Wednesday, March 22, 2023

How To Get To Outer Banks

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How Did Wild Horses Get To Outer Banks

How To Beat Outer Banks Traffic How To Avoid Outer Banks Traffic

How Did Wild Horses Get To Outer Banks? They were brought over by Spanish explorers during the Colonial era, which is the case for the horses in the Outer Banks as well. And while the herds are technically wild now, theyre descendants of domesticated horses that were brought to the area sometime in the 1500s and left behindeither by choice or by accident.They found a ready made food supply in the beach and marsh grasses and plenty of fresh water in small ponds. The reason these horses have such a mild temperament is because they were literally bred to it. This is why Outer Banks Horses just stand there while cars and people swarm around them.

Where are the wild horses in the Outer Banks? They found a ready made food supply in the beach and marsh grasses and plenty of fresh water in small ponds. The reason these horses have such a mild temperament is because they were literally bred to it. This is why Outer Banks Horses just stand there while cars and people swarm around them.

Why are there wild horses in North Carolina? The Corolla Wild Horses are located in the northernmost beaches of the Outer Banks, in the 4WD area thats just north of Corolla. Wild horses, also known as Wild Ponies, are also found on Ocracoke Island, and can be viewed at the Ocracoke Pony Pen just south of the Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry docks.

Get Active On Your Outer Banks Visit

We know you come here to have a great time too! The plethora of Outer Banks things to do is limited only by your energy and time to do them! Water sports top most people’s list of chosen activities, but you can also take dolphin or horse tours, star gaze, go to a movie on a rainy day, attend an arts and crafts class, relax at a spa, bike or skate, run in a race , walk in an Outer Banks maritime forest, go birding … shall we continue? Wait, we didn’t mention fishing! Anglers have called the Outer Banks their favored home for centuries from the shoreline, in the sound, out on the Gulf Stream for Outer Banks charter fishing or dangling a line from a dock or pier. Of course, some will say that Outer Banks shopping is their recreation of choice, and if so they can spend days honing their skills. Whether you wander around Duck, Manteo or Ocracoke on foot or use our info to hop from shop to shop by car in other Outer Banks towns, you can be at it from sunup to sundown if you want to be.

Over the past decade, the Outer Banks has become a hugely popular wedding destination. If you’re planning to marry your sweetie any time soon, our information on Outer Banks weddings will be a huge help. Maybe you’re years past a wedding and are more of the age to look for a vacation home on the Outer Banks? Our Outer Banks real estate section will introduce you to all the companies to choose from to start your search.

Are The Outer Banks Disappearing

Along the Outer Banks where tourist-friendly beaches are shrinking by more than 14 feet a year in some places, according to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management other towns have imposed tax increases similar to the one Avon is considering. The Outer Banks have a rich past.14 Mar 2021

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Getting To Corolla On The Outer Banks

Corolla is sequestered on the northernmost reaches of North Carolina s Outer Banks. Bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Currituck Sound, with its northern border barred by a gate at the Virginia line, Corolla is a beach-lovers boondocks. Traveling here only amplifies its feeling of remoteness. You have three options: arriving by water in a shallow-draft boat, landing on an airstrip in a small plane or motoring in via a long, curvy, two-lane highway.

Most travelers come to Corolla from the north, traveling down U.S. Highway 64 then U.S. Highway 158 from Virginia. At Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, U.S. 158 joins up with N.C. Highway 12 N., which leads directly to Corolla. The only problem is that every visitor to the northern Outer Banks tens of thousands a week in the summer has to travel this same two-lane highway in the same direction at the same time. Traffic can be a little trying on check-in, check-out and rainy days, but really its nothing compared to a daily commute in the city. Some Corolla property and business owners are begging for the construction of a bridge that would lead from U.S. 158 across the Currituck Sound directly to Corolla, offering another way in and shaving as much as an hour off the trip. It might happen someday, but until then expect it to take twice as long as youd think it would to travel 10 miles up N.C. Highway 12 in the summer.

Currituck Outer Banks

Six Outer Banks Vacations In One

Getting to the Outer Banks, NC

From this home page you can jump to a distinct area and find out everything about that one place. Do you like wild horses, lighthouses and shopping galore? Then check out our Corolla guide or the Ocracoke guide. Want to be right in the center of the Outer Banks and know all about the recreation and opportunities for dining, bar hopping and fun? Then check out our Nags Head guide. Have a penchant for beautiful gardens, outdoor dramas and arts performances and a lovely waterfront town? Then you should read our guide to Roanoke Island from start to finish. Are you an avid angler, kite boarder or wanting a vacation away from all the stuff of life? You definitely want to follow all the info in our Hatteras guide. Conversely, if your idea of the perfect vacation is to be in a town with hugely popular restaurants, shopping and events, then our Duck guide is going to be your game. Or, you can go to a specific interest, such as Outer Banks real estate, shopping, vacation rentals or Outer Banks recreation, and then find each areas offerings from there. In short, this one website will give you all the information you need to plan your visit, so settle in for a great session of Outer Banks vacation surfing, so to speak.

