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Outer Banks 101: Your Own Nights In Rodanthe

May 19, 2009 at 10:36 AM | by | Comment (1)

If past summer vacations stuck behind SUVs on I-95 had you wondering what the heck that "OBX" sticker referred to, then we've got you covered. Keep reading to see what North Carolina's famous shoreline has to offer.

· Where Is It?: The Outer Banks of North Carolina are located on the northeastern shore of the state. Although barrier islands buffer the entire coast of the state, the area specifically known as the OBX runs about 150 miles along NC Highway 12 from Corolla, near state's border with Virginia, to where it ends just after Ocracoke Island.
Basically, it's more than just a town or two, it's a whole coastal section.

· Who Goes There?: The OBX is a big draw for families on the eastern seaboard. Most visitors come from Virginia and the Carolinas, but you’ll see plenty of license plates from New York, New Jersey, and even the Midwest. The area is very family friendly, with the exception of the occasional college kids, but the attention-seeking crowd is usually nowhere to be found.

Jon, Kate, and all those kids were here a couple summers ago, and we're pretty sure they stayed in this place. Of course, Richard Gere loves him some Rodanthe; oh wait, that was just a movie.

· How To Get There?: You pretty much need a car to get to these barrier islands. The closest major airport is in Norfolk, and you can get to Nags Head, North Carolina in about 90 minutes after picking up your mini-van. The Raleigh-Durham Airport is another option, but you’re looking at a three and half hour drive, and that’s if you go five over the speed limit and don’t stop.

If you’ve got a little extra coin, your private charter should have no difficulty landing at the Dare County Regional Airport, where a short limo ride will have you at the beach in no time. Just remember to swing by the Brew Thru to pick up some adult beverages—no need to leave the limo.

· Where To Stay?: Unfortunately, the major hotel brands have a limited presence here. There’s a few offerings from Ramada, Days Inn, and Travelodge, although none of these are really stellar choices—especially when weekend rates can inch towards $200 a night. There's plenty of older motels available too, if you’re looking to save a few bucks. For hotel snobs like us, the best bets are the Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk and the Hampton Inn & Suites Corolla.

Overall, the swankiest accommodations and value can be found by renting a vacation house, and this is why the hotel scene is probably lacking. No matter your price range, there is something to fit you and your crew. From two bedroom condos just off the main road, to ten bedroom mansions with heated pools, everything is available for a price. Start your search on VRBO, or check out a local realty site like Sun Realty.

Related Stories:
·The Outer Banks of North Carolina [Official Tourism Site]
·National Park Travel: Cruisin' Cape Hatteras [Jaunted]
·North Carolina Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: LollyKnit]

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best Outer Banks Attractions

There is a ton of things for families in the Outer banks too, including lots of Light houses and my kids really love the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island. <a href="http://obxjones.com/blog/The-Best-attractions-of-the-Outer-Banks/">http://obxjones.com/blog/The-Best-attractions-of-the-Outer-Banks/</a>
Jack Jones on August 10, 2011 at 9:30 AM #Permalink

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