Holiday cheer and seasonal fun for the entire family abounds on the Outer Banks at this time of year. As an area already immersed in history and culture, the Outer Banks presents visitors with a one-of-a-kind holiday experience intertwining the past with the present, woven with a wild spirit native only to the Outer Banks. The beautiful landscape, delicious local restaurants, unique activities, and laid-back atmosphere make the OBX an enjoyable place to spend the holidays with your family. Check out some of these activities to get you in the holiday spirit and enjoy a seasonal getaway on the Outer Banks.

Kites with Lights

A beloved annual tradition here on the Outer Banks is Kitty Hawk Kites’ annual Kites with Lights event! Not every year do you get to experience a Christmas extravaganza on the nation’s tallest natural sand dune, but if you head to the Outer Banks this holiday season you can! Get the entire family up and out of your Outer Banks vacation rental and head to Jockey’s Ridge State Park as the sun sets into the sound, turning visitors into silhouettes atop the dunes and beneath the dancing, illuminated kites. It’s truly a spectacular sight to see. The kids love this event, as Santa always makes an appearance in hopes of trading his sleigh in for a hang glider. “Hang with Santa” and have the kids’ pictures taken to remember the special evening. Kites with Lights will be held on November 29. For more information, click: here.

Festival of Trees

Come enjoy the Outer Banks in the off season and really get to feel what it’s like to be a part of a small island community. The Festival of Trees, this year in its 26 season, is a holiday event that will welcome you like a local!  With a holiday bazaar, musical performances, children’s activities, a holiday party for grown-ups, and much more, this weekend-long event is a must see during your holiday stay on the Outer Banks. The Festival of Trees will be held at the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills on December 13. More information can be found: here.

Roanoke Island Christmas Weekend

Roanoke Island Christmas Weekend takes place the first weekend in December and provides visitors the rare opportunity to get a glimpse at some of the remarkable historic homes and sites we have here on the Outer Banks, with proceeds supporting a good cause! Take the tour and get some inspiration for holiday decorating for your own home as you and your family explore some of the most unique homes on Roanoke Island. For more information, click: here.

With plenty of unique things to do and see for everyone in the family, and a beautiful island atmosphere in which to take it all in, an Outer Banks vacation this holiday season might be just the ticket for you!

If you’ve never experienced a Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks, we highly recommend creating new traditions by bringing your family to the Outer Banks for the upcoming holiday! The peaceful landscape, mild climate, abundance of shopping, and awesome amenities to accommodate everyone in your family make an Outer Banks getaway a great way to spend your Thanksgiving holiday.  Check out these reasons why you should spend your Thanksgiving holiday with us here on the Outer Banks!

• No Fighting for Couch Space or Room at the Adult Table

Maximize the comfort of your Thanksgiving celebration by staying in an Outer Banks vacation home. The entire family can easily fit in one house without having to share beds, sleep on the floor, or pull up a desk chair to the kiddie table to eat. Multiple rooms with plenty of sleeping space will come in handy for those post-turkey naps and the enormous living areas will allow for everyone to comfortably watch the big game together.

• Keep the Whole Gang Happy and Occupied

With enough amenities in the average Outer Banks vacation home to keep everyone occupied for hours on end, there will be plenty of options to appeal to just about everyone’s tastes. Game rooms with pool tables, children’s rooms with bunk beds and plenty of space for board games and activities, multiple TV’s for shared entertainment options, and hot tubs (which are available in many Outer Banks homes) are all perfect ways for the entire family to unwind and enjoy the holiday together.

• Black Friday Christmas Shopping with Ease

With numerous shops to choose from on the Outer Banks, Black Friday never looked so good. During the holiday season, the beach is less crowded than usual, and therefore so are the stores, making Black Friday shopping a little more manageable than usual. Take advantage of the unique stores you can’t find anywhere else and get some one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts out of the way for everyone on your list. Enjoy all of the shopping specials without the Black Friday shopping headache…now THAT’S a deal!

• The Beautiful Beach

With a mild climate, even in late November, the Outer Banks offers holiday visitors the same breathtaking beauty that it does in the summertime: serene sunrises, stunning sunsets, and rejuvenating walks along the shore. Although we all love Grandma’s house for the holidays, these are a few things you might not be able to experience there.

• Fishing Season

For all of the fishing lovers in the family, either amateur or professional, the Outer Banks boasts its most prolific fishing season during the fall months, making it a coveted destination for fishermen of all types. Bring your family to the Outer Banks for Thanksgiving and give the fishermen in your life the holiday getaway of their dreams.

