Outer Banks,NC
 

We are planning our first trip to the OBX. Would appreciate any suggestions! We're both in our 50's, enjoy sight-seeing, the beach, shopping & good eatting! Planning to go mid-October, after attending a Nascar race in the Charlotte area. We would probably stay in a motel/hotel rather than a cabin/cottage type place, but have no area preference at this time. Really need suggestions from people who have experienced the OBX vacation scene! All help is wanted. Thanks!!!

Zinnia, because this is your first post on this forum try to do search by typing outer banks in the search box at the top. There are many recommendations. Good luck and welcome

The Outer Banks is a <u>l-o-n-g</u> drive from Charlotte, easily 8 hours to Manteo. Easier to get to from Charlotte are the beaches near Wilmington or even Charleston, SC.

earlxx, Thanks, but I read all the posted letters available before asking for help &amp; was looking for info concerning when we're going &amp; what we like to do.

ncgrrl, Thanks for your info, but,we are from western PA, so will be travelling north on our way home (stopping off in Phillie to visit our son), so plan to head for beaches that direction!

Glad to know you're familiar with the distance. Since you are heading north from the Outer Banks, I would suggest something from Nags Head area north. Within a couple miles of the bridge over are several hotels in the Comfort Inn, Radison variety. I haven't stayed in them (I go with a rental house).

You should try include stops at the Wright Brothers memorial (about $3 per person). It's wonderful for an afternoon of history and you can walk along the flight paths.

Over in Manteo is an aquarium and Elizabethian gardens. Not sure of the admission prices. If you have some time drive down to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse (about an hour from Nags Head). I'm not sure if the lighthouse will still be open to climb when your there, but it is nice to look at &quot;The Graveyard of the Atlantic&quot; can also take the ferry over to Ocracoke and wander around.

Pick up one of the free guides for a valuecard to find gift stores and botiques. I'm not much of a shopper. Oh, there is a small outlet mall there.

For the NASCAR race, even though the roads have improved, you will still have a long wait getting out of the speedway's parking lots. The Speedway Blvd exit (I think #49) off of I-85 also has Concord Mills mall and other stores, restaurants, hotels in the area. The track isn't in Charlotte, but in Concord, NC

If you want to stay in the Nags Head area that's fine..lots of shopping but be aware that a lot of the &quot;shopping&quot; consists of the usual cheapo beachwear, etc., but there are malls after a fashion.

From Charlotte you might be better off taking the ferry over to Ocracoke from Cedar Island and then from Ocracoke to Hatteras. Limited shopping in Hatteras..the beaches are MUCH LESS crowded; close to sites such as the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. But the restaurant offerings are more limited in Hatteras and Avon than they are in Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, etc. And there are more motels in the latter than in the former.

Once you get adventurous you might consider the quieter and less crowded sections of the OBX but for a first trip I suppose the Nags Head area might be best. I personally don;t think it is the OBX at its best but that's obviously a personal opinion.