Due to many events this year, we did not plan for a summer vacation. However, now I see a small opening for Labor Day weekend. Having never been to the outer banks, I thought it might be nice to do for a long weekend. I was particularly impressed by the wild horses in Carova, my daughter loves horses and would get a thrill to see these wild ones. However, at this point I know it might be difficult to rent a house for that weekend. Any suggestions where we can experience the oute

Do you mean Corolla? There are pony pens over on Ocracoke--you'd have to take the ferry which would be fun, but I imagine very busy over Labor Day weekend.

They have wild horse "tours" in Carova; I don't know how likely you are to see them though. Several years ago we drove on the beach and we saw a few, they seemed quite tame, I'm sure they are used to seeing lots of people. Be very careful if you choose to drive on the beach. We had a 4 wheel drive van and were warned about getting stuck. Although we drove on the sand twice before, the third time we did get stuck. The locals won't help you and trust me the towing was expensive.

Lots of info here:

http://corollawildhorses.com/

Enjoy!

It is very VERY doubtful that you'll be able to rent a house just for the weekend since most of them rent for at least a week and even though kids are back in school in NC by Labor Day the real shoulder season wouldn't be until later.


You can get a list of the various agencies at places like www.obxconnection.com.

Actually, there are a lot of us who prefer to go to the beach after Labor Day as the weather usually remains good into October and the water is warm enough for swimming into the end of September.

Last year (as this year) we rented for a week over thnksgiving and were running around in shorts every day.

You might try the Sanderling in Duck (an inn) -- probably already booked, but maybe not. It's a bit of a drive up to Corolla (and note that locals pronounce it "Crawla"), but at least you'd have a room for the two-three nights.

Thank you for the information. I will take a look at the Sanderling. I figure if we really like it, we may rent a house for next summer. Thank you for the tips about the 4WD. I looked at some houses in that area and while they looked more affordable and fabulous, I wondered about the 4WD issue.

It's funny that people refer to Corolla as having "locals." It wasn't that long ago that all that was there was a post office and a Wee Winks. LOL.

Since they essentially fenced the horse in they really aren't as wild as they used to be when they roamed the entire Outer Banks. I wouldn't personally plan a trip around them.

There is a new hotel near Sanderling Inn too. Also a nice Hilton Garden on the beach in Kitty Hawk. Traffic will be fierce that weekend...

^ I meant plural "horses"...

If you want to do it cost effectively. Camp in the NPS campground in Ocracoke. If you like to camp it is the most cost effective way to see Ocracoke and the wild horses there.

It seems there is also a Hilton in Corolla. That might work.

The Hilton is actually a Hampton Inn, just a little north of the Sanderling.

(By "locals" I meant east Carolinians, not just residents of the town. And there are a few year-rounders, at least in So. Shores and Duck.)