Is Outer Banks worth it? Help convince my husband it’s better than any New England beach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OBX in the Summer = major traffic, avoid the weekends, it's awful.

Yeah, and shooting up 95 through Delaware, Jersey, NYC and Connecticut NEVER has major traffic Same with the Bourne Bridge.

[Anonymous]

Why do people keep insisting that OBX is built up? Parts of it are, but most of it is not. You have to be sure and bring anything special (your fav wine, a special cut of beef, ethnic food spices, etc...) with you because the shops are few and far between and don't have a big selection. As soon as we drive past Nags Head, that's when I relax I feel I've arrived at OBX. There is a great restaurant called Basnight's Lone Cedar in Manteo and it's the only place we "eat out" while there. We are more than content to surf, paddle board on the sound side, BBQ, and go out on a charter boat to do clamming and catch fish. Sometimes we'll ride bikes in a big loop but there really aren't many places to go. That's what we love about it.

[Anonymous]

This is a good description of the different areas at OBX. https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/islands-of-the-outer-banks-which-one-is-right-for-you/

As they explain, there's a big difference between KDH or Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge or Rodanthe. Much of the area south of Nags Head (Whale Bone Junction) is a National Seashore that is pristine, and Pea Island is a fabulous place to see gorgeous sunsets over the sound. There's even a place where you can drive in your car at dawn or dusk and see bears and ginormous alligators just walking around in their natural habitat, that's how remote it is.

Part of me wants to not spread the word and instead just let people keep thinking that it's all full of fudge shops and Mexican restaurants so that they'll stay away.

https://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't like the OBX either. Sounds like you need to go just a little further south. We go to Bald Head Island which is on the NC/SC border. Charming, not a ton of people, no cars (the houses all have golf carts and bikes), and sandy beaches for miles and miles. Stay in the Cape Fear Station end of the island near the Shoals Club and East Beach.

Shhhhh. Don’t share these better beaches with other people.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in MA so Cape vacations were what we did yearly. My father lives on the Cape full time.

I've lived in MD for almost 20 years and we did Outer Banks vacays a lot.

OBX we got a ton of food and drinks and basically stayed at the house all week. Do the 4x4 area or go to Hatteras or Ocracoke. You can also get a house with a pool which the Cape does not have many. Big waves and lots of open space.

Cape is crazy traffic as well and houses are expensive, it's nostalgic for me. I love the Bay Side Beaches, tidal pools and tides go out for a mile. Beaches can be crowded, if you want waves you have to go farther down the Cape. Also boogie boarding is dangerous due to sharks

[Anonymous]

Tell him Travel and Leisure has named Icean City, MD as a favorite:: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/ocean-city-maryland-summer-history

[Anonymous]

I don't know why you need to try to convince him it's so much better. They're both good beach vacation sites. But OBX is much cheaper than most NE beach rentals, and some of the rental houses/cottages have pools because they're newer construction.

[Anonymous]

I get sick of the Confederate flag flying crowd in the Outer Banks. Sure, lots of DC folks are down there, but I find that I don't prefer vacationing with a MAGA crew. The restaurants are also awful. Boring, fried and more fried. The water is warmer to be sure, and it is cheaper to get a big house with a pool a block from the ocean, but you go into it knowing what you're going for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH has absolutely no interest in Outer Banks and I have every curiosity about what people love about the beaches there.

We did all of Delaware beaches and he’s originally born and raised in Maryland. Grew up with Ocean City and didn’t love the Delaware coast. I think that’s why he enjoys the variety in NE.

What didn't he like about the Delaware beaches? This would be helpful to know so we can advise which obx beach would be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God I hate OBX. Spent every summer there for 25 years and would never go back. Never been to the New England beaches, but they have to be better.

Where do your go now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH has absolutely no interest in Outer Banks and I have every curiosity about what people love about the beaches there.

We did all of Delaware beaches and he’s originally born and raised in Maryland. Grew up with Ocean City and didn’t love the Delaware coast. I think that’s why he enjoys the variety in NE.

Sorry. Not better than a New England beach. Can’t compare. Primarily because there is not “there, there.” Miles and miles of the same strip malls with Walmarts, McDonald’s etc. New England has quaint towns and shops and is beautiful. Outerbanks is like more of the same cookie cutter beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has absolutely no interest in Outer Banks and I have every curiosity about what people love about the beaches there.

We did all of Delaware beaches and he’s originally born and raised in Maryland. Grew up with Ocean City and didn’t love the Delaware coast. I think that’s why he enjoys the variety in NE.

Sorry. Not better than a New England beach. Can’t compare. Primarily because there is not “there, there.” Miles and miles of the same strip malls with Walmarts, McDonald’s etc. New England has quaint towns and shops and is beautiful. Outerbanks is like more of the same cookie cutter beach.

PP. and a Delaware beach isn’t a NEngland beach I hope you know. They don’t start til Rhode Island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has absolutely no interest in Outer Banks and I have every curiosity about what people love about the beaches there.

We did all of Delaware beaches and he’s originally born and raised in Maryland. Grew up with Ocean City and didn’t love the Delaware coast. I think that’s why he enjoys the variety in NE.

Sorry. Not better than a New England beach. Can’t compare. Primarily because there is not “there, there.” Miles and miles of the same strip malls with Walmarts, McDonald’s etc. New England has quaint towns and shops and is beautiful. Outerbanks is like more of the same cookie cutter beach.

Sounds like you didn’t make it south of Nags Head. No strip malls and fast food on Hatteras.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has absolutely no interest in Outer Banks and I have every curiosity about what people love about the beaches there.

We did all of Delaware beaches and he’s originally born and raised in Maryland. Grew up with Ocean City and didn’t love the Delaware coast. I think that’s why he enjoys the variety in NE.

Sorry. Not better than a New England beach. Can’t compare. Primarily because there is not “there, there.” Miles and miles of the same strip malls with Walmarts, McDonald’s etc. New England has quaint towns and shops and is beautiful. Outerbanks is like more of the same cookie cutter beach.

Sounds like you didn’t make it south of Nags Head. No strip malls and fast food on Hatteras.

We are 12N sort of people but I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has absolutely no interest in Outer Banks and I have every curiosity about what people love about the beaches there.

We did all of Delaware beaches and he’s originally born and raised in Maryland. Grew up with Ocean City and didn’t love the Delaware coast. I think that’s why he enjoys the variety in NE.

Sorry. Not better than a New England beach. Can’t compare. Primarily because there is not “there, there.” Miles and miles of the same strip malls with Walmarts, McDonald’s etc. New England has quaint towns and shops and is beautiful. Outerbanks is like more of the same cookie cutter beach.

Sounds like you didn’t make it south of Nags Head. No strip malls and fast food on Hatteras.

+1 Avon is one of the more peaceful vacations that we've taken