Last February my boyfriend and I took a long weekend to stay in the Outer Banks. It was cold and rainy the Friday we drove out. The drive turned out to be very pleasant though. We decided to take the back roads there. We drove past many beautiful horse farms. We took our time and there was no traffic.
We ended up staying at a hotel in Nag’s Head because they were offering a good deal that time of year. Later we went to Kelly’s Tavern on the main drag for dinner and dancing. The next day turned out to be cold but sunny. We headed out looking for some place to eat breakfast. A very quaint local place that is open year round on the beach road was where we ended up and did we have fun. I can’t remember the name of it, but there weren’t a lot of restaurants open on the beach road and that is why we ended up there. But am I glad we did. Not only was the food homemade and good, but the group of regulars that hung out at the restaurant plus the people that worked there were kind of eccentric and very amusing & interesting to gab with.
After we left the restaurant we hit some outlets and purchased some great deals on clothes and household items. I wanted to see the horses of course, since I’m crazy about horses, so we headed on down to Corolla. At the time I didn’t know about the wild horse tours that were available at places like outerbankstours.com. I wish I had because I found out once we got there that you had to have an off road vehicle to go on the beach to see the horses and did not have one. So next time I will be prepared. I was very disappointed but on the way back up to Nag’s Head we stopped at various places on the water and had a very nice time being outside and watching various wildlife and water fowl. I know we ended up at the Flying Dutchman for another meal which was great. Good homemade comfort food at reasonable prices.
On the way back to Virginia Beach we took the back roads home and we stopped at a horse farm so I could feed some apples to some horses because I really had to have a horse experience or die before we got home. Of course we talked to the owners first and got their permission. My boyfriend even got to brush out someone’s horse for them. The horse’s name was Cisco and he was an outerbanks horse that this person rescued. It also turned out that I knew the owner. Her daughter and my daughter took dance at the same place a few years ago. It’s a small world huh?
I am really thinking of planning another long weekend trip this winter to the outerbanks. This time I know to plan better to get the most out of my trip. I would definitely go online to www.visitcurrituck.com.
One stop shopping so to speak. Get the best rates on hotels, best restaurants to go to and find out all the activities you can still do in the winter there. I wish I was there now.
If you haven’t yet been to the Outer Banks this year, it’s not too late! December is actually a terrific time to come to the North Carolina shore and spend time with family and friends in a gorgeous vacation rental on the beach.
If you’re thinking everything’s going to be closed for the season, think again. You can still check out a number of local eateries catering to our winter guests. Though you may not be able to go swimming, there’s still plenty of good fishing and sailing to enjoy, just dress appropriately. With the worst of the hurricane warnings behind us, visitors to Currituck can enjoy long walks on the beach and even a trip up to the Whalehead Club for holiday-themed activities. It is especially nice to come see our historic sites during the holidays, when this former home of the rich and famous is brightened during our Grand Illumination on December 12.
Nearby Wrangler Farms also hosts an annual Christmas on the Farm celebration, with horse-drawn rides and hot chocolate, and the opportunity to visit Santa Claus for last-minute instructions.
Don’t forget to visit our main site for detailed calendars and directions. Happy holidays!
Currituck County vineyards are featured in a brief story on the FOX 5 in DC website! Click here to read full story on where you can go in the Outer Banks for delicious North Carolina wine. Be sure to stop by VisitCurrituck.com, too, for information on winery hours and locations – some adhere to seasonal times, so you don’t want to be left out!
A Currituck County wine producer had six of its wines place in this year’s North Carolina State Fair Wine Competition, including a double gold award for its blackberry wine.
Sanctuary Vineyards, by the Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg, has been growing grapes for eight years but only recently began to enter its wines into competitions. Owner John Wright said his family and the vineyard’s workers are excited about the praise for their product.
Sanctuary Vineyards’ blackberry wine, yet to be released for sale this year, was named the Best Fruit Wine at the competition.
Read more from the Daily Advance.
Our congratulations go to the fine people of Sanctuary Vineyards. We have enjoyed your wines for many years, and are pleased to see the rest of the state has caught on to the magnificence of Outer Banks wines. Bottoms up!
HQ Kites & Designs Inc., a German-based kite distribution company, plans to locate its North American distribution facility in Powells Point, a press release from the Edenton-based Northeast Commission states.
The distribution center will be located in the Freedom Business Park and is projected to create four new jobs. HQ Kites & Designs plans to have its new warehouse and office building open by Dec. 1.
According to the press release, HQ is known for kiteboarding and snow kiting products, recreational kites, wind art and toys. The company chose to locate in Currituck County because of lower business costs, proximity to kite and kiteboarding retailers and enhanced exposure for HQ’s product line and customer base, the press release states.
Read more from the Daily Advance.
We are happy to welcome HQ to our Outer Banks family and wish them many years of success!
Even as the economy has driven down membership, the Currituck Chamber of Commerce had plenty to celebrate during Thursday’s annual meeting and awards luncheon.
Almost 40 people attended the meeting as Chamber President Shannon Kinser gave the “State of the Chamber” annual report and handed out awards during the event held at The Bank of Currituck in Grandy.
During the luncheon several businesses and individuals were recognized for their work during the past year. The honorees included:
- Gena Martin, who was named Ambassador of the Year. Martin’s insurance agency also was named the Chamber’s “small” Small Business of the Year.
- Powell’s Roadside Market, which was named the “large” Small Business of the Year.
- The Pointe Golf Club/Keefer’s Bar & Grille, which was named Most Attractive Business.
- Wild Goose Rotary Club, which was named the Best nonprofit.
- The Bank of Currituck, which received an award for Community Service.
- David Blackman, a local pastor, who won the Exemplary Service Award.
Read the entire article at the Daily Advance.
Great news for cyclists, and joggers and nature walkers! Pretty soon you’re going to have a terrific new bike trail in the Currituck Outer Banks to enjoy!
Thanks to a $500,000 state grant, Corolla residents will soon have a trail for walking, jogging and biking.
Currituck County officials announced Friday that the county has been awarded the grant by the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The $500,000, combined with $500,000 in county funds, will help pay the $1 million cost of constructing a 10-foot wide, 1.2-mile paved trail in Corolla.
“We’re really excited about it,” said Holly White, senior planner in the Currituck Planning Department. “Right now there’s nothing there, so people are riding bikes and moms are pushing strollers along the side of the road.”
Once constructed, the path will stretch from Currituck Heritage Park to the Currituck Banks Coastal Reserve, White, who wrote the grant for the county, said. In addition, a small park will be built along the trail, she said.
More on this exciting story from the Daily Advance.
The Corolla trail will run parallel to NC 12, so if you bring your bike to the Outer Banks you can enjoy a leisurely ride along the most serenely beautiful areas of the OBX. You might spot a wild horse or two or other “natives” of Currituck. More news on this development as we get updates.
A two-year study could resolve a debate over the effect of Corolla’s wild horses on prime waterfowl habitat.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to team with North Carolina State University to conduct exclosure studies within the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge to determine effects of large grazing mammals on three habitat types found there – maritime forests, marshland and wet meadows.
Read the entire article from HamptonRoads.com.
