Outer Banks Lodging News & Happenings

November Outer Banks Events

2010-11-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

The main event for the Outer Banks in the month of November is the annual Outer Banks Marathon which will be held on November 14th. This is the 5th year of this event which benefits the Outer Banks Relief Foundation and the Dare Education Foundation--returning all monies to our community. The marathon organizers also have a Fun Run scheduled for the 13th of November as well which is great for families. Find out info (they are still looking for volunteers) here.

Also on the 13th of November, at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, there will be a Jewelry Expo from 9 am til 5 pm. Visitors will be able to view how various jewelry is made by local makers and there will be items for sale as well. Find out more information here.

On November 27th Kitty Hawk Kites will illuminate the sky with lit stunt kites on the dunes of Jockey's Ridge to the music of holiday songs. Kites generally go up in the air about 4 pm and when the sun goes down the fun begins. Find out more information here.

And speaking of Thanksgiving weekend, enjoy specials at our Days Inns for the holiday. Stay 3 nights at either the Days Inn Oceanfront Wright Brothers or the Days Inn & Suites Mariner during the holiday in a streetside room with 2 doubles for a grand total of $155.00. Other specials are also available, so check our hotel's websites for more info! Or call the Mariner today at: 252-441-2021 or call the Days Inn Oceanfront at: 252-441-7211.

Come to the Outer Banks--there's a lot to see and do!

2010-01-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

3 Great Upcoming March Events!

First we have our annual TASTE OF THE BEACH put on by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association from March 11-14. This event was named by Coastal Living Magazine as 1 of the 10 Top Seafood & Wine Events in the US! Featuring such favorites as the: Chowder Cook off, Champagne Lounge, Tapas Crawl of various restaurants, and Oyster Roast with Beer Tasting---there are plenty of events to choose from. Most sold out last year, so make sure you visit their website and buy tickets early!!!

Kelly's Restaurant is always great for good food and good times! The same weekend as the Taste of the Beach, Kelly's will have it's 21st Annual St. Patrick's Parade (rain or shine) beginning at 1 pm on Sunday March 14th. Click HERE for more info.

That Saturday (the 13th) they will host the 2nd Annual Running of the Leprechauns 8K. To find out more information or to sign up for the race, click HERE.

And last but not least--for the same weekend---we have the 2nd Annual Shamrock Car Show & Poker Run by the First Flight Cruisers of the Outer Banks. The Poker Run will be the 12th of March (Friday) and the Car Show will be on Saturday the 13th. Find more information out on their website HERE.

Of course we would love to host your stays for any of these fabulous events on the Outer Banks. Take advantage of our specials we have at our various properties for the BEST DEAL! Click HERE to visit our: Days Inn Oceanfront, Days Inn & Suites Mariner, Wright Cottage Court, Wright House, and the Driftin' Sands Motel.

The Inuagural Outer Banks Flying Pirate Half Marathon

2009-12-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

Those folks who do such a good job of putting on our annual OBX MARATHON on Veteran's Day Weekend have decided to put on another great event in April to be called the "Flying Pirate Half Marathon" (it will be an annual event). The course will be the 1st half the OBX Full Marathon (which is held in November)--so runners will run through Southern Shores into Nags Head.

Runners can sign up now for this great event by visiting HERE. It's a great chance for runners who run the 1/2 marathon in November to see the beginning of the course, since their half of the marathon starts in Nags Head and ends in Manteo. This marathon will also be the USA Track & Field's Half Marathon Championship for North Carolina. Some come try your hand against those in the Championship runnings, or just come out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the course.

2009-11-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR SUMMER VACATION RESERVATIONS

During this time of year, many people are looking to book their summer Outer Banks vacation. We're going to give you are few pointers as to what you might want to ask or find out about your rental/location that you are considering renting:

LOCATION 1:

Some people who are heading to the Outer Banks for the 1st time only know "Kitty Hawk" or "Nags Head" as locations. There are various places to choose from such as: Kill Devil Hills, Avon, Rodanthe, Duck, Manteo, and much more. Make sure you research the town and its location in regards to your needs. If you want to be in walking distance to certain things (restaurants, shops) or not have to drive far to get to attractions, then you will want to make sure that you are in an area which you can do so.

LOCATION 2:
Oceanfront, Oceanside, Between The Highways, Canalfront, etc.

This may be the most important for many people visiting the Outer Banks. If you do not know, HWY 12 (also known as Virginia Dare Trail or the "Beach Road") runs parallell to the ocean. It's a 2 lane highway that goes from the northern part of the beach running towards Hatteras. There is also HWY 158 (also known as the "Bypass" or the "Big Road") which is our 4 lane main road running the main part of the northern/center beach areas.

