Spotlight on the OBX: Corolla

Whitney Norko Photography - Outer Banks Wild Horses

Whitney Norko Photography - Outer Banks Wild Horses

The beaches along the Outer Banks are pretty amazing. Mile after mile of unspoiled beaches, white sand, gorgeous fishing piers, an abundance of wildlife, and most of the time you can find a quiet spot all to yourself. This gorgeous beach environment is awesome, but it can also overshadow some of the other amazing aspects of the OBX.

It’s easy to be so focused on getting to the beach, setting up your chair and cooler, that you miss what’s going on around you. As the wise Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

At a quick glance, from a car speeding to the nearest beach access, the towns along the Outer Banks may seem pretty similar, but in reality, they all offer their own unique charm.  So our hope with the “Spotlight” is that we can help you slow down and take a look around, and today we’re going to shine the “Spotlight” on Corolla – that’s Co-RHALL-a, not like the Toyota car. :)

Corolla, NC is the northern most town of the Outer Banks, situated just south of the Virginia/North Carolina line. Corolla is rich in history and full of tradition for many.

Corolla is an unincorporated community and home to more than 100 wild Spanish Mustangs. The horses can be found on 12,000 acres in Corolla, north of populated areas. Approximately 500 permanent residents call the community home.

Up until the development boom of the 1980s, some 30 years ago, Corolla was little-known and little-traveled and was often referred to as North Carolina’s last beach frontier. That’s all changed today. Corolla has grown quite rapidly, and the number of people who have decided to move to this edge of the world location has steadily increased.

Today, Corolla is a popular vacation destination for families from all over. Although you may not be able to enjoy the convenience of super stores and malls, you’ll find all the amenities you want for a great vacation. The beautiful beaches are clean and vast, and usually just a short walk from your vacation home. There is great shopping and a fine recreation scene, including kayak tours, jet-ski rents, surf lessons, fishing, wild horse tours, go-carts and more. Dining and entertainment is top notch, many of the renown restaurants provide live out-door music for those beautiful summer nights.

Corolla has a little something for everyone, “It is a world of contemporary luxuries, where vacationing is easy and life is civilized.”

I’ll zip it so you can enjoy the tour, but remember to slow down once in awhile :)  …

 

Spotlight on the OBX: Kitty Hawk

Outer Banks - Welcome to Kitty Hawk

Outer Banks - Welcome to Kitty Hawk

Here’s the newest installment to our “Spotlight on the OBX” video series. Today we’re going to focus on the town of Kitty Hawk.

The town of Kitty Hawk is located on the northern beaches of the Outer Banks and is home to both Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty and Seaside Vacations. Established in the early 18th century, Kitty Hawk is rich in history and culture.

Kitty Hawk is the first town you bump into as you cross the Wright Memorial Bridge and arrive on the OBX. It is sandwiched between Southern Shores to the north and Kill Devil Hills to the south.

The Town consists of a thriving Village that has been around for generations, a newer beach community of residential cottages, and a maritime forest called Kitty Hawk Woods.

Kitty Hawk accounts for approximately 5 miles of the northern Outer Banks coast. The beaches are beautiful and full of memories for so many people…visitors and locals alike.

Having grown up here, I may be slightly biased when I say that there are no other beaches quite like the ones on the Outer Banks. There is something about the feeling of a Kitty Hawk beach that, for me, lets you escape for a short while and appreciate the natural beauty that’s around you.

On the other side of the by-pass (aka “highway in OBX lingo), in the heart of Kitty Hawk, also referred to as the Village, you’ll find families that have lived here for generations. It is amazing how much history the OBX offers! There’s a small town feeling that you’ll notice as neighbors wave while passing each other on the road, by car or bike. The Village is home to most of the year-round residents of Kitty Hawk.

This side of the Kitty Hawk bumps up to the Sound and all of the fun the Sound has to offer…fishing, boating, skiing, etc. Oceanfront is great, but there’s something very special about soundfront homes too. The view from the Sound is fantastic, and there’s no better way to spend a sunny day than cruising on the calm waters of the OBX Sound.