• Last But Not Least…Low Prices

With the crowds gone for the season, many vacation rental homes are vacant and owners are able to make better deals with renters because of the lower demand for their property. Use this to your advantage and check out some of the Outer Banks rentals that are offered at a lower cost for not only a memorable, but an affordable, getaway as well.

If you’re not convinced by now that an Outer Banks getaway is the perfect way to spend your Thanksgiving holiday, you should be. Come enjoy a memorable extended weekend with the ones you love on the beautiful barrier islands and create a new tradition that everyone is sure to enjoy!

The Outer Banks is not just known for our sprawling sandy beaches, the one-of-a-kind wildlife experiences, or the historical landmarks, but for food, too…mmm. And not just seafood but all-American fare as well, and what is more American than a good old-fashioned hamburger? Below is a list, based on real customer experiences, of where you can find the tastiest burger on the Outer Banks. So no matter which of the Outer Banks Vacation Rentals you’ve decided to stay in this year, a great burger spot won’t be far. Check out one of these places on your vacation:

#1: Art’s Place in Kitty Hawk takes the cake! The local hangout was featured in Our State magazine’s June 2011 issue naming it one of the best burger joints in North Carolina. Opened in 1978 by the late Art Glidden himself, Art’s continues to be an Outer Banks treasure with its honest-to-goodness delicious homemade food and casual atmosphere. The half-pound burgers are hand-pattied and served up on a fluffy Kaiser roll with your choice of 6 different cheeses and all the fixin’s. The burger-masters over at Art’s are happy to create a unique combination for you and will happily build your beauty with anything available to them!  The mouth-watering creation goes perfectly with their homemade fries, which they hand-cut right in front of you. Don’t let their “Locals Welcome, Tourists Tolerated” slogan scare you off…just behave.

During the summer Art’s is open from 7a.m.-9p.m. except for Friday and Saturday, when they decide how late they want to keep it going. Off-season hours vary. Art’s is located at 4624 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, otherwise known as MP 2.5 on The Beach Road.

#2: The Blue Moon Beach Grill in Nags Head offers outside-of-the-box cuisine, unique daily specials, and a Beach Burger that’s a sure-bet crowd-pleaser. Using one third of a pound of prime Angus ground beef, the Beach Burgers are individually created and broiled over an open flame to your preference. The burgers are served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato and onion and your choice of 5 cheeses, including Blue Cheese. Add a fried egg, bacon, grilled mushrooms or onions, or blacken your beauty for a custom-built masterpiece. Wash it down with seasonally rotating taps or something from their impressive bottled-beer or wine collection.

Scott and Melissa Shields, who opened Blue Moon Grill in February 2009, provide a seamless experience between food and atmosphere that creates an enjoyable dining experience. Located at MP 13 in Surfside Plaza in Nags Head, the Blue Moon Beach Grill is another hot spot when vacationing on the Outer Banks.

#3: John’s Drive-In the place to find the hands-down best milkshake on the beach, but we’re talking burgers here, and what a perfect pair they make at this classic drive-in. John’s traditional-style burger comes with a basic set-up: ketchup, mustard, pickle, lettuce, tomato and cheese, and tastes like burgers used to. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, choose from one of their specialty burgers like the Las Vegas Burger, complete with an onion ring, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, mozzarella and pickle. Everything comes with crinkle fries, but if you want something a little more country, upgrade to fried okra instead! A simple, quick, inexpensive burger that won’t disappoint! John’s is located in Kitty Hawk at 3716 N. Virginia Dare Trail.

#4: Baldie’s Burgers starts with thick, hand-rolled ground beef that is sure to satisfy your burger craving. Served in various sizes and at your desired temperature, Baldie’s burgers come with crispy hand-cut fries served with the skin on. Their buttery, toasted hamburger buns barely fit the sizeable creations allowing for more burger flavor and less fluff. Established in Duck about 10 years ago, Baldies is a small dive with limited seating but a great place for a big juicy burger. Baldie’s is Located at the Marketplace in Southern Shores at 5581 N. Croatan Hwy. in Kitty Hawk.