So for instance with our cottages at the Wright Cottage Court, all but 1 are what we call "oceanside." Which to us means that they are all built on the "ocean side" of the beach road, there are no streets to cross to get to the ocean---they are just not oceanfront. However some of those particular cottages we also call "oceanfront" as there is nothing built between them and the ocean---just nature.

"Between the highways" means that the cottage is built between HWY 12 and HWY 158. So you would have to cross the "Beach Road" to get to the ocean. It is imperative that if you are renting "between the highways" that you know the location of the closest public beach access because in most cases you cannot just cross the street to get to the ocean, as you will be tresapassing on private land--and some accesses can be yards to the north or south of your rental.

"Canalfront" means that the rental is situated on a canal, like in Colington Harbour. Normally these rentals will not be on the oceanside of the beach but located towards the soundside (great for sunsets). If you want to park your boat right out the back door then this can be a great option for your stay.

So it is quite important to have the person who reserves your stay be quite specific in their descriptions, as "oceanfront, oceanview, oceanside" means different things to different companies. Always make sure you write down the person's name you have spoken with for reference as well.

LENGTH OF STAY:
Most weekly rentals for cottage stays will have a Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday check in or out. Some places, which we are one of, have started offering weekly stays beginning midweek for those needing to redeem their frequent flier miles. So for instance we rent cottage 264, 266, 182, and 282 at the Wright Court weekly starting on any day for those needing a little more leeway in their arrival/departure day.

Some cottage rentals will also allow you to book mini stays as well (for us cottage 264, 266, 182, and 282) with a minimum length of stay. Many of the larger realty companies will not do this until a few weeks prior to arrival, but sometimes will have things posted on their specials page.

DEPOSIT/CANCELLATION INFORMATION:
Make sure you have a full understanding of your deposit and cancellation information. For instance our smaller cottages in the summer have the following cancellation:

"There is no cancellation within 2 weeks of arrival. If you cancel 15 or more days prior to arrival we keep 25% of the deposit paid and the remainder is refunded in the manner in which it was paid."

So if you were to cancel within 2 weeks of arrival, though you are paid in full, there would be no refund (it's virtually impossible to rent a cottage for a full week again within 2 weeks of arrival). Many realty companies will do something similiar. You can buy Trip Insurance to cover unforseen problems that may cause you to cancel your stay. You can find this on the internet at places like: http://www.insuremytrip.com/ (not affiliated with us) and this can provide some recompense in case of cancellation within 2 weeks of your arrival (if staying with us).

Many rentals also require a refundable security deposit and administration fee for your stay. So make sure you understand the length of time that you security deposit will be out of circulation before it is refunded to you.

AMENITIES/WHAT IS PROVIDED?
Some companies will provide free linen set up or mid week linen replacement, so you want to be sure to find out if the linen is included with your rental. For example with all of our rentals, we do provide all sheets, towels, and pillowcases for your stay---though they are not refreshed during your stay.

Some rentals are also "Y" members, so you have YMCA passes to our fabulous Y located in Nags Head--which can be handy for a rainy day. And wireless internet is also something you may want to check on if bringing a laptop or notebook. We have Y passes for our properties and all of our cottages, except #148, also have free wireless internet.

Some rentals have outdoor pools or hot tubs, or access to outdoor pools. If you have smaller children sometimes this can be a bonus. Most larger rentals have "patio" pools which are smaller in size, but still fun to play in. At our cottage court we have access to the large outdoor pool at our adjacent property---and our 8 bedroom Wright House has its own private pool and hot tub.

A few rentals on the Outer Banks also have "theater" style rooms where you can kick back and watch a movie like you're at the movies. From time to time you may also find a rental or two with a putting green. These are not common things here on the beach, but they can be found it this is important to you.

PARTY MAKE UP/GUESTS RENTING A COTTAGE
Most companies on the Outer Banks will not rent to non-family units who are not 21 or 25 years of age or older. So this means a group of 18 to 21 year olds would not be able to rent cottages from these companies unless a parent accompanied them throughout the stay. This is normally to deter unwanted damage to the rental property, which is also why most require a refundable security deposit.

Please note that many contracts state that if you are not able to show that you are adhering to the company's requirements in regard to these rules, the company then has just cause to terminate your rental immediately (we sometimes have parents calling ask if they can rent for their children even though they will not be accompanying them---the answer would be "Sorry, but no").

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT
Some companies on the Outer Banks will offer an early check in for a fee. Most will say that check in begins at a certain time (say 4:00 pm). With us at least, it 's fine to stop by to see if the cottage is ready for check in early---because if it is not then we sign you in and take down your cell number to call as soon as it's ready. We just let people know that unfortunately we don't have anywhere to store groceries if they are arriving early and the cottage is not yet ready. Some companies have multiple offices, so you need to make sure you know the correct location as to where you need to check in.

