Gretchen - thanks for your reply. I wasn't sure coming in early April would be the best choice, but I was thinking rain or cold, but now I think I might like it better than May (because of all the blooms). Thanks for making my choice easier!

April is the prettiest month in most of North Carolina, with the flowers, to be sure. May is still lovely, daytime averages 76 to 82 by then.

p.s.: Those averages are central N.C.

Okay - I have a couple more questions...this is what I have tentatively planned....arriving 4/14 in Charlotte, drive to Wilmington, then drive north to Cedar Island to catch ferry to Ocracoke Island and visit the Outer Banks before heading back to Charlotte. Would taking the ferry Monday morning be a better bet than Sunday night? I know I need to make reservations, but could someone fill me in on how busy it will be this time of year? Any information you could provide would be great!

Also, I see there the Azalea Festival is going on the weekend we're going to be in Wilmington....is it going to be crazy busy during this time?

Yes, it will be busy. And have you calculated the driving time from Okracoke back to Charlotte.

Buffy says, up the thread a little way
"Author: Buffy9297
Date: 02/20/2007, 10:10 am
Wow - thanks everyone for your great responses! We definitely want to see the coast so from what I read, the Outer Banks should be our destination and I didn't realize it was such a long drive from Charlotte "

The Outer Banks are definitely on the "coast", but so is a WHOLE lot of other stuff a LOT closer. The entire "border" of NC and SC on the Atlantic Ocean is "the coast".

The ferry shouldn't be busy in May but you'd better make reservations. The North Carolina Ferry system is on the internet for your use as well.

Okay - I guess I wasn't entirely clear. We're flying into Charlotte on Saturday and are driving to Wilmington. Probably stay Sunday in Wilmington and thought about spending the night in Cedar Island and catching the Monday morning ferry to Ocracoke and driving north and seeing the Outer Banks until we get to Nags Head and then heading back west on 64 towards Charlotte - so basically making a counter-clockwise circle. I was hoping to avoid large crowds and so this festival in Wilmington puts a crimp in my initial plan.....

You most likely will not be able to find ANY rooms even remotely close to Wilm. during Azalea Fest weekend.

I am from Wilmington and return every year for the Azalea Festival. It is a total zoo, and with the traffic there already as bad as it has gotten, I would not consider going without room reservations over that weekend.

Diana, is it a zoo the entire time (11-15) or just the weekend? I'm trying to decide when to visit Wilmington and would love to avoid the crowds during that festival. Thanks!