#5: Dune Burger in Nags Head is a fast-food style to-go stop that opened in the 1950’s and has remained at the same Whalebone Junction location ever since. The burgers are nothing fancy but they keep customers coming back again and again as a must-stop on their vacation list. It’s a blast from the past walk-up burger joint where customers can grab a simple, inexpensive junior, single, or double burger and post up on one of the outdoor picnic tables. Dune Burger is located at 7305 South Virginia Dare Trail.

Whether you’re looking for a hidden local spot, an in-and-out dive, a classic drive in, or a contemporary sit-down restaurant, there is a great burger to be found in your ideal eatery during your Outer Banks vacation.

The Outer Banks is truly a unique destination, and there are countless reasons why one chooses to vacation on the beautiful barrier islands. The Outer Banks offers something for everyone in the family. From the beautiful, sandy beaches that are great for swimming or seeing a scenic view of the sunrise to the historical sites, the Outer Banks is a great choice for your vacation. Read on to see some of the reasons why Outer Banks vacation rentals are so popular.

1. From the northern beaches to Hatteras Island and Ocracoke beaches, every beach on the Outer Banks is unique. Visit the beaches for swimming, walking on the coast, surfing, skimming, and more. The beaches of the Outer Banks are beautiful sites and offer unique experiences, so enjoy the coastline while on your vacation.
2. There are numerous opportunities to learn watersports on the Outer Banks. Join kayaking tours and see scenic views such as the beautiful waters, maritime forests, and wildlife. Rent a surfboard or take surfing lessons along the Atlantic Ocean. Go kiteboarding or wakeboarding on the sound while taking lessons from local professionals. You will have a great time learning these watersports along the Outer Banks.
3. The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills is where you can go to learn about the first flights by Wilbur and Orville Wright. The Wright brothers came to Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and achieved their dreams of successful flights. Learn about the first flight and the events surrounding this legacy by visiting the memorial.
4. Roanoke Island is the site in which the English first tried to establish settlements in North America. The English created a second colony on Roanoke Island, but the settlers disappeared. There are speculations about what happened to the settlers, but we do not know exactly why they disappeared. Visit The Lost Colony on Roanoke Island to learn about these colonies, and see The Lost Colony, the oldest outdoor drama in the United States.
5. The Outer Banks lighthouses are another reason why an Outer Banks vacation is a great choice for your family. For example, visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla while in Corolla vacation rentals to learn about the history behind these important sites.
6. There are many more historic places you should plan on seeing while vacationing on the Outer Banks. These include the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, The Elizabethan Gardens, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and Whalehead in Historic Corolla.
7. The Outer Banks is home to a wide variety of restaurants. The fresh and local seafood is something you must try. Visit the famous restaurants throughout the Outer Banks to experience a diverse cuisine and unique seafood. The Outer Banks also provides many local shops for you to visit for unique arts and crafts, souvenirs, local clothing, and more.
8. The Outer Banks hosts many special events, and there are events for all family members. From kite festivals and music festivals to sporting events and races, the Outer Banks has a variety of events available for you to join while on your Outer Banks vacation.

The Outer Banks is a great location to visit with your family and friends for a relaxing vacation. Stay in Outer Banks vacation rentals and experience one of the best vacation destinations in the world.

Corolla is well-known for its miles of wide and beautiful beaches.  As the northern most Outer Banks town, Corolla is an old village with a relaxed and low-key atmosphere where many vacationers desire to be when on summer vacation.  If you have never been to the Outer Banks or Corolla, there are so many fun things to do that summer vacation goes by very quickly with families beginning to plan for the next year.  Here are some fun things to do on vacation in Corolla:

Fishing.  For anglers who intend on spending time on the OBX, Corolla offers some of the best fishing on the barrier islands whether you want to spend some quiet time surf fishing on the beach and along the Currituck Sound or head out into the waters off the coast for more serious fishing.  Please note that recreational fishing requires a NC Recreational Fishing License for fishing along the beaches and a Freshwater Fishing License for fishing in the northern end of Currituck Sound.  Licenses are available at many shops in Corolla and online.  If you plan to fish on a pier or as part of a fishing charter, most have licenses that cover everyone fishing from these locations.

Wild Horse Tours.  The wild horses are something that you have to see to believe.  They have been here for hundreds of years and continue to be a part of the Outer Banks appeal.  Area companies offer wild horse tours so that you can see the horses up close and personal (kind of up close).  Some visitors to the Outer Banks choose to go it alone and walk along the beaches and dunes in Corolla in search of the horses.  If this is what you want to do, please note that it is important to keep at least 50 feet away from the horses so as not to spook them.  And, most importantly, please do not feed them.  They have been here for over 500 years and have survived on foods that are natural to the area – not apples and carrots.