Check out is normally 10 or 11 am for rentals. All keys must be returned to the same office from which you started your getaway. Lost key or unreturned key charges might apply if not returned to the rental office. You also need to make sure you know of any procedures you need to carry out prior to your departure. For instance with all of our cottage rentals guests are required to remove all trash from the property and have all dishes washed. Housekeeping fees may be assessed if such procedures are not carried out.

PETS/SMOKING
Please note that not all rentals are pet-friendly or smoke friendly. If you are bringing your pet with you, please make sure that you do find out in advance if your rental is pet friendly. Many rentals are now smoke free, though they may allow smoking outside of the rental. If you are a smoker, you will want to check with the company you are renting from, as even some hotels on the beach will assess a fee if cleaners go into a room and smell smoke in smoke free rooms.

So these are just a few tips, mostly common sense, to help you plan out your vacation. It can be a lot like researching for a term paper--though a little more easier with so much information at your fingertips on the web. And of course, don't be afraid to ask questions because if you don't ask you won't know! And finally we all thank you for visiting the Outer Banks---no matter what town you stay in! See you on the beach........

A Rainy Day On The Outer Banks

2009-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

So that is what it was looking like in front of the Days Inn & Suites Mariner this morning with the wind. However right now (as of this post) the rain has stopped and we have a hardy breeze going on....

This weekend will be a great time to go out and find the treasures that the sea has washed ashore (make sure you leave the seaglass for me)! Our staff was talking yesterday stating that just like after a hurricane--the day after is always the most beautiful of the week, and that's what it looks like for us this weekend.

You can check out the webcams that the county has out and about by clicking HERE. Another great webcam on the Outer Banks is the one on Avalon Fishing Pier. That really shows you what the ocean looks like.

Our Dare County officials and DOT keep us running smoothly and safely here on the Outer Banks. Today the forecast is of course wind and some rain (which is moving through here very quickly from the radar at the bottom of the page on this site) but check us out this weekend when it will be beautiful!

OBX MARATHON WEEKEND--NOVEMBER 6TH

2009-11-06T08:53:00.001-08:00

We were happy again to help sponsor the OBX MARATHON once again this Veteran's Day Weekend. This Boston Marathon Qualifier helps provide monies for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation and the Dare Education Foundation helping to enrich lives here on the Outer Banks. We are looking to have FABULOUS weather for Sunday (the actual marathon day) and on Saturday the weather-gods will be smiling on us as well.

We still have cottage availability at the Wright Cottage Court for this weekend. Call 252-441-7331 for reservation information. If not running, come on down and cheer for the runners at the finish line at the Post Race Party. Find more info on the party HERE.

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend on the Outer Banks---call us today for reservations for this fabulous weekend!

Gorgeous Outer Banks Weather

2009-10-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying some GORGEOUS Outer Banks weather this week......love those 70 degree October days! Perfect for walking on the beach, catching fish, or just soaking up the sun with a good book while listening to the waves......

This weekend Frank & Fran's Tackle Shop is hosting their 10th Annual Red Drum Fishing Tournament (Catch & Release). Click here to visit their website.

On the 25th there will be a Chowder Cook Off from noon til 5 pm at the Seagate Shopping Center in Kill Devil Hills. Fall & winter means chowder, and the cost is $10 for all the chowder you can taste! Call (252) 449-8008 for more info!

Also on the 25th at the Elizabethan Gardens, you can enjoy Harvest Hayday with fun-filled games, hay rides, music, and activities. Click HERE to learn more.

So come for the fun on the Outer Banks in the fall! Great special deals are going on at our properties, and are perfect for all those on a budget!

Back To School

2009-08-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Jockey's Ridge Nature Path

This weekend on the Outer Banks was gorgeous, though we did have a little bit of rain (as you can see in the distance lurking over Manteo) from the back end of Jockey's Ridge yesterday evening. This is the time that many people love to flock to the beach, since lodging rates start dropping as does the crowds during the week.

You can pick up some special deals this time of year, in hotels and shops with Back To School Rates. The weather is still gorgeous, everything is still wide open, and there's plenty of free things to do (like take in a great sunset from Jockey's Ridge).

Plan now for Labor Day Weekend as well, before all is sold out. Check out our properties here. We'd love to see you on the Outer Banks!

Roanoke Island Festival Park--425th Anniversary of the Roanoke Voyages

2009-07-08T10:10:00.001-07:00

Come enjoy the 425th anniversary of the Roanoke Voyages at the Roanoke Island Festival Park beginning July 13th! This is to commemorate the first landing of English ships in the New World on July 13. The festivities begin at 6 pm and this event is free. There will entertaining Elizabethan performers, a birthday cake, and Elizabethan activities which will cover the lawn area.

