Considering driving out from Wisconsin and renting a beach house on the Atlantic coast with the family for a week this summer. Looking for local intel on good areas to consider. My wife’s brother’s family recently moved to the Raleigh area, so stopping there for a visit and then going on to the coast is the general idea. Kids are 22/21/18/15. Wife wants a house on the beach maybe even with a pool/hot tub. Chilling on the beach, at the house, driving into town for food/drink occasionally. Are the Outer Banks a place to look at? Any other areas better options? Best time of summer to go? I know nothing about this area and I’m sure there is some good local knowledge on here.
For the history make sure to check out KittyHawk. For the fun of it, visit the world HQ if Gravedigger. Not far from KittyHawk Last. Don’t forget an OBX sticker for your car at home.
While beautiful and quiet, most of the outer banks is just beach and chilling. If that's what you're after, any of the towns will suffice. If the kids want more to do, go south a bit to Myrtle Beach, SC. More commercial with more stuff to entertain kids. North Myrtle even somewhat mimics the outer banks by being more residential. Also, consider going earlier in summer to avoid your vacation getting upended by a hurricane. Chances increase the deeper into August you get.
Definitely get pool. Look up Twiddy realtors. Southern Shores and Duck if you want to walk or bike (rent) into town. Last summer we did an escape the room thingie and visited the Bodie Lighthouse for excursions. Like 10 of us gals from high school. Tons of stuff to do, as chill or not as you like.
Another vote for Duck. Spent a week there and it was very nice. If you want a seriously laid back town with almost a Florida Keys vibe, check out Topsail, NC. We loved it there. And we rented probably the coolest beach house around. This house was ON the beach. https://www.vacasa.com/unit/89142
the outer banks is insanely expensive. id recommend checking out surf city nc, topsail nc, the wrightsville / Wilmington nc area as they all are about the same distance from raleigh.
If you get anywhere near Maggie Valley, Wheels through Time is worth visiting. https://wheelsthroughtime.com/
If you go swimming in the Atlantic and get caught in a riptide, do not try to swim to shore. Swim parallel to the shore and try to angle in. Reading this at "THE" lighthouse saved my life the next day.
Hang gliding in Nags Head. Wild horses up in Corolla, plus 4x4 access to the beach. Probably get a fishing charter down in Hatteras...if you don't mind some of the roughest water the Atlantic has to offer on this side of the pond. Either way, fresh seafood.
Surf City, NC. Much more to do and easier to get to than the Outer Banks, and much less developed than Myrtle Beach; "family friendly" is how its marketed. Less than two hours from Raleigh.
