Affordable Family Vacations does Duck, Outer Banks, NC

My husband and his family have been vacationing in Duck, NC so long that he remembers when the paved road, Route 12, used to end in Duck.  This was some time ago in the 70s.  My first visit wasn't until the early 90s and the paved road ended at it's current location in the Ocean Hill section of Corolla, the town north of Duck.  Since then, I have witnessed growth and changes in the Outer Banks, but not much has changed in Duck.  We have vacationed in Duck with our kids twice, both times staying for two week periods.  From these experiences and having stayed in the towns north and south of Duck, I have some great ideas to share to save money and have fun on your Duck family vacation.

Duck is quaint, but crowded in the summer.  The speed limit going to and leaving Duck is 35 mph and it drops to 25 in the heart of town. Most times traffic doesn't even reach that.  If you are staying in the heart of Duck, you wont mind the traffic as you can walk or ride a bike most places.  This is hands down my favorite part about staying in this section of the Outer Banks.  There is a paved path throughout Duck, alongside route 12, for bikes, walkers, joggers, etc. The path stays busy from sun up to sun down throughout summer.

Where to Stay in Duck
If you are planning a visit to Duck, you will need to rent a home.  There are no hotels or campgrounds in Duck. There are condos, older beach homes and beautiful, newer mansions.  With the great inventory of older, smaller beach homes it's easy to find something nice, clean and affordable and if not directly on the beach, easily nearby.  Duck is rather narrow making it easy to walk from the beach to the Currituck Sound.  Some homes even have great views of both bodies of water.  Most vacation homes include beach chairs and some beach toys, so don't buy or rent any until you arrive and can determine your needs.

What to Do in Duck
Once you settle in Duck, there are many affordable family activities.  The number one way to have fun is to play on the beach!  Take a swim, ride a boogie board, go for a walk and examine sea creatures, shells and the Duck Field Research Facility Pier.  Usually tours can be scheduled for the pier, but they are not having tours for summer 2013.  After a day on the beach, head to the sound to catch an amazing sunset.  There is a beautiful elevated boardwalk that runs the length of the sound from Christopher Drive, north to the Waterfront Shops.  Along the boardwalk are spots to drop in a kayak, go crabbing and take great photos.  There are also plenty of sound front shops and restaurants to keep you busy.  Just off the boardwalk, the Duck Town Park is the place where activities from outdoor yoga to live music keep you entertained.

From Duck you can head north or south for a variety of great Outer Banks activities.  Travel north to Corolla to check out the Currituck Heritage Club.  Read more about the activities and sights there in my Affordable Family Vacations does Corolla post.  Drive south to Kill Devil Hills and you can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, only $4 per person for admission.  Even further south, in Nags Head, you can hike up the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which until just recently was only open to view, but is now restored and open to climbing, $8 for adults, $4 for children and seniors.


What and Where to Eat in Duck
Come to Duck prepared!  There are no big box grocery stores in town.  There are a few smaller specialty stores and usually a farm stand is open, but it's a good 15 -20 minute drive north to Corolla or south to Kitty Hawk for the grocery stores.  Packing a cooler to take along basics and prepared meals for your trip to Duck is a great way to save time and money.  For affordable family friendly meals out in Duck, I recommend dining in or take out from Duck Deli, Waves Pizza, Coastal Cantina and Duck Donuts.  For yummy adult treats, go to a wine tasting at Tommy's Market and shop some of their fresh seafood and specialty foods.  If you just can't pass up on some of the fine dining options, make reservations for lunch and spend a lot less money and still enjoy a fantastic meal.  Research Duck restaurants before you go!

Now you are ready for a great trip to Duck.  Share your tips if you have any that I missed.