Category Archives: Outer Banks Accolades

Outer Banks Reality Show: Getting Away Together

Posted on
Reply
Getting Away Together

Getting Away Together

I have a love/hate relationship with reality TV…really TV in general. TV sucks our time away and reduces the quality of actual relationships.

Let’s get outside with people we love and enjoy our life rather than sitting motionless and silent as we are numbed by the tube.

I’m happy to say that my fam made the decision this passed summer to put the axe to our cable, and we are living to tell about it! Although we have supplemented with a NetFlix subscription…hey, there is some valuable info on the tube. :)

And that leads me to the “love” portion of my relationship with TV/realty TV. The vast majority of what we see on TV would fall into my “junk” category, but there are definitely some treasures out there – Modern Family anyone?…definitely a treasure. (Luckily I can watch it online. :) )

So I do see the value in some of the programs on TV, and while I think almost all “reality TV” leans heavily towards the junk pile, I find people immensely interesting. This is one reason why I love blogs so much; they offer a window into the world of someone else…similar to a documentary or reality TV.

Ok, where is all of this rambling headed?

I guess I took the scenic route to get here, but did you know that a reality TV show was recently filmed on the Outer Banks? Let’s think of this one as a documentary so I don’t put an immediate bad taste in your mouth.

A show called Getting Away Together that airs on PBS filmed the vacation experience of a large Greek family that traveled to the Outer Banks this past 4th of July. Pretty cool.

Here’s how the Getting Away Together website describes the show:

Getting Away Together is a new TV series highlighting the rapidly growing trend of sharing a vacation with friends and family. From girlfriend getaways to family reunions and milestone celebrations, the series shows diverse groups of real travelers vacationing together in some of the most fascinating destinations and staying at spectacular vacation rental properties across America.

I would definitely file this in the “worth your time” file if you’re an OBX lover. The show gives an awesome overview of the Outer Banks, and it’s super cool to see how people spend their vacations on the OBX.

And the best news…the full episode is online, so even non-TV-having fools like me can watch it. In fact, you can watch it right now! Just click the play button below, and wha-la! Enjoy…

Outer Banks Lands on Fox News’ List of “10 Most Interesting Beaches in the World”

Posted on
1
Outer Banks Map

Outer Banks Map

There are quite a few lists of “top” beaches floating around the interwebs these days. Most focus on the typical “beauty” of the beaches…and we are proud to say that the OBX does continually make many of these top lists. But Fox News decided to take a new twist with their recent top 10 list; “10 Most Interesting Beaches in the World.” They chose to focus on “interesting beaches” not just beautiful beaches…and luckily the Outer Banks can qualify for both!

Their goal was to find “destinations with legacies.” But not just great history. Fox wants the best of both worlds. An awesome story AND a beautiful beach.

Look no further Fox, the OBX has you covered! History, amazing characters, and gorgeous beaches. Sign us up!

Naturally, when Fox set out to find beaches ” where you can soak up a little culture with those rays,” they landed on Ocracoke. Nice work Fox. Unlike many of your news stories, this choice clearly is “Fair & Balanced.”

I say this a lot around these parts, but the Outer Banks sure is amazing!

Here’s what Fox News had to say about Ocracoke:

Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

 Discover the island where one of the world’s most famous pirates was captured.

This island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina sits in middle of what was in the 1700s a busy thruway for large trade vessels carrying goods from all over the world. Naturally, with all this booty to be had, the place was swarming with pirates, too. Legendary pirate Edward Teach–a.k.a. Blackbeard–moored at Ocracoke before accepting a pardon and promising to quit the plundering life. But within weeks, he was back at it, so the Virginia governor gave the order for Blackbeard’s capture, which happened on Ocracoke in 1718.

Today: Ocracoke has 16 miles of coastline, with pristine beaches ideal for fishing, shell gathering, swimming (some have lifeguards on duty), and lazing about.

Getting There: Unlike other Outer Bank islands, which are connected by bridges, Ocracoke is only accessible by ferry, private plane, or boat. A free 40-minute ferry transfer is available year-round from Hatteras; the ferry that leaves from Swan Quarter requires reservations and takes a little over two and a half hours. ocracokevillage.com.

