The Outer Banks or 'OBX' of North Carolina is basically the Hamptons of the mid-Atlantic United States. The OBX offers a great mix of fun stuff to do, historic things to explore and delicious items to eat and drink. Each year for the last 13 years, my family has chosen to vacation in Hatteras Village for Thanksgiving. While a summer stay would certainly have its perks, fall in the OBX is beautiful, more affordable and less crowded. For the history lovers, visiting Fort Raleigh aka The Lost Colony on Roanoke Island near Manteo is a must stop. Open year round, the national park offers plenty of space to walk around and see the place where early British settlers lived long ago. If we know where the colony is, why is it lost? Great question. For those who might not know the story, colonists settled this area in the late 1500s, but vanished a few years later. Several theories exist about what happened to the settlement's inhabitants but definitive proof is lacking to fully resolve what happened. To learn more about the latest developments in what historians think likely happened, pick up a copy of The Lost Colony and Hatteras Island by Scott Dawson. Also visit the park, take a tour and explore one of America's earliest settlements. If you're lucky enough to be there for the holidays, there's also a great display of lights at the Elizabethan Gardens next to the colony. It's dog-friendly and all around beautiful. Hatteras Island, where my family vacations, is home to lots of history related to the Civil War, World War II and beyond. During the Civil War, Union forces maintained a fort on the island and a battle occurred in 1862 with Confederate forces. German U-boats also scanned up and down the coastline during World War II. Known as the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic,' OBX's coastline is also the final resting place for many ships that sank in the area over the last several centuries. To learn more the local maritime history, visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic museum, also open year round. For those that love to find fun places to stop, be sure to visit a few of the local hotspots including Buxton Books, Lee Robinson General Store, and Old Gray House Gifts. Hungry? The best spot to grab a bite is definitely Tavern on 12, but Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe offers great morning treats and Gingerbread House Bakery makes tasty pizza! The best spot, however, is Fatty's eatery. Enhance your stay with a trip to Ocracoke Island. Accessible via ferry, (go early, the line gets pretty long, even in the fall), Ocracoke is home to adorable shops, great food spots and quality views. Always call ahead to ensure businesses are open - they are on island time after all. Plan to visit Ocracoke Coffee Co., Books to be Read and Zillie's Island Pantry - the best spot to enjoy an adult beverage on the island. If you're starving, eat at Jason's. Ocracoke is also home to the 1718 Brewery, who's name relates to the infamous pirate Blackbeard who was killed nearby in, you guessed it, 1718! Have a favorite spot we didn't mention? Include it below in a comment. If you've never been, book your stay early - affordable options for vacationing in the OBX fill up quick! We already booked our place out, a year in advance. Hope to see you there next year! Cheers.
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11/2/2022 12:29:22 pm
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