Spending a ton of money on your vacation to the Outer Banks should be the last thing on your mind! You can easily have a great vacation and create amazing memories without breaking the bank. Check out our top tips on how to have an amazing vacation on the OBX while on a budget!
Take Advantage Of Free Activities
There are so many great Outer Banks activities that are either free or super inexpensive! You can explore Jockey’s Ridge, spend all day on the beach, visit lighthouses, and so much more without spending a ton of money. Check out our “Explore The Outer Banks On A Budget” blog for even more ideas on how to have fun without going broke!
Cook Meals Instead Of Going Out
With so many great restaurants on the Outer Banks, it’s hard to not want to try them all! While dining out can be a great and tasty experience, it can be costly. The average entree on the Outer Banks will run you around $12-$15 depending on what restaurant you go to. When you’re going out to eat with your family, that can really add up. Instead of dining out every night, maybe pick a night to go out and prepare meals at your rental homes the rest of the time! You can get fresh, local seafood from many places on the Outer Banks and prepare it yourself or even cook your own catch if you’re into fishing!
Be Flexible With Travel Dates
During the peak vacation months of June to August, vacation homes and accommodations can be at their most expensive. If you can be flexible with your vacation schedule, visiting the Outer Banks in the off season can end up being much cheaper. Many locals will say that visiting the Outer Banks in the fall and spring seasons are the best time to come because there is less traffic, less crowds, and beautiful weather! See “Why We Love Fall On The Outer Banks” and plan an off season vacation to get the best bang for your buck!
Consider A Mini Vacation
Sometimes a weekend getaway is just what you need! Mini vacations are great alternatives to staying a whole week. The rates can be cheaper, you’ll save money, and you’ll still get to explore the Outer Banks! Resort Realty has many homes that offer weekend and short stays! See all the homes that offer partial vacations!
Make A Budget + Stick To It
It’s okay to splurge, you’re on vacation after all! Sit down with your family and make a list of things that you want to do on the Outer Banks. Determine how much money you want to stick to spending and then divvy out a set amount to specific activities like dining, souvenirs, and attractions. Stick to this budget all week long and this way you can still do the activities you want to do and have control of your money!
Check Out Budget Friendly Homes
Many Outer Banks vacation homes can be super lavish and luxurious but super expensive. You shouldn’t have to compromise comfort and style on your vacation. There are many homes in the Resort Realty family that are inexpensive, beautifully decorated, and comfortable that you and your family can rent without breaking your budget!
Take advantage of Deals + Specials
Resort Realty has many deals and specials to help you save money on your Outer Banks vacation! Our Hometown Heroes discount is offered all year long. Plus, select homes will often put certain weeks on special! Check out our Deals and Specials pages to get the perfect OBX vacation rental at a lower price.
Rent A Home With A Group
Luxury vacation homes can be super expensive, but if you have a great group of people to split it with, it can be super affordable! A luxury home split between a group of people can be as low as $53 per night per person! See all of the luxury homes Resort Realty has to offer you, find a great group to vacation with, and start your affordable, luxury vacation!
So, you’re planning a trip to the Outer Banks and don’t know what to do? Well, start with your interests! Are you a foodie and love to sample different Outer Banks cuisine? Do you love nature and want to learn more about the diverse ecosystem on the OBX? Or are you totally into health and wellness and want some time to recharge this Outer Banks visit? No matter what you’re into, we have the perfect Outer Banks Journey to accompany your interests. From a week of fishing fun to everything else in between, see what kind of Outer Banks vacation is perfect for you!
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What Kind of Outer Banks Vacation Are You?
To see even more Outer Banks journeys, check out our journeys page on our website! From homeschooling adventures to a week any mermaid will love, find your journey with Resort Realty!
Everyone needs a vacation, now more than ever! If you’re planning an OBX vacation but want to save some cash, have no fear, Resort Realty has you covered. Since 1987, we’ve learned a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two. We’ve got a few tips on how to snag the perfect, affordable, OBX vacation.
Plan Early
We say it all the time but we mean it! By planning your Outer Banks vacation early, you have more time to budget and you’ll get first dibs on the house of your choice. Our biggest booking days fall in December and January. Planning earlier for the vacation year ahead allows you flexibility financially, time-wise, and preference-wise.
Visit During A Shoulder Season
Shoulder seasons are the fall and spring months on the Outer Banks. Summer has either passed or is upon us, the weather is great, but not everyone is flocking to our beaches all at once quite yet. Shoulder season vacations come with significantly lower rates than peak season. An example? A 5 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom oceanfront Signature Series home in Salvo will run you around $3,100 for a week in mid-May. That same house goes up to almost $11,000 for the week in July! You can easily save more than half the price by taking an OBX vacation in the spring or fall months.
