Tell me about the Outer Banks

[Anonymous]

Not much up there but JK's is decent a new cute italian place is in Tim Buck II as well

[Anonymous]

Wonderful noncommercial area down in the Hatteras area. If you go to the beach to shop and eat out, you won't like it. If you go to the beach for quiet time and spiritual uplift, you will like it. The waves are rough. If you want a large area of calm water to swim in, you won't find it on the Outer Banks. We stay near the edge and are fine. There is also incredible kite surfing, etc. Lovely to watch even if you don't participate. Ocracoke Island is a wonderful day trip and does have more shopping and better (still not great) restaurants.

[Anonymous]

The Outer Banks and specifically Corolla is a wonderful place for a beach vacation. Reading some of the prior posts I have read some negativity of the area. Every time I have visited the area I have had a wonderful time. Having a pool at your rental is a great idea, at times if you aren't exactly a beach bum the beach may become a little over whelming. The pool is a great place to retreat to. The restaurants in the area area great from a simple burger with the kids to a wonderful dinner with your spouse. Plenty of activities in the area for all ages. If you would like more information on the area feel free to visit http:www.allouterbanksrentals.com and click on Corolla Vacation Rentals. There is a short read there that sums up the area perfectly. Have a wonderful trip!

[Anonymous]

Actually, there is a lot of supercalm water to swim in at Hatteras -- it's called the Pamlico Sound. Fabulous for babies/toddlers as the waves are tiny and not scary. You can usually find great tidal pools on the ocean side if you have a four-wheel-drive.

We've been going my whole life. There isn't a lot of planned stuff to do, but there is a lot of very uncrowded beach, with very warm water as a result of the sound and close proximity to the Gulf Stream. I, for one, don't want anything more and love the place.

Not a good place for the average DCer, though. No Jimmy Choo or LV, and and no one who gives a rat's ass about your important career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...lean more towards France and Portugal for beach vacations...

Oh brother. Yeah, it would be great if the beaches within driving distance had Caribbean-aqua water and cosmopolitan attractions, but they don't. So what we have to deal with is Delaware/Maryland or the Outer Banks. We know they're not the nicest beaches in the world. Don't make everyone feel shitty because we have a good time at these beaches.

I just got back from Corolla and it was a fantastic extended-family vacation. Rented a big house with a pool within walking distance of the beach. Each family took turn making dinners because our group was too large to take out to a restaurant. Got bagels and sandwiches from Lighthouse Bagel and Deli and cheesesteaks from the place in the Food Lion parking lot. The older kids wanted to do putt-putt and bumper cars so they had a bit of a ride to get there. Like others have mentioned, Corolla is pretty far up the road from the really commercial areas. We were there with little kids who were just thrilled with the pool and the beach and flying kites and hunting for ghost crabs at night. The ocean was clear and cool enough to be refreshing but not too cold for babies. The kids were in the water for hours everyday. We had an awesome time (even if it wasn't Europe)!

[Anonymous]

Ha PP, the France and Portugal poster had me rolling my eyes too. So pretentious. And I have spent time in Fiji, have spent time on beautiful Caribbean beaches, and the Italian Riviera. I also spent several teenage summers in Ste. Maxime and still, I love OBX above all. I never swam out past a roaring surf and hung out beyond the break with dolphins in the south of France. Just a lot of fat topless Germans getting sunburnt.

Just because we can drive there doesn't mean it isnt world class!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...lean more towards France and Portugal for beach vacations...

Oh brother. Yeah, it would be great if the beaches within driving distance had Caribbean-aqua water and cosmopolitan attractions, but they don't. So what we have to deal with is Delaware/Maryland or the Outer Banks. We know they're not the nicest beaches in the world. Don't make everyone feel shitty because we have a good time at these beaches.

