Hi all. We are considering a short vacation down to the Outer Banks next Aug. Does anyone know of any place that does partial rentals (for less than a week, maybe 4 or 5 nights?)

We go up to Cape Cod and always avoid Saturdays, and thereby signficant traffic as well. I'm thinking our same time frame - arriving on a Sunday (late) and leaving early Friday would work for us in the Outer Banks as well as a strategy to avoid some of the worse traffic.

Any thoughts?

How does the Outer Banks compare to Cape Cod? Cape Cod seems to have more places to explore, but I've never been to the Outer Banks, so I don't know.

August is prime rental season, karens. You may be able to get a place at the last minute, as owners generally prefer to rent in week increments. Remember also that most places turn on Saturdays or Sundays (a few Fridays), so you don't want to overlap into two weeks if possible. You plan of arriving late on Sunday is a good one, but I don't think you can book desirable properties for less than a week in August. Good luck!

You could stay at a hotel/motel instead of a house.

Check prices - we have done this with houses on Cape Cod to avoid traffic and found even though we stayed 5 nights instead of 7, it was less expensive and more what we wanted than a hotel.

You might want to try the villas at the Currituck Club (Village Realty) however as everyone else has said, August is prime season so good luck in getting a partial then. If you could hold off until Sept or later, you'll have better luck. There is a fairly new Hampton Inn on the beach in Corolla and a brand new Hilton in Southern Shores.

Thanks, all. I found the Insiders Guide to the Outer Banks at the library and it is saying just what you are: don't expect a partial rental for July or Aug.

However, my husband just spoke to someone who came back from Pine Island (not sure where that exactly is) and he said rental prices drop the last 2 weeks of Aug. If this is true, maybe b/c some schools start before Labor Day?

karen, this year rental prices dropped pretty significantly for the week of 8/19. I also think your best bet might be the villas at the Currituck Club. There are rental houses that rent Friday - Friday so you do miss most of the weekend traffic. There is a beautiful inn on the sound in Corolla Light where you might get less than a week as well.

Just a quick comment. Pine Island is a rather pricey area. The cost of a partial rental there would equal a full week of a similar house in another area.

You can stay in a number of hotels and bed & breakfasts throughout the area. But, a lot of people who rent homes enjoy using their own private swimming pool and hot tub, which is pretty much standard for the cottage rentals.

Also, Saturday check-in traffic is a nightmare in the Outer Banks. Most people will pool resources and gather friends and family to rent a 5, 7, or 8 bedroom home. And, a lot of people will go down to the beach near the house in the morning of check-in, and designate one poor soul to get the key and endure the traffic.

Rates do drop on the third week of August. The air and water temperature usually remain warm through mid-September. Also, there is less traffic in September, and a number of houses offer heated swimming pools.

As for things to do in the Outer Banks, there is a lot of history, sightseeing and activities to do down there.

Do you like maritime history, quaint towns, golf, scuba diving, canoeing, lighthouses, American history? There is a lot to see and do in the Outer Banks, so I do not think that you will be disappointed.

I would look at vrbo.com

Great rentals!

Thanks for this info, b/c the last two weeks are possibility for us, b/c my kids start school after Labor Day.

FF - my kids like to skimboard, climb dunes (looking forward to Jockey Ridge) and mini golf. I like exploring the small towns of Cape Cod -which ones would you recommend in the Outer Banks?

karen, I think that the closest thing to the towns of Cape Cod is Duck, and a lot further south, the village of Hatteras (I haven't been there though.)

We've rented up and down the northern shore of the Outer Banks and our favorite place is Corolla Light. Our kids have a blast there. You don't say how old your children are, but starting around 12 I was able to give my girls a fair amount of autonomy. This summer they each brought a friend, and the two yonger girls spent hours at the indoor sports center playing wally ball, raquest ball and swimming. They either biked, scootered or took the community trolley to the beachside swimming pool and then on to the beach. We rented right on the sound so we went crabbing off the dock in the back, as well as up at the lighthouse. We did a kayak tour one morning, and rented jet skis one afternoon. The place to rent both is on a dock right behind the Corolla Light Inn. We also visited the new museum to get an overview of the history of the area, and climbed the lighthouse. All activities are no more than 5 minutes away. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I always like walking around Manteo. The historic town of Corolla is also nice and well-preserved.