I hear this one a lot over the summer, and although from talking with some of the lifelong residents, that statement used to be true, it just isn't anymore. The Outer Banks has really become a 10 month resort with different groups coming at different times. There is the pattern as I see it.
June, July, & August:
These are definitely the busiest months down here with families getting away while the kids that are off from school. They will often spend 6-8 hours traveling through 5 states just to spend another 2 hours covering the last 20 miles.
September & October:
The big families have all gone back home to work & school. Now you see many “empty nesters” coming down to enjoy a quieter, less expensive Outer Banks. The weather on the OBX is typically in the mid 70’s to low 80’s, and the many the atmosphere is more relaxing than in the summer.
You also see the younger couples just starting their careers and families. Their budjets are tighter and their children are not school age yet so they they can take advantage of the lower rates. It is a bit odd to walk into a resteraunt at this time of the year and see the everyone is either under 30 or over 60.
November & December:
The Holiday season is a great time again for family reunions, but instead of it being the renters coming down, it is mostly the homeowners of the large rental houses taking time off to enjoy the homes themselves for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.
January & February:
This is the slowest time of the year on the Outer Banks, and one of my favorites. Before moving down here, my wife and I would come down here to vacation on Valentines week. I would joke that it was the only time of the year that I could rent an oceanfront house without inviting 10 other family members. Sure you aren’t going swimming in the ocean or sunbathing, but you also didn’t look out you oceanfront window and see the beach in front of you packed with hundreds of strangers. Most of the store and restaurants were still open, and we never had a trip where it didn’t break 70 degrees at least one day.
March, April &May:
Spring is coming back around and you see two groups coming back to the beach. First you have the home owners coming down to get the houses ready for the summer season and get in another week or two before the house starts renting again. You also see the younger couples with children who are not school age yet taking advantage of the lower prices and milder weather. Then Memorial Day hits and the cycle starts all over again.
The OBX has much to offer no matter what time of the year it is, and each year more & more people seem to realize that.
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