Take Advantage of Payment Plans
Resort Realty is proud to offer payment options like PayPal and Venmo! With PayPal and Venmo wallets, not only does it make check-out easier, but it also allows you to easily request payment from other families you’re vacationing with, allowing you to split the cost of rent and making your vacation affordable. You can learn more about our Outer Banks vacation payment plans here.
Vacation Together
This one goes hand in hand with the above. Here’s another example for you. During peak season, one of our most high-end, oceanfront Signature Series homes with a private pool can be around $21,000 which can cause some sticker shock. But let’s look at it in a different light. This house sleeps 12 people comfortably. When you divide that fee among 12 people, it comes out to around $1,700 per person. Broken down further? $252 per night per person. Again, this is for one of our standout properties. Many of our properties end up being around $71 per night per person when broken up by occupancy! Seems like an affordable vacation option when you look at it that way, right?
Avoid Hotels
While there are some seriously awesome hotels on the Outer Banks, they’re not typically the best option for an affordable vacation. For an oceanfront hotel room with a king bed during July, you’d be paying about $2,300 for the week. While that sounds like similar, cheaper pricing compared to our rentals, you don’t get all the same amenities we offer. When you rent an Outer Banks vacation home, you have access to an entire house or condo, allowing you to host at least 2 people. You’ll have access to a kitchen where you can easily prepare meals for the entire crew. You’ll also be able to relax in a living room or rec room without feeling confined to one space. Hotels can be great, don’t get us wrong…but sometimes a rental home is the best option, financially and comfort-wise.
Consider A Mini-Vacation
A mini-vacation is also a great option to save on your stay! Taking a 3-night trip to the OBX is sometimes all the time you need, especially when you live within an easy drive of the Outer Banks. Mini-vacations or partial week stays allow you the flexibility of checking in on a day that works best for you and not having to commit to an entire week. Partial week stays require a 3-night minimum. Find homes that offer partial stays here.
The history of flight and The Wright Brothers go hand in hand. Almost everyone knows who the famous flying brothers are and how much they contributed to the science of aviation. However, not everyone knows that the first flight took place right here on the Outer Banks! On December 17th, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made history with the first successful powered airplane flight.
The First Flight
The first flight actually took place in Kitty Hawk even though the park and the memorial are both located in Kill Devil Hills. Wilbur and Orville chose Kitty Hawk because the tall sand dunes and high winds would give them enough lift and all of the sand would allow a soft place to land. On the day of December 17th, 1903, 5 other people witnessed the first flight. Adam Etheridge, John T. Daniels, Will Dough, W.C. Brinkley, and Johnny Moore. John T. Daniels took the now-famous photo of the first flight. Statues of all 7 people on this historic day are actually at the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills!
Fast Facts About the Wright Brothers:
– Orville Wright was the first brother to fly the glider because of a coin toss
– The Wright Flyer flew at 10:35 AM and was airborne for 12 seconds before landing
– The first flight spanned 120 feet
– After the first flight in 1903, the Wright Flyer was destroyed by a strong gust of wind
– Wilbur is the oldest of the two brothers
– John Daniels had never seen a camera before taking the photo of the first flight; in fact, he was so excited about what he was seeing he almost forgot to take the photo
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays! The Outer Banks has so many spectacular holiday events happening this month, including WinterLights! Presented at the Elizabethan Gardens, WinterLights is a month-long event full of festive lights, sights, and so much more. Resort Realty went to see the lights for ourselves and let us tell you, it did not disappoint! A spectacular array of light displays cover the expansive and lush Elizabethan Gardens. The perfect family-friendly holiday event, check out just a small glimpse of what WinterLights has to offer!
During WinterLights, the Elizabethan Gardens is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Each section of the gardens has a different array and display of lights all around. Sections included, characters from the 12 Days of Christmas, sealife, gingerbread town, and more! You can even make your way to the heart of the gardens and make s’mores, drink hot chocolate, and even enjoy a movie. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer was the movie of choice the night we attended!
For a schedule of dates, and different WinterLights events, visit the Elizabethan Gardens website.
Christmas is officially two weeks away! Christmas shopping can be a stressful job. You want to find the perfect gift but you also don’t want it to be thoughtless and un-orignial. If you have an Outer Banks lover in your life, why not get them a gift from their favorite place? Support local businesses and put a smile on the faces of your friends and family this year! We’ve come up with an Outer Banks Gift Guide with present ideas that’ll make this Christmas unforgettable.
An Outer Banks Christmas Ornament
Trim the tree with a memory! The Christmas Mouse in Nags Head has a wide array of Outer Banks ornaments that will be perfect for the Outer Banks obsessed friend or family member.
Customized Necklace
To remind them of their favorite place, get a custom made necklace with coordinates of the OBX! All Washed Up Jewelry is a locally owned and ran business that sells jewelry inspired by the sea.
