Anyone been to the Outer Banks?
 

I have read on other postings that the Outer Banks are quiet, but I would like more information. Is there much to do in the way of activities, dining or entertainment? Please respond with any info you may have. Thank you in advance!

I will be visiting the Outer Banks for the first time this fall with a couple my husband and I are friends with. Their parents own a beach house there that is out of this world. Feel free to email them if you want some info on the Outer Banks.....they are old pros! It is [email protected]

Went to the OBX (as the locals call it!) at easter and it was pretty quiet. Nags Head & Kill Devil Hills are the most commercialized (judging by the <BR>number of mini golf parks per mile), but still not ruined. Go south for quiet unending beaches. Its well worth the 90mins drive/ferry trip to Okacroke island. The island and beaches are empty apart from a winner of a little fishing village at the southern end - If we go back we''ll stay there. <BR>Quagmires restaurant overlooks the beach at Kill Devil Hills and is a great place to go - either as a couple or family. Sipping a beer, watching the surfers and the sun go down from the upstairs bar and scoffing good shrimp downstairs was a great birthday present. Be a beach bum for a week and have a good time.

<BR>Rob is right! While the northern end is more commericalized, there are great jewels to be found all over the Outer Banks. Duck and Corolla are quaint villages with an almost Cape Cod kind of feel. Everyone should go to Ocracoke. I've never seen beaches anywhere else in the US that can top those. They are almost like baby powder and literally squeak under your bare feet. Ocracoke isn't very heavily developed, but it is beautiful. There are several small restaurants in the "downtown" area, a few lighthouses and lots of beach. Plan to go early because the car ferry (free) does tend to back up during the busy summer months. On your way to Ocracoke, be sure to stop at Cape Hatteras and climb the lighthouse. It's a narrow, fun climb of about 275 steps--beautiful view up top. We found a nice variety of restaurants in the Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk area where we based our last trip. Our only caveat, some of the restaurants do not have smoke free areas. On the other hand, several are totally smoke free. Of course the seafood is plentiful and delicious. Also, consider a visit to the nation's oldest outdoor drama in Manteo--The Lost Colony. Take some bug spray along and something to sit on--the log seats can get a bit hard, but it's an entertaining outdoor show. Also in Manteo is the Queen Elizabeth gardens, near the Lost Colony. We enjoyed these shaded gardens as a break from a hot summer day. The NC Aquarium is also nearby, it's only adequate, but may provide you with a break from the sun. Have fun!

I live a little over 2 hours from Nags Head here in Rocky Mount and will be glad to help anyone with questions about the Outer Banks. I've been going there once a month for the past 11 years. Just email me for questions.

<BR>I am from Ohio. Nags Head is my favorite place to visit, and the kid's , too. They would pick that over Disney World anytime (I have a variety of ages) <BR> <BR>The fun part? Relaxation, beautiful beach houseds at a reasonable price, and a great place to get together with other family and friends and make it a great week for everyone! Don't forget to visit the aquarium close by ... it is FREE!

Been going to Hatteras for the past 9 years, we own a condo on the beach and a house soundside in Avon. We only hit things in the northern beaches as we pass through to Hatteras. In Nags Head & Kill Devil Hills you've got the beaches, shopping,fast food rest. and soundside ativities like wave runners and parasailing, movie theaters and some bars. From there you can visit the nearby island of Manteo, the tallest sand dunes on the east coast or the Wright Brothers Monument. The Flying Fish restaurant is great also. Go hour south to Hatteras and it all changes. Definitely not for the honky-tonk loving crowd. Here you've got beaches, fishing, wind surfing, wave runners& parasailing, shipwreaks, and more fishing. Restaurants are 'island casual' from the yuppified seafood restaurants to Billy's Fish House. Bars are small one's in restaurants sometime with a live band. <BR>Besides eating entertainment is left to miniture golf, a small waterslide and go-cart park in Salvo , video rentals, Udder Delights for ice cream or Hawaiian shaved ice in Buxton, walks, runs, bike rides, kayaking on the sound, hike the trails in Buxton Woods and the Pea Island bird refuge, take a boat ride out from the Hatteras marina, or an all day trip out to the Gulf Stream, and then plan your next meal! After dinner celebrate the sunset with a margarita on the deck and watch for satellites tooling across the Milky Way. <BR>Note of importance, there are no lifeguards except at the beach next to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. I'd be glad to answer any specific questions you have.

<BR>At just about any commercial establishment (from grocery stores to restaurants) on the Outer Banks you can pick up a little free booklet called "Sunny Day" which lists just about everything going on & all the hot spots. It's published weekly. We always plan a walk through Nags Head Woods (about 3/4 to 5 mile walks) and a trip to the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo.