Outer Banks Vacation Rentals

Vamoose is a terrific resource for those looking for Outer Banks vacation rentals, Outer Banks beach rentals, Outer Banks vacation home rentals and Outer Banks condo rentals. The Outer Banks, or the Banks, of North Carolina is a series of sand barrier islands and peninsulas. Rich in early American history, and known as "The Land of Beginnings", the Outer Banks are home to a series of historical firsts. The English first settled in the Outer Banks. In 1587 Roanoke Island was site of the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World. Reginald Fessenden created the first successful, commercially-adaptable technique of radio communication in 1902. His early experiment took place by wire between Roanoke Island and a section station in Buxton. 1903 saw the Wright Brothers successfully fly a motor-driven, heavier than air, plane at Kill Devil Hill, just south of Kitty Hawk. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is the United States first National Seashore. And the list goes on.

Today's Outer Banks is a Outer Banks vacation rental guest's dream, whether it's the first visit, or the tenth. Visitors fill Outer Banks vacation rentals throughout the year to take in the unique ambiance of the Banks, and to take part in all the excellent outdoor activities. The Banks are well-known for their sights and sounds: the sound of the foghorn, or the swoosh of grass on a windswept hill; the view from one of their famous lighthouses, such as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, or the stunning sunrises bathing endless strands of unspoiled beach in warm light. Remaining outdoors to soak it all in is easy with the plethora of activities available. Guests staying in Outer Banks vacation rentals or Outer Banks beach rentals can take to the air, the land, or the water at a whim. Fishing is among the most popular activities, as the Banks are the site of some of the nation's best angling waters. With freshwater areas, as well as the Atlantic waters, there's always kayaking, sailing, surfing, jet skiing, diving, swimming and more to do. There's also bird watching, golfing, parasailing, horseback riding, biking, hiking, and guided tours among the countless adventures taking place in the wide open of the Outer Banks.

The region is also home to numerous insightful and rewarding museums, art galleries, festivals and events. And with a mild, temperate climate throughout the year, a stay in Outer Banks home rental is a good decision any season.

Stretching for more than 90 miles, this string of barrier islands reaches from the coast of Virginia's border south through Ocracoke and Portsmouth Islands. Surrounded by the Atlantic on the east and brackish waters on the west, the islands are accessible by boat, plane, or one of the many bridges connecting to the mainland. The islands' narrowest point can be as little as half a mile wide and, in some cases, stretch out for 20 miles off the coast of the North Carolina mainland. Nags Head, the northern section of the Banks, is connected to the mainland as a continuous sand ridge that extends well into the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Banks are especially noted for their pristine conditions of clean waters, wide, sandy beaches, and unspoiled natural terrain.

The temperature ranges throughout the year from 52 to 87 degrees, making each season enjoyable and worthy of a romp on the beach. As is common in the south, summer can bring the most unpredictable weather with the hurricane season. Some summer months get more than six inches of rain. However, the showers can often be brief and open with pristine blue skies after the storm. The summer sees the most visitors of Outer Banks vacation rentals, averaging around 250,000 a week. The fall experiences the least amount of rainfall, and guests of Outer Banks beach rentals may find the open, undeveloped terrain of the beaches less populated. With a great amount of sunshine all year long, despite the season, the weather is often mild and pleasant, with slight winds perfect for hang gliding or windsurfing.

Accommodations of Outer Banks vacation rentals and Outer Banks beach rentals are divided up into three main sections of the Banks: Northern Beaches, Roanoke Island/Dare Mainland and Hatteras Island. No matter where one chooses to stay, feeling at home is a guarantee. With options including beautiful and private Outer Banks vacation rentals, Outer Banks condo rentals, Outer Banks vacation home rentals and Outer Banks condo rentals, visitors are sure to find comfort and professional courtesy. Outer Banks vacation rentals are packed with modern amenities and can be found right on the beach, off near the town, or near the quiet waters of the Sound. It's all a matter of preference, and the only difficult part of the process is choosing one spot.

Exhilarating physical activity is all part of a visit to the Banks. The end of April brings Cape Hatteras Splash. This festival takes place near Frisco Woods and offers everything from expert lectures, concerts, and demonstrations to introductory lessons in surf kayaking and kite boarding. This event is made to inspire the soul and get the beginner's feet wet.