From 7/14-7/17 there will be special activities and performances going on....the Guilde of St. Andrew and Renaissance Faire performers will be on hand from Raleigh, NC. Many fun times will be had for the old and young alike. Check out the great festivities going on for our special celebration by clicking here.

Find great deals at our various properties for your stay. For the Days Inn & Suites Mariner click HERE. For the Days Inn Oceanfront Wright Brothers click HERE. A fun time will be had by all---don't miss out!

Happy July 4th

2009-07-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

HAPPY JULY 4TH

Have a great July 4th! Plenty of fireworks to be found on the Outer Banks as well as good deals. July is the last hurrah before the kids have to go back to school or start their sports or band practice.

Plan now for a great Outer Banks getaway. We have some great specials going on for our few remaining cottages which are open for the month of July. Click HERE to check our specials for our cottages for July (and the 1st week of August).

There are great places to visit while here like Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Fort Raleigh Historic Site, The Lost Colony and much, much more! So come and visit the Outer Banks--there are plenty of things to do, plenty of places to eat, and plenty of places to play on the beach! We hope to see you soon!

There's Fun To Be Had On The Outer Banks!

2009-06-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

View Of The Sound As The Sun Goes Down

There's a fun time to be had while you are on the Outer Banks! This video clip was taken during a short kayak trip on the soundside of the beach. We're famous for our watersports--kiteboarding, fishing, kayaking, jet skiing and more.

There are also great historic programs going on at the beach as well. Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station has "Porch Programs" going on all summer at 2 pm. For instance on Tuesdays there a talk given on "Amazing True & Local Wreck Rescue Stories." And on Thursdays the ever-popular "Beach Apparatus Drill" with the US Coast Guard re-creates the famous "Breeches Buoy" Rescue--and is only 1 of 2 spots in America to do so (and we're the only one to have active Coast Guard personnel in our rescue).

Of course you can always just laze the day away in the sun too. That's what most visitors seem to enjoy. Or take a day trip and drive south towards Hatteras and grab some lunch before visiting the Lighthouse, there's a nice seashore there where you can take a respite...then jump on the free ferry to Ocracoke and visit the quaint fishing village with fine local shopping and restaurants.

And if you are on a budget, take advantage of our great special offers at our various properties at: obxlodging.com. We have cottages, guest rooms and suites with full kitchens---the whole gamut for something for 1 person to something for 18!

Bike Weekend on the Outer Banks

2009-04-21T14:29:00.001-07:00

BIKE "WEEK" ON THE OUTER BANKS STARTS April 23, 2009

So bring your Harleys, Suzukis, Huskys, or Hondas (scooters don't quite count) and come and enjoy "Bike Week" starting 4/23 on the beach! At Vertigo Tattoo they have several great contests for bikers and bike enthusiasts alike.

On Friday 4/24 they have a Custom Bike and Big Twin Contest from 12-4 pm. On Sat 4/25 they have an Old School Bike Contest and Antique Bike Contest from 12-4pm. Both days also feature a "Wall of Death" stunt show as well. Visit their website for more info on their events and vendors by clicking here.

The weather is supposed to be PERFECT for great riding along the flatlands of the beach! Take a ride down towards Hatteras and take the free ferry over to Ocracoke for a nice day trip. The scenery is like nothing else.

Or go visit the Wright Brothers Memorial and drive around Kill Devil Hill. And if the family has to come and doesn't want to participate in the bike activities--it'll be fine---the beach is right outside our doorway!

We have a few rooms remaining at the Days Inn Oceanfront (only a handful) and one 3 bedroom oceanfront cottage remaining at the Wright Cottage Court (as of this posting). Don't miss out on the warm weather and great events this weekend. Check out our properties here.

Celebrate Earth Day At the Beach!!

2009-04-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Come and celebrate EARTH DAY on the Outer Banks at the NC Aquarium (in Manteo) on April 18th from 10 am til 3 pm. Enjoy family entertainment and watch "Planet Earth, Inc" with your paid admission. This great show incorporates puppetry, songs, and magic tricks by Atlanta-based puppeteer Lee Bryan.

It's supposed to be a FABULOUS warm, sunny weekend at the Outer Banks and you DON'T want to miss out on our fun and sun. Visit Jockey's Ridge, tour the lighthouses, visit the beautiful Elizabethan Gardens (which are blooming nicely), or climb Kill Devil Hill and check out the Wright Brothers Memorial. Or go biking (it'll be a great weekend for it) on our various multi-use paths or bike paths on the beach.

