Upcoming Outer Banks Vacation

[AmerigoJoe]

We (five, ranging in age from 11 to 40+) are vacationing in the Outer Banks (Rodanthe) the first week of August. This is our first trip to this part of the east coast and want it to be memorable and enjoyable. While a good bit of time is planned for the beach, are there any "must sees" or any suggestions for the kids (11, 16, 18) to break up the sand time? As always, turning to the BN family for suggestions.

[bravedave]

Hatteras Light, certainly, but also look at the Bodie Island Light. (You'll pass it on your way to Rodanthe)
Day trip to Ocracoke Island on the free ferry: pirate museum and Howard's Pub
The fishing pier is a good way to spend a not-too-sunny day when you don't want to sit on the beach.
There are fun activities on the sound-side: kayaking, jet-skis, kiteboards, or just fishing.

[carolinapiratechik]

In a few weeks, I'll be going to the OBX for my yearly beach vacation-I can't wait!

Try Manteo, which is only about 1/2 hour from Rodanthe. Walking around the waterfront and admiring the boats is fun. There's also Roanoke Festival Park which has many exhibits offering a look into early American history. The park has an Elizabeth II replica ship which you can board which is pretty cool. Manteo also has a nice aquarium where you can "pet" stingrays. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[surfpirate]

Sunrise. Get the whole family up an hour before sunrise and be out on the beach.
Take some coffee and some pictures.
See my signature photo below.
That's my old truck and an OBX sunrise from out on the beach.

I'll take an east coast OBX sunrise
over a Key West Mallory square sunset
every time.

[AmerigoJoe]

Thanks for the quick response and some great ideas. Please keep 'em coming and thanks, in advance for helping to plan for a great vacation.

[pirate676]

I'll second Hateras and Manteo are a must see. A lot of the activities/shops/grocery stores etc are in the Kill Devil Hills/Nag Heads areas so as your driving thru pay attention to whats around then you can go back later to do what you want. Jockey's Ridge has kites/hang-gliding/para-sailing and the Wright Bros musueum in KDH. There should be a little booklet at your rental that has all the activities/things to do etc.

[boardkicker1015]

go to ocracoke isalnd....drive to to tend of the banks and there is a ship wreck mesume across from the ferry (its free)...u need to drive your car casue once u get to the island its a 10 mile drive to town (one road)....u can go to howards pub and the black beard mesume...also SMacnallys is a cool place...all outside with a guy signing and this is also where the daily catch is brought in...please pm me with any questions

[AmerigoJoe]

Thanks everyone for some great ideas. I think we'll find a good balance between beach time, the lighthouses, Ocracoke Island, and Manteo. Oh, can't forget the sunrise - I'm hoping for one to compare with my Long Island Sound sunset avatar. Thanks again.

[bravedave]

go to ocracoke isalnd....drive to to tend of the banks and there is a ship wreck mesume across from the ferry (its free)...u need to drive your car casue once u get to the island its a 10 mile drive to town (one road)....u can go to howards pub and the black beard mesume...also SMacnallys is a cool place...all outside with a guy signing and this is also where the daily catch is brought in...please pm me with any questions

Good stuff there. (but I got a little headache trying to read it)

[AmerigoJoe]

go to ocracoke isalnd....drive to to tend of the banks and there is a ship wreck mesume across from the ferry (its free)...u need to drive your car casue once u get to the island its a 10 mile drive to town (one road)....u can go to howards pub and the black beard mesume...also SMacnallys is a cool place...all outside with a guy signing and this is also where the daily catch is brought in...please pm me with any questions

Good stuff there. (but I got a little headache trying to read it)

It's easier if you have a drink first. But it is all good stuff and we will be doing as much as possible.

[bravedave]

FYI - there has been a slight issue with smoke from a mainland wildfire reaching as far as some parts of the Dare County coast.
If smokey atmospheric conditions present a health hazard to you, speak to your rental agancy before you go.
There is also some beach replenishment work occurring in Nags Head, and some beachfront properties may be adversely affected by noise and obstructed views.

[AmerigoJoe]

FYI - there has been a slight issue with smoke from a mainland wildfire reaching as far as some parts of the Dare County coast.
If smokey atmospheric conditions present a health hazard to you, speak to your rental agancy before you go.
There is also some beach replenishment work occurring in Nags Head, and some beachfront properties may be adversely affected by noise and obstructed views.

Thanks for the info. Will follow up in advance.

[FinnsU.P.]

Not trying to totally hijack your thread, Joe, but we were hoping to take 2 weeks in the spring to do the Outer Banks, the Low Country and the shore in Georgia. Our third son will be graduating and he'd love to see the historical stuff while the rest of us would love to see the beach! We now need to split this trip with going back to AMI due to friends wanting to come from Norway to meet us there. Is it possible to do a trip like that in a week?

[AmerigoJoe]

Not trying to totally hijack your thread, Joe, but we were hoping to take 2 weeks in the spring to do the Outer Banks, the Low Country and the shore in Georgia. Our third son will be graduating and he'd love to see the historical stuff while the rest of us would love to see the beach! We now need to split this trip with going back to AMI due to friends wanting to come from Norway to meet us there. Is it possible to do a trip like that in a week?

Everybody's been great with ideas for my first trip to the Outer Banks, hopefully some seasoned travelers to that area can help. Good luck. Oh, I didn't consider it high-jacking - on this site it must be piracy.

[FinnsU.P.]

Just over a year ago we were looking for a quiet place to enjoy the beach on the Gulf Shore. I turned to this thread and a few people suggested Anna Maria Island, FL. They couldn't have gotten it more right for our family. We've been there three times in one year including our 25th anniversary/50th birthdays trip. We've raved about it so much our son's friends from Norway want to meet us there and our oldest and his girlfriend think they'll be married there! Here's to the great people on BN!

[ragtopW]

We (five, ranging in age from 11 to 40+) are vacationing in the Outer Banks (Rodanthe) the first week of August. This is our first trip to this part of the east coast and want it to be memorable and enjoyable. While a good bit of time is planned for the beach, are there any "must sees" or any suggestions for the kids (11, 16, 18) to break up the sand time? As always, turning to the BN family for suggestions.

PM Spain Jane