June 3 through August 19, guests of Outer Banks beach rentals can witness America's first and longest running outdoor symphonic drama, "The Lost Colony." This historic drama tells the story of Sir Walter Raleigh's attempts to colonize English America from 1584 - 1590. "The Lost Colony" is America's first great historical mystery as it involves the story of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World, who was a member of a whole community whose disappearance remains a mystery today.

Aviator enthusiasts flock to the Banks all year long but are especially fond of December 17. On that day each year at the Wright Brothers Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, visitors can join in the celebration of the Wright Brothers' first historical flight. Included in the event are flyovers and a special Kitty Hawk Kites Ultra Light Flight with hang gliding aerobatics.

There's hardly a day that goes by in the Banks without a celebration, festival, or art appreciation event. Visitors of Outer Banks vacation rentals can count on great motorbike shows, literary events, historic tours, and holiday shows like their grand Christmas Parade or Fourth of July Fireworks Display over the waters. The Banks' events calendar is literally endless.

Each restaurant in the region has its own separate feel and is surrounded by the natural beauty of the barrier islands' environment. Decor ranges from coastal nautical displays, to historical memorabilia, to the casual and simple. With over 160 restaurants serving fresh local fare, including Southern-style fare, one is sure to satisfy their cravings.

For a unique dining experience Bad Barracuda's Raw Bar and Grille should be visited. The owner's claim it's a place where "you can satisfy your eating frenzy." Prices are reasonable, and their menu ranges from fresh seafood and shellfish, to pasta, salad, soups and sandwiches.

An excellent fine dining experience can be found at Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern. The fare ranges from southeastern seafood, to barbecue ribs and pasta. The restaurant has received a AAA three star rating, and presents live music on a regular basis, as well as special events.

Good old American burgers, fried chicken, and a cold pint can be enjoyed at Froggy Dog Restaurant and Bar. Top-notch barbecue is to be had at Bubba's Barbecue. Fun for the whole family is found at the 50s themed Big Al's Soda Fountain and Grill, including blue plate specials. All in all, if it can be craved, it'll be found in the Outer Banks' extensive list of restaurants.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is overflowing with historical attractions, the most recognized being the Wrights Brothers Memorial. However, the list just goes on and on from there. Visitors of Outer Banks condo rentals have the Freedman's Colony of Roanoke Island, a historic National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. Stop by the marker of the site and follow a path through the woods north of Forth Raleigh that opens out into a commemorative park along Croatan Sound.

The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is the Banks newest attraction and a great place for visitors of Outer Banks vacation home rentals to learn the island's maritime heritage, as well as the history of the Marshes Lighthouse and its keepers. With lighthouses an important piece of local history, one should not miss the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. At 208 feet it's the tallest in the United States. Painted in black and white spirals, with a red base, it's also known as the "Big Barber Pole." Its light can be seen for 20 miles out to sea, and was a very important part in bringing mariners home. The often treacherous waters and submerged sandbars have given this region the nickname of "The Graveyard of the Atlantic.

To take in the beauty of the southern island landscape there are numerous parks to visit. Among them are the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Elizabethan Gardens, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Jockey's Ridge State Parke, among others. Each offers a unique chance to get up close and personal with the environment and its inhabitants.

The Banks is also home to a plethora of museums and cultural sites such as the North Carolina Aquarium, the Whalehead Club, the Wanchese Fishing Village, and more.

For a place where history speaks for itself and the land has a certain sense of calmness and serenity, visitors have often flocked to the Banks as a vacation rentals paradise. The list of outdoor activities, from taking to the ocean for surfing or fishing, to taking to the land for hiking, biking and kite flying, the world is wide open. Visitors can take to the sky in hang gliders, or by parasailing, or taking flight instruction. Air tours are available, whisking guests up over the islands where one can witness the fragile geology that divides the sea from the Sound in a way like no other. Diving guides are available for the adventurous where one can witness in person the reason why the region has earned the name "The Graveyard of the Atlantic." And the excellent golfing, horseback riding, shopping, and dining experiences only make the stay more unbelievable. Take in all the adventure, activity, and sites and one can only create an unforgettable chapter in one's own history. So when you are looking for Outer Banks vacation rentals, Outer Banks beach rentals, Outer Banks vacation home rentals or Outer Banks condo rentals, come to Vamoose!