Beach Fun.  Probably Corolla’s biggest claim to fame is its beaches.  On these beaches, there are so many options for vacation fun.  Not only can you spend the day digging in the sand to create masterpiece sand castles or flying a spectacular kite high in the sky, there are tons of watersports for which the Corolla surf is absolutely ideal for surfing, wind surfing, wave boarding, jet skiing, kayaking and more.  Many of the Outer Banks beach homes for rent in Corolla come equipped with basic beach equipment to help make your vacation that much more fun.  For larger beach stuff like jet skis, there are several rental businesses in Corolla to provide you with the equipment you need.

Currituck Heritage Park.  Home to the three main tourist attractions in Corolla, Currituck Heritage Park is always a destination for vacationers on the Outer Banks.  Currituck Heritage Park is a 39-acre site that plays host to the Whalehead Club, Currituck Lighthouse, and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education with plenty of wide open land to explore.  It is very easy to spend a whole day here climbing the lighthouse, touring the Whalehead Club and even hopping in a kayak for some paddling around the Currituck soundfront that lines the grounds of the park.

Shopping.  In addition to its unbelievable Outer Banks vacation rentals, Corolla is also well-known for its quaint and unique local shops in the business district instead of national and regional chain retailers.  Because most shops in Corolla shops are locally owned and operated, they offer an individual atmosphere and appeal.  On top of this, most of the shopping centers have other distractions for kids and those who do not want to shop.  At TimBuck II Village, there are water sports and even go-carts for Dad to occupy kids while Mom enjoys a little break.  Monteray Shores features a movie theatre and a climbing wall.  Lastly, there is a skate park at Corolla Light Town Center for kids to have some fun skate boarding or simply watching the really good skate boarders perform their tricks.

Some Suggestions: When preparing for your trip to Corolla, it is very helpful to talk with vacation rental consultants who can help you plan some outings for the week or at least offer some suggestions.  Even though you are planning to stay in Corolla, there is a long string of barrier islands with their own things to do many of which are well worth the time you spend in the car going there.  A great way to see everything is to plan stops along the way.

No matter what you do, you will have a wonderful week and begin planning next year’s trip to the OBX well before ending this one!

For hundreds of years, wild horses have run along the beaches of the Outer Banks and have an interesting history behind them.  It is believed that the first horses came over from Spain in the mid-1500s and were left on the Outer Banks for a myriad of reasons.  Historians think that, for the most part, ships ran aground causing them to possibly toss the horses overboard to make the ship’s weight lighter or when the ships wrecked in the waters off the OBX, the horses swam to safety and ended up on our northern shores.

The horses are one of the standout attractions that everyone who vacations in Outer Banks locales wants to see.  They are definitely a sight to behold but there are some very important things to remember.  Here are five tips for seeing the wild horses:

• Stay Back.  Just like any other wild animal, it is very important for you to stay back and not approach them.  It is common for them to seem very nice and “friendly” as much of the time they may be lying down or standing around.  In reality, just like you, if strangers intrude on the horses’ territory, it can scare them and cause them to buck or even bite.   If you see a horse starting to back up as you walk toward it, you are too close and need to stay put or better yet, back yourself up.  By the way, you can be arrested in the Corolla Wild Horse Sanctuary if you are within 50 feet of any of the horses.  So, the best advice is to stay that far back wherever you may be watching the wild horses.
• Be Prepared.  This goes for everything involved in seeking out the wild horses.  If you are walking, it may take a while for you to run across some horses so you need to wear comfortable shoes.  On top of this, prepare for the weather.  It gets very hot on the sand when watching the horses (even more so as you are walking about trying to find them) so you need to wear the proper clothing and make sure you have plenty of water.  On the flipside, the winters on the OBX coast can be very cold so make sure you have the right clothing as well as hot coffee, tea or even hot chocolate to keep you warm.   Our rentals in Corolla are the closest to where the horses usually congregate which makes it a little easier to see them.
• Drive Carefully. Parts of the Outer Banks are open at certain times of the year to vehicles – preferably off-road vehicles.  One of the most fun ways to see the horses is by renting a beach jeep and driving the beaches of Corolla where the horses tend to congregate.  Traversing the beaches by vehicle makes it easier to see the horses without spending a couple of hours walking the beaches in search of them.  But drive carefully (and slowly for that matter) as it can be dangerous if you turn into a dare devil.  Before hitting the beach in this manner, be familiar with the beach driving rules so that you do not get fined or worse, end up in an accident from being careless.
• Do not feed the horses: We cannot say this enough so, again, please do not feed the horses.  The reasons are obvious:  1) you are too close to the horses and can get hurt; 2) the horses are not used to the food you may bring to them – even the foods that you think might be OK for them like apples, oats, and so forth; and 3) it teaches them to approach vehicles looking for food which, if you are in a beach vehicle, can cause an accident that injures them or you.  They have been living on these beaches for hundreds of years and are well nourished all on their own.
• Take a Guided Tour: There are several adventure companies that offer guided tours to see the wild horses.  This is the safest and easiest way to watch them.  With expert guides who have been all over the beaches on the OBX, you can simply spend your time marveling at these majestic beauties and enjoying being outside on our spectacular beaches without having to pay attention to what you are doing.