End of the wooded trail from Elizabethan Gardens to the soundside waterfront in Manteo

Only a FEW rooms remain at our properties so make sure you reserve with us today! Receive 10% off any non-discounted rate with AAA, AARP, military, or government ID at our Days Inn Oceanfront or our Days Inn & Suites Mariner.

Land of Beginnings Festival

2009-03-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Come Join In the Land Of Beginnings Festival

This festival starts today (March 27th) and runs through April 6th. Some events are free of charge--such as the various Storytelling events, and a few have a nominal charge for functions such as the North Carolina Dance Theatre's production on Tuesday the 31st.

For information on all events and happenings for this festival, click HERE. This festival helps to celebrate the culture, people, and history of the Outer Banks as well as providing other cultural events for the public. Many functions take place in Manteo and the Wright Brothers Pavilion at the Wright Brothers Memorial here in Kill Devil Hills.

Come stay a few days or come for the whole festival! You'll find great accommodations with us on the Outer Banks!

A Beautiful Day On The Outer Banks...

2009-03-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous blue skies, great weather, and sprawling beaches to walk on---what can be better than to be on the Outer Banks today!

It's the perfect time of year to visit---there are great things to do and great deals to be found on the Outer Banks. You can visit the Elizabethan Gardens or walk around Roanoke Island Festival Park & the Elizabeth II. Festival Park is hosting renowned Flautist Chris Norman this Saturday at 4 PM. The price of admission is included in the price of the park's admission fee.

Or of course you can always visit our lighthouses. There are short nature trails by Bodie Island Lighthouse and one very close to Cape Hatteras Light which you can also trek. Fishing is always fun on the Outer Banks as well, and many restaurants are OPEN. This weekend the weather is supposed to be sun, sun, sun---so we encourage everyone to take advantage of our specials on obxlodging.com and come visit the Outer Banks!

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Car Show

2009-03-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

The 20th Annual Kelly's St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Sunday (3/15) in Nags Head from 1 pm til 6 pm. Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Outer Bankers as the parade floats down the beach road (Hwy 12). After the parade there will be a post parade party at Kelly's Restaurant free hot dogs, musical entertainment, and lots more.

On Saturday (3/14) the 2nd Annual Shamrock, Truck, & Bike Show will be held at Kelly's Restaurant. There will be a Low-Rider Exhibition at Hooter's in Kitty Hawk starting at 6 pm. Come see the fabulous antique cars and tricked out trucks on the Outer Banks!

There are great discounts to be found for the remainder of March on our website! So come and stay for the weekend and celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the Outer Banks!

Civil War Living History Weekend, Outer Banks

2009-02-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

Come to the Outer Banks this weekend for Roanoke Island Festival Park's "Civil War Living History Weekend." A great event for history or civil war buffs alike!

On February 28th from 10 am to 5 pm there will be a commemoration of the Battle of Roanoke Island (and also on March 1st from 10 am to 5 pm). There will be over 60 re-enactors of Confederate & Union soldiers. There will be interesting artillery demonstrations, drills, crafts, speed-firing musket demonstration and more!

On March 1st at 2 pm there will also be a showing of Heroes of the Underground Railroad which is produced by Bright Star Children's Theatre of Asheville, NC. It's a 45 minute production which will detail an overview of slavery, the Underground Railroad, and heroes who emerged during this time period. The cast will be available for a meet and greet after the production.

Also during this time period (starting Feb 28th) at Festival Park, the 12th Annual Priceless Pieces Quilt Show will begin. These mini quilts from the Outer Banks and Northeastern NC will display such themes as "bad hair day" and "it's raining cats & dogs." There is fun to be had for all ages this weekend at Roanoke Island Festival Park.

Our WINTER BLAST special is still going strong for the Days Inns & this weekend will be a perfect time to take advantage of these great offers. Check out the red button on our website for all of our Feb/March deals!

TASTE OF THE BEACH--OUTER BANKS, NC

2009-02-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

The Dare County Restaurant Association will be holding its annual TASTE OF THE BEACH on the Outer Banks the weekend of March 5th. This is a great time for foodies to visit and taste all the great cuisine of Outer Banks Restaurants.

Some of the great events that are occuring throughout the weekend are:

"The Champagne Lounge"

"Sideyard BBQ & Oyster Roast"

"Brewing 101 & Then Some"

"Grits & Golf"

"Salty Food/ART Exhibition"

"OBX Chowder Cook Off"

There are more exciting and mouth watering events going on that weekend. You can find more information about the TASTE OF THE BEACH as well as a calendar of events on their website. Tickets must be purchased for the various events, and tickets can be purchased on their website.