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Closest Airport To The Outer Banks

If you are visiting from a distance, there are a couple of airports close to the Outer Banks. Though once you land, youll still have a bit of a drive to reach your final destination.

Norfolk International is the closest airport to the Outer Banks. From Norfolk to Nags Head, its about a 90-minute to two-hour drive. Located just outside of Norfolk, Virginia, this airport has direct flights to dozens of cities from as far west as Phoenix and Las Vegas. Norfolk International is served by 13 airlines, including most major airlines and several regional airlines.

Raleigh Durham is another airport near Outer Banks. Raleigh is about 200 miles west of the Outer Banks, which leaves you with a 3-4 hour drive. However, it does have the largest selection of direct flights and you cant beat the scenic drive through North Carolina.

, where you can find cheap domestic flights.

Dont forget to arrange for transportation upon landing. Hertz has locations on-site at both airports, plus, you can save $100 each time you rent with Hertz Free-To-Go Pass. You may want to ask about a 4 x 4 vehicle so you can drive on one of the beaches that permits beach driving once you arrive in the Outer Banks.

If you want to fly all the way to the Outer Banks, you can charter an airplane or helicopter into one of several smaller airports and landing strips on the islands. Theres the Pine Island Airport, Outer Banks Heliport, and the Ocracoke Island Airport.

Mistakes To Avoid When Visiting The Outer Banks In North Carolina

Claudia has been traveling to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for over 20 years.

Planning a trip to the Outer Banks any time soon? Try to avoid some of these common mistakes, but definitely make time to visit the historic lighthouses.

Glimmer Twin Fan

For me, the beach is pretty much the best vacation destination ever. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy visiting other places as well, but when summer starts rolling around, I can just feel the sun in my hair and the sand in my toes.

As a family, we like to take different vacations each year, so we try to alternate between the beach and the mountains.

Every other year we start planning our beach vacation and we research various beaches we might want to visit. Inevitably, every single time, we decide to go back to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We’ve gone since we’ve been married and both my husband and I went separately before we even knew each other.

It’s an absolutely spectacular place to visit, and for us, it feels like we are going home, especially as we drive down the highway and get closer and closer to all of the familiar landmarks we love so much.

After years of visiting the Outer Banks I’ve come to realize that there are definitely some pitfalls that visitors can avoid with a just a little bit of research.

I hope these recommendations will help you if you are planning to visit.

Take your time driving down the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway. There are many beautiful sights to see.

Glimmer Twin Fan

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Enjoy Your Outer Banks Stay With Shoreline Obx Vacation Rentals

After road tripping from Norfolk to the Outer Banks, youll want to have a place to kick off your shoes and relax. When you stay in one of our Shoreline OBX Vacation Rentals, youll have all the comforts of home while enjoying your vacation. Our Summer Wind property has two bedrooms and two bathrooms along with an oceanfront view. Located in Kill Devil Hills, this property is perfect for a quick getaway with the family.

Check our availability and book your stay today!

Are There Any True Wild Horses Left

The Outer Banks – The Don’ts of OBX, North Carolina

The only truly wild horses in existence today are the Przewalskis horse native to the steppes of central Asia. The best-known examples of feral horses are the wild horses of the American west. These animals, which descend from horses set free by their owners in the 1950s, enjoy a protected status since 2010.

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Getting To The Outer Banks

The area has one public airport, First Flight Airport which is also a national park. Its there that the Wright brothers experimented with their first aircraft prototypes and where the first heavier-than-air aircraft flight occurred but there are no commercial flights at this airport, only chartered.

The other two closest airports are Norfolk International Airport which is about 1.5-2 hours drive and Raleigh Durham International Airport which is about 3.5 hours drive. Both airports offer car rental agencies on-site.

These estimates can change depending on the season, traffic, and time of the day. It will also change according to your actual destination town and if its located north or south.

If you travel to Norfolk International Airport, you will cross Virginia and arrive at Kitty Hawk. If you come from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, you will pass through several bridges over the water which makes it a very scenic drive and arrive into Whalebone.

From both points of arrival, you can drive north or south depending on where exactly youre staying.

Coastal Carolina Regional Airport New Bern Nc

Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is a commercial airport serviced by major airlines, such as American Airlines. It is situated about 3 miles southeast of the historic city of New Bern. New Bern is home to many icons, including Nicholas Sparks and the birthplace of Pepsi Cola.

This airport is the closest airport to Cape Lookout, both Ocracoke Ferry terminals, and is closer to the Outer Banks by 50 miles than RDU.

As one of the Southeast’s most accessible and convenient regional airports, visitors are welcomed with national seashores, charming old lighthouses, and wild horses upon arrival.

