Gretchen,

good point about Calabash being in proximity to Sunset. The Calabash restaurants are not my cup of tea (except for Cafe Latte), but you're right: there are plenty of them.

Let the ones in the family who want to "try someplace new" do just that and then they can report back.

To say that HH is a resort and the OBX is a beach is kinda simplistic IMO since there is certainly a totally different ambience between the two as people who have actually been to both can easily tell you.

Of course, there are those of us here who don't even consider anything north of Whalebone Junction to be part of the "real" OBX but you know how that goes.

Frankly, I'd stay righj where I am if I were you.

If you are interested in renting a nice Vacation Home with all the amenities, i would suggest you to visit http://www.springvacationrentals.com

you will find vacation homes for every ones needs from 1 - 8 Bedrooms.

This is of my best choice.

Why does have to be a competition? They're both great places with a lot to offer, some similarities but a bunch of differences. I can't imagine the OP's daughter/friends wouldn't have a great time in either place.

>>To say that HH is a resort and the OBX is a beach is kinda simplistic IMO since there is certainly a totally different ambience between the two as people who have actually been to both can easily tell you.<<

I've *actually* been to both places and stand by that statement. It wasn't meant to be an in depth analysis but I think it does characterize an essential difference between HH and OBX. I like both. I have greater attachments to one of them, obviously.

>>Of course, there are those of us here who don't even consider anything north of Whalebone Junction to be part of the "real" OBX but you know how that goes.<<

You're a newbie. The "real" OBX is long gone.

obx, I agree with your generalization about the Outer Banks and Hilton Head.

The last time I was in the Outer Banks was the winter of 1983. I'm sure I'd be shocked.

OBXGirl..do get over yourself...I can appreciate your "attachment" as I have one too..but in my case I was BORN on the Outer Banks so please, hike up your little bathing suit and do the name-calling elsewhere, OK?

And that was back in the 1940's so please don't presume to tell me I am a "newbie."

Whatevah intrepid. I'm not going to trade credentials with you. We're on the same team OBXwise. Let it go at that.

I think the Outer Banks now is just as "real" as it ever was. It is just different now. But it is still the Outer Banks and is just so different than the other Atlantic beach areas. And much of the history is very alive and remains intact through historical preservation projects.

On that subject, obxgirl and others who are interested and love the OBX-- if you get to Bodie Light House this summer, pick up the two DVD set on the OUterBanks in WW II. It is amazing, very well done historically, and it has great segments on the Midgett family of the OBX and their memories of the old days. And a great segment on Mr. Midgett and his first foray into business there as a bus driver, driving a bus for the first time that there ever was one in Nags Head area-- when he was like 10 yrs old! I think you'll really like it.

There is also a good book out now that is a walking and biking tour of some of the old historical areas w/good maps. I esp. like the sections on the old oceanfront cottages and other bldgs that still exist in Nags Head and the families who owned them (and in some cases still own them), and the chapters on Ocracoke and Hatteras.

P.S. On the original question, my teens love the Outer Banks. They love everything about it. I can't imagine not being able to use boogie boards anywhere I wanted to use them, or having parts of the beach designated as swimming areas. I gather that Hilton Head is more refined and manicured. My kids would rather be comfortable at the beach, but that is just them and us. And my daughter likes to shop at the Outlets in Nags Head one day each year, climb JOckeys Ridge, bike the paths, see the lighthouses, and hike at Nags Head Woods (which we just discovered last year). Even when we stay in Corolla, we drive down to do those things.

If you go to Hilton Head, please post back on your experience, as I'd really be interested in it and how the young adults like it.

Thanks, emd, for the heads up on the DVDs. We'll be there next week. Sounds like the kind of thing my dh will love!

I have been to both and the water is very calm in HH. It was perfect for our kids who are a lot younger than yours. HH was a great vacation with good restaurants. Both of our trips to OBX and HH were low key. OBX has much rougher surf and is more just beachy. The area of the OBX that we were in was so far from civilization. This was about 10 years ago and I am sure that has changed. I would try both again. I would have to say very different vacations.

obxgirl, I will look at the DVD set and give you the exact name of it- check this post later today.

it is called "War Zone: WW II off North Carolina's Outer Banks"

emd, Thank you so much. That's got Father's Day written all over it.

I can't stand calm water, neither can my kids. The bigger and rougher the waves the better we like them....what fun is a calm surf?

nina,

I am sure you know this, but just to be sure, as we have had several drownings in MB already . . .

Rough surf often is accompanied by rip currents, the kind that pull you strongly away from shore. They are survivable if you go with flow and swin parallel to the beach instead of trying to fight it.

Just be aware & know what to do.

Thanks Chuck, I know all about rip currents, I grew up with a rough surf, was a lifeguard and the kids are strong swimmers, but I still know how dangerous they are.

I was actually caught in a bad rip current in Kauai and a few in our party panicked but were OK. Luckily I know what to do but it's very scary.

This thread was very interesting to me. My husband and I and our adult children (ages 23 and 21) are going to Corolla on September 9th for the first time ever. My brother had a dear friend drown after getting caught in a rip tide at the Outer Banks about 10 years ago, so I'm a little nervous about that. But we are going to relax and spend the week together just being slugs. We are bringing our dogs (I have one and our daughter has one) and we are just imagining a very restful, relaxing week. I plan to get that DVD you referenced (maybe the library here in Greenville SC will have it). Thanks for the tips!

Either you are an HH type of person or an OBX type of person. We've been going to the OBX every summer for the past 25 years and it's just part of my soul.We also go to the Caribbean every year and I still prefer the OBX. It's heaven.