A Personalized Tumbler
Keep those drinks cool in the summer (and warm until then) in a custom OBX YETI tumbler! Parrot Bay located in Kill Devil Hills has these awesome ramblers. They make amazing gifts, and are sure to keep a smile on any Outer Banks lovers face!
A Handmade Mug
A gift as unique as each wave in the ocean! These hand thrown and hand painted mugs from Swell Ceramics are great for your beach loving family member or friend. They can hold 12-14 oz, which is just enough coffee to get you through until you’re back on the Outer Banks!
An Outer Banks Painting
Keep a reminder of your favorite Outer Banks spot in your home all year round! A painting like this one from local artist Red Dawn Designs is a great gift that will look beautiful in any beach lovers home.
An Outer Banks Vacation
The obvious gift for your Outer Banks obsessed loved one is an Outer Banks vacation, right?! With Resort Realty, booking is super easy. Just pick the property you want on our website, and check out is as simple as 1,2,3! Plus, with our EZ Pay plan, paying for your vacation is easy and affordable. An amazing Christmas gift with no wrapping paper required! Visit our website today or give us a call at (800) 458-3830!
A successful rental home has a very specific recipe. You have to know your rental audience along with having tasteful decor and thoughtful amenities. Knowing who you’re renting to and what vacationers want when they come to visit can make a world of difference to your home, your rental year, and your wallet! Here are some top tips of what vacationers want when they come to spend time and make memories in your rental.
A few quick facts: Most people coming on vacation bring their families (pets included). Vacationers are willing to pay extra for pet-friendly rentals that have larger yards and space indoors. Millennials are slowly beginning to rent more lavish homes, their taste is more expensive and they are more likely to rent a home with their friends.
Top 3 Things Guests Look For In A Successful Rental Home
1 // Cozy Kitchen
While there are a ton of amazing restaurants to try while on vacation, guests actually use the kitchen way more than you would guess! 2 out of 3 meals eaten on vacation have been cooked in the rental home. Only a handful of people actually eat out for every meal while away on vacation.
Renters look for easy to use, updated appliances when searching for a rental home. Little things like easy to clean surfaces, stainless steel appliances, and even a wine opener will up the success of your rental property. An appealing and spacious kitchen is the key to many renter’s hearts.
2 // Outdoor Entertainment
When guests arrive on vacation, their number one priority is relaxation! Guests enjoy unwinding outside and even grilling out. They are willing to pay extra when homes have updated and well kept outdoor areas.
Hot tubs and pools add so much value to your rental property as well. Even if adding a pool or hot tub to your home isn’t in the budget, you can still add other, affordable updates. Think of adding updated outdoor lounge furniture and games like cornhole, can jam, and spikeball to up the ante of your home.
3 // Location
Renters, especially visitors to the Outer Banks, want to be close to the beach. Obviously you can’t up root your home and move it to the oceanfront, but if you’re close to some of the best Outer Banks attractions, make sure that’s advertised! Mention the best dining or the most fun mini golf in your description. When people go on vacation, convenience is the top factor in the vacation rental selection and the mention of great, local businesses to visit helps renters know that you know the OBX.
The OBX offers what most places have lost…
Few sights on earth can fill us with the wonder, curiosity, and perspective that stargazing can. With light pollution filling up most of the skies these days, it can be hard to find a place to view the awe-inspiring beauty of the night sky. Less than 100 years ago, almost anyone could look up and see the starry night sky. Now, millions of children across the globe will never get to experience the Milky Way where they live.
Luckily, you can still escape to the Outer Banks to take in all the wonders the universe has to offer.
Few places in the world offer access to such ideal stargazing locations. In fact, the Outer Banks holds 2 of the 12 best places to stargaze in North Carolina, as named by QC Exclusive.
Come, lay on the beach, and let the universe show you a whole new outlook on life. Spend the early evening beside a bonfire, watch the sunset over the water, then get lost soaking up the marvels of the night sky.
The fall and winter months are the perfect time to visit the Outer Banks. Rates are lower, traffic is scarce, and you can have the beach to yourself. The weather is mild and the beaches are gorgeous.
With up to 7 planets visible at any one time, November is one of the most ideal stargazing months for North Carolina. Island Free Press tells us just what to look for in OBX November skies.
Plus, with all the new technologies out there, it is easy to spot the most alluring sights, learn new constellations, and entertain the whole family with interactive maps. We suggest checking out the free “Sky Guide” app.
Whether you know it or not, the Outer Banks is full of a ton of history and folklore. This includes some pretty scary stories. Halloween is here! So we’ve come up with 5 of the spookiest, most famous ghost stories of the Outer Banks! Read on if you dare!
Cold Blood at Black Pelican
The Black Pelican is known today as one of the most delicious oceanfront restaurants on the Outer Banks. However, the Black Pelican has a rich history. This popular restaurant was once Station Six, one of the lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks.