‘Tis the Season…for Surf-casting that is.

Posted on
2
Outer Banks Fishing

Outer Banks Fishing

Ah, fall on the Outer Banks. I know I talk about how great the OBX is during the fall quite a bit…but that’s only because it is! For reals. Amazing.

It is the end of October (27th to be exact), and we have bright sun, blue skies, 75 degree temps, water at 67 degrees, empty beaches, huge discounts on vacation homes, AND the fall fishing is fantastic!

See what I mean? Amazing, right? Warm air, warm water, and the beach to yourself. Doesn’t get much better.

Fall on the OBX is when the surf-casters start to come out of the woodwork.  Sunrise is a pretty cool sight with shoreline dotted with casters enjoying the start to a day at the beach.

But don’t just take my word for it (although, you could take my word and watch today’s beach report below). I came across a good article discussing Outer Banks fishing, so I figured I’d share with you.

The Connecticut Post recently offered a fall fishing overview of a variety of locations, and the OBX got some great coverage. I’ll let the article speak for itself:

“The Outer Banks, N.C.: The last time a few compatriots and I made the eight-hour drive to the Outer Banks, it was December. A small blizzard was raging when we crossed the bridge at Oregon Inlet. Also raging was one of the most massive bluefish blitzes any of us had ever witnessed. We jumped out of the car and caught 12-pound blues until our arms ached. The bluefish run has slaked in recent years, but there are still plenty of sea trout in the surf. When the mullet arrive in November, the black drum are not far behind.”

Ok, so the article doesn’t talk about the gorgeous fall weather – it actually mentions a blizzard – but still, you get the point…the fishing is amazingly good. Better than the writer “ever witnessed.”

If you are a die-hard fisherman, now is the time to be here. If you’ve never fished, and want to learn, now is the time to be here. If you’re somewhere in between, now is the time to be here. See a theme developing?…now is the time to be here…period.

What do you think? When is the best time to be on the OBX? Got any good OBX fishing stories? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below. :)

Highway 12 Makes Travel & Leisure’s List of Most Iconic Drives

Posted on
2

Of course we know the Outer Banks is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but its always nice when people who have seen places all over America and the OBX is one of the most memorable. Travel and Leisure recently released a list of 32 of America’s Most Iconic Drives and the Outer Banks’ famous Highway 12 made the list.

“Linked together by ferry crossings, and never rising more than a few feet above sea level, Highway 12 skips along the series of barrier islands that form Cape Hatteras, separating the usually placid waters of Pamlico Sound from the frequently raging Atlantic Ocean. Though many sections were flooded and damaged by Hurricane Irene, Highway 12 is an unforgettable drive, winding past sand dunes, landmark lighthouses, and historic villages.’

Although Highway 12 did see alot of damage during Irene, we are lucky enough to have parts of it back open and access to Hatteras Island restored. If you aren’t to far away, nothing beats a fall trip down to Cape Hatteras National Seashore or Pea Island. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and the fishing is excellent during  the fall. If you want to wait until summer make sure you plan on checking out some of the great hang gliding and kite surfing outfitters along Highway 12.

Here is a neat video of some of the early recovery efforts in Hatteras from the air, not long after Hurricane Irene hit the Outer Banks.

OBX Makes Forbes List of “Endless Summer Vacations” for Labor Day

Posted on
Reply

Oh man- it is finally kicking in that Labor Day is right around the corner. Almost time to get back into the swing of things, send the kids back to school and say goodbye to summer. But why rush it ;) ? A recent Forbes article lists 5 “Endless Summer” vacation spots and the Outer Banks made the list! Noting our famous lighthouses, 130 miles of endless scenery and white sandy beaches the author reminds you that it is not to0 late for a vacation, and so do we!

Seaside still has some great units left for summer and even if you cant make it for an entire week, we offer homes with partial week stays. Ditch the school supply lists and fall shopping and plan a last minute trip to the OBX. I mean who can let summer go by without relaxation, great food, warm weather, sand between your toes, lots of pictures and a gorgeous beach house? Not you!