Coastal Carolina Airport is the gateway to the endless treasures the Outer Banks provides. The Outer Banks contains several historical attractions, like The Wright Brothers Museum and more.

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Outer Banks Scenic Byway

Take a long and lingering trip along the coastline that includes two ferries, 21 coastal villages, and miles of stunning scenery in every direction with a trip along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. Known as one of the most beautiful stretches of pavement in North Carolina, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway is an attraction in its own right, and is a perfect destination for a lazy day-trip or weekend getaway where all the adventures take place on the road.

About the Outer Banks Scenic Byway

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway was technically established in 2009 after years of hard work by a team of local residents along the Outer Banks. It is one of only 150 stretches of road in the country that is designated as a National Byway, and one of just a couple National Byways that are found within the state of North Carolina and the Eastern Seaboard region.

In 2016, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway received signs that marked the entrances of the byway, designated points of interest, and other unique elements of the highway that are worth exploring.

The byway extends for 138 driving miles and 25 ferry-traveling miles, and effectively crosses across several islands which includes Cedar Island, Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island. The route also crosses two inlets as well as 21 distinct coastal villages along the way, each with their own appeal to vacationers.

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway Route

Reaching The Outer Banks Scenic Byway

Outer Banks

There are multiple ways to reach and explore the Outer Banks Scenic Byway from the north, south, and western regions that boarder the North Carolina coastline.

From the West: Visitors can take US Highway 64 from Raleigh, Rocky Mount, and other inland regions to reach the northern entrance of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. Travelers in the Morehead City / Beaufort area can also just follow US 70 to NC Highway 12 to reach the southern entrance.

From the South: Visitors will want to take US Highway 17 and / or US Highway 70 to the town of Morehead City and Beaufort, where they will connect with NC Highway 12 and the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.

From the North: Visitors can cruise down US Highway 158 through Currituck County and the central Outer Banks towns of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head, before reaching Whalebone Junction and the northern Highway 12 entrance of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.

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Where Is The Outer Banks

The Outer Banks is a set of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. The chain of islands is more than 175 miles long and separated by as much as 30 miles from the mainland by a series of shallow sounds.

OBX is just a half-day drive from Charlotte, Washington DC, Raleigh or Richmond. In addition to plenty of beaches, shipwreck diving sites and protected state parks, there are lots of unique things to do in the Outer Banks.

Do You Need A Ferry To Get To Outer Banks

If you are staying in Ocracoke, youll need to take a ferry no matter which direction you arrive from! From the mainland, there are two ferries to the Outer Banks each takes about two and a half hours. If you are traveling from the south of the Pamlico Sound, youll take the Cedar Island to Ocracoke Ferry.

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Map Of Outer Banks Nc

This map of the Outer Banks shows the fragile barrier islands stretching over 100 miles along the coast of North Carolina. If you have visited the Outer Banks during the summer season, then youre well aware that it is a hot vacation spot, and has been for decades. Outer Banks mileage chart and approximate driving times calculates distances between Outer banks towns and islands.

Map of Outer Banks, North Carolina

Driving Directions to Outer Banks

Weekend rule of thumb in the summer season is be on and off the island by 9:00am to avoid possible delays and backups.

Additional Maps

Arriving from the North Follow I-95 S to Richmond, VA. Take I-64 E toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. Take I-64 or I-664 to Chesapeake, Va. From I-64, take Exit 291B to Route 168, the Chesapeake Expressway. Go south on VA-168 to the NC border. Once in North Carolina, 168 turns into US-158 East. Stay on this road. Follow US-158 to the Outer Banks.

Arriving from the WestTake I-95 into North Carolina. Take US-64 East towards Rocky Mount. Follow US-64 East through Williamston and Plymouth, NC. From Plymouth, NC keep going east onto Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks.

Arriving from the SouthComing from South Carolina take I-95 to Wilson NC. Take US-264 East through Greenville and Washington, NC. From Washington, take State Route 30 to Plymouth, NC and follow the directions above via US-64 East to Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks.

Well Done!

Here Are Some Suggestions To Avoid The Traffic And Get To The Outer Banks Faster

JJ Outer Banks – hairstyle tutorial

1. Consider starting your vacation on a day other than Saturday when driving to the Outer Banks.

Many property management companies offer week stays that begin on Friday or Sunday. Coming and going on those days can mean at least 30% less traffic and a much faster, less stressful arrival/departure.

2. Consider an alternate route when driving to the Outer Banks.

Particularly for visitors staying in OBX towns & villages south of Southern Shores , an alternate route can save several hours. Even if the route means more miles, youll be moving at a good speed instead of stuck in traffic.

3. Consider Visiting During Non-Peak Months.

The open spaces and endless possibilities you love during the summer are pretty great year-round! Incredible events, smaller crowds and lower prices are a few reasons to think about coming to the OBX in fall, spring or winter. Not to mention, a whole lot less traffic.

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