Saturday, September 9, 2017

Outer Banks, North Carolina

We recently spent a in Duck, North Carolina.

Transportation
If you drive in on Virginia 168, there is a short toll road that can be from $3 during the week to $8 on the weekends. A short detour avoids this toll road. We had no traffic on the alternate route. Take exit 8B and follow Battlefield BLVD.

Lodging

We rented a house for a week from Kitty Hawk Vacation Rentals. Things we liked was close to beach (but not on the beach due to price), had a pool and hot tub, and plenty of room for all. Pool was not heated, which didn't bother the kids. Heated pool was about $500 more. Only odd thing was while linens were provided, you had to put the sheets on the bed. Some places do not provide linens.



Food (North to South)
We brought groceries with us. We ate out just a few times, usually for donuts...

Interesting idea. They make donuts in shop, put whatever topping you want, then skewer them. You can also get ice cream. Tried the cinnamon roll, pancake, and tuxedo. Cinnamon roll was better. They do have gluten free, but a limited amount. If you get there late, they might be out for the day. You can pre-order them for the following day.


It's just popcorn, but it's really good popcorn.



Same thing as Donutz on a Stick, minus the stick. Custom made donuts. I think my kids liked these better, but they were just about the same. No gluten free donuts.



For a place that's only claim to fame is that they are powered by the wind, it's pretty good. Had one of their beers, the olsch, and enjoyed it. Ate the flounder for meal, pretty good.



Attractions (North to South)

























2 trails here, we took the shorter boardwalk. About ¾ mile each way, with a viewing platform at the end overlooking the sound. Saw birds and heard frogs. Nice short walk. There is 



Currituck Heritage Park
Lots of cool things in the park. Fishing, crabbing, Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, Whalehead, and the Currituck Lighthouse




Saw it from the Currituck Heritage Park.

Small neat museum. Has a scavenger hunt for the kids.



Whalehead
Some old inn. You can take tours. We did not.


A boardwalk runs along the sound side of Duck. Lots of shops and nice views of the Sound



Fishing on the Boardwalk
Fishing and crabbing is restricted to one spot, just north of the town park. 
There is a bait and tackle shop (Bob's Bait and Tackle) on the boardwalk. Picked up string and chicken necks and the kids had a blast.

Beach in Duck
There is no public access to the beach. Where ever you stay should have private access. Ours had a boardwalk over the dunes at the end of the street.

First few days we were there, a rainstorm was moving up the East Coast. The "No Swimming" flags were out. We went most days, but never were able to get into the water due to rip currents and high surf.





Spent about 2 or 3 hours here. They have Junior Ranger program. Listened to a Ranger talk, walked to the top of Kill Devil Hill where the monument is, walked to the recreated hangers/workshops, saw where the first flight took place, and checked out the recreated flier with doubles as a playground. 


National Monument to Flight


Where the first flight took off from

Came out to explore the sand dunes and fly kites. Really cool place and the kids had fun.






Drove the seashore from the north to Cape Hatteras. There is no fee to enter.


You can climb the lighthouse

Haulover Day Use Area
Because of high surf and rip tide, we decided to not go to the beach on the ocean side and instead went to the sound side. We found this day area. It was small, but good for small children. Has bathrooms and washoff showers and changing areas. Kids enjoyed playing in the water and sand.





We climbed this lighthouse. It was $8 for adults.



View from the top




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