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OBX Travel Tips: Saving Money on Your Outer Banks Vacation

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A few weeks ago we started a new blog series to offer some OBX Travel Tips. Who doesn’t love some good insider tips, right?

We started with tips for staying healthy on your Outer Banks Vacation, and now we’re going to adjust our focus to your piggy bank – i.e. tips for saving money on your Outer Banks vacation.

Vacations are expensive. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it, but hopefully the reward of an amazing OBX vacation filled with lasting memories and some Everyday Magic far outweighs the expense. However, even with the priceless memories and magic, it’s nice to cut costs when we have a chance.

Here are some tips for exercising your frugality muscles while you’re kicking back and relaxing on the Outer Banks.

 
Be flexible regarding your travel dates.

If possible, try to vacation during the off (non-peak) season. Although most people crave a summer vacation at the beach, the off season on the Outer Banks is one of our best kept secrets. Not only will you save money, you’ll avoid the crowds and get more time to enjoy the local attractions.
Vacation Travel Tip: Be flexible regarding your travel dates.
Choose an Outer Banks vacation rental instead of a hotel.

An oceanfront hotel room can cost as much as $299/night during the summer. The average cost per night, per person in an oceanfront Outer Banks vacation rental home? As low as $45 a night! And the hotel room can’t boast a private gourmet kitchen, expansive multi-level decks, private pools, hot tubs and more.

Check out more reasons why Outer Banks vacation rentals surpass hotels.
Vacation Travel Tip: Choose an Outer Banks vacation rental instead of a hotel.
Make a list of expenditures.

Of course, your planning starts with where you are going. How long is your travel time and how are you getting there? Are you sharing the cost with another family? Does your Outer Banks vacation rental come with linens and towels and other standard amenities? How much can you pack in your vehicle? What grocery stores are available at your destination? Brainstorm all of the expenditures that you will have and make a list.
Vacation Travel Tip: Make a list of expenditures.
Take it on the road.

Keep in mind that driving can significantly cut your vacation transportation costs. To save money and to avoid fast food while traveling, try packing a lunch, snacks and drinks for your road trip.

Don’t be intimidated, either, by the idea of entertaining your kids while you drive. With our road trip games, you just might find that those hours you share in the car together are some of the best memories of all.

Also be sure to plan for gas and tolls.
Vacation Travel Tip: Take it on the road.
There’s an app for that.

Use smartphone apps to your advantage while traveling. GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas near you and ATMHunter allows you to avoid fees when withdrawing money.
Vacation Travel Tip: There's an app for that.
Save on meals.

It can be tempting to ignore the cost of food while you’re on vacation. After all, you would spend money on food at home anyway. However, if you don’t plan ahead, you can end up spending a lot more on vacation meals than you would at home.

  • Once you arrive, hit the local grocery store to stock the kitchen in your vacation rental home.
  • Create a vacation meal plan. Think about the number of meals you’ll eat and decide how many will be at home and how often you’ll dine out. Be sure to include breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks in your planning. A good idea is to plan for one night to be “clean out the fridge” night to help get rid of food before checking out.
    • (However, if you do have unopened non-perishable food left, please bring it by our Kitty Hawk office so we may donate it to the local food pantry.) 
  • It also helps if breakfasts and dinners are eaten in since many restaurants offer the same dinner menu at lunch – but with cheaper prices.
  • Many of our Outer Banks vacation rentals include a grill which helps when eating in.
  • If you are traveling with other families, splitting the menu planning will save you money and also give you a night off when it is someone else’s turn in the kitchen.
Vacation Travel Tip: Save on meals.
Plan some down time.

You don’t have to visit local Outer Banks attractions each and every day of your vacation. Since the Outer Banks is known for its beautiful pristine beaches, why not spend your time relaxing on the sand and then cooling off in the refreshing Atlantic? You can also take advantage of the many amenities that most of our vacation rentals offer. From rec rooms with pool tables to private pools and hot tubs, spending time with your family hanging out in your Outer Banks vacation rental home, is another effective way to save money on your Outer Banks vacation.
Vacation Travel Tip: Plan some down time.
Ask for coupons.

