Outer Banks, NC: Soliciting suggestions for "must-see" sites.

[bertha katzenengel]

Mrs. V. and I are going in two weeks for a 3-day stay in Kill Devil Hills. We have some ideas of what we want to see, but I would like some suggestions from folks who have been there.

Better yet, suggestions from locals would be fabulous.

Thanks!

PS If your opinion is "it sucked, don't go," please don't bother posting it here. Negative opinions exist for every possible spot on the earth. They're not what I'm looking for. Thanks!

[smiley_glad_hands]

1. Go surf fishing.

You can check out the Wright brother memorial. Go fishing. Enjoy the beach. Go fishing. Check out the Lost Colony. Go fishing. Fly a kite/paraglide. Go fishing. Lots of stuff to do down there. Probably not a bad time of year to go as far as the number of people down there. Still a little too cold to go swimming.

[bertha katzenengel]

3. Mrs. V. is a fisher. I am not. Can you give me some tips on how maybe to

surprise her one day -- like to say to her, "baby, this morning we're going surf fishing." Her equipment is long lost so I'd have to rent. What would I need to rent for her?

Or: do you not surprise a fisherman by saying, "today, we fish!" ???

[smiley_glad_hands]

5. There is a pier in nags head if I remember correctly,

and you can rent your gear there and fish there. But you can probably get a surf rod & reel for about fifty bucks, and you can just find a public access spot along the highway to the beach. Essentially you're gonna need: saltwater rod & reel, bottom rigs, hooks, weights, and bait (squid cut into strips, or sand fleas). You'll also need something to put any fish you plan to keep in (or just release them).

On edit: If you decide that you want to surprise her with fishing, plan it around high tide.

[bertha katzenengel]

8. Thank you very much, Smiley.

:bounce:

[oneighty]

12. No no

Fish the flooding tide and save your most favorite curses for the Blue Crabs be fooling you into thinking you be catching a real fish.

Otherwise have fun.

Hey! Might be some of God's fish (Spot Bass) be running in Spring Time. You can tell they are God's fishes by the black spots on each side of the tail section where Godsown fingers once touched them. (My mother-in-law tell me that long ago.) She was a great person and a good fisherwoman.

Often she and I take off go fishing have fun. Not many M-I-L can do that. Thanks Teena.

180

[ucmike]

2. been there twice

honestly, its not the most exciting tourist destination, but for relaxing and enjoying a slow week or two, its top flight.

we're not into golf or shopping, so we were kind of limited right away. we also noticed that the "night life" is very mellow and not really late night. very family oriented, nice restaraunts too. we spent alot of time driving around. check out the lighthouses (there are several around the islands, lots of wright brothers stuff if you're so inclined.

we enjoyed the beaches, if you head to the north end of the islands, the road runs out and turns onto the beach. you can 4 wheel onto the beach and head norht for miles of unpaved beach. if you aren't 4wd, you can find parking and hike out. there are wild horses in the area. we saw a small herd 50' from the ashalt.

we really just chill out, drink cocktails, sleep late, walk on the beach at night. i would highly recomend it for someone looking for a little family bonding time with the kids. i think that is the ideal situation.

in fairness, when we are there we stay on the islands. i am sure that if you head to the mainland side there is a lot more tourist "action". i think the obx islands try to maintain a certain laid back style, by not allowing the development of large tourist attraction areas like the jersey shore or florida beach attractions.

hope that helps.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. this relaxing, laid back thing is exactly what we're looking for

so your post is extremely encouraging. I wish we could spend a week or two there, but since her family is in TN and mine in CA, that's where we take our longer vacations.

Quiet times on the beach, calm dining experiences, that's what we're looking for (besides the Wright museum and maybe the aquarium)....

[seemunkee]

6. Hang gliding at Kill Devil Hills

We took the family there over spring break. My daughter and I took a 1/2 day hang gliding class from Kitty Hawk kites. The instructors were great and we had a lot of fun. You don't get very high, 10 feet at most but it was a blast.
Go to the Wright memorial too.
The aquarium was OK. If you have been to a big one like Baltimore or Boston I would give it a pass.
If the weather is good for outdoor dining the Weeping Radish is an interesting place. It's a German brew pub that has been around for quite a while.

[bertha katzenengel]

9. thanks for the tip about the aquarium and restaurant

hang gliding . . . hmm . . . :scared:

Definitely going to the Wright Memorial.

Thanks!

[MrSandman]

7. Cape Hatteras Nat'l Seashore and the ferry...nt

[Ready4Change]

10. Definitely Wright Memorial/Site of the first powered flight. And KITES!

I also second hang gliding.

Further, the same dunes area with the hang gliders can be good for flying kites. When I was there the winds were actually TOO strong. Broke several kites. If you don't bring a kite there's a great shop just across the coastal rode. There's also a great shop north in Duck, NC. They fixed one of my broken kites at NO CHARGE. Good folk.

Dolphin watch.

[vivalarev]

11. All good suggestions but....

The outer banks is strictly for a relaxing vacation. The best thing to do down there is absolutely nothing. Just lay on the beach, which is never crowded, and drink a few beers.

The one thing you should make absolutely sure that you do one day is go to Tortuga's Lay. Its a tiny little restaurant at about MP 10 on the beach road. As soon as you step inside, you feel like your in a little tropical island paradise. no need for shoes, or for even drying off after the beach. The food and decor are simple yet amazing. You will definetely not be disappointed.

Ive been to the Outer Banks almost 20 times, so if you have any questions, let me know. But Tortuga's is the best hidden gem on the island

[blindpig]

13. go to Okacoke Island

ride to the end of Hatteras Island and take the ferry across to Okacoke. It's wide open, undeveloped except for the village at the far end. Good shell collecting and great birding and there are some of those beach ponies.