A Unique Experience: Watching the wild horses on the Outer Banks is definitely a unique experience.  But it is important to be cognizant of doing it very carefully.  If this is something that you might be interested in doing, contact us to make your perfect Outer Banks vacation happen..  We love to talk about the horses and provide you with the best opportunities to see them.

Are you the proud parent of a child that loves to try new things? The Outer Banks is full of great activities for children of all ages. The beaches and sound offer an abundance of activities for children to try and excel in. When on vacation with kids, parents are constantly looking for activities that will entertain and be enjoyable for the entire family. Check out these 10 fun Outer Banks Activities for the adventurous child.

1. SUP Rentals:  This watersport is taking over the country by storm.  Opposed to surfing where you propel yourself with waves, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) works with a paddle to get you where you want to go.  The boards are bigger and easier to balance and are great in the sound or surf. Paddling is easy to pick up and can be a relaxing or exercising experience depending on what you would like. We suggest renting one or two for the family to try at Ocean Atlantic Rentals.
2. Surf Kayaking: Does your child stay in the water constantly at the beach? This may be a great activity for him/her. These kayaks are built to surf through the waves while the rider uses the paddle to navigate the wave.  We recommend this for older children, as the waves can cause a crash.  We suggest renting these at Ocean Atlantic Rentals.
3. Skateboard at the Skate Park: The Outer Banks YMCA runs a great skatepark that is open to skateboards, roller blades, bikes, and scooters.  Helmets, knee and elbow pads are required. The skatepark is available to the public for $10 per day or $30 per week.
4. Try a Parasailing Adventure:  Soar high above the Outer Banks when you try parasailing! The expert parasailing crew will tow you to your designated height where you will be able to see breathtaking views of your favorite attractions on the Outer Banks! Tows can be by single, double or triple capacity. We suggest booking with Wild Bill’s Watersports http://www.obxwaterworks.com/
5. Ride along and see the Corolla Wild Horses:  One of the few places left with horses roaming the wild, visiting the Corolla Wild Horses is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Hop on a beach buggy and learn the history of Corolla and horses while driving on the beach to find the horses. You are guaranteed to see these horses in the wild. We suggest Corolla Wild Horse Tours http://www.seecorollawildhorses.com/tours/
6. Dolphin Watch Tours: Have a child who loves dolphins? The Outer Banks plays home to many pods of dolphin throughout the year and these tours can get you right up next to your child’s favorite animal.  We suggest Nags Head Dolphin Watch Tour http://www.nagsheaddolphinwatch.com/
7. Take a Charter Fishing Trip: Who doesn’t love to go fishing? Whether inshore or offshore, spending a day with the family trying to reel in the big catch is a day well spent! Here is a list of great charters on the Outer Banks: http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-fishing-and-hunting/
8. Hang Gliding: Take flight with Kitty Hawk Kites at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Offering children and adult beginner dune hang gliding lessons, this is fun on the dunes for the whole family. http://www.kittyhawk.com/hang-gliding/
9. Jet Skis: Who doesn’t love to go fast on the water? Take a jet ski out on the sound and enjoy the open water flying by. We suggest Kitty Hawk Watersports http://www.kittyhawk.com/hang-gliding/
10. Try the JetPak Adventure: You’ve seen it on TV shows like Eastbound and Down, now try it for yourself! Hook yourself to the JetPak and fly above the water for a fun time: Available at Kitty Hawk Kites http://www.kittyhawk.com/adventures/jetpak/