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by Corolla Classic Vacations

Carolina by the Sea
Oceanfront: Pine Island
Bedrooms: 9 Sleeps: 22

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Topic: General Information

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Main Topic Post: General Information

Posted By: Madtown Mama

Subject: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

This will be our first trip to OBX! We plan on going next May/June with our 4 year old daughter. What island do you recommend? We know we want an ocean front condo, and we want to plan a day of bike riding. We can't wait to see some light houses and of course looking for a few other places to visit!

Thanks!

Message Replies:

57778: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 11:20:53 AM

Posted By: Guest

Why does it have to be an island you go to. Corolla to South Nags Head is very nice and it is not an island. Manteo is on an island, Hatteras and Ocracoke are on an Island.

I would go to Kitty Hawk to Nags Head because you are central to everything and they have lifeguards on the beach and public parking if you have to drive over.

57779: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 11:30:33 AM

Posted By: Guest

Sorry I basically just meant where to stay in general on OBX.

57780: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 11:45:19 AM

Posted By: Guest

It depends on what price range you are looking for. Duck and Corolla are very convenient for bike riding, but it's a little bit of a drive to the lighthouses (except for Currituck Beach Lighthouse). However, these places are more expensive (especially for oceanfront). Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, and Nags Head are family friendly and more affordable, but not much space to ride bikes. The southern beaches like Avon, Buxton, Rodanthe are way more secluded if you're into that. Also, be aware that the water is mostly too cold to swim in May and early June.

57785: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 3:34:06 PM

Posted By: The Captain

The info given in the prior posts is very good info. One thing I picked up on is you stated want an Oceanfront Condo. Well, the Outer Banks does not have any "High Rise " condos as many other resort areas. Most of our Oceanfront accomodations are either house (Cottage) rentals or various smaller size Hotels/Motels. Probably over 90% of our rentals, Condos and Homes are through the many Realtors/Rental Agencies. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau web site lists them on their web site outerbanks.org. You will have to determine the price and amenities you want. Your best bet will be in the Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head areas. I might also suggest Sea Dunes in Kitty Hawk, but is across from the Ocean with nothing in front of it. These units might be some of your best values but you will have to resarch quite a few Realtors/Rental Agencies to find the units for rent. As far as visiting Lighthouses you will need to drive to them. Especially with a 4 year old you will not bike to Bodie Island or Hatteras, no bike paths. If you stay in the Corolla area you can bike around the area and to the Lighthouse. If you take your bikes to Ocracoke Island you can bike there and visit Ocracoke Light. If your looking for just biking there are some bike routes mapped out through the Outer Banks and the visitor's bureau can get these for you. You can bike from Nags Head up to Duck on bike paths or quiet streets. As far as other places to visit there are many, but keep in mind that you want to keep the 4 year old interested. Try the Aquarium, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Jockeys Ridge. You should see the Wright Brothers Memorial, but boring for a 4 year old. Just trying to help out.

57786: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 3:37:24 PM

Posted By: Guest

Pick up a Sunny Day Guide. Or, get online and have one mailed to you now. (google Sunny Day Guide Outer Banks) Its full of info about things to do and see, places to eat and shop. It will give you a general idea of what you may like to do.

57791: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 5:01:39 PM

Posted By: Guest

You might like this site just for New comers to the Outer Banks
http://fishoinc.tripod.com/

57794: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 5:58:57 PM

Posted By: Guest

are you bringing your own bikes? If you are thinking about leisurely bike riding on a daily basis, I would suggest Corolla/Curritck area. If you just want a day of biking, take the Ferry to Ocracoke and rent bikes there and you can pretty much ride around the majority of the island all day, go to the beach etc... your 4yr old will love the Ferry ride. Also a trip to Jockey's Ridge is a must(think giant sandbox) fun for kids and grown ups. Check out the NPS web site and the Currituck nature center web sites for free activities

57801: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/6/2009 11:10:23 PM

Posted By: Guest

Thanks all for the wonderful information! So it looks like we might want to push our vacation time back a little so we don't have to deal with the water being too cold for swimming! (this is already overwhelming me lol)
We're flying from the midwest so we won't be able to bring our own bikes so we just planned on renting them along with a trailer for our daughter. (we ride all the time here so she's use to long bike rides in there).

Some great suggestions of things to see!

57806: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/7/2009 5:51:43 AM

Posted By: Guest

Bike Rentals are available all over the Outer Banks. No problem where you stay. If you ride a lot you won't be concerned about the lack of Bike Paths in certain areas. As far as water Temps, there are no guarantys, but I would try mid June through September. In my 35 years here I can hinestly say that you can Ocean swim in late May but you will have mostly 60 to 65 degree water, pretty "Nippy". Unfortunately, Mid June to the last week in August is our prime season (except September) and the lodging is the highest. Don't worry about Hurricanes, you'll drivr yourself crazy, pick your best time and just come!

