Thinking of a family vacay in OBX. DH and I have been and stayed in the Kitty Hawk area.
We will have 6 adults and 5 kids (ages 18 down to one year). Leaning towards staying in the same area (KDH or Nags Head) since there seemed to be the most action there. We visited Duck and it just seemed sleepier. Any other towns you would recommend?
We stay in KDH for the same reason--closer to the restaurants and action. We didn't care for Duck or any of the other more remote areas.
We loved hitting the dunes for sunset. We also love some of the beach bars and restaurants but I'm drawing a blank on names, so I'll have to get back to you.
Not sure if you like to fish but DH usually charters a boat for the day and fishes. Another day we buy crab at a local seafood retailer and have a crab broil.
We love OBX. It's one of my favorite places in the world and we've traveled all over. We go all the way from Vegas so it's quite a trip, but definitely worth it.
I own a place in Manteo and we love it there but it's definitely quieter. There are lots of things to do there, though (the Elizabethan Garden, the Lost Colony show and exhibits, the aquarium, etc) and we got over to the Nags Head area regularly. Not sure of what time of year you're going (we go year round) so that will dictate what is open. Honestly, my least favorite time of year to go is during the summer as the traffic and crowds are not pleasant.