Tag: Outer Banks restaurants

Outer Banks Mom and Pop Restaurants, 6 You Must Try

Outer Banks Restaurants

If you’re going on vacation, why not eat where the locals eat? You can find chain restaurants everywhere you go, but for these 6 “mom and pop” restaurants, you won’t find their delicious recipes or one-of-a-kind atmospheres anywhere other than the Outer Banks. READ MORE

Outer Banks Visitor Guide

Outer Banks visitor guide
Heading to the Outer Banks? From our famous beaches to local dining, there’s plenty to see, do, and eat once you arrive. Here’s a sample of the excitement and local fare you can look forward to. See you soon!

Enjoy a Unique Natural Environment

Natural beauty is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws of the Outer Banks. If you’re a nature lover, rent a kayak and spend the day taking in quiet water trails that wind through the islands, along the shore, through maritime forests, salt marsh canals, and estuaries. Floating in the bay for sunset is an unforgettable experience, as is paddling through a sound as birds and river otters play around you. Of course, no Outer Banks tourism guide would be complete without a mention of the area’s pristine wildlife refuges. Visit Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve,

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge READ MORE

Plan Some Memorable Girls’ Time in the Outer Banks

A Girl Time Escape to the Outer Banks

Whether it’s you and your daughters, multiple generations, or multiple families sharing a vacation property for the week, the Outer Banks is the perfect spot for the girls to relax and create memories together. Here are a few ideas to help you plan your special “girls-only” time.=&0=&=&1=&

Corolla Vacation Shots: Memory Monday November 3, 2014.

Corolla Vacation ShotsThis week’s Memory Monday photo submission comes to us from Bobbie Silber of Levittown, Pennsylvania who stayed with Outer Banks Blue in the property “Aurora” in Corolla Light.Bonnie and her group enjoyed several things on their vacation this summer, but Bobbie shares a couple of shots of their favorite memories.

Sunset in Penny’s Hill

One of the favorite things for folks to do is to head north of Corolla in the 4 wheel drive territory of the Outer Banks.   This is the area of the beach with no paved roads, but with lots of adventures. Beautiful wide beaches await visitors and this is the home of the Corolla Wild Horses.

Wild Horses roaming in Carova

We recommend a day trip to Carova when you come to the Outer Banks.  There are several touring companies that can take you to this area with their comfortable vehicles and expert guides.   Corolla Outback Adventures is one of the best.Thanks again to Bobbie for passing along her photo memories.  We look forward to serving you again soon.All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Surf, Turf and Other Dining on the Outer Banks

Mulligan’s Fish Tacos

When a trip to the coast is on your calendar, visions of seafood and other local fare always fill your mind. The Outer Banks of NC boasts some of the longest-standing and exceptional restaurants from down-home bakeries to seafood shacks and five-star dining that will keep you coming back morning, noon and night.

Breakfast

Tullios Bakery & Pastries – “Hometown” describes this breakfast hotspot that the locals flock to. Located on Duck Road in the town of Duck, you can grab melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon buns, fresh-fruit turnovers, croissants, muffins, apple harvest rings, assorted scones, donuts and other yummy delights that are made fresh daily. Coffee House on Roanoke Island – The Coffee House is simply charming, located in a converted house. You can enjoy your breakfast indoors or out on the expansive porch. Choose from fresh-baked pastries, breads and bagels or cereals. There are also smoothies, specialty coffees, lattes, frappes and loose teas. You’ll find them on Sir Walter Raleigh St. in Manteo.

Lunch

Dune Burger – Located in Nags Head, across from the ocean, this local lunch shack gives you a quick place for good food fast. As the name suggests, you get burgers as well as hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, fries and other popular favorites. Waveriders Coffee & Deli – On the Bypass in Nags Head, Waveriders features Boar’s Head deli meat piled high on mouthwatering sandwiches. The casual atmosphere and affordable prices make it a great place to grab a quick bite with the family to eat there or take to the beach.

Dinner

Sugar Creek Seafood – Gorgeous scenery, local flair and scrumptious seafood are what you’ll find here. From steam pots to their award-winning shrimp and grits, you’ll discover several choices in both the “surf” and “turf” categories.

Mulligan’s Raw Bar & Grille READ MORE

Hurricane Arthur Advisory #2

Hurricane Arthur Advisory #2  (7:00 AM 7/3/14)Tropical Storm Arthur has become a hurricane as of this morning.   The Outer Banks is under a state of emergency and a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for Hatteras Island effective at 5:00 AM this morning.   The only condition of the state of emergency is the evacuation of Hatteras Island.A hurricane warning remains in effect for the remainder of the Outer Banks including all of the areas where Outer Banks Blue Realty has rental properties.Hatteras Island is to the south of Outer Banks Blue’s property locations and no evacuation order is expected to affect any of Blue’s rental property inventory.Hurricane Arthur continues to travel along the expected track which will take the eye of the storm very close to Hatteras Island before moving out to sea to the north and east.  It is not expected that any north beach locations will have a mandatory evacuation ordered at this time.Guests currently staying with us should expect heavy rain and strong winds over the next 24 hours with conditions improving rapidly on Friday as the storm pulls away from the Outer Banks.Guests expecting to arrive this weekend should continue with their travel plans as normal.  Outer Banks Blue expects to be open for business as usual.By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Go Where the Locals Go: 5 Favorite Spots of Outer Banks Residents

Experiencing the wonder of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Taking the kids to Pirate Adventures. Climbing the lighthouse steps for a bird’s eye view of the area. All these are part of the fun of the Outer Banks. Vacation tips frequently list these as popular things to do … and they are. Away from the tourism of this region, however, are a few little gems the locals truly cherish. If you want to live like a native in the Outer Banks, try these five local favorites during your next visit.

