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Outer Banks

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One Visitors Circle
Manteo, NC 27954

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(252) 473-2138
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Best

I've been going down to this area with my family for 15 years if not more. I must say after going so many times, even to this day it never gets old. I love being on the wide open ...

Worst

I think the people who write most of the reviews must be realtors trying to rent out their homes. The Outerbanks is overcrowded with little for families to do other than go to th...

NOT AN OBX'er 5/20/2005

I have to admit, I am not an OBX fan. But maybe someone can convince me otherwise. I have been going to the Outerbanks with my family for decades. While it is private and quiet, it is too quiet. I have small children that become bored quickly (compared to our trips to the very fun Ocean City, MD!) There just isn't enough to do for kids. Can anyone tell me if there is a: (1) waterpark (2) boardwalk (3) amusement park (4) child-friendly restaurants. We stay in Nags Head and I don't want to travel 50 miles to get somewhere! Also, ARE THERE ANY FUN PIRATE-RELATED THINGS TO DO? My son loves pirates and the Outerbanks is the prime location for a haunted boat ride, etc. Surprisingly, Ocean City, MD, has such a thing. Help... I really want to be an Outerbanks fan. more
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I'm here to stay! 5/19/2005

Grew up visiting mostly the NJ beaches. First came to the Outer Banks in the '60s. Am now retired here and loving it. Great climate, with all four seasons, but winters are very mild. Prices here are about the lowest of any place with ocean temps warm enough for swimming. We've got year-round outdoor activities, hundreds of restaurants, a local college, great cultural opportunities here and nearby in Norfolk, and best of all, kids and grandkids love to visit us here!!!! Fresh local fish, crabs, shrimp and shellfish are plentiful, delicious, and cheap. Try our fresh tuna just once, and you'll never be able to eat canned again. Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be! more
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No Shoes, No Shirt, No PROBLEM!!!! 5/19/2005

For a relaxing week at the beach the OBX is the only place to visit! The local people are freindly. I have been vacationing here for 10 years and I have brought many OBX virgins with me on vacaton, now they too are hooked for life....There is something for everyone, fishing, dining out, clean beaches, shopping, surfing and historical sites. I am going to Jamicia in October and in a way I am disappointed that I will only be able to spend a long weekend at the Outer Banks this year...now that is a testimonial!Quagmires is a great place to hang out in the early afternoon, and the best places to eat are The Black Pelican and Awful Arthurs. Shopping at Island Dies is fun for some.....just depends on your stlye. I would recommend the OBX to anyone...it is my idea of paradise! Pros: laid back, local eatreries, empty beaches Cons: Hurricane Season, Yankees more
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Love it, Love it, LOVE IT!! 5/19/2005

My family and I have vacationed there every summer for going on 9 years now, and there's no place in the world like it! Not crowded, beautifyl beaches, wonderful things to do - it's a fantastic family vacation. We can take our kids there and not worry about what they're gonna see, hear, or get while on the beach. Hands down, best vacation spot in the world! Pros: clean beaches, not crowded, free parking @ beach Cons: none! more
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User review by eastcoaster21 5/19/2005

I love the place. Pratically grew up there. It is becoming overcrowded. The cost of living has sky-rocketed to the point where medium incomes can't afford to live there. Locals are having to either hang on to what they have, or move out. Local teachers are underpaid and can't afford housing. Use to be the ""get away from it all"" type of place, very desolate with nothing much more to do than the beach, surfing fishing, etc... Now they have so many shopping centers, movie theatres, etc... getting ridiculous. Luckily its all sand or it would become another Mytle Beach real quick. Sad to see it turning this way. Beautiful place. more
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Outer Banks & Carolina Beaches has it all!! 5/19/2005

Our family has been enjoying the Carolina Beaches for over 30 years. Our favorite is Topsail Island. Once a sleepy little island community, it has grown to accomodate everyone. You can have a quiet weekend or retire there and live with the sand and sun forever. We now have a third generation coming up and enjoying summers at Topsail. We have also gone to the Outer Banks and have stayed from Duck to Kitty Hawk but prefer the closeness and convience of Topsail to the large, money-maker, rentals of the Outer Banks. Other suggestions are the communities of Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach where there are the more ""traditional"" types of accomodations. Wherever you end up you can't go wrong with the ""Carolina Beaches""...Don't forget to try the Carolina Barbq... Pros: convience, closer-in, variety of activities Cons: traffic jams more
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Hatteras Lifer 5/19/2005