Whether you’re looking for oceanfront or sound side properties, Kitty Hawk has it all. We love it here….and know you will too!

I’ll zip it so you can enjoy a quick tour…

USA Today Loves Vacation Rentals Too! – Tips for Finding the Perfect Vacation Rental Home

Outer Banks - Big Mama's

Outer Banks - Big Mama's

The vacation rental industry has historically played second-fiddle to the monstrous hotel industry, but times they are a changing. As the USA Today points out, vacation rentals “are finally on their way to going mainstream.” There is a growing awareness among consumers and the media, and big names are starting to take notice. HomeAway has run an ad promoting vacation rentals during the past two Super Bowls, and Google is even an investor in HomeAway. The vacation rental growth pattern is clearly on the upswing.

It’s easy to understand why vacation rentals are such a hot item. With a birds-eye view of the ocean from the comfort of your Nags Head Hammock, life is definitely good for renters. A water view – without having to request an upgrade. A full pot of fresh brewed coffee waiting in your private kitchen each morning. The flexibility to cook your own meals, or dine out. The entire group of family and friends under one roof, eating together, enjoying the private pool, and visiting in the family room. If these descriptions appeal to you, you might be one of a growing segment of travelers considering a vacation rental in 2011.

With all of the increased interest, USA Today & SmartTravel.com recently ran an article highlighting some tips for finding the perfect vacation rental home.

As vacation rentals become increasingly popular, rental companies like Seaside Vacations, are offering more ‘hotel-like’ services and amenities that were traditionally not offered by rentals. For instance, every guest who stays with Seaside Vacations enjoys guest access to Kilmarlic Health & Racquet Club, special guest rates at Kilmarlic Golf Club and the benefits of Club Seaside – an exclusive program designed just for Seaside guests. Club Seaside includes complimentary yoga classes, wine tastings, wild horse tours, fishing classes, and various other exclusive events.

As the industry becomes more sophisticated with its offerings, vacationers should take the time to understand the company and home they are considering renting. All homes and all vacation rental companies are unique, and may not be equal. It is crucial to do the research and set the right expectations for your vacation.

Here are some great tips from USA Today for new and seasoned vacation home renters:

  • “The benefits of renting from a company you can trust with your family, your credit card, and your invaluable vacation time can’t be understated. Book with a company that regularly manages and inspects its properties to ensure they meet a high standard of quality and safety, [as well as] one that offers online bookings and payments, can handle booking amendments and cancellations, and provides impeccable customer service and around-the-clock check-in assistance.”
  • Check TripAdvisor, and Flipkey for reviews from previous renters
  • “If you’re planning to visit a high-demand destination this year, the earlier you plan, the better.”

Once you’ve found a property that interests you, be sure to ask the following questions.

• Is the property professionally managed or rented by its owners?
• Is a rental contract required?
• If not, how will all transactions be handled?
• Will you need to make a security deposit? What are its return/refund policies?
• What are the renter’s cancellation policies?
• What pre-departure steps are required from renters (cleaning, laundering sheets and towels, etc.)?
• Are there fees for additional guests?

Good luck hunting for the perfect house. If you’re planning an OBX getaway, we’d love to help you find that home the meets all of your vacation needs:  www.OuterBanksVacations.com

 

 

Fall in Love with the Outer Banks for Your Wedding Day

Outer Banks Weddings

Outer Banks Weddings

The Outer Banks is a world-class wedding destination.  Miles of empty beaches and gorgeous sound front lots offer the perfect backdrop for the big day.  And since you’re at the beach, everyone can enjoy a vacation full of sun and sand.

The 13th annual Outer Banks Wedding Expo is this weekend, and we can’t wait to see all of the brides and grooms.  It’s a whirlwind day with few hundred vendors and a few thousand attendees, but the Expo is a such a fun event filled with a lot of energy from the excited couples.

If you’ll be at the Expo, please stop by our booth to meet our great staff and get some help planning your big day.  We will be giving away a complimentary three day stay as well, so please sign-up for the drawing.

Here’s a fun wedding video we’ll be showing at the booth.