pittstownkiller
Footballguy
I have never been and I am heading there Saturday; I need the run down on watering holes, stuff for the kids, day trips, and strip bars (the kids do sleep sometimes). I am staying at Indian Beach.
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OBX - give me the run down (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter pittstownkiller
- Start date
pittstownkiller
Footballguy
The sticker was why I was going.
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Apple Jack
Footballguy
Is that considered the Outer Banks?
jwb
Footballguy
went there in 2007 for a week (a ridiculous 4-floor beach house in Corolla.) Generally, I came away very unimpressed with the bars, restaurants, etc.
This is a place where spread-out families converge in rented beach houses. So the big draw of the place is being together in a house on/near the beach, and the nightlife/attractions prettymuch reflect that. Although maybe it's changed in the past 5 years.
Tip: Bring as much "stuff" as you can, and try and avoid the few supermarkets. Horribly expensive, and completely mobbed. They know if you want a six pack or cold cuts, you have little choice but to buy it there.
This is a place where spread-out families converge in rented beach houses. So the big draw of the place is being together in a house on/near the beach, and the nightlife/attractions prettymuch reflect that. Although maybe it's changed in the past 5 years.
Tip: Bring as much "stuff" as you can, and try and avoid the few supermarkets. Horribly expensive, and completely mobbed. They know if you want a six pack or cold cuts, you have little choice but to buy it there.
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Apple Jack
Footballguy
Nags Head north to Corolla blows. My parents moved to Duck in 1989 and from Duck up to Corolla was one of the great spots in the country. Now it's a nightmare between May and September. They sold their house and got the f out. Rodanthe, Waves, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras...that's where you have to go now. It's gorgeous down there and nothing like the crowds up north. It's way worth the extra hour or two drive. And is even cheaper.And the "spread out families" thing also goes for spread out friends. I've done it twice now with a big group of old friends and a few extended friends/family. First time was five houses, last time was four. It was fun as hell. But yeah, not a bar scene at all. It's a place for people who bring their own party.
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jwb
Footballguy
just looked on a map - Indian beach is waaaaay far away from where I was - is that even considered OBX? You might definitely have better luck than I had with nightlife (hey, I made the best of it - whiskey and cigars w/ my brother on the balcony watching the waves roll in - could be worse.)
Apple Jack
Footballguy
I was shocked at how cheap everything was at the Food Lion in Waves. Maybe that has something to do with me living in the DC area and being used to paying obscene prices for everything.
pittstownkiller
Footballguy
I have absolutely no idea about any of it; my wife booked it all and sent me an email telling me basicallywhen to show up.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
Love it there. It's a very laid back type of vacation though. If there was nightlife anywhere I wouldn't know because it wasn't why we went. And Ocracoke Island is an absolute must. Rent a golf cart and drive around the small island all day. Had a blast. IF you have kids that need loud type kid stuff an entire vacation, this place may not be for you. If you like sitting on a beach, going to great small bars and just enjoying peaceful surroundings for awhile, then you should enjoy. If I ever just want to get away from the world at some point, I'm showing up there going to the beach every day and drinking all night.
simey
Footballguy
Indian Beach is a small beach in the Southern Outer Banks aka The Crystal Coast. My family stays in Emerald Isle every summer, which is just down the road a few miles from there. Take your kids to the Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. There is also a water park in Emerald Isle, and go carts, bumber boats, mini golf, and those things around the area. You can go shopping and bar hopping in Beaufort and Morehead City. Both have a marina. I love Beaufort. You can also find watering holes in Atlantic Beach as well. Michaelangelos Pizza in Emerald Isle is really good.