My experiences with the OBX began at age 15 some 42 years ago. I have continued to spend at least a week per year on HI every since, only having missed a couple of years while serving in the Army. The changes from the early years are astounding. Although the skyline and roads have changed, the beauty of HI has never changed. The beaches are pristine, sunsets gorgeous, fishing supreme, waterfowl plentiful, seafood is tasty and relaxation sublime. If you want a peaceful adventure, cross the bridge from the mainland observe the ocean behind the dunes and feel the pleasure. Pros: Gorgeous sunsets., Prime beaches., Unbelivable fishing. Cons: No more $500 lots. more
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OBX'er for life 5/11/2005

I have been going to OBX for a little over 20 years and have already made my reservation for this summer. I LOVE IT there. Lately I have been staying in Corolla which is much like Nags Head was years ago. Not commercial at all, very layed back and relaxed. The best beaches around, clean, wide and not crowded. Pros: Relaxed, Clean Beaches more
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I wanna go back!! 7/22/2004

We have been to OBX summers of 2002, 2003, and last month already, and we are hooked. We rented houses in Duck, South Nags Head, and Kitty Hawk. We already booked a house for next summer and already can't wait to go back! So many things to do, so little time! Wonderful activities for families, beautiful beaches, fascinating waves/pelicans/ dolphins/fishes, excellent fishing, friendly down to earth people...oh I can go on! LOL My husband and I hope to retire there someday. more
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Try Topsail Island 7/22/2004

The Outer Banks are beautiful. However, for a little less money and more amenities, you may want to try Topsail Island just south of the Outer Banks. It is still a barrier Island but doesn't require the long ferry ride and has more to offer in the way of dining and entertainment. (especially for kids). Surf City is where the majority of the dining and lodging is. By the way, if you fish, Topsail has excellent surf and deep sea fishing. There is also a Sea Turtle Refuge on the island that is awesome. The Outer Banks are great but also try Topsail Island. more
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Vacation Time 7/22/2004

My husband and I have been going to the Outer Banks for years and we have always had a very good relaxing time on the Beautiful Beaches there. The People there are real Down Home people, they never make you feel like you are out of place or unwanted in their area. We Love It There Mr and Mrs Wolf OHIO Pros: clean beaches, uncrowded, great food more
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I'm an Outer Banks addict 7/21/2004

I've come to the Banks every year of my life. There is something for everyone and every season. If you're a shopper, visit the Christmas shop in Manteo. You can find a restaurant every hundred yards (I recommend Great Dane Deli, Lone Cedar Inn, and Penguin Isle). The extreme sports nut can hangglide, jetski, windsurf... Lazy bums can soak up sun on pristine beaches. Regardless of your accomodation taste, there is something for everyone: hotels of varying poshness, cottages both huge and quaint, and B&Bs (the best are in Manteo!!). The best part, though, is there is something new popping up on the island every year, from the Kill Devil's frozen custard shop to a new bakery or hammock outlet store. You have to go there to appreciate what it has to offer. Even the drive is relaxing (try the vegetable roadside stands if you come in from Rte 168/158). Pros: Relaxing, Reasonable Pricing, Picturesque more
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LOVE HATTERAS 7/21/2004

I am in love with the Outer Banks and have been going for all 22 years of my life! The island is rich in history, boasting the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. and entertaining the idea of seeing the ghost of Blackbeard and others who perished in the ""Graveyard of the Atlantic."" It's great if you love boogie boarding or if like me, you love riding horses on the beach during sunrise--Buxton Stables is the best. Before, you can drop on by the Orange Blossom or the Gingerbread Bakery..get there by 8am! Austin Creek Grill has awesome food, or if you'd like to find the chef in you, go to the harbor at the Breakwater resaturant and buy your own crabs and other seafood. Windsurfing lessons are a MUST; there are many places where you can ride for 3hours! Hobycat sailing in the bay is liberating, freeing and relatively inexpensive. Pros: breath-taking, invigorating, relaxing more
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Beach Bunny 7/21/2004