57811: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/7/2009 8:19:36 AM

Posted By: Guest

Here is the newest oceanfront condo. New in 2009. Indoor pool and all. Check the rates for May and June. http://www.croatanobx.com/VacationRentals/KillDevilHills/Details/BeachBreakCroatanSurfClubTownhome3A/
Unless we have a fluke spring, the ocean will be too cold for swimming at least until mid-June. From KDH you can take a day trip north to Duck and Corolla to see Currituck Beach Lighthouse one day, and a day trip south to see Bodie Island Lighthouse, Hatteras Lighthouse and Ocracoke Lighthouse via the free 45 minute ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. I'd suggest you confine your bike riding to Ocracoke if you are staying in KDH. Or you could rent a bike for a couple of hours in Duck and ride the bike trail.

57831: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/7/2009 9:50:33 PM

Posted By: Guest

BTW, the entire outer banks is an island! So, no matter which city you decide to stay, you will be on an island.

57834: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/7/2009 11:45:28 PM

Posted By: guest

The entire Wright Bros. area is overrated. Just look up a picture of it and save your time and money. There is very little of interest to see there.

57835: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/8/2009 12:41:27 AM

Posted By: Guest

North of Nags Head is not a island it's a peninsula.

57842: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/8/2009 6:01:13 AM

Posted By: The Captain

I think we have been through the detailed geographical definition of the Outer Banks already in a post below on Water Depth! Very interesting historical info when you get into the location of all the closed Inlets. However, from Corolla to Oregon Inlet is not an Island but a peninsula extending from the Virginia border. Hatteras Island which includes Rodanthe, Salvo Waves, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras is an Island. Then you have Ocracoke Island. The Wright Brothers Memorial is a major historical site. Just look up in the sky at the planes flying and then stand on the very ground where it all started. That's good enough for me. Yes the grounds are a bit sparse with a small museum and Park Ranger talks (very good), markers marking the first flights, a replica of their camp and the Monument. Is it an all day visit, definitely not, maybe 2 Hours. Is it suitable for young children (5 and under), probably not. Even children a little older will be bored unless they are into history. If you have to be entertained then you won't like it. I can also say the same for Fort Raleigh. Now the Roanoke Island Festival Park is another story. Have a great time on the Outer Banks.

57852: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/8/2009 1:30:09 PM

Posted By: Guest

831, many years ago it was an island or islands. Now, from the VA/NC border to Oregon Inlet, the land mass is a peninsula, and called Currituck spit. Historically there were 16 inlets between the border and Oregon inlet, and we'll probably have some again when the big one finally visits.

57854: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/8/2009 3:12:20 PM

Posted By: Guest

This "island not an island" is becoming tedious. If you are on a spit, pennisula. island, whatever..point is, youre not landlocked, beautiful water on both sides. To most people thats an island, and makes no difference what its called.

57878: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/9/2009 9:44:52 AM

Posted By: Guest

If you are planning on pushing your trip up, be aware that you are getting into "in season" and prices are going to be WAY higher. Late May/early June are still "off season".

57884: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/9/2009 12:11:21 PM

Posted By: buckeyebx

Why not try Avon. There are some oceanfront/semi oceanfront condos right next to the pier/dirty dicks crab house. Also, pretty close to the Lighthouse. A nice day trip to Ocracoke would be fun for your daughter (free ferry ride to the island). I have seen the condos on hatteras realty. Good luck and enjoy!

57914: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/10/2009 7:47:03 AM

Posted By: Guest

With a four year old you are in a good position to come down before the summer season and pay a bit less (no school to miss). She is not going to 'swim' in the ocean at her age and would most likely be happy hanging out at the sound side for a little each day in addition to the ocean and getting her feet wet. As far as where to stay, read up on older posts related to this topic. Each area has it's charms and character. Depending upon your family and your style of vacation, you may enough one end of the Banks over the other. We are Hatteras Island people and love Ocracoke. Our kids have grown up with this and never ask for a boardwalk or go-carts. You can always sample the entire place and spend half the time up north and the other half south. That way you can see what you prefer.

57938: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/10/2009 12:53:07 PM

Posted By: Guest

We visited OBX for the first time this past August and stayed for week at the Croatan Surf Club. We have a 2 1/2 yr old and a 5 yr old and it made all the difference staying there! There is a splash area as a part of their kiddie pool and we spent hours there every day! There is an indoor pool too as well as a little room with a couple of arcade games that came in handy when the sun got to be too much. It is in Kill Devil Hills which is central to everything but as mentioned before not very good for biking thru town. You will have to drive to most things - not like Disney Hilton Head Resort where you can walk to shops, dinner or icecream. Good luck and enjoy!

57954: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/10/2009 7:45:46 PM

Posted By: Guest

Join the herd at your own risk, 854. I'll stick with the enlightened.

58000: RE: New to OBX, tell us where to go!

11/11/2009 2:04:26 PM

Posted By: Guest

854, I get what you're saying. Some of us just don't care about the geographically correct terminology. We love the OBX and all it's beauty, whether it's an island, peninsula, barrier island, etc.

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