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DocHolliday
Footballguy
I was there last week in Kill Devil Hills. Duck and Corolla are definitely higher end areas of OBX compared to Kill Devil Hills from what I could tell from my travels. There are Food Lions everywhere and the beer and food prices are not high. From Kill Devil Hills to Nags Head, you will find a lot of bar/restaurant type of facilities. That area was a little too commercial on the street but the beach does not have any commercial facilities on it. Since the Outer Banks extend for many miles, you should be able to find areas that are quiet even at the street. I was with my wife, kid and some extended family. The area is geared towards family activities. It is very laid back and perfect for simply relaxing on a beach with some cold beers.'Gamma1210 said:
pittstownkiller
Footballguy
I believe I am staying near Michaelangelo's pizza unless it is a chain; at least it is close on googlemaps. What is going on at Croatan National Forest; it looks like somewhere I would like to see.'simey said:
shake zula
Footballguy
I've never been to NJ beaches, please splain.
McGarnicle
Footballguy
My uncle has a house in Nags Head. For a laid-back spot to relax with family, hit the beach during the day, maybe fish, drink beers and grill at night, you can't beat it. Not much nightlife. There are some good seafood restaurants though.
No booze (some check your coolers), pay $6-9 just to get on, and only swimming in small areas they set up near lifeguards. Its not too bad, but going somewhere with less restrictions was a nice change.
BigJim®
Footballguy
I'm going to some cottages in Nagshead with the extended family in mid-August. Was there twice with the family when I was a kid and loved it then. There are some good OBX 'things to do' links online if you google. I just printed off a bunch of pages and plan to bring with in case we are looking for things to do. Right now the Wright Brothers museum, Ocracoke Island and sand dunes are certain excursions.
simey
Footballguy
Michaelangelos is in Emerald Isle. Your kids might like visiting Fort Macon around Atlantic Beach. In Beaufort there is a general store my nephews go crazy for. There is also an ice cream and fudge place there. There is also a lot of cool shops and cool places to eat (and drink) at in Beaufort. The Croatan National Forest is near Havelock. There was a huge fire in the forest when we were there at the end of June, and you could see it burning from where we were in Emerald Isle, and ashes were falling from the sky. It made me sad.*When you are at the beach, you will see some military helicopters fly over the water every now and then since Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point are near. All of the area beaches are family beaches except for Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach gets some military people on occasions when they want to mix with civilians, and college students from ECU also frequent Atlantic Beach (although most students are gone for summer).
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glumpy
breeze
That's my neck of the woods, and we were just down the road two weeks ago in Emerald Isle. That's the area the OBX stickers started in I think but it was after my family lived there--overall it's known in advertising as the "Crystal Coast" now. Yankee and a couple others nailed it--this is more a laid back family kind of retreat--it's not another Myrtle Beach party zone. There's some good fishing, charters especially if you don't know local fishing or you can rent kayaks and such out of Swansboro which is just over that end causeway. Only two piers still standing--I generally favor Oceanana on the Atlantic Beach end over the Emerald Isle pier maybe because I'm much more familiar with it.
There's not a whole lot of nightlife, the AB Beach circle is pretty dead now though there are a couple local bars and clubs there and within a couple blocks. Morehead City is quiet and much of the business has moved out along Hwy 70 west, Beaufort has a beautiful waterfront for dining and you can boat out of either.
Sightseeing includes the NC Aquarium which is about 6 miles from Indian Beach in Pine Knoll Shores, and Fort Macon has some good historical displays since I lived there. I'd recommend Amos Mosquitos at least one night for supper, Clawson's in Beaufort is generally good too but we were disappointed with it this past trip. There's also a new grill I've heard recommended but disremember the name.
Grocery shopping really isn't that bad--you're flanked on both ends by the Emerald Isle Food Lion and the Atlantic Beach Food Lion, and they're both competitive.
There's not a whole lot of nightlife, the AB Beach circle is pretty dead now though there are a couple local bars and clubs there and within a couple blocks. Morehead City is quiet and much of the business has moved out along Hwy 70 west, Beaufort has a beautiful waterfront for dining and you can boat out of either.
Sightseeing includes the NC Aquarium which is about 6 miles from Indian Beach in Pine Knoll Shores, and Fort Macon has some good historical displays since I lived there. I'd recommend Amos Mosquitos at least one night for supper, Clawson's in Beaufort is generally good too but we were disappointed with it this past trip. There's also a new grill I've heard recommended but disremember the name.