Ask the local Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to send you free maps, coupons and a list of special events. You can also wait until you arrive as many local businesses have these books as well. With these local guides in your pocket, you’ll save big on restaurants, attractions and local shopping.
Vacation Travel Tip: Ask for coupons.
Relax.

You may go over budget, you may stay under budget, but don’t let the stress of money rob you from the pleasure of your Outer Banks vacation. And if you feel that your budget is getting out of control, cut back a little and get dinner from a grocery store instead of that all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Just don’t panic…a budget is worthless if you aren’t having fun.
Vacation Travel Tip: Relax.

OBX for the Kids: Travel Games

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OBX for the Kids

OBX for the Kids

During the Christmas holiday, I took a 15 hour car ride up north to see my extended family.

My fam met up with my sister’s clan to caravan our way up the coast, and included in our two cars on this marathon road trip were SIX kids under seven years old!

Yes, 6!

I share this little tidbit with you so you’ll understand that I’m speaking from experience with this post. I’ve been in the trenches. I know what a full day of traveling can do to kids. I feel your pain.

So, let’s try to make your extended travels to the Outer Banks with the kiddos a bit less painful, shall we?

Enter our new blog series, OBX for the Kids.

We understand it is challenging to travel to the Outer Banks, and we appreciate your efforts (although being out-of-the-way is kinda the charm of the OBX :) ). So, we want to offer you some great travel ideas that may slow – I can’t promise elimination – the Frankenstein-like transition from loveable youngster to off-the-wall crazy person.

Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing some great kid-friendly material, and today we’ll start with Travel Games to make your Outer Banks road trip slightly less insane.

Road Trip Games

The car is packed and you’re about to set off on your Outer Banks vacation. The only thing standing in your way is hours in a crowded car – with kids asking, “Are we there yet?” How can you keep everyone entertained and maintain your sanity until you reach your Outer Banks vacation home? Some fun and easy road trip games just might do the trick.

The Geography Game
Help your kids refresh their geography lessons while on the road with the geography game. The game begins with a person naming any place in the world, London for example. The next person then has to come up with a place name that begins with the last letter of the first location. So in this case, the next place would have to start with an ‘N’, like Nepal for instance. The game continues on until someone gets stumped, and no place can be used more than once. The game can be played with any topic, so give celebrity names, movies, animals or anything else you can think of a try.

The Grocery Game
A good way to keep everyone in the car entertained and engaged is to play a memory game such as The Grocery Game. To begin, the first player names an object available at a grocery store that starts with the letter A. The next player has to repeat what the first player said and then add another grocery item that starts with a B. For example, if player one says “apples,” player two would repeat “apples” and then might add “bananas.” If you forget a grocery item, you’re out, and the game continues until the player with the best memory wins.

If groceries aren’t your thing, you can play variations of this game with anything from animals to sports to people’s names.

I Spy
To play I Spy, a classic travel game, one person in the car will choose an object around them. He or she then gives the other people in the car a clue by saying: “I spy with my little eye, something….” He or she then will state the object’s color, give the first letter of the name of the object or offer another clue.

Be sure that players don’t choose an object that the car will whiz by too fast. Instead, go for something that is inside the car or that will be in everyone’s line of vision for a few minutes. The person who guesses the object correctly is the next person to spy a new item.

Team Storytelling
Inspire your family’s creative side by creating a group story. Someone begins by creating one line to a story (for example, “There once was a prince under a curse…”) and each person must add one line to the story as you go. If simple storytelling is too dull for you, spice it up by making the lines have to rhyme, or by pointing at players out of order to come up with a line on the spot. You can extend the game by writing down the story and having your children create illustrations for it.