In 1884, the keeper of Station Six, Captian James Hobbs had an argument with a surfman named T.L. Daniels. T.L. had offended Captain Hobbs’ wife so badly, the Captian shot T.L. dead. After the incident, the crew of Station 6 cleaned up and buried T.L.’s body at sea. The spirit of T.L. still lives on at Black Pelican today. Black Pelican staff have even reported seeing a figure around the restaurant, hearing footsteps, and doors closing on their own.
A Headless Haunting at Teach’s Hole
Edward Teach was a fearsome and ruthless pirate. You may know him better by the name of Blackbeard. Blackbeard called the island of Ocracoke his hideout and looting grounds for many years. On November 22, 1718, Blackbeard met his fate at the hand of Lt. Robert Maynard, giving the name Teach’s Hole to the cove where he was defeated.
As proof of defeat, Lt. Maynard severed Blackbeard’s head and hung it from the bow of his ship. His body was thrown overboard. Legend is, Blackbeards’ head was still screaming after the beheading and his body swam around the ship before death. There have been stories of a headless body swimming in the cove at Teach’s Hole and a headless Blackbeard walking around searching for his head.
The Legend of the White Doe
Many locals and visitors know about the mystery of the Lost Colony. 110 men, women, and children came to Roanoke Island from England to start a new life. Supplies ran short and the colony mysteriously disappeared after three years. Speculations have been made but no one knows for sure where the colony went, and the colony is now best known as The Lost Colony.
Virginia Dare is documented as the first English Child to be born in the new world. She was one of the members of the Lost Colony. Legend states that Virginia was transformed into a white doe after death by a Native American shaman. The ghost of Virginia Dare roams Roanoke Island still today in the form of a glowy white doe; seen every now and then by locals and visitors.
Ghost Ships in the Atlantic
The coast of the Outer Banks has been named the Graveyard of the Atlantic for a reason. Thousands of ships have wrecked since the 16th century. The dangerous rocks make the waters hard to navigate and can destroy ships. Storms that pass can close inlets, open up new inlets, or even make seemingly passable inlets too narrow for ships to pass. The inlets had become such a problem that lighthouses were built to guide ships and the U.S. Lifesaving Service was initiated to save lives and coastlines from wrecks.
To this day, reports have been made of seeing ghost ships sailing on the waters. Sounds of drowning and ghastly screaming have also been heard.
Mr. Roscoe the Postman
Oh, Mr. Roscoe; previous owner of the Roanoke Island Inn. He was everyone’s favorite postmaster…until the day he lost his job in the 1800s. Roscoe was so humiliated that he lost his job, he secluded himself from his friends and family. He never left his room except if he knew no one was around. Years later, Roscoe’s time came to an end and strange events began.
People at the Roanoke Island Inn would sometimes see a man in a post uniform leaving and returning to the house. Some report seeing a tall figure climbing the stairs. Other reports include footsteps in room number seven, blinds moving in windows, a radio turning on by itself in room number three, and vases breaking.
Fall is officially here and with colder months approaching, it is important to get ready to winterize your home to keep it safe. Whether you have a rental home or are a year-round resident, check out these fall maintenance tips!
1 // Fall Clean
A new season means a fresh start. Open the windows and give your house the deep clean it deserves. Pay careful attention to areas that get overlook and that collect dust like shelves and corners.
2 // De-Goop the Gutters
Gutters keep water from sitting on your home. Make sure they’re doing their job by cleaning out blockages caused by leaves, twigs, and pine needles. Make sure no spouts are loose and use a water hose to rinse out the gunk and make sure that your gutters are in tip-top shape.
3 // Store the Hose
Water hoses that still have water in them can freeze and burst when the temperature drops. When the weather takes a turn for the chilly, make sure your hose is drained and stored properly.
4 // No More Drafts
Instead of cranking up the heat (and the electric bill) buy or create a draft guard for under doorways that leak cold air. You can find an easy DIY tutorial on Pinterest.
5 // Eyes on the Thermostat
Colder temperatures mean the AC will soon be switched to heat. Average households tend to spend 50 to 70 percent on their energy bill. Make sure to turn down the thermostat when you’re not home and save energy and money. You could save around $180 a year.
6 // Cleaner Air
Dirty air filters = low airflow and more energy demand. Make sure you’re changing your air filter once a month for cleanliness and efficiency.
7 // Go Clockwise
Not only do ceiling fans keep you cool in the summer, they can keep you warm in the winter too! By changing the fan direction to clockwise, it’ll push hot air that’s along the ceiling towards the floor!
8 // Clean Your Vents
One of the most flammable materials in your home is dryer lint. Keeping your dryer free of lint will help your clothes dry more efficiently and prevent the risk of a house fire. You can prevent buildup by emptying out the lint trap after every use.
