Outer Banks in May
 

I'm a New Englander looking for a reasonably priced alternative to Diz or Bermuda and am considering the Outer Banks for 4 nights, early May. (My family's favorite beaches are the national seashore on Cape Cod and any on Martha's Vineyard - any comparisons?) Any suggestions on where to stay & what to do w/ 2 boys, ages 9 and 4 1/2? Also, how do you get to the OB by plane from Boston or Providence? Thanks!

With young children you might want to stay in Nags Head. More touristy type things to do. If you look at a map of NC, where Highway 64 crosses over the sound onto the islands is the most development. The more north or south you go, the less developed. <BR> <BR>No matter where you stay, you must go up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse! I also recommend the ferry to Ocracoke as a side trip, and visit the Pea Island Refugee. <BR> <BR>I've never flown to the Outer Banks (one of the joys of being from NC), but my guess is to fly into Norfolk, Va. If you can get a dirt cheap flight into Raleigh-Durham it's about 5 hours of driving from there. <BR> <BR>Midway Airlines announced service from RDU to Providence with a start out rate of $128 roundtrip. I only know that price because I was thinking about visiting New England.

We go to the Outer Banks every summer and it's a great family place. I wouldn't want to stay in Nags Head, to me it's pretty tacky. We always stay in Duck, which is north of Nags Head. It's a quick drive to Nags Head if you want to do the touristy things but Duck is quieter with a choice of houses or condos to rent. There are not hotels in Duck. There is a development called Schooner Ridge which has an oceanfront pool as well as an indoor rec center with indoor pool. There are also outdoor tennis courts. We use a realtor call Twiddy for our rentals but there are many in the area. Norfolk is about 2 hours away and is the closest airport I believe.

To each his own, but I've never been able to understand how Nags Head can be called tacky. Sure it's more developed than Duck, but I think the kids will like the added ammenities. I guess folks on the opposite extreme might consider Duck "stuffy". <BR> <BR>Dayona Beach tacky? Sure. Downtown Myrtle Beach tacky? To most. Nags Head tacky? Only to those most sensitive to commercialism. <BR> <BR>Oh, and Norfolk is your only real airport option. It's about an hour drive.

We stayed in Duck for the first time in almost a dozen years this past summer. To say we were disappointed is a gross understatement. The house was FANTASTIC, but the beach was less than desirable. Personally, our whole groups prefers Corolla or Whalehead. But that's just my opinion. Obviously there are tons of people who prefer Duck. <BR> <BR>Specifically why did I not like Duck? The beach was very narrow with lots more people. Normally we like to put up a volleyball net the first morning and take it down the last afternoon. We could not have done this on the beach at Duck without taking up too much of the beach, leaving very little room for other beach goers or the beach patrol. <BR> <BR>Don't forget the lighthouse at Corolla or the wild horses in the same area as the lighthouse. (But it's illegal to feed or pet the horses.) <BR> <BR>As far as rides, games, miniature golf, etc., you'll find those in Nag's Head. While there, don't forget to check out the Wright Brother's museum. Go further south to Roanoke Island and Manteo. They have a replica 16th century sailing vessel, museum, camp, etc. Don't know if it will have started yet for the summer, but check into the play, "The Lost Colony." During the summer, the park also has a relationship with one of the North Carolina Universities, making promotional videos (my girls are in one), performing concerts, plays, etc. <BR> <BR>I took my girls there this past summer, 10 & 6 at the time. They all thought ahead of time: "Start off vacation with a boring museum trip?!?!!!!" (Especially my husband!) We left with them all telling me how much fun they had and what a wonderful idea it was! Have fun! The Outer Banks are wonderful!