Just exchanged through RCI into Outer Banks II in Kill Devil Hills, NC

[rickandcindy23]

I am super excited about this exchange because it's a place I have wanted to go for a long time, and I was able to get an April week for a cooler time of year for those of us who need it to be 72 degrees much of the time. I used RCI and Wyndham points to get the week.

What historical sites should we make sure to see? Should we try for another week nearby to see different North Carolina sights? I was thinking of inviting my niece to join us, if she can swing it. She lives near Raleigh.

Rick will enjoy the Wright Brothers museum in that area. I think he will be okay with this one. I never know. We will drive our own (old) car.

I am definitely stuck with this exchange, being RCI. I mean, if I cancel after the grace period, I will lose $300. There is no insurance that protects that fee offered through RCI.

 

[Pennytx]

If you like to cook
Billy’s seafood and My Corner Butcher are great places to buy fresh high quality food

 

[Pennytx]

I am super excited about this exchange because it's a place I have wanted to go for a long time, and I was able to get an April week for a cooler time of year for those of us who need it to be 72 degrees much of the time. I used RCI and Wyndham points to get the week.

What historical sites should we make sure to see? Should we try for another week nearby to see different North Carolina sights? I was thinking of inviting my niece to join us, if she can swing it. She lives near Raleigh.

Rick will enjoy the Wright Brothers museum in that area. I think he will be okay with this one. I never know. We will drive our own (old) car.

I am definitely stuck with this exchange, being RCI. I mean, if I cancel after the grace period, I will lose $300. There is no insurance that protects that fee offered through RCI.

Very excited for you Cindy
Have you ever been before?
Where did you choose to book?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Outer Banks II. Looks like it's managed by Alderwood. We chose Alderwood years ago for management of Twin Rivers in Colorado, when I was on the board of that resort. I think of Alderwood as a small management company but apparently not.

We have never been to the NC coast. I am super excited about the history in the area. My minor was in U.S. History with an emphasis on Western U.S. History to me is like Disneyland to a six-year-old.

We absolutely loved Yorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg. We had a wonderful time. No kids, just us.

 

[Emmjay]

I wanted to go to that area and saw that there were lots of light houses and ferries. Ferry trips looked like a fun way to see the area.

 

[Pennytx]

I love that area
Honestly not a lot to do but the beach is awesome and if your with family or friends and enjoy nature it’s wonderful

 

[pedro47]

Thinks to DO IN OBX:
The Wrights Brothers Musuem
The Lost Colony
Jockey Ridge
Fishing, crabbing and surfing
The beautiful beaches and ocean

A day trip to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown

 

[Pennytx]

I do love fishing off their

 

[Pennytx]

There I can spell
Correctly

 

[missyrcrews]

That will be such fun for you! I didn't think there was ANYWHERE you hadn't been. I'm sure there will be enough to do to keep you busy. I dearly love history as well. Give me a hometown quirky little history museum, and I'm in heaven. Enjoy planning for your trip!

 

[Brett]

Thinks to DO IN OBX:
The Wrights Brothers Musuem
The Lost Colony
Jockey Ridge
Fishing, crabbing and surfing
The beautiful beaches and ocean

A day trip to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown

The water will be cold but plenty of lighthouses, Whalehead Club in Corolla and the Manteo waterfront
(and Tale of the Whale restaurant in Nags Head will be open

 

[pedro47]

Yes, their will be many light houses the OP, can visit. Hopefully, the ferry rides between the islands will still be free.

There are some excellent seafood restaurants in OBX.

 

[Big Matt]

Corrola Lighthouse, Bodie (pronounced body) Island lighthouse, go see the charter fishing boats come in at Oregon Inlet (mid afternoon), shopping in Duck, and if you want to spend most of a day you can drive all the way down to Cape Hatteras and take a ferry to Okracoke. There are dozens of good, casual restaurants.

Just an FYI that OB2 is on/near the sand, but getting to a beach is maybe five minutes. Also, since you are driving, I assume that you will take route 40 for some or most of your trip. Your best bet is to take that to NC state route 64 past Greenville to Manteo and then take 158 to the resort.

 

[Bunk]

We spent a week at Ocean Banks 1 around Labor Day last year. We had a really good time
There is a lot to do in the Outer Banks including:

• Wright Brother's Memorial (short drive )
• Sand dunes at Jockey Ridge State Park (short drive)
• Wild Horse Tour in Corolla
• Climb up Currituck Beach lighthouse while in Corolla
• Hike the beach on the Atlantic Ocean side of Corolla. Hike the Boardwalk on the intercostal side of Corolla
• Stop at first Duck Donuts while driving to Corolla
• Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo
• If you're ok with a long day drive/ferry to Ocracoke

We enjoyed

• Black Pelican restaurant in Kitty Hawk
• Sunset Grill in Duck
• High Cotton BBQ in Kitty Hawk

We were able to walk to the beach via wooden structure that took us over the dunes. There was a nice gazebo at the high point where you could sit and see the beach & ocean.
Walks on the beach were nice, especially during sunrise. There was a laundry room with washer and dryer that was useful. I think that was free.