OBX IS THE BEST BEACH DESTINATION FOR THE FAMILY. Visit Jockey's Ridge, tallest sand dune on the East coast; fly a kite or hang glide. The state aquarium in Manteo is a must. Spend a warm, soft evening at the outdoor drama ""The Lost Colony"" and learn about an early British settlement whose entire population disappeared mysteriously. Visit Wright Brothers Monument, site of the first airplane flight. Don't miss the lighthouses! And my personal fav meal on the OBX would be the buffalo shrimp at Hooters (Milepost 3.5, Kitty Hawk), followed by a milkshake at John's. Pros: Educational day trips, Great beaches, Friendly people Cons: , My sunburn! more
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OBX! 7/14/2004

My husband & I first went to OBX 8 years ago. We both fell in love with the area. Since then we have been back many times. We've been everywhere from Manteo to Corolla down to Oracoke. When we decided to get married, we went back to OBX for both the wedding and the honeymoon. Everytime we go, I always find something I haven't done yet. It's definitely a family vacation place that we will continue to go back to year after year. Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly, Beautiful more
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I love the OBX! 6/24/2004

I've lived on the Outer Banks for 21 years and have loved every minute of it. The beaches are beautiful, the people ""treat ya like family"" like the local commercials boast, and the food is wonderful! While visiting, I recommend driving down to Hatteras and Ocracoke. When it's time to eat, I highly recommend Kill Devil Grill (best burger, hot wings and cheesesteak eggrolls ever made), Rundown Cafe (the Big Wave Dave is a must have), Tortugas Lie (their seafood is different that your typical fried kind), and for a special night out, Carolina Blue (by far the absolute best food I've ever eaten). Avoid chain stores like Wings...you'll find much more unique and fun gifts and keepsakes at smaller, locally owned stores! Why shop at places you have at home while you're on vacation? Pros: reasonably priced, beautiful beaches, not too crowded more
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The N.C. Outer Banks 6/24/2004

I have lived in North Carolina all of my life but until 6 years ago had never been to the Outer Banks ( we always went to Myrtle Beach) so I never knew what I was missing. Thankfully I have found a place that is like another world in the OBX. If you want to get away from the shopping crowds and fast-food chains then I highly recommend Avon,Buxton,Frisco, and Hatteras Village. Take the ferry over to Ocracoke and visit the Jollly Roger for great food and a fantastic view of the oldest lighthouse still in operation in N.C. I am a life long fan of the OBX. It is rich in history and a unforgettable place! Pros: beautiful beaches, uncrowded, lots to see and do more
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LOVE the OBX 6/24/2004

Our Family visits the Outer Banks every other summer. We love the serenity and the sincere native OBX'rs. We have stayed in Corolla and Kitty Hawk. The beaches are beautiful and the towns are so quaint..This is NOT a beach vacation for those that want to experience the ""fast party life"" Almost all rental companies do NOT rent to singles or College kids. It is a family place with little commercialism. We love the dunes and gorgeous sunrises. Definately our favorite vacation destination! Pros: Beach rentals, great beaches, little crowding Cons: , N. OBX is pricey.. more
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OBX - AWESOME 6/24/2004

OBX is my family's favorite vacation place on earth. We have been coming to OBX since 1998 and have stayed north and south. Nags Head is our favorite because of its central location, lots of entertainment options, beautiful beach, terrific community (Village at Nags Head) with amenities galore! The restaurants are fantastic - our favorites are Penguin Isle, Owens and Pigman's. It is the most relaxing place on earth!!! And we can bring the family dog (Sammy the golden retriever) too. Not many other beach vacations are so family and pet friendly as OBX. A definite keeper!! Pros: Beautiful, Relaxing, Restaurant Choices! Cons: , None, None more
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The most wonderful place in the World 6/24/2004

My family and I have been going to the Outer Banks for almost 20 years now. It first started off as going to the beach for a week and now we are there for three weeks. We live every year for the beach. No matter what happens during the year if we can make it to the beach everything is ok. Yes over the past 20 years things have changed but that is how life is. This place brings joy to everyone there. It is such a relaxed atmosphere and is inviting, even going out to the bars such as Porto and Outer Banks Brewery with the live bands is amazing. After coming year after year, you run into the same people. It is like summer camp. The Outer Banks should be the #1 beach because once you go there you will fall in love with it like we have. Pros: Relaxing, Something 4 everyone, Low-maintenance more
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Editorial

  • In Short
    Like a giant comma, the Outer Banks sit off the N.C. mainland. Beautiful, wide-open beaches, enormous chunks of preserved nature, and an atmosphere that's upscale and...

  • 5/8/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 10am-6pm
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