OBX Makes Top 10 Beaches in the U.S

Posted on
2

Jockey's Ridge State Park

The U.S offers a large variety of beaches with many different reasons for visiting. Here in the Outer Banks we aim to provide a unique beach experience that emphasizes pure relaxation, an island atmosphere, outdoor activities and historic attractions. We have always said that the OBX is amazing but don’t just take it from us. U.S News and Travel recently released a list of the top 10 beaches in the United States and the Outer Banks landed the #5 spot.

Here is the rest of the  list:

1. Maui

2. U.S Virgin Islands

3. Hawaii-The Big Island

4. Honolulu-Oahu

5. Outer Banks

6. Miami

7. San Diego

8. Fort Lauderdale

9. Myrtle Beach

10. Los Angeles

No matter what your interests the Outer Banks has something to offer. Once you visit once we guarantee you will come back every year! It is truly a little piece of paradise. Just ask our guests :)

 

Guest Post: HomeSchool.com Loves the Outer Banks!

Posted on
1

A few weeks ago we announced on the blog that www.HomeSchool.com gave their official “seal of approval” to the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations after their recent visit, and we have some more OBX/Homeschool info to share.

The Outer Banks really is a perfect match for homeschoolers. The OBX offers a tremendous amount of “educational” opportunities; the Wright Brothers first flight, Blackbeard the Pirate, wild horses, largest sand dune on the East Coast, miles of empty beaches, water sports, shipwrecks, art galleries, and the list goes on. History, culture, nature, and arts…all set in an amazingly pretty and fun location. Does education get any better than this?!

Here’s what HomeSchool.com has to say…

Guest Post from www.HomeSchool.com:
Roanoke, Hatteras and More

July 1st, 2011 by dailynews

Since I last wrote to you about our family vacation to the Outer Banks, I’ve had some time to think back on all of our adventures and family fun. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite things to do in the area, as well as some ideas for those of you who might be going to the area soon.

Daytrips! Our time in OBX was filled with day-trips! There are so many things to do, that a week wasn’t enough to take in everything the OBX has to offer. We tried to get in as much as we possibly could, but I must admit, the area warrants another trip just so we can see all it has to offer. Here are some of our favorites from the time we spent in the Outer Banks.

Roanoke Island - Everybody who vacations on the Outer Banks should make it a point to go to Roanoke Island at least once! The island is overflowing with things to see and do – being the daytrip capital of the Outer Banks, the island is home to four of the Outer Banks’ most popular attractions. For a complete guide of the area, go to www.roanokeisland.net.

Hatteras Island - If you love being outdoors and in the natural world, you’ll really enjoy Hatteras Island. About 75% of Hatteras Island is undeveloped – and much of that land is accessible to the public for activities like fishing, water sports and observing nature. You’ll be surprised by the natural, cultural and recreational opportunities. For a complete guide to this area, visit www.hatterasguide.com.

Ocracoke Island - If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, this island is for you. Ocracoke is all about simple activities – building a sand castle, crabbing from a dock, pedaling aimlessly on a bicycle, peeling your own shrimp, poking in and out of shops, and actually having very little to do. For a complete guide to this area, visitwww.ocracokeguide.com

**Need to know ferry info**
A ferry service links Hatteras and Ocracoke islands with a relaxing 40-minute trip. During the summer, the wait can be long. Reservations are not accepted, and when getting in line for this ferry, make sure you’re not in the locals’ lane -usually the shortest line.
May 30 – September 6, departures are every hour from 5-7am and every 30 minutes from 7:30 – 6:30pm. It changes back to hourly departures from 7pm – midnight. September 7 – December 31 it runs every hour from 5am – midnight. For more information, please visitwww.ncferry.org or call (800)BY-FERRY.

Next time I’ll share information about Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk!

Stay Tuned!…

PS. If you’re looking for a home to rent while you’re in the area, be sure to check out www.outerbanksvacations.com .

The Outer Banks & Seaside Vacations Receive Homeschool.com’s “Seal of Approval”

Posted on
4
OBX & Seaside Vacations Receive Homeschool.com Seal of Approval

OBX & Seaside Vacations Receive Homeschool.com Seal of Approval

Homeschool.com recently announced that the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations have received their official “Seal of Approval.”