#1 – Corolla and Carova Beach

With the exception of a few million-dollar mansions and the homes of residents, the town of Corolla is the last glimpse of civilization before reaching Carova Beach. Truly a spot for locals, this area has unspoiled dunes, pristine beaches, wild Spanish mustangs roaming free and, well, that’s about all.No paved roads. No stores. No trash pickup. No gas stations. Just nature and locals.It’s a little slice of paradise that offers a view rarely seen by most and absolutely worth the trip. If you aren’t driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle during your stay, you’ll want to stop in Corolla and rent an ATV or two. Most two-wheel cars get stuck in the sand. Some goodhearted natives usually stop and pull visitors out, but this is not the way you want to spend your day.

#2 – Daredevils Baseball

While vacationing at the beach is a big draw for U.S. families, baseball is absolutely America’s favorite pastime. Here’s a great Outer Banks vacation tip: combine the two!The Outer Banks Daredevils play every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7:05 p.m. (during season). In addition to a fabulous game, you and the family can also enjoy on-field kids’ games and exceptional concessions from popular restaurants such as Mulligan’s Raw Bar & Grill. Every game raises awareness and funds for local charities.

#3 – The Salt Box Café (and other local restaurants)

Nothing against the national food chains, but when you’re in the Outer Banks, there are so many exceptional local restaurants that it’s a shame not to try as many as possible. The Salt Box Café is a great example.Owned by classically trained chef Randolph Sprinkles, this charming cottage-style restaurant features local seafood, meat and other ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll find five-star cuisine at very affordable prices for the adults and a fun menu for the kids.The Salt Box Café is just one of many local restaurants that do the Outer Banks proud. The Blue Point, Ocean Boulevard, High Cotton Barbecue, Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, The Colington Café (hailed by Southern Living magazine), Outer Banks Brewing Station and too many others to name all offer a delicious way to explore the region.

#4 – Festivals

Street fairs and festivals are as much fun for locals as they are for visitors. Plus these events offer a wonderful way to discover plants, people and food you might not otherwise have seen.Here’s a vacation tip for you: plan your stay around one of the fun festivals that happen practically year round.Just a few of the most popular events include the Food and Wine Festival (March), Outer Banks Beach Music Festival (May), Faire Days Festival (May – September), Ocrafolk Festival (June), Rogallo Kite Festival (June), Under the Oaks Art Festival (June), Watermelon Festival (August), Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival (September), Duck Jazz Festival (October) and Seafood Festival (October).

#5 – National Parks

In addition to national parks, the Outer Banks also has a national seashore at Cape Hatteras. According to the National Parks Service, “Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a major resting and feeding grounds for migratory birds.” Here you’ll find lots to do including surf-fishing, kiteboarding, surfing, swimming, windsurfing, crabbing, shell-collecting, sightseeing and more. There’s also Jockey’s Ridge State Park with some of the tallest sand dunes on the Atlantic coast. Sandboarding, kiteboarding, hang gliding and picnicking are popular pastimes for local families and visitors. What else do locals love? The beaches! An early morning jog, a leisurely breakfast overlooking the shore, an afternoon stroll and fishing/shrimping for your dinner… it’s a lifestyle everyone should experience. Even if you are only a temporary visitor who comes once a year, we invite you to enjoy everything we cherish about this area.

Letting Go in the Outer Banks!

This week’s Memory Monday photos come to us from a long time guest of Outer Banks Blue. Debbie Davis of Midlothian, VA who has stayed with Blue for the last two years (and will next year too) in the property “Letting Go II” in the Ocean Sands area of Corolla.  Debbie has shared some fun photos with us including this cutie who fell asleep in her days lap, and then….. Everyone else in the family made fun of her by pretending to be asleep in the same manner! Poor kid.  Love, love, love the pictures of the kids playing in the ocean. What a fun day and what a fun family.  Debbie, we look forward to serving you and your family again next summer in “Letting Go II.”  All the best from the beach!

The Best Outer Banks Restaurants

There comes a moment in everyone’s life, where you feel like you can finally step back, and take a deep breath. For some of us, it is the moment our vacation begins…and we know that you picture the rest of the vacation to be as simple as possible. We have it covered if you are looking for a great place to eat. We have combined reviews & raves to provide you with=&0=&. Food has come a long way! Visitors love all kinds of food and crave something a little different every day of vacation! The Outer Banks invites you to dine-in casually, dressed up or take it to-go! Flip flops are standard in many restaurants on the Outer Banks, but when you are ready to for fine-dining, we can provide that as well! Enjoy these locations and savor all of the spices of goodness only the Outer Banks can provide!
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Bad Bean Taqueria

Nicoletta’s Italian Café READ MORE