Very OT: Vacation ? for Nags Head area

Hello NC board ! Trying to plan a family vacation for next year :~) We have never been to the Outer Banks or any where in North Carolina for that matter. So what are your favorite spots?? We have a party of 4 couples with a total of 5 kids. We are thinking a house on the beach but......for goodness sakes where do you start......so many choices. What are your favorite spots ....rentals.....website helpers.....things to do? My husband loves to fish......any good fishing spots?  Thanks and God Bless! Christina

Welcome, Christina! You can't go wrong renting a house on the beach!  Unfortunately, this NY transplant is clueless when it comes to how to go about having a vacation ANYWHERE, let alone here!  That being said, we have lots of members who do vacation locally and I am certain they will be able to advise you. Sheila???  Any suggestions for this nice lady?  What about you, Maureen?  Don't you live up by Hatteras? Good luck and enjoy your planning!

Hi Christina, I live in Fort Mill,SC but have been vacationing here for 35 years. We have been from Corolla, Duck, Hatteras, Nags Head, Emerald Isle, Figure Eight Island,Wilimington, Holden Beach and  SC beaches also. I would suggest you check out WWW.VRBO.com  ( Vacation Rentals by Owners. It will show prices, months avail. Ammenties, ect. Hope this helps, if not let me know. Maureen

LOL!  Oops!  Sorry Reenie!  I KNEW you FELT like a native!  And I sure am glad to could help Christina!

Shazanne, I'm orginally from Ohio. But been down here long enough that I'm not a damn yankee any  more or yankee. I've lived here longer than I was up North.

LOL!  I am still very much a DAMNED Yankee and don't anticipate that is going to change any!

Christina- I am probably OH's official beach bunny! I LOVE www.vrbo.com- great site and rent directly from the individual property owners. My 3 favorite places are Kure Beach/Carolina Beach- least expensive, family oriented, 15 min drive to Wilmington, good dining, nice beach....( I spend 7 weeks oceanfront starting this weekend!) Can't beat Wrightsville Beach- 20 min N of Carolina Beach, lil more $$$, stilll close to Wilmington on the OBX- I choose Ocracoke- very laid back, greatest surf fishing along the East Coast- BUT it is secluded, not tons of restaurants, entertainment, etc- but 12 miles of SPECTACULAR beach! Hatteras or Nags Head offer a lil more variety/shopping/restaurants, etc.... Hope this helps! Come see us!!! Sheila

GREAT ! I knew you all would help! What a great site, could save a little $$ too cutting out the middle man. Thanks and best wishes to everyone with their WL journey Christina

Hey Christina, Give Carteret County a look see.  I live in Beaufort, 2nd oldest town in the state on the coast.  Our Island Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle is actually the last island of the OBX.  Old Fort Macon on the inlet is hear.  Wild Mustangs on Cape Lookout National Seashore ( you know the place where just about every Atlantic coast hurricane visits)  or  Shakelford or the shack as we call it is only reachable by boats or ferry service is the place to be if you like natural beaches shallow waters, birds, wild ponies and such.  Here in Beaufort you can dine on decks overlooking the waterfront, intercoastal water way which is called by Boaters the Gateway to the Carribbean.  This time of year we have a lot of Yatchs heading South.  Black Beard's ship the Queen Ann's revenge was just discovered offshore about a mile and artifacts can be found in the Maritime Museum.  Of course we offer great ghost walks here since it is a Historick town with old homes and old cemetaries,  Even one of Blackbeards.  The beaches are great alot of rentals and at this time only one high rise hotel though there are quite a few 4 story condo's.  Horseback riding down at sealeve where the Ferry to Ocracoke run's out of is fun.  Four golf courses, nature trails, the best fishing and charters offered and the best reck diving on the East Coast.  We do lack Malls.  WalMart, Belks and Beach shops and of course waterfront shops.  North Carolina Coast,  hmmmm it's Beautiful where ever  you park your beach chair!!

Any of these listed above are good stays in NC. We are so lucky here to have such a beautiful state! I've been an NC native all my life so I've visited the Outer Banks (Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area), Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle area and the Wilmington beaches (Carolina, Kure , etc).  I think if you want activities, then the Wilmington area (south NC) may be your best choice.  If you want to go fishing, then both the Outer Banks and Atlantic Beach areas are great as they have piers.  Personally I like to fish, but I don't like to be IN the water, so surf fishing is out for me. As someone else has stated Hatteras Island and Ocracoke are both very nice islands--but are secluded. If you want just the beach then either of these are your best choice, although the others have the beach along with activities. No matter where you chose, you will have a good time as all of NC is beautiful.  Have a great vacation!