My family and I (2 adults, 2 children) are trying to plan a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for the second or third week in August. We realize that this is pretty late to start planning, but we find ourselves with an opportunity to get away and would like to try the OBX after all we've heard about it.

We have done some research and have decided to stay in either Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills. We are concerned that other towns might be too "sleepy" for us. Everything we've read seems to point to these 2 towns as being a little more lively. Any input anyone has on that would be helpful! Never having been to the area, it's difficult to understand which might be more lively or more to our tastes.

My main question centers on accommodations. It seems that rental properties are the number one place to stay. I've got some choices that we found from the Sun Realty website. But I'd also like to hear from folks on the oceanfront hotel/inn options. I've read about a couple that have gotten good reviews (Surf Side Hotel and First Colony Inn in Nags Head). Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels/inns or should we stick with a rental property?

Also, what mile point marker location is the most centrally located in each town (Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills) for good access to restaurants and shops?

Any help is most appreciated! To let you know a little about us, we are beach lovers by day who enjoy fine dining in the evenings. We would also love to have some shopping options (at least my daughters and I would!).

Thanks!

When I think of the Outer Banks, I think, ocean with waves slapping at the shore, fresh seafood that is wonderful but it's fine 'casual' dining. When I think of shopping, it's for beach wear. The Outer Banks is very laid back and comfortable. A place where you can go and only take shorts and a bathing suit,well, maybe a top or two and just explore what the area offers. You would probably like Nags Head the best but be sure and drive down to Hatteras and take the ferry over to Ocracoke. A fun day.

You might also want to consider Duck. It is a little less congested than Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, but they have great restaurants in the area and great shopping.

How old are your kids?

Duck is way nicer and less congested than Nagshead. Most of the shopping along in the area of Nagshead/Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills is like K-Mart or something. Not like nice boutiques. Shopping in Duck would occupy an afternoon, not much more, but it's still fun.

I bet things are booked up though, so you may not have a huge selection of houses. Try to stay right on the beach though!!!

As I recall, MIlepost 12 is at the more or less southern end of Nags Head (near Whalebone Junction) if that helps you any.

I thought Sun Realty's site had a location map for each property.

There is a wide variety of shopping between Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills but I would agree that Duck is somewhat quieter. KDH and NH are definitely the epicenter of visitor activity.

I assume the places you found with Sun (which is definitely the biggest agency of all) are available for your timeframe.

nohomers, my daughters are 12 and 14.

Try vrbo.com--I was just able to book a place at Carolina Beach for the week after July 4th. You may be in luck, too.

As others have pointed out, there is not a lot of opportunity for shopping in the OBX. There's a Wal-mart and a K-Mart, some "boutiques" in Duck and a small mall in Nags Head. Since most visitors rent houses, dining out options are limited. In Kill Devil Hills there are some mini-golf places, go-karts in Corolla, plus the lighthouses are fun to vist. However, the main attraction is the beach.

When we went with our extended family our days consisted of: get out of bed, have breakfast, hit the beach, return to the house for a long leisurely lunch, back to beach until sunset, cook dinner at home, watch a DVD or take a walk on the beach: repeat for 6 days.

Have your girls ever used a boogie board? Lots of fun to ride the waves at OBX. My nieces and nephews would stay in the water almost all day.

What a great opportunity for some quality family time--playing games, reading books (have you read "Hoot"?), learning to cook? Before you know it--they won't want to have anything to do with you (I know, I teach middle school!) Enjoy!