In early May, Homeschool.com partnered with Seaside Vacations to send Chief Marketing Director, Katherine Whiting, and her homeschool family to the Outer Banks for the first time. The goal of the trip was to demonstrate the remarkable educational opportunities available on the Outer Banks, while at the same time enjoying an incredible family vacation. It is safe to say this goal was accomplished.

After the weeklong trip, Whiting had this to say; “As a family consensus, it’s our favorite family vacation yet – which says a LOT since we’ve been all over the US with the kids.”

As a result of the trip, Homeschool.com has featured the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations in their “Family Travel Guide,” complete with travel tips and an accommodation guide.

According to the Homeschool.com Family Travel Guide, the Outer Banks is the perfect destination for a beautiful, educational and fun family vacation. Seaside Vacations was featured in the “Where to Stay” section of the Homeschool.com guide, as the guide highlighted the hospitality of the staff and the benefits of Club Seaside.

“The best decision we made when planning our vacation was to use Seaside Vacations,” said  Whiting. “The staff was so friendly and helped us find the perfect home.”

The hospitality showed by the Vacation Specialists made a lasting impression. “They helped us to plan excursions for the kids, recommended companies to use for kayaking and even gave us information about what grocery store to use.”

The seven day trip was filled with days at the beach, fishing from the pier, sightings of wild horses, a kayak excursion, a number of OBX educational trips, and an abundance of smiles and laughter. A fun-filled, educational trip that can be shared by all vacationers, especially homeschoolers.

One of the great features of an Outer Banks vacation for homeschool families is the fact that the spring and fall seasons are considerably less crowded than the peak summer season. Since homeschool families are not limited by the traditional school calendar, they can take advantage of the slower times of year to have easy access to attractions but still enjoy gorgeous Outer Banks weather and a significant price savings from the high-demand summer weeks.

For more information about an Outer Banks vacation, please visit Seaside Vacations at www.OuterBanksVacations.com.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas. Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit http://www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 866.801.3653.

Outer Banks Lands on List of “Sensational Drives for Families”

Posted on
Reply
Family Truckster

Family Truckster

Spring has sprung, and we are quickly approaching the end to another school year, which can mean only one thing…family road trip! Time to hop in the family truckster and hit the road for some fun in the sun, and the OBX is the perfect road trip.

FamilyVacationCritic.com recently listed their “7 Sensational Drives for Families,” and the Outer Banks landed at number four. Here’s what they had to say about the OBX…

“4. Southeast: Slow as Molasses
It’s all about taking your time in the South. Sit back and feel the breezes blowing through the pines while sipping on some sweet tea. Instead of heading north on I-95, head south for coastal exploration along the barrier islands along the Outer Banks of North Carolina… Kayak through marshy wetlands, go crabbing along the dune-covered beaches, and watch for sea turtles hatching from numerous nests on sun-filled days.”

Pop National Lampoon’s Vacation in the DVD player for a quick reminder of what not to do, and let’s get ready for some summer fun. We’d love to help you plan your family road trip to the Outer Banks…see you soon!

Outer Banks Lands on TripAdvisor’s List of Top U.S. Beaches

Posted on
2
Outer Banks Sunrise

Outer Banks Sunrise

TripAdvisor recently announced it’s “Traveler’s Choice Awards” for the Top 25 Beaches in the United States, and the Outer Banks made the cut. I’m a bit perplexed by the placement on the list – #23 out of 25?…perhaps I’m a bit biased. :) But hey we’re on the list, so I guess we can’t complain.

Here’s what TripAdvisor had to say about the OBX…Nags Head specifically:

“With eleven miles of sand, it’s no surprise the beach is everyone’s favorite attraction in Nags Head. This Outer Banks town just south of Kitty Hawk offers ocean fans every sort of shoreline sport, from sailing and kayaking to snorkeling past shipwrecks or hang-gliding over the sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Step into the past with a walk through the historic district and enjoy the area’s distinct architecture.”