Our properties are offering the WINTER BLAST special for our Days Inns and the WINTER COTTAGE GETAWAY SPECIAL for that weekend. You may find more info on these discounts by going to our website and clicking the RED BUTTON for our specials!

Bodie Island Lighthouse

2009-02-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

Bodie Island Lighthouse

It doesn't have to be summer to visit the Outer Banks! The winter season brings memorable views of Outer Banks favorites such as Bodie Island Lighthouse. This clip was taken last week on the short nature trail located "behind" the lighthouse (from the parking lot--walk behind the lighthouse to the left hand corner and you will see the path).

The path gives a glimpse of the beautiful natural surroundings that the Outer Banks is famous for. Normally you'll see several types of birds, and sometimes while visiting the lighthouse you might see fox or deer zipping by. This 156 foot tall lighthouse is majestic any time of the year when visited.

So don't let the winter blahs keep you down. You can always find something to uplift your spirit on the Outer Banks--whether it's catching rockfish or viewing the natural beauty of the beach--we will rid you of your cabin fever! Just take a look at all of our specials on obxlodging.com to help jump start your getaway!

Congratulations To Our 2 Winners On Their Free Stay

2009-01-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to K. Bushta and E. New who each won a 2 night complimentary stay at our Days Inn Oceanfront and Days Inn & Suites Mariner respectively. We thank you for entering our drawing during your stay, and we're sure you'll look forward to enjoying your complimentary stay!

When visiting with us, make sure you enter our drawing for a chance to win one of these complimentary stays. We have a drawing several times a year at each property, so make sure you enter if staying with us multiple times! Visit our website to check out our hotels and cottages on the Outer Banks!

SNOW Again On The Outer Banks!

2009-01-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

During The Snow Blast

After the Snow Blast

Snow At The Wright Brothers Memorial (Back End By Airstrip)

Snow fun on the Outer Banks! And this time it stuck around for a whole day! Many of us were excited because it's a rare occurence for snow to actually stick around.

This was behind Jockey's Ridge on the soundside during the wind and snow. People had already started "sledding" down Jockey's Ridge during the snow. Later that evening when we went to the Wright Brothers Memorial, many locals and their kids had started "sledding" down Kill Devil Hill (mindful of the cacti under the snow I'm sure).

It was great fun and now it's melting--should be gone by the weekend---though if you come down you might find some remnants in small pockets.
It's perfect that our specials for January and February in our hotels are called the WINTER BLAST specials. Great deals are going on in shops, restaurants, and our hotels--so if you need to get away from the winter blahs in your area, come to the Outer Banks for a great pick-me-up!

Outer Banks Wedding Expo This Weekend

2009-01-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

Wedding Reception Tent Set Up In Front Of Our Oceanfront Wright House

You can still register for the Outer Banks Wedding Expo this weekend on the Outer Banks. Just click here to register for the expo, or the expo and wedding tour of Outer Banks vendors and properties.

We are offering special discounted rates at our Days Inns for this weekend, just mention the Wedding Expo when making reservations. If you plan on getting married on the Outer Banks this is the perfect time to visit so you can meet caterers, photographers, musicians, and more.

Every year the Outer Banks hosts many weddings; We are happy every year to host many wedding parties and our Wright House has hosted many weddings now almost too numerous to count!

If you need wedding block information, feel free to call our properties directly:

DAYS INN & SUITES MARINER: 252-441-2021

DAYS INN OCEANFRONT: 252-441-7211

WRIGHT HOUSE & WRIGHT COTTAGE COURT: 252-441-7331

Come and visit with us this weekend for the Outer Banks Wedding Expo!

$20.09 + Tax New Year's Lodging!

2008-12-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL--$20.09 + tax per person at our

DAYS INN & SUITES MARINER

DAYS INN OCEANFRONT

Reservations can still be made for New Year's Eve with our special rate above--2 person minimum per room.

At the Days Inn Oceanfront choose either a streetside room or a suite (YOUR CHOICE) for this great special.

At the Days Inn & Suites Mariner choose any of our streetside rooms or our 1-bedroom oceanside suites (YOUR CHOICE).

And you'll also get a NOON CHECK OUT in case you rang in 2009 all night long! Mention the NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL when calling 252-441-2021 for the Mariner or 252-441-7211 for the DI Oceanfront.

All rooms are non-smoking & have free wireless internet. Complimentary continental breakfast and an afternoon snack is served daily. Go for a PHOTO TOUR at: http://www.obxlodging.com.

Outer Banks Christmas Show

2008-12-16T06:57:00.001-08:00

We're all decorated for the holidays like many of you and this is a great time to be on the Outer Banks! Until December 28th the Outer Banks Music Showcase is putting on their "Christmas Show" which I know a lot of people have enjoyed. They have even had motor coaches come down for the day to enjoy this live show. You can find out more information and schedule times at: http://www.outerbanksmusicshowcase.com/.

