After a hot, busy summer, some of us are longing for a cooler, simpler season… fall. Everyone looks forward to the first day of fall. It’s the first day where you can pull out your boots, scarfs, and flannel shirts, and begin stocking your home with all the pumpkin flavored items your heart desires. Even though summer gets all the glory on the Outer Banks, fall is a hidden secret among locals, who claim it to be their favorite time of year. The island feels more at ease with less crowds and more beach to enjoy. Check out our Top 10 List to see why you should plan an OBX getaway this fall.


1 // Less Traffic

School is back in session and families are getting back to their yearly routine. The summer travelers have come and gone, making it much easier to get to the beach, your favorite Outer Banks restaurants, and local attractions. Spend less time in the car and more time enjoying all your favorite OBX spots.


2 // More Beach & Great Weather

Less traffic, of course, equals more beach for you! Finding a spot to spread out your beach blanket is easier than ever. There is plenty of room to surf fish, paddle board, surf, or just sit and relax. The cooler temperatures in the 70s make it more enjoyable to kick back and enjoy a good book in your beach chair.


3 // Better Fishing

Local fishermen don’t want to give away this secret, but fall is the best time to go fishing on the Outer Banks. A variety of fish begin to migrate from west to the east coast in the fall, so there is more fish in the sea for you to reel in. White marlin, sailfish, and tuna are plentiful for the offshore angler. Inshore, pier, and surf fishing are also promising if you’re looking to fill up your cooler with Spanish and king mackerel, bluefish, red drum, cobia, trout, mullet, and puppy drum.


4 // Better Surfing

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just enjoy watching from the shore, fall is when the waves get bigger and the surfing is at an all-time high. Windswells, north, south, and east swells and light westerly winds make for great surfing conditions, especially on Hatteras Island. If you’re no Kelly Slater, you can still enjoy watching as the best amateur surfers at the Easterns surf competition at Jennette’s Pier, that takes place every fall.


5. Better Dining Experience

Were you craving a jerk burger from Tortugas’s Lie this summer, but couldn’t take the wait? Now is your chance to visit your favorite OBX restaurants and grub on your favorite dishes before some places close for the winter. Many restaurants offer discounts and specialty menus during the fall so you can try something new at an even better price.


6 // Shorter Lines at Popular OBX Attractions

Leisurely climb the lighthouses and visit the Wright Brother’s Memorial without feeling the rush of the crowd. You can finally take you time to soak in the history and the beauty of these famous local attractions.


7 // Sales for the Shopper

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping this fall on the OBX. Many shops prepare to close for the off-season and offer wonderful deals on unique trinkets and gifts. Outlets Nags Head is also a don’t miss spot for Black Friday shopping and fall sales.


8 // Stunning Sunsets & Scenery

The change in temperature and weather conditions make for stunning sunsets that you just have to see in person. Vibrant colors of purple, orange, red, pink, and blue fill the evening sky and are the perfect way to end the day. Watch the sun set over the sound from the public soundfront piers and gazebos or from the sun decks of your soundfront vacation rental home.


9 // Fantastic Festivals & Events

From the foodie to the music lover, there is a special event for everyone to enjoy on the OBX this fall. The Easterns Surfing Championships, the Outer Banks Parade of Homes, Outer Banks Seafood Festival, and Duck Jazz Festival are just a few of the upcoming fall events that you don’t want to miss.


10 // Discounted Rates

You can stay at Sea Glass Shack property #4846 for as low as $1,307 for the WEEK!

A getaway to the OBX is incredibly affordable in the fall. Rental rates are heavily discounted in the off-season, which means you can stay in a great location for a fraction of the summer price. From Corolla to Hatteras Island, you have a wide selection of homes to choose from. Our Last Minute Offers page allows you to submit an offer (21 days or less prior to your arrival) for the chance to receive incredible savings on your trip. We always have homes on special on our Weekly Specials page too!


The OBX is yours for the taking this fall. Don’t miss the sights, sounds, and events that only happen this time of year. Book your fall getaway on the Outer Banks today!

It’s been carefully planned and boldly circled on the calendar for months. Lots of saving, research and love go into planning a family getaway. It is often times the one week out of the year to make up for lost time with friends and family, so it is easy to splurge and experience buyers remorse later on. Make the most out of your vacation without breaking the bank with these top 10 money savings tips to practice during your OBX vacation. Public beaches, free attractions and ongoing community events make it a lot easier to save, while still enjoying a fun-filled beach getaway.

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  1. Cook meals at your rental home
    When you have 6 or more family members, your restaurant bill can add up quickly. Luckily, your Resort Realty vacation rental home comes fully stocked with basic cookware and utensils to easily cook meals at home. Plan and prep your meals before your vacation to save you money and vacation time. Some of the best family moments happen around the dinner table.70569
  2. Visit free public beaches, museums, parks and attractions
    Most people love visiting the Outer Banks for the beaches and non-commercialized, laid-back vibe of the island. There are plenty of attractions to enjoy for free, including visiting Roanoke Island Festival Park, Jockey’s Ridge, Currituck Heritage Park, The Town of Duck Park and Boardwalk and searching for the wild horses on Carova Beach’s 4 wheeler drive area. The Town of Duck also hosts free fitness classes, concerts and kid’s activities Tuesday – Thursday throughout the summer months.
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  3. Pick up an OBX coupon book or print coupons online
    Stop by any of our Resort Realty offices or a local grocery store for a free Outer Banks coupon book. These books offer discounts on everything from local restaurants to water sport activities. They also give you ideas for places to visit for dining and leisure. Outerbanks.com, Sunnydayobx.com, and Outerbanksthisweek.com also offer printable coupons.IMG_0019
  4. Budget vacation activities with the cash envelope system
    It is far too easy to splurge and overextend your budget while on vacation. Keep your spending in check through Dave Ramsey’s envelope system. Create a budget and make envelopes for each spending category (ex. dining, activities, tours, souvenirs, etc.) and add the amount you want to spend in cash to each envelope. This way, you only spend what you have, instead of freely swiping your credit card.shutterstock_3982045
  5. Carpool, walk or bike
    Save on gas money by carpooling, walking or biking. A large majority of vacation homes are located within walking or biking distance from the beach, restaurants and other attractions. Save gas money while enjoying the scenery as your stroll or ride along. For long trips, make sure to carpool with others in your group. You can also download gas saving apps to find the least expensive gas prices during your road trip to the Outer Banks. 
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  6. Group discounts
    Many Outer Banks businesses offer discounted rates for groups. Kitty Hawk Kites, First Flight Adventure Park and several mini-golf spots offer discounted group rates. Call ahead to see if group discounts are available.
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  7. Borrow beach items
    Before splurging on beach chairs, umbrellas and toys, ask friends and family if you can borrow some items from them. You can also rent beach equipment to save you money and space at home.nh fp
  8. Early dining discounts
    Many restaurants off early dining discounts if you’re seated before 5. Hurricane Mo’s offers great Happy Hour specials between 4-6 pm. Check out the free coupon book to find early bird coupons and discounts.IMG_9559
  9. Check out books and movies at the library 
    If you want a new book to read on the beach or a movie to watch in the evenings, stop by your local library to pick something up before your trip. Many of our vacation homes have their own book and video libraries for you to borrow during your stay. Check the property description for more information. car_family
  10. Leave early to save gas
    Traffic can get backed up around check-in hours, so plan to leave earlier to save gas money and time in the car. Some beach accesses have public bathhouses so you can arrive earlier and hit the beach before check-in time.If you’re longing to be on the Outer Banks this summer but are concerned about the cost, make sure to check out our home specials and last minute offers page.