Travel Scavenger Hunt
Keep children occupied with a travel scavenger hunt. Compile a list of objects for each child to find along the road. For example, you could have things like “brown cow” or “water tower.” Anything that comes to mind that you might be passing will work, or you can use prepared lists. The winner is the first one to find everything on his or her list.

Treasure Bottle
You’ll need a little preparation ahead of time, but a treasure bottle can be a great way to keep younger children entertained and engaged. Use a 2 liter bottle or large plastic container with a lid. Fill it 2/3s full with rice or birdseed, then add small “treasures” from around your house like paper clips, bolts, pennies, Legos and any other small things you might have lying around in your junk drawer. Keep count of how many items you put in and write the number on the outside of the bottle. Have kids roll around the bottle until they find everything hidden inside. Just make sure the lid is extra secure so there aren’t any mid-trip messes to clean up.

Who Am I?
Playing the guessing game Who Am I? is a great way to show everyone what they have in common. Think of someone that you and your fellow passengers all know: a family member, friend or neighbor, or maybe a fictional or historical character. Then give clues about the person’s identity by revealing his or her hair color, gender and other distinguishing physical characteristics. Or allow each person in the car to ask only “yes” or “no” questions about the identity of your secret person. Keep giving clues until someone figures out the identity of the individual you have in mind.

This is a variation of the ever-popular Twenty Questions, where the only clue players start out with is whether you are thinking of something “animal, vegetable or mineral” or a “person, place or thing.” The players must ask questions that you can only answer “yes” or “no” to determine who or what you are thinking about. The goal is to guess the answer in 20 questions or less.

Outer Banks Link Love: 1.20.12 – Lots o’ Local News

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

Here’s this weeks love for all of the links I couldn’t get to. A bunch of local OBX news to pass on.

Enjoy the link love…

  • Congrats to local Outer Banks surfer, Kim Diggs for landing a full-page spread in the new Surfing magazine. Always great to see an OBX local hit the big time.
  • New Outer Banks bridge one step closer to being a reality. The final environmental impact study was just released for the Mid-Currituck bridge. What do you think, does the OBX need another bridge?
  • The Bodie Island Lighthouse restoration is back on! After almost a year in hiatus, the additional funding for the project has been approved, and work should start at the Lighthouse by late February. Hopefully we’ll be climbing to the top come fall!
  • The Coast Guard earned their pay this week, and hauled in a sailor from a sinking sailboat off of Hatteras.
  • There’s no doubt Lowe’s is on the OBX. And now that they are here, they are bringing 125 jobs with them.
  • Looks like NatGeo is going to do a feature on the Outer Banks. We have to wait until June to see it, but pretty cool.
  • Are you aware that the Outer Banks has some fantastic golf courses? And you can setup an OBX golf package so you can play them all! Sweet.
  • Check out this awesome story about a horse trainer working with the Outer Banks wild horses. The wild horse whisperer?!
  • Got any OBX Civil War artifacts? The Outer Banks History Center is on the hunt for OBX Civil War memorabilia for an upcoming exhibit.
  • Any country music fans out there? How about Randy Thompson fans? Seems that good ol’ boy Randy enjoyed New Year’s on the Outer Banks. Love OBX celebrity sightings!
  • We’ve been sharing a lot of Outer Banks Everyday Magic stories recently, and here’s a great OBX story that wasn’t so magical…then again, maybe an adventure that turns into a lifelong family story is magical.
  • I’m not sure if the OBX needs saving, but just in case, here’s your chance to save the Outer Banks.

OBX Travel Tips: Staying Healthy on Your Outer Banks Vacation

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Vacation Travel Tips: Staying Healthy on Your Outer Banks Vacation

Is there anything worse than getting sick on your vacation? You patiently (or not so patiently) wait all year, you save your precious pennies, you travel for hours, you get unpacked and start to settle into the vacation way of life, and BANG the sickies get ya. Sooo disappointing! Getting sick is always a drag, but when you’re on vacation, it’s the worst.