We have been experiencing some warm weather on the beach, and it helps make the shopping a little easier! Many shops have great one-of-a-kind Outer Banks gifts on sale, and of course we have gift certificates available for those wanting to give a gift of a beach stay!

This mild weather has been a great time to take long walks on the beach or on the various trails on the Outer Banks. I ventured out towards Alligator River (about 20 minutes from Manteo over the Virginia Dare Bridge) recently and was lucky enough to view all the birds migrating south for the winter. As we drove the Wildlife Drive by the start of the Kuralt Trail you could see and hear the birds in the flooded fields--it's a great site for anyone who loves to be outdoors . In a more remote section of the area we were able to see a mama bear and cub in one of the open fields (they seemed to be enjoying the sun)--it was all very exciting.

So come for a show, go shopping, or come and see the Outer Banks wildlife---we have great specials going on to make it all affordable for you during this holiday season! Gift certificates are available for all of our locations.

Christmas By The Sea This Weekend (Dec 5-7)

2008-12-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

Come and join us on the Outer Banks this weekend for the annual Christmas by the Sea event in Manteo starting with a tree lighting ceremony Friday night (about 5:45 pm) with caroling and a visit by Santa!

On Saturday there is a parade and kids can visit Santa at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. There's even a bake sale where you can grab homemade goodies to benefit the PTA for Manteo Elementary.

On Sunday at Manteo's Town Hall William Ivey Long II, a Tony Award Winning Costume Designer (and the Grand Marshall this year) will discuss his career with a few of his extraordinary costumes on view. There is limited seating to this event and it is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

All the events are FREE for Christmas By The Sea, and there are plenty of quaint shops to buy holiday one-of-a-kind presents for your friends and family. And there are plenty of restaurants to choose from for a great Outer Banks dinner.

So make plans to join us on the Outer Banks for this event--we have the perfect accommodations waiting for your stay!

Does It Snow On The Outer Banks?

2008-11-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

So our answer as you can see would be Yes! It snowed this morning quite a bit!

However like all good things the snow went away just as fast as it fell, but it was quite beautiful while it lasted. We had the excitement of snow and the happiness of knowing there would be no slushiness!

The rest of the weekend is supposed to be rain/snow free--so if you are trying to run away from snow this is a good place to come! You can visit the Outer Banks Music Showcase which has its best selling Christmas Show going on this weekend (and through December) with holiday favorites and some fun stuff thrown in as well. Visit their website for more information.

On Saturday enjoy the 25th anniversary of the christening of the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Plenty of things to do there starting at 10 am including a Clam Jam Chowder Cook Off--a perfect way to warm up. Find more information here.

So come take advantage of the great discounted rates we are offering and see what fun can be had on the Outer Banks. Wind down before you wind up for Thanksgiving next week!

Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks

2008-11-20T09:35:00.000-08:00

Days Inn Oceanfront's Lobby

Thanksgiving starts our season of cozy warmth: gatherings with family and visiting with friends. Each year the Outer Banks has welcomed more and more family and friends who visit with each other while visiting with us. Many local restaurants now offer fabulous Thanksgiving dinners so visitors don't have to feel left out not cooking their own turkey or stuffing.

This is a great time to visit the beach with the many local shops offering discounts for great holiday Outer Banks gifts, and accommodations of all sorts offering off season rates. Many places are still open for Thanksgiving as it has become a busy holiday for the beach, so visitors need not fear seeing closed shops or restaurants.

For example the weekend of the 28th finds Kitty Hawk Kites with their annual "Kites With Lights" event. On Saturday night (29th) KHK will light kites at the top of Jockey's Ridge starting at sunset. This is a fabulous thing to bring kids of all sizes to, and each day kids can get their picture taken with Santa. For more information go to: http://www.kittyhawkkites.com/.

So come on down and have Thanksgiving dinner on the Outer Banks. We have several discounted specials going on ourselves--the Winter Blast Discount at each hotel and Reel Deal Specials at our cottage court. We hope to see you on the beach soon!

OBX MARATHON NOV 7-9, 2008

2008-11-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

The OBX Marathon is upon us again on the Outer Banks--celebrating 3 years! We're happy to act as sponsors to this great event which helps to raise monies for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation and the Dare Education Foundation on the Outer Banks. We all love to see the runners who have traveled from all over the world, and many of us stand along the route cheering the runners on.

For the past few years a few thousand people descend on the Outer Banks to run this beautiful course which is a Boston Marathon qualifier. The course is not just street/pavement--runners will traverse through Nags Head Woods a pristine ecological preserve, view the Albemarle Sound in Kitty Hawk, and wind their way around Kill Devil Hill--where the Wright Brothers had their first flight.

