it would be whether it was covid or not. By April much more is open. We got takeout a few times, made simple meals in our kitchen with groceries, travelled and explored outdoors all over the outer banks (multiple national parks there) and were very grateful for the time away. Happy to answer any questions I can.

blej

Thanks euro18, it seems from reading that North Carolina has opened more and is more welcoming to tourists than Virginia???
If instead of OBX we wanted to stay inland in NC, but somewhere in the northeast, what town or city could anyone recommend??

euro18

Asheville NC is beautiful and you can explore the Biltmore and the spring gardens (if it is open during Covid) You're looking to go south, right, not just the Northeast.
Savannah and Charleston are beautiful as well

mocha_dolce

Most people rent houses in OBX. Even though you are only 4 people, you may want to consider that. Be aware that the temps will be cool for the beach in April, that houses are getting booked up (OBX has been the hideout of choice for many DC area residents during COVID), and that there may be a visit from the cicadas in late spring.

Hilton Head might suit your purposes and is close enough to Savannah for a day trip. Hilton Head has many options for activities, restaurants, and accommodations.

Kiawah Island might also be an option for you and is close enough to Charleston for a day trip. Kiawah is less developed than OBX or Hilton Head, with fewer options for activities and restaurants.

Both Hilton Head and Kiawah Island have alligators, so be conscious of that and you won't have any unwelcome encounters.

Gretchen

Drivingo Hilton Head from NYC would be a two day trip.

The OP could still do a place on the coast--many beaches a bit south of OBX. Wilmington/Wrightsville is a nice area. and easy to get to.
Inland Winston Salem is an interesting historic town with nice restaurants.
Southern Pines is a golf mecca and an inland "resort" of sorts.
Asheville would be easy to get to from NY also and is a good destination. as would some places in Virginia like Charlottesville.

blej

Thank you all for your replies. Should we get to NC they will be piut to good use. As happens while planning trips, and perhaps more so during these strange times, plans get altered. Our companions have decided not to travel at this time. We will journey on but likely will stay in the Virginai area, but who knows. We are not planning to make reservations and will travel wherever the weather is best, aiming for warmer and drier areas - even if we have to move every few days. As it will be just the two of us we can extend our time.

Thanks again for your help. Stay well.
blej

Gretchen

I think eating outside is stilll best even vaccinated. Warmer weather is on the horizon and the flowers and trees will be in bloom. I will say that NC is beginning its fairy tale season with the flowering fruit and redbuds coming out now.
On our way to the beach we pass a large peach orchard and the tops of the trees were a gorgeous coral color this week.