Last year, my parents came to visit the fam, and they decided to rent an oceanfront home rather than stay with us. It was a great chance enjoy the beach, and they planned to enjoy some alone time with the grand-kids. All was well when they arrived, and the kiddos had a great time with Grammie and Papa that first night. But by day two, the sickies were arriving.

First Mom was down for the count; on vacation, but not getting out of bed. Dad pressed on and enjoyed the next day exploring the OBX. But by day three, it was clear he was wearing down. By day four, they were packed up and headed home.

A planned week at the beach with the family turned into a day with the grand kids followed by lots of rest and recuperation. Not the best way to spend a vacation on the Outer Banks.

At least we now get to joke Grammie and Papa that they get sick when they visit us. :) But definitely not what they hoped for.

The moral of the story is that we all need to do what we can to make sure we are healthy…all the time – but especially on a long-awaited vacation.

The good news is that with a little prep, there’s a lot you can do to protect you and your family.

The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you’re more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip.

Here are some health and safety tips to keep in mind when planning your Outer Banks vacation.

Immune Support & Prevention

Germs spread easily when people are in close contact. Plus, people often get run down and stressed out before they go away for vacation, trying to get work done and prepare for the trip.

  • Boost your immune system. Having a sound immune system will always help fight bugs, but adding an extra boost will also help. Consider taking vitamin supplements such as vitamin C, ginger root, and green tea. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to begin taking these supplements the week before your vacation.
  • Get a bottle of hand sanitizer and use it. Got a case of the ickies, but not soap and water in sight? – this is where hand sanitizers come in handy. Your hand sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol.
  • Get disinfectant wipes and wipe down places where germs are frequent. Doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, etc.
Stay healthy on your Outer Banks vacation with hand sanitizer.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can occur whether going by car, train, plane, or boat. Its effects include nausea – which could lead to vomiting. This is usually preceded by yawning, salivation, cold sweating and dizziness. People prone to motion sickness should have a light non-fatty meal before the journey and avoid alcohol. Reading and writing should also be avoided during travel. Tablets are available to help combat motion sickness.If you are traveling by car, it is advisable to take a rest from driving every two hours. A short walk will refresh you and help to maintain your concentration.
Prevent motion sickness on your Outer Banks vacation.

Sunburn Control

Bright, sunny days seem like the perfect recipe for a great Outer Banks vacation. However, if you aren’t careful, the summer sun can be too much of a good thing. During the summer months, the sun’s rays are especially intense. The reflection of the sun off of the ocean and sand can increase your chance for sunburn.The tanning effect of the sun is largely caused by ultraviolet rays which reach the skin. Excessive exposure to these rays leads to burning with redness and swelling. Check out our Beach Safety page for more information.
Prevent sunburn by wearing a hat on your Outer Banks vacation.

Bites and Stings

If you are bitten by mosquitoes, sandflies, or other insects while on vacation you should apply an antihistamine cream or, if none is available, prompt application of ice and a cooling lotion, such as calamine, will ease the pain considerably.

Other more dangerous injuries can be caused by a number of creatures. If you are stung by a jellyfish, try to remove the tentacles and stingers. This is best done by gently rubbing the area with a handful of wet sand. Alcohol applied externally to the skin and cooling lotions will also help.
Prevent insect bites on your Outer Banks vacation by using repellent.

Hangover Help

A few too many cocktails combined with lots of sun (dehydration) can bring on that undesirable hangover. How to avoid? Drink lots of water while you are having cocktails and before bed have a glass of water and banana. Take a supplement with guava leaf extract – the compounds in guava help your body process alcohol more efficiently. Go easy on the Tylenol, while it helps the headache, high amounts are hard on your liver and so is the alcohol. If you feel queasy the next day, avoid alcohol and have some ginger and lemon tea.
Prevent hangovers on your Outer Banks vacation.

