Which Beach on Outer Banks

Planning a trip for August (hot I know!) with hubbie, 2 kids (2.5 and 4) and their grandparents. Want very low key and relaxing. Would like to see lighthouses, aquarium, but mostly let the kids play on the beach and my parents sit on a nice oceanfront porch in a rental reading and watching the ocean. Would cook some meals in the rental, but want access to good restaurant options too. Grandparents would like to see the Wright Memorial. Where should we stay on Outer Banks? I%26#39;m thinking vintage, cozy beach vs. new touristy with ';attractions';.

Which Beach on Outer Banks

I would search in Nag%26#39;s Head or the South Nag%26#39;s Head area. Many restaurants to choose from, and grocery stores to shop for home cooking.

It is closest to the Wright Memorial and Aquarium. You are also within driving distance of Corolla lighthouse to the north, and Bodie, Hatteras, and even on down to Ocracoke to the south.

Which Beach on Outer Banks

Ditto - if you want to be close to the aquarium Nag%26#39;s Head, Kitty Hawk, or Kill Devil Hills are your best bets. These places are more ';touristy'; than Ocracoke or Corolla - but much more convenient for taking in the attractions because they are more central in location.

From Nags Head the Bodie Island Lighthouse is about a 30 minute drive (depending on where you stay and how bad traffic is). You can%26#39;t climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse - but I believe they have a museum you can look through.

If you haven%26#39;t already made your plans I%26#39;ll give you another suggestion. The Crystal Coast http://www.crystalcoastnc.org/ (which is the new name for Bogue Banks). It%26#39;s considered the Southern Outer Banks and much less touristy. Bogue Banks is about a 20 mile long Island consisting of 5 communities; Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle. Emerald Isle consist mainly of homes for rent and that would be your best bet. All different sizes for whatever your family needs. emeraldislereality.com has most of the listings

Pros

When you rent a house basically the beach in front is yours and it%26#39;s not crowed at all.

There is a wonderful newly renovated Aquarium with daily programs where divers are in the main tank answering questions and also daily feedings. Great for kids and adults.http://www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores

Some great restaurants on the island

Crab Shack great family place

Frank and Claire%26#39;s great steaks and a little more upscale

Jordan%26#39;s Seafood pretty good seafood, but the best hushpuppies you%26#39;ve ever put in your mouth

Crab%26#39;s Claw great food and great views (was featured in Gourmet Magazine)

Big Oak Drive In great dive for lunch and was featured in Gourmet magazine

You%26#39;re close to Beaufort which is an amazingly charming town where you can catch a boat ride to see the Cape Lookout Light house and the wild ponies on Shakleford Island. There%26#39;s also The Maritime Museum there and they dedicate a lot of the museum to the Queen Anne%26#39;s Revenge (Blackbeard%26#39;s ship) which was found just off the coast near by. Very cool for kids and adults.

There are some places on the island and also in Beaufort where you can rent kayaks.

There is also at least one putt putt place on the island and some pretty decent golf courses not too far off the island.

It%26#39;s a East/West facing beach so you get great sunrises over the ocean and beautiful sunsets over the sound.

You do not need to take a ferry to get on the island or to see most attractions.

Cons

Depending on where you%26#39;re coming from it could be a longer road trip.

In the communities of Indian Beach and Salter Path a couple of high rise (6 story or so) condo%26#39;s have been built. I say just quickly drive past them and forget you saw them :-)

I actually live in the area and can%26#39;t believe I%26#39;m giving you all my inside secrets, but the people here are great, I know the business owners of most of the restaurants and they%26#39;re all salt of the the earth folks. :-)

Wherever you end up, I hope you have a lovely vacation and enjoy the time with your family. And remember, it%26#39;s never as hot on the beach when you have a breeze coming in off the ocean :-)

I would suggest Nag%26#39;s Head, especially with young children. There are plenty of reasonably priced rental options. Also, the location is ideal. You probably don%26#39;t want to be out at the beach in the afternoon heat in August (even if you are from Texas) and so this locations offers many other options:

1. Roanoke Island (just across the bridge- about 10 min) is home to an aquarium, life sized replica of the Elizabeth II tall ship, the Elizabethan Gardens and some good restaurants. The kids will like Big Al%26#39;s Soda Fountain- a 50%26#39;s type diner with reasonable prices. The Full Moon Cafe and Hungry Pelican have good seafood and if you%26#39;re looking for a nicer dinner- 1587 is great.

2. Kitty Hawk, just north of Nag%26#39;s Head- here there%26#39;s the Wright Bros. Memorial (with planes and everything) and Jockey Ridge state park- which is a huge sand dune the kids can climb. I let my kids (2 years old) climb it b/c it really tires them out for bed time (woo hoo).

There are also tons of places to eat in Nag%26#39;s Head. Before you go I%26#39;d recommend visiting www.outerbanks.org and ordering the Outer Banks Official Travel Guide put together by the Tourism Board of Dare County