I just got back from Corolla and it was a fantastic extended-family vacation. Rented a big house with a pool within walking distance of the beach. Each family took turn making dinners because our group was too large to take out to a restaurant. Got bagels and sandwiches from Lighthouse Bagel and Deli and cheesesteaks from the place in the Food Lion parking lot. The older kids wanted to do putt-putt and bumper cars so they had a bit of a ride to get there. Like others have mentioned, Corolla is pretty far up the road from the really commercial areas. We were there with little kids who were just thrilled with the pool and the beach and flying kites and hunting for ghost crabs at night. The ocean was clear and cool enough to be refreshing but not too cold for babies. The kids were in the water for hours everyday. We had an awesome time (even if it wasn't Europe)!

I agree! The funny thing is that most of the European beaches are not nearly as nice as the OBX beach. The Portuguese beaches are very beautiful. I thought the French were only ok. the Italian beaches suck, IMO. Croatia has beautiful beaches but very rocky, not terribly swiummable. The Greek beaches are also beautiful, but rocky.

I suspect the beach snob is probably just a bitch adn perhaps has never even been to the Portugese or French beaches.

I also agree with the poster who said that in OBX no one cares about your big deal job! That's one of the things I love about it.

[Anonymous]

OP, you asked. There are much nicer beaches within driving distance. The Northeast, in particular (NJ and New England - same bath temperature water, contrary to some uneducated belief). Serene, scenic and not commercial, yet with options. The people are especially nice, happy and friendly, which is an added bonus.

I have been to OBX a couple of times out of familial obligation, but would not return on my own accord, to be honest. As PP's mentioned, I do not see the attraction.

[There are also many commercial beaches within driving distance (MD, DE) - if that is your thing.]

OBX is not what it is cracked up to be for many. But to those (in this geographical area) who "don't want commercial", they think it is ideal.

I think when people consider "the beach" in the D.C. area, they are limited since "the beach" (salt water) is at least three hours away! Statistically, many in this area are from landlocked places (two or more hours from the beach); so you have to consider the sources.

However, if you have seen many beaches, OBX would NOT be your first choice. I believe that is what PP is trying to say.

I never understood a few things, as a small part of my not understanding the attraction to the OBX:

Why people would go south during the sweltering heat of summer.
Why people would head into the eye of hurricanes (the Carolinas) during the height of hurricane season (summer/fall).
The attraction of a pool at the beach - (provided the beach is nice enough).
Joggers up and down (a rather dangerous) one lane highway that can barely make it past each other in the sweltering heat.
What there is to do if you stay on the beach all day every day and one day need a break.
Why I would need to stay in the same big house (most of us don't need an elevator) with any other family, no matter HOW much I love them, instead of renting next to/near them.
Deadly riptides.
Decent seafood, prepared well.
Crossing one lane highways and risking your life to get to the beach every day.
Bearing unbearable traffic on one one-lane highway because there is no other option to get to the beach rental.
Not being able to walk for an ice cream or whatever enjoyable vacation past time during your vacation.
There is more....

Anyway, I would suggest you explore your options, OP. Have fun, no matter what you decide.

Expect people to get defensive here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP, you asked. There are much nicer beaches within driving distance. The Northeast, in particular (NJ and New England - same bath temperature water, contrary to some uneducated belief). Serene, scenic and not commercial, yet with options. The people are especially nice, happy and friendly, which is an added bonus.

I have been to OBX a couple of times out of familial obligation, but would not return on my own accord, to be honest. As PP's mentioned, I do not see the attraction.

[There are also many commercial beaches within driving distance (MD, DE) - if that is your thing.]

OBX is not what it is cracked up to be for many. But to those (in this geographical area) who "don't want commercial", they think it is ideal.

I think when people consider "the beach" in the D.C. area, they are limited since "the beach" (salt water) is at least three hours away! Statistically, many in this area are from landlocked places (two or more hours from the beach); so you have to consider the sources.

However, if you have seen many beaches, OBX would NOT be your first choice. I believe that is what PP is trying to say.