Registration is closed via the internet but you may register on-site at the Expo on Friday or Saturday. We still have a handful of cottages available for Marathon Weekend at our Wright Cottage Court. So come and have fun running from one end of the beach to the other (or just do the 1/2 Marathon---they welcome runners and walkers too) and view the many scenes of the Outer Banks!

A Breezy Day On The Outer Banks

2008-10-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

The beach at the Days Inn Oceanfront yesterday

As you can see it was a bit breezy yesterday on the Outer Banks, but our beautiful Carolina Blue Skies were a great back drop for a wonderful day. This type of weather is great for kite flying---on the beach, at the Wright Brothers Memorial, or on Jockey's Ridge (the largest natural sand dune on the East Coast). Recently I've been noticing a lot of hang gliders taking off from the dunes on Jockey's Ridge---it's cool to see them taking off and hovering in the wind like birds (the fellow I was watching was hovering, he didn't actually get to the "glide" part while I was there). And of course the Outer Banks is world famous for our kite boarding, so the kite boarders like this windy weather too.

Fishing seems to be doing well from the amount of fishermen we have had visit with us this week at the hotels. One of our staff went fishing with a friend on one of the piers this past weekend, and said that folks were catching quite a few fish while she was there.

So there's plenty to do---rain, wind, or shine and we've got great discounts to take advantage of for any length of stay---so we hope to see you soon on the beautiful Outer Banks!

A Great Place To View Migrating Birds & More

2008-10-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Even geese love it at the Days Inn & Suites Mariner!

The Outer Banks is the perfect place for bird lovers to watch the annual migration on all sorts of bird species---and sometimes when you stay with us you don't have to go far to check them out! Every year people travel to view various species of birds at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge as they migrate for the winter. Another great place to visit is Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (about 20 minutes driving time from Manteo) which has a driving trail in which you view the refuge from the comfort of your car. Maps are available at the entrance of these roads and their website can be found at: http://www.outer-banks.com/alligator-river/.

There's even a festival held every year on the Outer Banks called "Wings Over Water" which you can learn more about here http://www.wingsoverwater.org/. It's a great place for birders to meet with daily trips around the Outer Banks to view different bird types. "Wings Over Water" will take place November 4-9 this year and all registration information can be found on their website. We will be offering 15% off our normal nightly rate for anyone mentioning "Wings Over Water" when making their reservations for the nights of 11/4-11/7 (1 discount per reservation).

The weather is still mild, and it's the perfect time to be outdoors on the Outer Banks. So bring some friends and family and check out the wildlife on the Outer Banks!

Winners of our Free Night Stay Drawings

2008-10-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

View from the cottage court beach access today

We are happy to announce we have drawn a winner for a FREE 2 night stay at the Days Inn & Suites Mariner and the Days Inn Oceanfront on the Outer Banks. We are happy for M. Gray and J. Bank and hope they enjoy using their free stays!

Always remember to enter our drawing (located in our lobby) when staying with us. It's great to be able to post the winners in our new blog. It's a nice, warm day on the beach and the weekend is shaping up quite nicely weather-wise.

The Outer Banks Music Showcase has a great show tomorrow featuring Ron Block of the Grammy Award winning group Union Station (who plays with Alison Krauss). Also on the 11th and 12th there will be an Elizabethan Tymes Faire held at Roanoke Island Festival Park which you can attend with a purchase of a ticket to the Park (the ticket is valid for both dates).

Also for all those oyster lovers out there, Oct 11 will hearld the 7th Annual First Flight Rotary Oink N' Oyster Roast which will be held from 11 am til 5 pm at Sunburn Sports Bar in Kitty Hawk. This features NC style BBQ and all-you can eat oysters! The Rotary is supporters of several county-wide programs like the Special Olympics, Food Pantry, and the Community Care Clinic. To find out more info on what to do, or more infor on the items above-- visit http://www.outerbanks.org/events/calendar_of_events/october.asp.

Welcome to our new Outer Banks Blog

2008-10-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

We welcome everyone to our new blog for our Days Inn & Suites Mariner, Days Inn Oceanfront, Wright Cottage Court, and the Driftin Sands. We hope to give you information on specials going on the Outer Banks, neat places to visit while here, and cool things to do while visiting the Outer Banks!

We welcome your thoughts and comments too. We are happy to be situated in Kill Devil Hills, home of the Wright Brothers Memorial--sight of man's First Flight. We're having fabulous fall weather---the kind that makes you want to go outside and DO something (even if its just walking on the beach).

So stay tuned for more great information to come---and welcome!