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Destination Spotlight: Outer Banks
Hersplash may be a Northeasterner, but her heart belongs to the South: she cites Charleston and Memphis as two of her favorite destinations. With her Outer Banks adventure, it looks like she has one more to add to that list.
From Paradise and Lighthouses in the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. During my 2-day visit, I enjoyed the beach, visited all of the lighthouses, and toured the Wright Brothers Museum. I traveled there by myself but called my brother before I left, telling him it would be a great spot for his upcoming family vacation.
The Outer Banks area sometimes gets hit with serious weather. Because of that (and sandbars), many ships have been lost around here, including many war ships. Hence, the Outer Banks is called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic."
The seashore is the most extensive stretch of undeveloped seashore on the Atlantic Coast: 30,000 acres of the Outer Banks has been preserved. It was also the first National Seashore in the nation. Some of the special things about Hatteras are the environmentally friendly activities, the seashore’s protected ecosystem, and the fact that 400 species of birds have been sighted.
There is no shortage of places to stay and eat. I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Kill Devil Hills, right on the beach and nearly across the street from the Wright Brothers Museum. I had no complaints about the hotel and was thrilled with the location. I had dinner one night at Quagmires, which is a restaurant/bar on the beach, just a short ride from my hotel. It was difficult to get seated, but I listened to a guitarist while sharing a long table outside with other people of all ages, and everyone was having a great time.
For a relaxing vacation, I highly recommend the Outer Banks. You'll need a car, but take the time to drive the entire length to experience incredible views and adorable little villages. From Ocracoke to Corolla, each village is very different from the next. There were so many great things to see and do that I can’t wait to return and experience more of this paradise.
