Outer Banks Advice Needed
 

Hi everyone!
We are planning a family vacation September 6th through the 13th and have narrowed our choices to Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks. We have been to Myrtle in the past and are aware it's positives and negatives, but a friend recommends the Outer Banks. However, we have never been to the Outer Banks and are unsure if there is suitable hotel accomodations, as we will be travelling with a 2-year old boy. We prefer a hotel/suite type of place on the ocean so we can walk out the door and enjoy. Most folks I have spoken with [including our friends that have been there] rent homes for the week.
Any comments from people that have been to the Outer Banks regarding accomodations and activities? How's the weather that time of year?
Thanks for the help,
Frank

I don't usually go to the Outer Banks so I can't comment on accomadations. During the few times I've been there I have noticed that the beach has a very steep dropoff and the surf is pretty rough. Not the best beach for a toddler!

I've only been to the Outbanks once - 2 years ago.

I really enjoyed the area around the Hatteras National Seashore and visiting
the light houses.

The impression I came away with though is that the Outer Banks is simply "Myrtle Beach lite". I was hoping for a more rustic experience, but I saw the same t-shirt shops, mini-golf courses, and condos that I see in MB, just fewer of them. I also didn't find as many seafood restaurants as I expected. Finally, the drive time from Asheville to the Outer Banks was lengthy since there didn't seem to be a good way to get there (from anywhere?).

I will go back some day, but I'll stick with Myrtle Beach for most of my beach vacations.

Mike Honeycutt

i love the outer banks. in my mind, there is no comparison to myrtle beach. like your friends i've only ever stayed in houses, not hotels of which there are some. i believe there are more and more inns and B&B's opening as well. i'd have to disagree with the post about the surf being rough and there being a big drop off. i think the beaches are wide, clean and not that crowded. especially the week you're going. the weather is beautiful in september as well. and all the rates go down. i prefer duck and corolla (newer and nicer, IMHO, than nags head, kitty hawk, etc.) i say head for OBX and have a nice relaxing time.

Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills are the most commercial part of the Outer Banks and that is where you'll find most of the hotels with oceanfront access. Those spots are somewhat like Myrtle Beach tho (in my predjudiced opinion) not as densely commercialized.

If you head slightly north or south you'll find other OBX communities which are largely residential but offer easy ocean access and big clean beaches.

I don't know what your beach experiences are. For the same or slightly more money, why wouldn't you consider a house on the oceanfront or within near walking distance of the beach? Given the choice between a week in a hotel room with a 2 year old and the opportunity to spread out a bit, I'd jump at the latter. If that's not your thing, I'd opt for Myrtle Beach. Much more hotelwise to pick from.

My family has been to the Outer banks only once, but we are all hooked for life! We rented a home that had a wooden deck that led right to the beach. Very picturesque. We were in Nag's Head and loved the area. The beaches are wide open, and we didn't have any drop-offs where we were. My youngest was 7 yo at the time, and we felt it was very safe for her(although I realize it's quite different w/ 2 yo.
I think we'd probably try Duck next time. It did seem a bit more upscale and nicer, but we have absoutely no problem recommending Nag's Head to anyone. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks all!
I agree with obxgirl that a house with a bit more room is the way to go. I have no intention of staying in a hotel room for a week with our 2 year old son - he need to run around too much.
Someone recommended the Best Western Ocean Reef Suites as a place to consider. Any comments from someone that has first hand experience with this property? I have stayed in one Best Western in my life and I promsed myself I'd never to do it again.
If I could find a house on or close to the beach, I would go for it. The problem is that many of the rentals seems to be for larger families. And after looking photos on a few sites of realtors mentioned on these posts, the smaller units look crappy. We don't need a palace, but would like to stay at a nice place while on vacation.
Any suggestions on nice 1 or 2 bedroom condos/homes in the northern area would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Frank

I don't know which realtor sites you've checked out but we use Southern Shores. If you've got a little more time to sink into this, go to their site (southernshores.com) and investigate the properties in Southern Shores, Duck and Corolla.

In those areas you probably won't find 1 and 2 bedroom condos (just not built) but you will find smaller (and that means 3-4 bedrooms) but very nice homes. Two bedroom homes are probably very old and not what you want with a toddler. You're more likely to find something of this size in Southern Shores and Duck as they are slightly older communities than Corolla where mega-palaces and McMansions reign supreme. For what it's worth there is something of a backlash against the monster sized homes.

I've stayed in the condo complex called Peilcan's Watch. About half of them are oceanfront and the two we've rented were very nicely appointed and maintained. 3 bedrooms with the master bedroom on the top floor oceanside. You can literally be eyeball to eyeball with the pelicans that cruise up and down the coastline.

Good luck on your search. You've picked a nice week to visit...the kids will all be back in school!

obxgirl: I did a search on Southern Shores site and did not see a Pelican Watch listed. There are a number of "Pelicans" listed however.
Any help on where I can find Pelican Watch? I would like to take a look at it.
Thanks

you can find this on google.com. Do a search for Southern Shores Pelican watch and Carolina Shores realty will come up with all the info on this property.

Duck and Corolla are really nice as Obxgirl says - the biggest problem (outside of there being huge Mcmansion is the major traffic jam when everyone up in Duck/Corolla decides to come into town for dinner. There's only one road leading from their area.

Southern Shores is very nice - you'd probably like it and actually most all of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills etc is nice and very laid back.

Sorry for the confusion FVP. Pelican's Watch is the name of the little devlopment of condo. Try to search for Proud Pelican or Pelican's Delight (I think).

If you do choose Pelican's Watch, definitely get one of the oceanfront places. There is also a little community pool which might come in handy for a two year old. Lots of the other homes are putting in swimming pools as well.

Good luck!

My family and I stayed for a week in the OBX last July. We found a very nice place called The Lighthouse View in Buxton. It would be very nice w/a toddler because it was more like an apartment than a hotel room. Ours was a 2 bedroom. One had a set of bunks (narrow room next to the other bedroom) and ours had a queen. Nice place!

Our family has been vacationing in the Outer Banks every summer for the last 10 years. Most of the time the surf near the shore is calm enough for a 2 year old. Recently rented the house "Beach Dreams" in Whalehead. It was gorgeous! Across the street from the beach w/a pool and hot tub. I just did a search and it is available for the week you want. I prefer the northern Outer Banks. Much quieter and laid back then the Nags Head area which is more touristy. Homes in the Corolla/Whalehead area are nicer and newer.