Grocery shopping really isn't that bad--you're flanked on both ends by the Emerald Isle Food Lion and the Atlantic Beach Food Lion, and they're both competitive.
by_the_sea_wannabe
:sj:
Good to hear, I am taking a vacation to Buxton the week after next.'Apple Jack said:
simey
Footballguy
There is also a Lowes Food grocery store right over the Emerald Isle Bridge.
glumpy
breeze
The fire was out when we were down, by a couple days maybe. simey we need to keep in better touch!
Next I know I'm down is for a class reunion circa 9/14. pittstown if you're into checking out some of the scenery check out the Croatan, also maybe meander up Hwy 24 between the Emerald Isle causeway and Morehead City. Or check out Swansboro, historic downtown right on the inland waterfront and some good fresh seafood vendors. You could make a day trip passing through Beaufort towards the ferry and check out the Oriental area--but again, that's an even sleepier historic town than Beaufort and you'd be strictly just touring the countryside. There are also boat rentals/cruises for daytrips to Hatteras or Cape Lookout I believe, off either the Morehead City or Beaufort waterfronts.
glumpy
breeze
Right you are! That used to be a Piggly Wiggly, and was the first place I saw quarter hogs sold in a grocery store chain!
roadkill1292
Footballguy
When I am in the Corolla/Duck area I feel a little trapped since there's only one tiny little road getting in and out, which is of course used by thousands.Other parts of the OBX and points further south (I am a Topsail guy) are very nice and laid back, not very similar to Myrtle Beach at all, as others have noted. I've never stayed on Emerald but I've been there and always thought the preponderance of high rises equaled mucho traffic. True? False?'Apple Jack said:
glumpy
breeze
It can be true but many of the houses are primarily rentals and often vacant these days. What it does mean is there are few places just to park a car and walk out to the beach, and quite a few years ago after the developers destroyed most dunes East of Pine Knoll Shores there are covenants against walking in them too. We used to pretty much live in 'em when I was growing up, camped on the beaches, surfed/fished overnight, and just generally
simey
Footballguy
if you are talking about emerald isle, it's mainly rental beach homes and a just a few condos. the traffic isn't bad at all.
pittstownkiller
Footballguy
I will probably rent a bike and spend most of the day exploring on that. The trip up to Hatteras Island sounds nice since I would like to see the approximate distances to Roanoke Island and all of that. The kids will spend the day with family and on the beaches, I will be out. Later I'll take the wife out for a dinner and go back to see the rest of the family. My ex-boss used to live in Emerald Isle, maybe I'll track him down. The aquarium is a good suggestion.The fire was out when we were down, by a couple days maybe. simey we need to keep in better touch!
simey
Footballguy
i remember when i was in college at ecu, we'd drive down to the beach and lay out in the sun in the huge sand dunes behind fort macon when it would first start getting warm out. then we would drive to the dock house in beaufort and listen to someone play the guitar and drink beer. of course we always picked up a shrimp burger on the way to the beach at El's Drive-in in Morehead.It can be true but many of the houses are primarily rentals and often vacant these days. What it does mean is there are few places just to park a car and walk out to the beach, and quite a few years ago after the developers destroyed most dunes East of Pine Knoll Shores there are covenants against walking in them too. We used to pretty much live in 'em when I was growing up, camped on the beaches, surfed/fished overnight, and just generally
simey
Footballguy
he could also drive to cedar island from beaufort and catch the ferry to ocracoke, but all of that is time consuming.
Apple Jack
Footballguy
Btw, please take those ####### stickers off your cars. The place doesn't need any more advertising.
jwb
Footballguy
Yea, that's how I felt there. It was a decent vacation, because my very-well-off sister paid for the house (like 18k for the week). But my wife and I were the only ones without kids, so after three days, having dinner and hanging out w/ the whole family while all the kids played together somewhat lost its allure. We tried to find some nice places for dinner and drinks, but short of driving all the way down rt 12 (or whatever it was), no dice. My "food prices" experience is with the Food Lion between Duck and Corolla. Maybe that's it - they were prettymuch it for 30 miles down that one road. Just seemed real high to me (and stupid crowded).