Overeating and Indulging

Overeating can lead to bloating, gas, heartburn and weight gain. Avoid this unpleasant feeling by eating smaller meals (try to avoid the buffets), choosing your foods wisely, taking digestive enzymes before you eat and having a cup of green tea afterward to aid digestion and support your metabolism.
Drink green tea after overeating on your Outer Banks vacation.

Other Helpful Hints

  • Pack a first aid kit. It’s a good idea to bring a “travel” first aid kit with you on vacation containing the following items: aspirin, travel-sickness pills, insect repellant, sunscreen, and creams or sprays to relieve the effects of stings and bites.
  • Trust your instincts and use common sense. We come into contact with germs every day, and that’s just life. Living in a bubble is silly and will rob you of great experiences, so you have to take risks sometimes.
  • Consider buying vacation insurance. Trip insurance covers a variety of issues that could impact your vacation and save you a lot of heart ache, should unforeseen circumstances occur. Check out our Policies and Procedures for more information vacation insurance.
Pack a first aid kit for your Outer Banks vacation.
With a little advance preparation and common sense, you can ease any worries that your trip will be spoiled by unexpected health problems.Here’s to a happy and healthy vacation!

Y Partnership Loves Vacation Rentals Too!

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Seaside Vacations - Sandy Oasis
Seaside Vacations – Sandy Oasis

Ypartnership is a global marketing communications agency specializing in the travel, leisure, and entertainment industries. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the agency is one of the most frequently quoted sources on emerging trends in travel and tourism.

Ypartnership chairman and CEO Peter Yesawich recently issued their detailed forecast for the travel industry in 2011, and they see good things for travel as a whole, and great things for vacation rentals specifically.

I’ll spare you the all of the ingredients of the detailed report (you can find more here), but I’ll pull out a couple highlights…

1. Interest in condominium and vacation home rentals will demonstrate robust growth (almost half of all leisure travelers are now interested in a vacation home rental as an alternative to conventional lodging when on vacation), particularly among family travelers seeking more space and better value.

2. As of October of this year, fully 55 percent of all U.S. adults were planning at least one overnight trip primarily for leisure purposes during the first two calendar quarters of 2011, up slightly from the 53 percent who expressed this sentiment at the same point in time in 2009.

It’s great to see some positive forecasts.  Could be a good idea to book your vacation home early, and we’d love to help.

www.OuterBanksVacations.com

New Outer Banks Bridge Headed for Approval Problems?

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Mid-Currituck Bridge

Mid-Currituck Bridge

The Virginia Pilot recently ran a very insightful article about the potential problems facing final approval for the proposed mid-Currituck Bridge.

The debates surrounding the bridge have echoed for years, and earlier this year it seemed a final conclusion in favor of the bridge was coming to a close.  The proposed bridge would begin near Aydlett, about 25 miles south of the Virginia-North Carolina line, and stretch across the Sound to Corolla.  It is believed that the bridge would cut travel time for visitors headed to northern Outer Banks.

At this point, the closest access to the Outer Banks is the Wright Memorial Bridge, about 20 miles south of Aydlett.  As a result, travelers headed to the northern end of the Outer Banks are forced to head 20 miles south to Kitty Hawk, and spin around onto Rt. 12 to head north another 10 – 20 miles to reach Duck and Corolla.  Clearly not ideal.  The convoluted route has long been a source of safety concerns. A new bridge is expected to reduce evacuation times, boost tourism on both sides of the sound and curb pollution from idling vehicles.

However, there are concerns.  Environmental, zoning, construction, etc.  But the debates on these issue have already been voiced and heard, and the major project still seemed poised for approval.

Not so fast.

The scope of the US political spectrum shifted a bit with the recent elections in November, and the Republican lawmakers who clawed their way back into the NC General Assembly last month are looking for much needed budget cuts.  Seems the mid-Currituck Bridge could be on the chopping block.

