NC Excursion: Plan your adventure to OBX
Our family’s visit to Kitty Hawk was inspired by our 9-year-old son who became obsessed with the Wright Brothers after studying them for a second-grade school project. Once I got everyone (well, my husband) on board by finding an Airbnb house that was reasonably priced, we did little to plan ahead. After the last day of school, we loaded the car with beach paraphernalia and bikes and hit the road. Five hours later, we drove over the bridge to the Outer Banks (OBX), the barrier islands of northern North Carolina.
Our week in OBX was full of unplanned adventures and relaxing beach days. Here’s what I learned, and more importantly, why I’ll go back:
Stay
OBX encompass many small towns – Manteo, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Corolla, Southern Shores and Duck. These areas are more populated with easy access to beach houses, restaurants and shops.
As you travel south toward Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, it is more desolate with fewer options for dining and activities. What you’re looking for will determine where you stay. Peak season is June, July and August.
The limited Airbnb options book quickly and range from $126 per night for an entire house to almost $600 per night for four people.
Rental homes are available through Resort Realty, Southern Shores Realty and other local companies. Homes can feature hot tubs, pools, cabana bars, theaters, rec rooms and elevators. An oceanfront traditional three-bedroom cottage that sleeps six is $385-$450 per night. An oceanfront home that sleeps 16 people runs $2,100 per night (or $131 per night, per person).
Hotel and motel rooms are limited in OBX. Chains like Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn, Travelodge and locally owned motels and inns, are available. Room costs range from $150-$350.
Rental prices drop in late August/early September, as well as traffic and restaurant waits. Soundfront homes can be priced lower and offer beautiful views of the sunset.
Play
Mix up beach time with OBX activities like visiting the NC Aquarium in Manteo or the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Bring your bike or rent one to get around the streets and trails. Take the early morning kayak tour in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, climb the 257 stairs to the top of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and stop by the town of Duck for a donut from the original Duck Donuts. Walk off your donut(s) on Duck’s 1.5-mile boardwalk.
Looking for more? Take a dolphin boat tour, walk a nature trail, fly a kite and go hang gliding at the sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park or see the play, The Lost Colony.
Eat
There are many local options for dining and quick bites. These recommendations come from a local: Red Drum Grille and Taphouse, Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar and Grill, Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar, Blue Moon Beach Grill and Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant.
During the height of the season, expect an hour to an hour and a half for seating. Find a more casual atmosphere at Capt’n Franks Hot Dogs, Hurricane Mo’s Beachside Bar and Grill and Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar.
Pro Tips
– Make kayak and boating tour reservations for earlier in the week to save $5-$10.
– Plan ahead for tours. Thursday through Saturday tours sell out quickly.
– Duck, Corolla and Southern Shores don’t offer public beach access unless you are an owner, renter or guest.
– Get a group together to share the cost of an oceanfront house with all the amenities.
– Sound like a local. Corolla is “kuh-RAH-luh”, Manteo is “MAN-tee-oh” and Bodie Lighthouse is pronounced like “body.”
– Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center renovation won’t be completed for another 18 months. Still worth the visit now, but be sure to take Park Ranger Dan Shook’s 30-minute tour about the history of the Wright Brothers and their first flight on December 17, 1903.
Photos: Vanessa Infanzon
This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 12:00 AM with the headline "NC Excursion: Plan your adventure to OBX."