My fiance have to cut our honeymoon way down due to a new job. We want to go at the beginning of October and be able to drive to our destination in a reasonable time. We live in suburban Washington, D.C. Are there any nice hotels/resorts for a honeymooning couple in the Outer Banks area? Does anyone have any other suggestions about somewhere nice that we could go by car in early October where we could still get some beach-type activities in? Neither of us plays golf or tennis. I guess we would like a nice ambiance, little shops and galleries, good dining, and friendly people. Any and all suggestions are welcome! Thanks!

Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk in North Carolina have some very nice hotel/motel accomodations. In the summer it is a main resort area. The beaches down that way can be very nice and, that time of year, the weather should still be warm and the water likewise. The little town of Buxton close to the historic lighthouse has a Comfort Inn.
The last time I was there immediately after Labor Day was most pleasent because most of the summer crowd had gone home. From DC, you would drive down I 95 until you turn east about Rocky Mount. It should be a good 7 hour drive, depending upon your style.

My wife and I spent a long weekend in Nags Head last October. We had great weather, but not really warm enough to sit on the beach for very long in our suits. It was probably about 78 on the warmest day, but the breeze made it feel a bit colder. Still, unless you were sunning or swimming, the weather couldn't have been better.

We spent time walking on the beach (pratically deserted this time of year), swimming in our cute hotel's indoor pool, seeing the sites (Cape Hatteras is a scenic hours drive south), and visiting as many of the bars/restaurants in the area as possible.

If you want someplace less commercial than the Nags Head area, look into Duck, N.C. just to the north. It seems to be a more upscale, bed and breakfast type of place with more exclusive shops.

Hi Hanna--the nicest hotel I know of in the Outer Banks is the Sanderling Inn--it is just north of Duck; I have stayed there and will tell you that even though it gets written up in magazines as a luxury hotel and is expensive, it is still a beach hotel (in other words, the location has a lot to do with the price). It is, however, very nice, right on the beach and I'm sure they would make your honeymoon special. Duck has little shops, some really nice restaurants--if you go have the Sanderling make a reservation for you at the Blue Point Grill. It is very popular down there in the fall so don't hesitate to call and make sure you make dinner reservations before you leave D.C.

Duck is a relatively easy 6-hour drive from D.C. proper and is very well marked.

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Mary

Was just going to suggest the Sanderling. Even if October is a little chilly to be on the beach (or it can be perfect w/a warm spell), driving lazily down the Outer Banks from Corolla (pronounced "C'rawla"), just north of Sanderling, south through the national seashore to Hatteras, or even Ocracoke is a lovely thing to do, but it takes longer than you'd think -- like maybe 3-4 hrs. plus ferry time if you go to Ocracoke!

The Kitty Hawk-Nags Head stretch is actually so built up that I wouldn't recommend any place there unless it was in the VERY most southern part of Nags Head, next to the entrance to the National Seashore.

Ocracoke is so protected that there are no chains there (food, hotel, restaurant) and it's all home-towny, with many, many B&Bs and one very nice inn called the Anchorage Inn, where I once attended the prettiest wedding. It's lovely, but a long way from DC.

Of course, I hesitate to mention this, but that is high hurricane season -- get trip insurance and watch the weather.

Just returned from Corolla -stayed in the INN at Corolla Light. Prices very high for what you get. Room quite small- Soundfront room but could only see the view if we were sitting down. Windows were too low.
Checked out the Sanderling Inn. The writer above me was right. Still a beach hotel. What about the First Colony Inn in Nags Head? It is a B&B. Rooms nice. Across the street from the ocean.
Oracoke is adorable but a long drive even after you arrive on the Outer Banks.
What about Annapolis or somewhere much closer to home?
Hate to see all your time be in a car.
Best Wishes for a long and happy marriage. My husband and I have been married 30 years this month.

First Colony Inn is very nice. www.firstcolonyinn.com

Also White Doe Inn in Manteo,NC

Have no suggestions for destination. However, I will encourage you to save youre receipts. For our 40th anniversary I wrote to the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco telling them of a promotion I had heard of where if you stayed at their hotel on your honeymoon they offered a stay on your anniversary at the same price. They called back and said they liked the idea but they couldn't offer the room for the $14 we paid in 1955. Instead, he turned it around and we paid $41. So, whatever you do and wherever you go, take the reciepts and put them in your wedding album. Cheap may be one description but romantic may be another.

I live on the coast of NC and it is a beautiful place to be in October. I agree the upper outer banks are a delightful place - I would think especially for a honeymoon. The central section of the coast may be more accessible for you however. In today's paper there was an article on a Harborlight b&b that looks delightful. They're web site is www.bbhost.com/harborlightgh. (it took me several tries to get to load completely). I have no personal experience of this place but the surrouding area has lots to do:beach,shops,small towns,great seafood,etc. Good Luck!

We just spent a week in Corolla - -would definitely recommend going to Duck or Corolla and not the other end towards Nags Head - - it's just a lot nicer and more "honeymoon-ish" and less commercial. The Sanderling Inn in Duck looks lovely and is supposed to be great -- the Inn at Corolla Light looks nice too - - Sanderling may be a bit more elegant just from the outside view. The rates are WAY low in October - - maybe splurge for a huge glorious house in Pine Island or Corolla Light -- it may be even more reasonable and you'd have a kitchen for breakfast and a fireplace if it's chilly - - I'd recommend that - -the homes are GORGEOUS and Ocean front would be reasonable at that time. FOr dining -- take a 1/2 hour drive and go to the Collington Cafe in KDH - - it's one of the best restaurants anywhere - so reasonable and so consistently fabulous. In Corolla -- groupers is great (in Timbuck II) and for more casual food, Route 12 was fun for ribs.For lunch, you must try the Duck Deli for the best BBQ (and so cheap too) for lunch -- I miss it just talking about it - -have a great time - - it will be so UNcrowded and relaxing -- happy wedding~!!!