The state lawmakers need to close a projected $3 – 4 billion (yes, with a B!) deficit, and the bridge offers a pretty significant savings.  The current plans for the bridge call for initial funding at $15 million per year, but that figure has the potential to rise to $28 million per year in 2013…and continue for 40 years.

Seems like the debate is far from over but conclusions could be reached in the near future.

Outer Banks Lands on Yahoo Travel’s List of Top 10 Places to Take the Kids Before They Grow Up

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Roanoke Island & The Lost Colony

Roanoke Island & The Lost Colony

Working from suggestions in the book 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, Yahoo Travel just released their list of Top 10 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, and the Outer Banks made the list…Roanoke Island to be specific.

Here’s what they had to say about the land of the mysterious Lost Colony…

Roanoke Island

In 1587, on Roanoke Island, between the Outer Banks and the North Carolina mainland, 120 men, women, and children landed to settle England’s first permanent New World colony. Virginia Dare — granddaughter of their governor, John White — was born that year, the first child of English parents born in America. When White sailed back to England, he intended to return within the year.

But a war with Spain kept White away from Roanoke for three years; what he found on his return in 1590 was a mystery. The rudimentary houses that he had helped build were dismantled, the entire area enclosed by a high fortlike palisade. No trace of the “Lost Colony” was ever found.

The visitor center at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site tells the colony’s baffling story in exhibits and film; outdoors, all that’s left of the fort is a silent mound of dirt, preserving the site’s sense of mystery. You’ll also want to flesh out the story by visiting the more commercial Roanoke Island Festival Park, mid-island in Manteo. A 69-foot-long three-masted bark, the Elizabeth II, lies moored across from the waterfront — a composite 16th-century ship built for the 400th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh’s first exploratory voyage to Roanoke in 1584.

 

Outer Banks Named in List Top 10 Secluded Beaches

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Outer Banks Wild Horses

Outer Banks Wild Horses

Yahoo Travel and Sherman Travel teamed up to create a list of the Top 10 Secluded Beaches, and the Outer Banks made the list.

Here’s what they had to say about the OBX:

Carova Beach, North Carolina - This barrier beach covers the upper stretches of the Outer Banks, North Carolina, and is the most undeveloped of an already spartan beach chain. Part of what keeps the region mellow is the lack of paved roads, with Highway 12 stopping north of Corolla. Four-wheel drive is a must, as the only route to these secluded U.S. beaches is a ride on the sand or a primitive system of dirt roads connecting vacation homes in the wooded interior. Drive slowly to see the wild horses (some are descendants of shipwrecked Spanish mustangs) that roam the protected dunes.

Outer Banks Named in List of America’s Best Little Beach Towns

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Outer Banks Sunrise

Outer Banks Sunrise

Travel & Leisure recently released their list of America’s Best Little Beach Towns, and the Outer Banks made the list!

Here’s what they had to say about the OBX:

Duck, NC

How could a place named Duck not be charming? Seven miles north of Kitty Hawk, this Outer Banks town offers beaches that are fairly uncrowded—and why? With no public beaches, you have to be staying here to access either the sand or water sports.

Bing Travel Includes the Outer Banks on List of Awesome Vacations

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Outer Banks Sunset

Outer Banks Sunset

Bing (as in the Microsoft search engine) Travel is featured on MSN.com today with its list of “Awesome Vacations in All 50 States,” and the Outer Banks is highlighted for North Carolina.

Here’s what Bing Travel has to say about the OBX:

50 Awesome Vacations: North Carolina

The Outer Banks are a 200-mile-long string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. The Wright brothers’ first flight in a powered, heavier-than-air vehicle took place in 1903 on the Outer Banks, at Kill Devil Hills near the seafront town of Kitty Hawk. Explore these islands by renting a beach house.

Great vacation rental homes still available:  www.OuterBanksVacations.com