Where to stay - outer banks of NC
 

Heading through there the middle of July with kids - (16) (9) & (7) via car -

what do you think, recommend?

Coralla
 

Furthest north - with a nice, remote feel to it. No major hotels - just sun and fun.

Gordo

Just spent a week in Topsail Beach/Surf City, very nice... although a little south of the outer banks per say..

IMO you can't go wrong in the outer banks. Some of the best beaches anywhere. No matter what you choose, it will be a very laid back vacation. The outer banks works at its own pace. I love that about it.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Ocracoke Island is beautiful but remote. You have to ferry to the island. Nice beaches. Real, Fresh seafood. Deep sea fishing charters excellent. No ATM on entire island. Cash is king. You'll have to rent house but prices are decent.

Emerald Isle feels remote. No hotels on the island. There is a B&B that is homey and family friendly. Otherwise rental houses. Nice beach. Just go over a bridge and you have restaurants, stores, etc.

www.vrbo.com is a good place to find rental houses.

Outer Banks is great, we go to Duck every year. Corolla or Duck are good choices. You may also want to go online to Outer Banks Blue Realty to find a rental. Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn also choices. The Sanderling is another option; have rooms plus a Spa and pool, and its at the north end of Duck. Go to the sand dunes in Nags Head. You can see the ocean and sound, plus they do hang gliding. It's the highest sand dune east of the Mississippi. Wright Brothers memorial is another site to visit, Aquarium on Manteo and if you have 4 wheel go north of Corolla on the beach, 20 miles to VA border. That's where the mustang horses are. Some good resturants as well; Red Sky
cafe and Blue Point in Duck, Meridian 42 in Southern Shores. Great place, have fun!!

Thanks for the input - we are not staying long - just a night or two - coming back from DC - But I'd like a cool place to take the kids to -

I'm kind of spoiled with the beaches here - but the sand dunes are not something we have -

+1 for Duck. When I was about 17, my friend's family rented a house down in Duck and we had a blast. The wild horses are pretty cool too. We also saw dolphins almost every day, playing in the waves. The beach was great and we met a lot of other kids down there to hang out with. My buddy's younger brother and sister also came along and they had a great time as well. I'm not sure if you still can, but we'd have a bonfire on the beach every night. As I remember it (we're talking 20 years ago), it was a very kid friendly place. Plent to do for all ages - assuming they like the beach.

for OBX I agree stay north ..... Duck or Corolla

+1 for Topsail Island spent last summer vacation there ... no crowds and great beach