An Outer Banks, NC Vacation Should Be On Your Vacation To-Do List

If you need a break and you're not sure you want to hit the Jersey shore again next summer, allow me to provide an alternative option. The Outer Banks, North Carolina needs to be put on your vacation list. Last week we spent 7 days in Corolla, NC with friends and our kids. It was a great time. If you're thinking about an Outer Banks trip there are houses large enough for big groups with ridiculously low prices. We're talking beach front, pool, private walk to beach. Everything you could ask for on a vacation.

It is a long drive, 8+ when you add in some bathroom breaks along the way (unless you're my wife, who I'm learning is part camel.) The key to an Outer Banks trip is to leave overnight. We left at 3:30 in the morning (What 3:30?! What kind of start to vacation is that?) Trust me! It is the correct time to leave. You hit zero traffic the whole way down. We hit a single 5 minute slow down because of construction near a Virginia Beach on ramp. If you've got kids, they shouldn't have any problem falling back asleep for a decent chunk of the ride. Yea, it's dicey going on an 8 hour drive with kids, but it would be a lot worse sitting on an access road adding another hour+ to your trip.

That access road comment is the reason leaving early is so important. If you're heading to a southern point of the Outer Banks then you'll have a 2 lanes going each way, not great. If you're heading north to Duck or Corolla, it's 1 lane for 20 miles at 25 mph. Imagine getting there when most of the traffic is arriving. So leaving overnight saves you that headache. A friend once saw someone get out of their car for a run alongside traffic. 20 minutes later they had their husband pick them up a little farther down the road.

"Steve everything you're telling me makes me not want to make the trip to the Outer Banks." We hit no traffic, arrived at 11:30am and were on the beach by 12:30p. As I said if you go with a group you can get a great price on a large beachfront property with a pool and private walk to the beach. It's just incredible. Imagine going to the beach, leaving your stuff, back to the pool, back to the beach and maybe encountering 50 people on the entire beach. Plus the sunrises are incredible.

A gorgeous sunrise in Corolla, NC.

View of the Beach and pool from the top deck.

Views of the Ocean from the living room.

The kids playing in the sand, so excited to be finished the long car ride.

Nothing better than having a pool to relax in when you need a break from the sand.

Make the trip to the Outer Banks, but follow the advice gave you. Leave overnight. Get a place with a group of family or friends. That gets you the big beachfront house with a pool, for a totally reasonable price. Have an awesome vacation.

Over the last week, I did a lot of fun things while away from the WMGK studio. As I wrote about yesterday, I was down the shore for a bit in New Jersey and had a great meal over at Twisties Tavern on the Bay. However, the Jersey Shore was not the only place I visited on vacation.

The other place I went definitely some similarities to the Jersey Shore, like, sharing the same ocean and all, but there are also some cool differences at this place. If you have not guessed by now, I also hit up Rehoboth and Dewey this week!

I love the Delaware beach towns and overall there is a totally different feel to them than that of the Jersey Shore towns – but don’t get me wrong, I love both and each has their own unique characteristics about them!

While there, we took a nice 30-mile bike ride around Lewes, Cape Henlopen Park, North Shore, Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach. Myself, Pattyann, Marisa Magnatta, plus her husband and my friend, Matt Lindenmuth, all had a great time on the ride!

We also went out for a boat ride on the Indian River Inlet to Paradise Beach Bar and then had a bite to eat at Dewey Beer Co. By the way, Matt is one of the main brewers there and has a deep knowledge of beers. Plus, he has a pretty good basketball hat game, like myself, so I scored a couple of cool Dewey Beer snapbacks. I was stoked!

Overall, I had an amazing time down at the Delaware Beaches!

As I said, I am definitely a Jersey Shore guy, but the Delaware Beaches are a nice change up from my normal summer routine! There are definitely a lot more options as far as retail goes, and more Wawas, so who could complain about that? Also, I can’t forget to mention that they are a lot more bicycle friendly.

I can’t wait to head back down again to see what’s in store next!

The first sign you see when you arrive in Dewey Beach. Apparently Dewey Beach is A Way of Life. A good one at that!

Riding my bike in Rehoboth. What a great beach town. Both for bike riding and vacation.

Pattyann and I stopping for a picture in Rehoboth. Look at the cool water tower in the background. It is definitely a landmark in Rehoboth.

The whole group on our bike ride. It was such a fun day. It is always great getting together with Marisa and Matt.

Here is a picture of our over 30-mile bike ride! We went through four different Delaware beach towns. They were all gorgeous.

Matt is not only a good beer brewer, but also a great boat driver. He led the way through the Indian River Inlet and got us to our destination.

After our boat ride, we stopped by this place for a bit. It is called the Paradise Beach Bar. Just wait until you see some of the rules!

No hats. No shirt. No service! And a whole lot of other rules!

This pole is not for dancing! I've never been a rule follower anyway!

No pulling money out of your bra. It is too sweaty. Luckily for me, I don't wear one!

Outside Dewey Beer Co. What a great place! Located right on the corner of Saulsbury Street

You saw the outside, now take a look at the inside. This place was so cool. Matt and company do a great job.

My burger at Dewey Beer Co. was amazing. Look at the size of that thing. You have to try it if you are in the area.

One of the two hats Matt gave me. Me and him will have to compare collections one day. Two of the best hat games out there.

The second of the two hats Matt gave me. I can't tell which one I like better. What do you think?

We passed the President's house on our bike ride. Yes, the secret service was all over me and told me to keep it moving. The do a good job!

Riding in the boat with Pattyann, Marisa, and Matt. Look closely for the dolphins! If you blink you may just miss them!

Here we are as a group on our bike ride. We went through multiple Delaware beach towns. The trail is fantastic.

Here we are in the boat. Matt is driving as we head to Paradise Beach Bar. This was incredible.