It can get windy (which is why the Wright Bros chose Kitty Hawk). Be prepared to go to a car wash after you leave.

 

[rickandcindy23]

That will be such fun for you! I didn't think there was ANYWHERE you hadn't been. I'm sure there will be enough to do to keep you busy. I dearly love history as well. Give me a hometown quirky little history museum, and I'm in heaven. Enjoy planning for your trip!

We haven't been to many of the Northeast timeshares, not even the Wyndhams in the NE. Haven't even been to Smugg's.

NYC, not impressed with it at all. It's the opposite of what I think of for a relaxing vacation. Won't be going there, but everywhere else, I am game. We have only been to Cape Cod and Maine on the East Coast. We have been to Williamsburg, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. We are repeating some of those trips.

 

[Bunk]

The Welcome Center in Maneo is very nice and a good place to stop for maps, brochures and information before you cross into the Outer Banks

 

[rickandcindy23]

Maybe we should plan on two weeks. I was going to add a week at Manor Club Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, but now I am thinking we should do OBX for two weeks. Or maybe we can go again in a few more years.

 

[Pennytx]

I’d do two weeks in obx
That way you settle in
More time to enjoy yourselves

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wish Wyndham had an OBX in that system, I would book an extra several days. I realized just now that our granddaughter's birthday is going to be a problem with a second full week. I realize we could check out earlier. We need to be back by the 2nd of May.

 

[Big Matt]

Williamsburg in April is nice also. More than enough to do in a week there. If you are going to stay in OBX for two weeks, staying in the one you are already in is a good choice from a location perspective.

 

[Big Matt]

While we are at it, here are some restaurants/stores that you may want to look into:
Awful Arthurs
Goombays
Collington Cafe
Salt Box
Nags Head Fishing Pier (yes, they have a good breakfast)
Tortugas Lie (seen on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives)
Mamma Kwans
Kill Devil Grill
Millers
Paper Canoe
Tommy's Market
Roadside Bar and Grill
Wee Winks Market
Basnights Lone Cedar

Seafood Markets - Austin's (near Jockey's Ridge) and Billy's Seafood in Collington
Grocery Chains - Harris Teeter, Food Lion plus Walmart and Target

 

[jp10558]

We haven't been to many of the Northeast timeshares, not even the Wyndhams in the NE. Haven't even been to Smugg's.

I just posted a review - Smuggs is relaxing.

NYC, not impressed with it at all. It's the opposite of what I think of for a relaxing vacation.

That's not why you go to NYC (or London etc) IMHO - it's there to be an exciting vacation. I love seeing them done up for Christmas for instance, the shopping is unreal compared to my rural area, there are shows, food, museums, conferences (I went to HOPE back in the day 2x in summer, probably not doing that again - so hot) they have a comic con, etc. I like to mix it up - always going to nature eventually gets boring IMO, though it's also because I basically live somewhere a lot like rural Vermont so . . .

 

[chapjim]

All the lighthouses
Cape Hatteras
Ferry to Ocracoke

 

[WinniWoman]

I just posted a review - Smuggs is relaxing.

That's not why you go to NYC (or London etc) IMHO - it's there to be an exciting vacation. I love seeing them done up for Christmas for instance, the shopping is unreal compared to my rural area, there are shows, food, museums, conferences (I went to HOPE back in the day 2x in summer, probably not doing that again - so hot) they have a comic con, etc. I like to mix it up - always going to nature eventually gets boring IMO, though it's also because I basically live somewhere a lot like rural Vermont so . . .

It's true. You don't go to NYC to relax. That's an understatement! LOL!

I lived most of my life in RURAL NY, BUT that said, I HATE cities. I HATE shopping! I HATE hustle and bustle! I HATE noise! I HATE crowds! Even now where I live- I like it a lot, but I HATE it during the summer and early fall with all the second homeowners and vacationers and tourists and motorcycles and boaters and non stop fireworks and fire pit smoke coming through my windows from all the campers, and find myself wanting to be back in Vermont during that time because it's not crazy like it is here.

 

[WinniWoman]

I am super excited about this exchange because it's a place I have wanted to go for a long time, and I was able to get an April week for a cooler time of year for those of us who need it to be 72 degrees much of the time. I used RCI and Wyndham points to get the week.

What historical sites should we make sure to see? Should we try for another week nearby to see different North Carolina sights? I was thinking of inviting my niece to join us, if she can swing it. She lives near Raleigh.

Rick will enjoy the Wright Brothers museum in that area. I think he will be okay with this one. I never know. We will drive our own (old) car.

I am definitely stuck with this exchange, being RCI. I mean, if I cancel after the grace period, I will lose $300. There is no insurance that protects that fee offered through RCI.

Years ago we went to Williamsburg in April and the weather was great. However, a mistake we made was going during Easter week (since our son was off from school) and going down 95 from NY on Good Friday was hell (long story with brakes giving out from the non stop, stop and go) - so much so we vowed never to drive south again and we haven't.