I never understood a few things, as a small part of my not understanding the attraction to the OBX:

Why people would go south during the sweltering heat of summer.
Why people would head into the eye of hurricanes (the Carolinas) during the height of hurricane season (summer/fall).
The attraction of a pool at the beach - (provided the beach is nice enough).
Joggers up and down (a rather dangerous) one lane highway that can barely make it past each other in the sweltering heat.
What there is to do if you stay on the beach all day every day and one day need a break.
Why I would need to stay in the same big house (most of us don't need an elevator) with any other family, no matter HOW much I love them, instead of renting next to/near them.
Deadly riptides.
Decent seafood, prepared well.
Crossing one lane highways and risking your life to get to the beach every day.
Bearing unbearable traffic on one one-lane highway because there is no other option to get to the beach rental.
Not being able to walk for an ice cream or whatever enjoyable vacation past time during your vacation.
There is more....

Anyway, I would suggest you explore your options, OP. Have fun, no matter what you decide.

Expect people to get defensive here.

Each has his/her own opinion on this topic. However, I will say that I grew up going to Cape Cod every summer and I specifically remember freezing cold water at Nauset and the other ocean beaches. The sound is warm, but there are no waves. So I disagree that the Massachusetts beaches are as warm as the NC beaches. I totally agree that there is not much to do in OBX if you don't or can't go to the beach. I think that's a definite downside. There is more there than there used to be, but the beach really is the center of the vacation (we usually rent somewhere with a pool, fitness center, playground, etc., which I like). Also, you do not necessarily have to risk your life crossing a highway to get to the beach. If you stay on the ocean side of Route 12 (which many, if not most, houses in Corolla and other parts are), you simply walk to the beach risk free. You can even leave your stuff on the beach and walk home for lunch or kids' naps and it will be undisturbed when you get back. Sure, there are some downsides to OBX, but I think it's a nice, viable option if yo go to the right place. Honestly, I significantly prefer it to the Massachusetts beaches even though I spent summers on the Cape and even got married there.

[zumbamama]

I go camping at OBX every year and have a blast. We pitch right near the water and like to kayak the soundside. The water on the sound is so shallow and calm, it's great for the kids and for all types of watersports. The sand dunes are fun to climb, fly kites or go hang gliding. There is no glitz but it is beautiful and peaceful.

[Anonymous]

PP who thinks that surf temperatures at OBX are the same as at the New England beaches, sorry, what? 76 degrees at Nags Head and 69 degrees at the Cape according to several sites I checked today. That's a pretty big difference.

As to why people go to the OBX, a lot of it is about money. My husband and I have vacationed with the same big group of couples & singles, now families, for almost ten years. One year we went to Martha's Vineyard - which I LOVE, it is one of my favorite places - and we got a house that did not come close to fitting us all and was a mile from the beach. The next year we went to Nags Head and got a house ON the beach - oceanfront so our own private beach - with a pool, pool table, huge deck, enormous kitchen and ample room for everybody for the exact same amount per couple as the MV house. No-brainer, even for the people from NYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha PP, the France and Portugal poster had me rolling my eyes too. So pretentious. And I have spent time in Fiji, have spent time on beautiful Caribbean beaches, and the Italian Riviera. I also spent several teenage summers in Ste. Maxime and still, I love OBX above all. I never swam out past a roaring surf and hung out beyond the break with dolphins in the south of France. Just a lot of fat topless Germans getting sunburnt.

Just because we can drive there doesn't mean it isnt world class!

I'm with you. I think the French beaches are gross. SO crowded, everything is crazy expensive, and the water often has oil slick on it. And yes, fat topless Germans. No thank you. If I'm in France, I'm not going any further south than Avignon.

The Outer Banks beaches are amazing. Clean, cool water, but not cold like the Pacific. Excellent waves. Good sand (though not as good as the Gulf Coast used to be, pre-BP). And virtually deserted, compared to any other beach of any quality.

We go every year, and don't miss the opportunity to shop or eat out at all. We go to relax, let the kids run wild during the day and sleep like the dead at night, cook, read, and spend time together. If I wanted world-class restaurants and capital-E Entertainment, I'd stay home. I don't need each vacation to have EVERYTHING.

[Anonymous]

Pacific?!?!?!?! That's a stretch! BIG STRETCH.