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Thunderlips
Footballguy
We'd go fishing and camping at the KOA in Rodanthe. Great place....very laid back. Nothing like the North East beaches. Less crowded, drinking on the beach, bonfires. Very nice. Friendly people too. Always ended up meeting people just (in their terms) "homesteading"* at the big houses that weren't being used.
* From what I can tell...homesteading was when you'd find an empty big house and you'd pretty much just stay under the house in the open car area. If someone came along...you'd just move to another one.
* From what I can tell...homesteading was when you'd find an empty big house and you'd pretty much just stay under the house in the open car area. If someone came along...you'd just move to another one.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Strongly recommend the Black Pelican if you're in the neighborhood. Been to Outer Banks twice and have had to go there twice each time. First time to get the prime rib, because it's that friggin good, and a second time because there was somethign else I wanted but I had to have the prime rib the first time.
We've been in the Duck area each time, so I can't speak much of things to do in Indian Beach but it sure sounds like the entire Outer Banks is more of the same. Bring your own beer + food and hang out at the pool/beach all day, grab a bite at night then head back to the rental house after dinner if you head out. Golf a couple of times too, but there isn't much out there. Solid vacation.
We've been in the Duck area each time, so I can't speak much of things to do in Indian Beach but it sure sounds like the entire Outer Banks is more of the same. Bring your own beer + food and hang out at the pool/beach all day, grab a bite at night then head back to the rental house after dinner if you head out. Golf a couple of times too, but there isn't much out there. Solid vacation.
bakes
I am the Beer God!
Last time we were there we ended up grilling seafood and drinking at the house and watching the waves roll in while the kids went looking for ghost crabs. Like the others have said, not a big "nightlife" sort of place.
Good beer wise... hmmm... Maybe your luck will be better with Weeping Radish brews, but I haven't had a "good" bottle in years; their bottling line (unless they fixed the problem) lets too much oxygen into the beer and they go "tangy" within days of bottling. Outer Banks Brewing Station had damn solid brews - almost surprisingly so - and a fine version of she crab soup. That's what's local.
The dunes near Kitty Hawk are fun for the kids - bring a kite for flying at sunset, there are hundreds of them in the air. You're in a nice area - and I'll third the GO TO OCRACOKE! sentiment. Great little island and there's a pub just off the ferry that's halfway decent.
Enjoy!
Good beer wise... hmmm... Maybe your luck will be better with Weeping Radish brews, but I haven't had a "good" bottle in years; their bottling line (unless they fixed the problem) lets too much oxygen into the beer and they go "tangy" within days of bottling. Outer Banks Brewing Station had damn solid brews - almost surprisingly so - and a fine version of she crab soup. That's what's local.
The dunes near Kitty Hawk are fun for the kids - bring a kite for flying at sunset, there are hundreds of them in the air. You're in a nice area - and I'll third the GO TO OCRACOKE! sentiment. Great little island and there's a pub just off the ferry that's halfway decent.
Enjoy!
Sweet Love
IBL Representative
There is a saying in NC, that people from NC do not go to the Outer Banks. I have been to the southern NC beaches countless times since I moved from CT/NJ 13 years ago, but about 3 years ago, we went to the OBX (don't even remember the town...it was close to Duck). I found it to be crowded, a "short beach", very steep and grainy sand with wicked currents...you can go about 1 hour south and find soft white beaches that are twice as big with little currents if you want to. I have to say, I was not impressed and it reminded me of the Jersey shore when it came to traffic.'Apple Jack said:
pittstownkiller
Footballguy
Okay, so is Emerald Isle the Outer Banks or not?
Apple Jack
Footballguy
Technically, probably yes. But most people consider the Outer Banks Corolla down to Hatteras. Basically, what you can access via the Wright Brothers Bridge or the bridge at Manteo.
