Top 5 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks

So many visitors experience Outer Banks vacations during the summer months when the sun is hot and the water is warm. But the fall and winter months bring something extra to the Outer Banks. If you ask any local resident, November is at the top of the list of favorite months on the Outer Banks. The air is crisp and chilly and calls for a thick sweatshirt and your favorite pair of jeans (rolled up for long walks on the beach). When anyone asks about the holidays on the Outer Banks, we typically suggest our top five reasons to spend Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks.
1.    Large Homes Accommodate Large Families. We have a lot of large, multi-family homes that accommodate big families or even multiple families.  These homes allow everyone to spread out and have room to relax, play games, watch television and even have a comfortable post-Thanksgiving, full-belly nap. For those who want the ability to split off to separate and smaller homes when necessary, we have cozy cottage-style homes. The best part is that even though the homes are smaller, they have an open feel that accommodate large groups for large meals. 
2.    Rental homes Have Lots of Extra Stuff.From a private pool to video gaming consoles to pool tables and more, man of our rental homes,like our Corolla rentals, have all the extras to keep everyone entertained – maybe even more stuff than at home. And, because there are nice, big gathering rooms with large televisions, our rental homes are ready for Thanksgiving Day football games. For the private pools, even though it may be a little chilly for swimming, many guests have the option of paying a bit extra to cover the cost to heat the pool at which point, most adults are very grateful that the pool is there and the kids are in it.
3.    Fun Events on the Outer Banks.Because there are year-round residents living all over the Outer Banks, our small towns get into the holidays. Local organizations host events over the holiday weekend to celebrate and give thanks for all that we are fortunate to have at our fingertips. On Thanksgiving Day, runners can lessen the damage from a huge meal by running in the Island Turkey 5K Trot in Duck. On the day after Thanksgiving, the Island Farm hosts an event that shows how the settlers on Roanoke Island survived winter in the 1850s. Everyone is asked to bring a canned good to donate to the local island pantry. By the time the holiday rolls around, more events are likely to pop up.
4.    Holiday Shopping.Think about it…every Christmas, you end up buying that you know the recipients might not want but you are at a loss for what to give. But with so many local, unique shops and boutiques, there is definitely a creative gift for everyone on your list. Some of our favorite shops include Ocean Annie’s and Beach Essentials where you can find gifts for those who seem to have everything and any of the shops at Scarborough Fair Shopping Village in Duck.  
5.    Fun All Around.Just like being on vacation in the summer, there is fun all around at Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks.The beach is always filled with something to do.Even though swimming is not at the top of the list, shelling, long walks, building sand castles and all sorts of games are on the agenda.  Let’s not forget flying kites with nice, autumn winds off the water.And, for any anglers, spend some time at one of the piers where you can bring home dinner on a couple of nights.Yellow fin tuna, flounder and black sea bass are just a few of the catches available during the fall months.
Start Making Holiday Plans
If your family has discussed the possibility of spending Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks, we have some of the best rentals from Corolla to Southern Shores. So go ahead and start making plans. We promise that this will be a fantastic Thanksgiving and one that will definitely be repeated. Contact us and let us know what you need or just make reservations online. We look forward to seeing you!

For more Contact:

Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks Inc.
4729 N. Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 USA
Phone    (877) 858-4795
http://www.atlanticrealty-nc.com

    

 

Top 5 September Events on the Outer Banks

There are many reasons to justify a visit to the Outer Banks in September. The prices of the vacation houses drop and you can find great deals, you won’t be caught in traffic, and there are hardly any crowds of tourists on the island. But if you think that there is nothing going on during this time, you have mistaken. There are many great events and activities you can still do with your family while on your Outer Banksvacations.  The following are the top 5 are a few events that we recommend attending:

August 29 through September 2–Wave Riding Vehicles Outer Banks Pro Presented by Hurley will be returning to Jeanette’s Pier in Nags Head. This surf competition is a part of the Western Atlantic Surf Series and has a total purse of $30,000 in prize money. Admission for the public is free.

September 1 – If you are a fan of American Idol, then the Concert in Manteo is for you. Not only is Scotty McCreery the youngest male to ever win American Idol but he also won the New Artist of the Year in 2011 at the American Country Awards and the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards. He is even in the Guinness World Records book for being the youngest male to ever get a No. 1 album on the all-genre chart with a debut release. You and your family will not want to miss out on seeing him perform. Tickets for the concert, which is held at the outdoor pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, are $25 for advance tickets and $30 for the day of show.

September 4 -5 -OBX Arts and Crafts Festival will be held in Kitty Hawk at the Hilton Garden Inn. If you are a creative person, then attending this event on your Outer Banks vacations is a must for you. This event features creative works from glasswork and metalwork to pottery and paintings to handmade soap and jewelry. A portion on the proceeds will go to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles and the Hosea House, which are local charities. Admission and parking are free.

