[sfalone]

Hi, Can anyone give me some insight on the Outer Banks? What area is good to stay that is family friendly, offers some activities, but also very relaxing?

Thanks.

[GDSinPA]

You really can't go wrong.

We like South Nags Head and Southern Shores. There are some areas where the rental homes are more closely packed together, making it harder to feel isolated and making the beaches more crowded.

What you describe is exactly what I love about the OBX. You can hang out on the beach and relax. Do some birdwatching in the nature areas, go for a chartered fishing trip or dolphin watch, play mini-golf, climb a lighthouse, go to the aquarium.

Have fun!
blessings,
-Greg

[loveajax]

I agree...you can't go wrong unless you are like DH and me when we had to get evacuated due to a massive hurricane...hahaha.

We stayed in Nags Head which was fun...beach was beautiful. A lot of my friends have recommended Duck (we didn't get there before the storm).

Enjoy!

PS: Where are you coming from? We had a really long drive and there's no "easy" way to fly there. Just fyi!

[Mardan]

If you like horses Corolla is the place to go as well but like the other posters have said there really is no bad place. We really enjoyed Duck but also enjoyed Hatteras, Roanoke and Kitty Hawk.

Julie

[shellydm]

We just returned from the OBX on Sunday. Miss it already. We stayed in Hatteras Village. Loved it. We drove all the way up the OBX to the opposite end to site see and was also impressed with Nags Head, Corolla (Wild Horses), Duck, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk and actually all the little places in between. As you can tell, loved it all. Love OBX.

It depends what you like. More secluded is definately Hatteras Village at the very south end of HWY 12. The further North towards Nags Head it seemed there was a bit more stores, mini golf courses etc. Its all lovely. It depends what you like and the ages of your children as to which would suit your family best. For example in Hatteras Village the movie theatre was closed for the season. Further up towards Nags Head they had a movie theatre. Not that we wanted to see a movie when we were at the beach, but for older kids on a rainy day they may enjoy a movie on their vacation.

I agree with the other posters about you can't go wrong with the OBX. Any place is lovely.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info on Hatteras (where we stayed last week). It was gorgeous and I thought pretty affordable, or any questions you may have and I will try to help.

Happy Vacation.
Shelly

[amyfk]

I was wondering what OBX meant. I see it on many cars up here.
Amy K, NJ

[ana-mom]

We have stayed in both Duck and Corolla - prefer Corolla. We like the beaches better there and it is a little farther from the shopping district.

[kandesmurphy]

We stayed at the Four Seasons in Duck. It was a quiet town but very close to everything else - Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Corolla. If you go, make sure you see the Jockey Ridge State Park and the Sand dunes - amazing!

[shelbydog]

We go to Corolla every year. We stay right before the beaches turn 4x4 and we rent a house on the beach the week before school starts (rates drop). If you want a really family friendly place, look at Corolla Village. Lots of rental homes and rental townhomes but you get the benefit of being part of "the village" - they have 2 pools - one is heated (some of the homes also have their own pool). You are steps from the beach. They have wonderful family amenities and activities for kids DAILY in the summer, a great playground - its a great area to ride bikes too...and you can walk to the little shopping village - food, restaurants, shops, another playgrdound. They have basketball courts, shuffleboard, indoor air hockey, snack bar. We were a bit jealous when we met up with friends who were staying there. They have an only child and it's ideal so he can meet up with other little friends at the pool etc. I do love the seclusion of staying on the beach in our own home, but you can do that too in Corolla Village.

Outer Banks Rentals & Oceanfront Vacation Rentals Homes in NC is who we rent from, and you can look for homes/townhomes in Corolla Village. Our friends rented their 3 BR townhouse for $850 for the WEEK! Great deal.