MAC_32
Footballguy
No, Outer Banks is Corolla down to Hatteras.Then Ocracoke.Then Emerald Isle, it's actually a 20 mile island from the town to Atlantic Beach but Beaufort (LOVE CLawson's) and Morehead City also make up the area.I've been to Emerald Isle a lot more than Outer Banks, I don't think there's a big difference between them except for Saturday traffic know that it's been mentioned. There's more tourist stuff in Outer Banks but not so much that it gets in the way. I live in Ohio and we have always driven through the night, arrived about 10 am, and spent the day at the beach until our house was ready - beating the traffic.Difference for me is I golf, if you golf there is a greater variety of options within an hour of Emerald Isle.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
This could be good advice. My wife and I normally vacation in the caribbean and she was not happy with the beach at OBX. It was what I expected in the US. Maybe going a little further south will help?Another thing to mention since it really does need mentioned is the traffic on Saturday. Plan your travels so you are not on I95 or near OBX by noon on Saturday.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
The beach and surf at Topsail, which is the next one south of Emerald, is very flat and gentle, more like Myrtle than Nags Head. So maybe the beaches get generally better the further south you go.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Was there for a family reunion 3 years ago. Very slow and laid back..if you want to see hot ladies walking the beach in bikinis this is not the place. For a young family it will be good because nobody really bothers you. The bars and restaurants are pretty much the same..sleepy. Prices did not seem out of line for a vacation spot. Lights out at 9pm though.
If I was exhausted and wanted to go to the ocean and relax and sleep this would be the place I would choose..but when I go to the ocean I like getting a cooler of beer and watching hot young women walk up and down the beach all day and hitting some ocean side bars that are hopping.
If I was exhausted and wanted to go to the ocean and relax and sleep this would be the place I would choose..but when I go to the ocean I like getting a cooler of beer and watching hot young women walk up and down the beach all day and hitting some ocean side bars that are hopping.
simey
Footballguy
I don't recommend going to Wrightsville Beach in the summer if you want to avoid crowded beaches. It's packed with locals from Wilmington and college students. I'm going to Wilmington Friday, and I'm hoping one of my friends will take his boat out, but I have a feeling we will be headed to Wrightsville. As long as I can get in the water I'll be happy. Summer is my least favorite season cause it's hot as hell. I can't wait until Fall (my favorite season)!
Apple Jack
Footballguy
Yeah, if you're going somewhere south of Kill Devil Hills down to Hatteras, and getting there on Saturday, I highly recommend going in over the Manteo Bridge instead of the Wright Brothers. It's out of the way, but faster on Saturdays between May and September.
simey
Footballguy
I guess our definition of hot must be different, because I see a lot of hot men and women walking the beach every year when I'm at Emerald Isle. I think EI is awesome, because it isn't packed with people, therefore you can set up and play cornhole, horseshoes, etc., without invading your neighbors space. You can drink as much alcohol as you please, and there are recycling trash cans for your cans and bottles on the beach. You can also have dogs on the beach as long as they are leashed. The OP will be staying at Indian Beach which is nestled between Pine Knoll Shores and Emerald Isle.
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Sweet Love
IBL Representative
Coming from the North, my wife an I heard so much about the OBX and were so stoked to go for the first time. You can find a variety of nice beaches on the Southern Tip of NC (Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach) that don't have the traffic and each is unique, but has the nice sand and calm waters (and actually is cheaper than OBX). If you want/can spend the money and want a quiet beach trip, I would suggest Bald Head Island...no cars allowed (when you stay there, every rental comes with a golf cart...which is a blast) and the island has a turtle preserve, golf, tennis, etc. It is expensive (my two times there I took the very over with Bill Cowher and Chris Chelios), but a real nice, secluded place.
Sweet Love
IBL Representative
Yep...that is what I have found too...odd things to me is the sand...north is like typical northern sand, and maybe 50 miles away, you have soft white sand (not quite as good as the Carribean, but not as far off as you may think).
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