September 14–Outer Banks Bootcamps presents the 4^th Annual “All Out Pink” Road Race. This race gives you two courses to choose from. One is the 12K bridge run and the other is the 5K run. Every penny of the event goes toward providing local women with mammograms and gives men access to health care. The race admission is $35 to participate in either race. If you are participating in the race you will also be given a t-shirt, access to the post-race garden party, chip timing and a finisher medal. If you would like to attend as a spectator, admission is $15 for children 13 and up.

September 15 – 21–The 46^th Annual Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) Eastern Surfing Championship will be held at Jeanette’s Pier. This surfing association has been around from 1967, and has been responsible for debuting some well-known surfers. The ESA originally started to protect the sport of surfing along the East Coast and grew into an association with a current membership of 10,000 surfers. Admission to the public is free. 

If attending events isn’t your thing, there is also fishing at the Pier, going to Corolla to see the wild horses and relaxing at the beach. Beach time in September is perfect time of year to enjoy. The weather cools off some and the water gets warmer.

For more information about our outer banksvacations homes, contact us at 877.858.4765. 

For more Contact:

Paveya

8452 Caratoke Hwy, Suite 702

Powells Point, NC 27966

855-372-8392

http://www.paveya.com/

info@paveya.com

   

Fun in the Sun on the Outer Banks

Whether you like to simply spend a week or two lounging by a pool or stepping outside your comfort zone and doing something exhilarating, there are so many endeavors that keep you outside and active.  While the OBX offers so many outdoor fun activities, as locals, here are a handful of the things we love to do.  

Bike Riding

Yes, you can ride bikes most anywhere you live but there is something different about riding bikes on the Outer Banks.  Whether you want to hop on a beach cruiser to casually ride along the bike paths or along the surf, or you are a serious cyclist who intends to head out every morning for a three-hour ride, the OBX is a great place to spend time exploring the barrier islands as it is mostly flat with a   few bridges.  A couple of suggestions forcasual and family bike rides are to stick to the paths that traverse through the different areas of the OBX.  Some go from town to town making it a great mode of transportation for heading out to eat. Also, be aware of those on foot and extend them some courtesies.  For intense cyclists, stay off the bike/foot paths as there are wide shoulders along the roads on the OBX – just make sure to ride with traffic as you are treated as a moving vehicle and must abide by the same rules of the road as motor vehicles. 

Kayaking/SUP Boarding

“Water, water everywhere” is the mantra for most of the OBX activities.  There is nothing like gliding through the water either in a kayak or on a SUP board to see sea life swimming below you.  The amount of waterways that crisscross through the barrier islands offer tons of places to climb aboard and have some fun all while getting a great workout.  The inland waterways (sounds) that separate the OBX from the mainland as well as the waters through the wildlife refuges are perfect for casual excursions and tours while the Atlantic provides some exciting action for experienced SUP surfers and kayakers.  Both activities deliver great workouts without feeling like you are working out…at least until the next day. 

Kiteboarding (Kite surfing)

Have you ever just sat on the beach to watch someone kiteboarding?  As an observer, it always looks so easy but it is a very hard work out that like SUP boarding or kayaking is just as fun as it is hard.  Kiteboarding on the OBX is as popular as surfing.  In fact, the OBX is home to the Triple S Invitational in Cape Hatteras.  But do not let the extreme sport on the ocean scare you.  The Outer Banks has so many sounds that are ideal for beginners who want to kite surf with winds and currents that work well to get you in the groove with a kite board.  Then, when the true adventure seeker in you comes alive, head over to the coast and really kick it up a notch. 

Fishing

Of course, we have to mention this age old activity (and sport) on the OBX.  There are so many places to fish and so many ways to do it.  From simply taking a rod and some bait out to the end of one of the piers to spending the day out in the waters deep sea fishing, this is always a favorite activity for locals and visitors.  From several of our vacation rentals Nags Head Pier is a short walk and a great place to take the kids.  A more recent way to fish is to go out into one of the sounds on a SUP board and fish off of it.  When out on a SUP board, it is absolutely amazing what you see so why not take advantage of it, stand up in calm waters and catch dinner – all while getting a great core work out!

Too Many Activities to Mention

While we listed a few of our favorite things to do, there are truly too many activities to mention.  The best thing to do is think about what you really enjoy and what you want to do, then make a plan.  Most importantly, since you are on vacation, no matter what you do, have fun!

For more Fun Contact:

Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks Inc.

4729 N. Croatan Hwy.

Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 USA

Phone             (877) 858-4795