Forum Index
»
Travel Discussion
Tell me about the Outer Banks
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Hi we have just been invited to spend a week in Corolla in a lovely house. If you are familiar with the area can you tell me about it? We are from around here and know nothing about the Outer Banks. Any information about beaches, activities, restaurants is appreciated. We have 5 children so kid activities are welcome.
Thanks! |
Anonymous
| The currents and riptides are really strong. Whenever we are there with the kids I worry. |
Anonymous
| We have gone to the Outer Banks for the last five years. We rent a house with a pool, so we have the option of the beach or the house pool. In Corolla you will find a putt putt course, a Harris Teeter, and some little shops. There are not a ton of commercial activites, most of the people who rent go to spend time with extended family. If you drive a bit south of Corolla, you will find Kitty Hawk. It tends to be a bit more commercial in that area. You can visit the location of the first flight. I really like the Outer Banks. I do not worry about rip tides with my six year old as she is just splashing in the waves. I say GO! you will have a great time, and your kids will love the area. One word of advice...traffic on the weekends (when the rentals flip) can be HORRIBLE. Plan on arriving EARLY! |
Anonymous
|
It is great. It is not liek most beaches, like PP said not much commmerical stuff and why go out to eat when you can grill at home and enjoy the house and beach. If you do venture out, Blue Point in Duck is not bad, a bit much for me in terms of big plates avg food. North Banks in Timbuck II is probably the best. There is a great BBQ shack, yes a shack in Old Corolla, climb the Cololla light house and then go to the old school and paint a horse. Great littel shops in old corolla as well
Most of all go and relax, no need to bring fancy clothes etc, just go and relax. |
Anonymous
| just went in late may. Very quiet, but that was exactly what we were looking for. Loved the bbq shack in old corolla. Some days we just stayed around the house and played at the beach. We ventured out to kitty hawk to the wright brothers site. Several places to get fresh seafood to take home with you. |
Anonymous
|
We often get the take out from Steamers in Timbuck II. We get entrees and just make out own salad. Their clam chowder is awesome.
I love just hanging out on the beach and playing with the kids. Perfect vacation in my mind. |
Anonymous
| We went once, rented a big house with pool in Corolla. Pool is a good idea. Went because everyone here raves about it. We didn't like it much--highly overrated in our book. (However, we're not big beach people, and lean more towards France and Portugal for beach vacations). Beaches are mediocre, it's not particularly scenic. There's a great outdoor museum for kids and an aquarium about an hour south, past Kitty Hawk--can't recall the name, unfortunately. Go to spend time with family, kids, relax, not with great expectations for wonderful beaches, towns, etc. Then you won't be disappointed. Also, on the we drove down, it took 9 hrs to drive from McLean to Corolla. Traffic was UNREAL. |
Anonymous
| I've stayed in Corolla for 2 weeks. Nice beach. my only complaint is that you have to drive everywhere. All the things to see are south, so 30-60 minutes to get to some of the non-beach things to do. Oh the Corolla Light house is up there, but that is a couple of hours. And there is shopping up there. But Kitty Hawk is 30 minutes or more away. Love Manteo Island. Check out tripadvisor forums. Better place to get advice. |
Anonymous
|
We always drove down to Pea Island National Seashore to spend the day at the beach--it's quiet and pristine.
We always stayed in Kill Devil Hills--to us Corolla/Duck was the snooty/rich area. |
Anonymous
You need to leave in the middle of the night DC time to get there and avoid traffic. Otherwise, it will be a NIGHTMARE! I only have good things to say about OBX otherwise. We've been to Duck and loved it, but I heard Corolla is very similar and another great spot. |
Anonymous
| I can tell you that O.B. is the place I'd love to be right now, watching the full moon and meditating. Life with my husband is not getting smooth at all. |
Anonymous
| LOVE the Outerbanks. We've gone every summer since I was a child. Yes, traffic is a nightmare when you come in and leave but during the rest of the week it's totally fine. Just plan accordingly. But the beach is beautiful and peacful. You'll have a great time. |
Anonymous
|
LOVE the Outer Banks as well. People generally go there to relax and spend time with family at the beach/pool. It is not very commercialzed, especially the northern section where Corolla is. We usually stay in Duck, which is just south of Corolla, but really low key.
If you desperately need to go to the movies, have a huge variety of shopping/minigolf/etc. you can drive down to "the strip" in the Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills/Nags Head/South Nags Head area. Once to pass those areas, it gets quiet again in the Hatteras/Avon/Waves etc. areas. Have a great trip! You'll love it! |
Anonymous
| I agree with the suggestion to drive at night when the traffic is lighter. |
Anonymous
| We enjoy going to the Outer Banks and having been going in a group of families for several years now. Leave early if you don't want to deal with the traffic. (we try to leave early and then have lunch right after the bridge onto the Outer Banks) I have a question of my own. We are staying up in Corolla this year further north than usual and are looking for a very nice restaurant for a night out away from the kids. We love Elizabeths in Duck and are looking for a nice place in Corolla itself. Anyone have any suggestions? |