Outer Banks Valentine’s Day Getaway

outer banks valentine beach

‘Tis the season for love! Valentine’s Day this year is all about romance on the Outer Banks. Your favorite seaside destination is perfect for a romantic couples’ getaway. Whatever you plan to do on Valentine’s Day, we know all the things to do to make it extra special.

Rent a beach house

To start off your Valentine’s Day, there’s nothing better than a scenic view from your front porch. With one of Joe Lamb Jr.’s beach houses, everyone is welcome, whether it is with a partner or the whole family.  The beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina are the perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart. Whether you’re staying for a long weekend or an entire week, you’ll have a great time.

Watch Sunrise on the Beach

outer banks sunrise

The sunrise on the Outer Banks is unmatched. Stroll the island’s eastern side to watch a spectacular display of light shine across the Atlantic. Give your date a lifetime memory by sharing this experience! Enjoy the sunrise from the romantic comfort of one of our oceanfront homes while you catch a glimpse of the sunrise.

Watch Sunset at Jockeys Ridge

outer banks sunset

Jockeys Ridge is the largest sand dune on the east coast. Allowing for panoramic views of both the sound and the ocean. This time of year, there are fewer crowds on Jockey’s Ridge, which makes it an ideal spot to watch sunsets over the Roanoke Sound. During sunset, the sand dunes are unmatched.

Romantic Dinner

There are a number of different culinary experiences that you can enjoy on the Outer Banks. A wide range of dining options are available on the island, so you can choose the one that suits you best. In preparation for Valentine’s Day, many restaurants offer special dinner menus for their customers. We recommend making reservations (if possible) for your favorite local restaurant in advance.

Take a Stroll in the Gardens

The Elizabethan Gardens are located in Fort Raleigh National Park.  This garden has become one of America’s most beautiful and unique gardens since the first attempts to colonize America by England under Queen Elizabeth I. The Roanoke Sound’s tranquil setting makes this scenic year-round garden a perfect spot for a Valentine’s Day stroll. Find out more about the fascinating beauty of camellias as one of the featured flowers in February.

Star Gazing

outer banks stars

Observe the Milky Way and shooting stars! Among the most popular things to do on the Outer Banks is stargazing. The Outer Banks have dark skies and limited light pollution, and are a romantic place to stargaze with your loved one. Valentine’s Day beneath the stars.

Book Direct, Why Should That Matter To You?

This person is booking a vacation on Book Direct day which is February 3rd 2021

Advantages of Booking Direct With Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates:

You might be wondering why you should book direct when there are so many online travel agencies with fancy online ads and tons of suggested listings. Here are a few huge benefits to booking directly with Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates: 

You will receive better rates and “from time to time” there are special offers by booking directly with us. It will be much easier to add different packages, add travel insurance, and filter your search. For instance, if you are looking for a home within a certain town, location, property type, or a home with specific amenities you can refine your search with the advanced search filter.

We offer more flexibility and an overall better booking experience when you book directly with us on our website. You will have direct access to our local staff that lives in the area and can offer knowledgeable tips and ideas about exploring the Outer Banks.

The best benefit of booking directly with Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is that you communicate with a live human so you will also get amazing one on one customer service while on your OBX Vacation, these are things that computerized OTA’s just can not match!

This is a frustrated woman trying to book a vacation using an online travel agency.

Things To Think About When You Do Not Book Direct:

When not booking directly with Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates not only do you not save money but you actually end up spending more! 

Online travel agencies are full of upcharges and fees, sometimes they are in plain sight and clearly explained but sometimes they are hidden and leave you feeling like a bait and switch just happened. That is no way to start your Outer Banks vacation!

Orange and pink color sky as the sunrises on the Outer Banks North Carolina with Jeanette's Fishing Pier in sight. Water a soft orange and pink glow along with the sand on the beach from the sunrise.

When you do not book directly you also miss out on the chance to learn about all the properties Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates has to offer in our inventory because OTA’s only highlight and feature a certain amount of beach homes or oceanfront condos for you to search.

We Have Made Booking Direct Easy!

Booking an Outer Banks Vacation Rental direct with Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is a simple process that we have worked very hard on making as streamlined as possible so you have the best user experience possible!

You can book direct with us using our desktop website or our mobile browser for those on the go or spur of the moment trips. Here you will find our powerful search feature that delivers your vacation rental search results quickly and efficiently. Our user-friendly layout means you can navigate through all of the different amenities you need in your vacation home as simple as clicking a drop-down from the menu and pressing search now.

Do you want to bring the family dog on your trip? No problem our website has plenty of choices. Need an oceanfront view to wake up to that beautiful ocean every morning? We have a search feature that covers that too! We encourage you to book your next family vacation directly on our website.

Whether you need to know about our check out procedures or want to know about what to bring you can find all the answers to your questions on our extremely detailed FAQ page, it gives you all info you will need so that you can feel confident in booking your Outer Banks vacation rental directly with us! We look forward to seeing you and your family on your next Outer Banks vacation!

 

Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is one of the most trusted vacation rental managers in the local area by growing into a market leader in the Vacation Rental and Sales Industry. Joe Lamb Jr. and his family have played a vital and intricate role in the Outer Banks Community for decades. 

Over the past 50+ years, Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates have worked diligently to help promote the Outer Banks for the amazing beach and family vacation destination that it is, helping to increase tourism in the area and grow our beautiful community.

Outer Banks New Year Resolution

Now that we are in 2023, people are starting to make changes. Spending time with family, learning new skills, relaxing more, or creating new memories might be on your list of resolutions. An Outer Banks vacation allows you to accomplish all of these things. Contact us today to reserve your 2023 vacation!

Learn to Surf

Besides its picturesque beaches, the Outer Banks is an ideal destination for surfers. World-class surfing spots are found around the Outer Banks, attracting surfers from all over the globe. However, these waves are not just for professionals but vacationers looking for water fun. Various surf schools offer lessons for vacationers of all ages. Try dancing on the water this year as a new year’s resolution.

Visit all 5 Lighthouse

There are five lighthouses on the Outer Banks, which protect its shores. Driving along the barrier island coast will allow you to see these lighthouses. Reach the top to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the island. Take an Outer Banks lighthouse road trip this year and visit them all!

Try a New Local Spot

Local restaurants, shops, and attractions are plentiful along the Outer Banks. This year try something new that you have never experienced before. Embrace a first experience this year!

Buy your Own Vacation Home

Buying a beach house has always been a dream of yours. Find that perfect beach home with the help of one of our real estate agents. Get in touch with an agent by clicking this link.

Reel One In

A favorite fishing spot has always been the Outer Banks. Known as “The Billfish Capital of the World,” fishermen travel far and wide to catch a bite. Perhaps you can fish deep sea, from the pier, or even from the beach. If fishing piques your interest, make this your destination. There may be a record catch this year.

Spending time with family

A vacation on the Outer Banks is the perfect way to spend quality time with your loved ones. Aside from the beach, there are plenty of activities to be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s an enjoyable way to spend time together, experience new things, and create new memories.

Go somewhere new

There is always room for new adventures. This year, why not spend some time on the Outer Banks beaches? Vacations are a great way to relax, have fun, and appreciate nature. Relax at the beach as you deserve it.

 

 

Thanksgiving Gatherings on The Outer Banks

Exciting food and family gatherings are waiting for you. It is time to celebrate everything with friends and family by consuming more turkey, and pumpkin pie than anyone thought was humanly possible. It’s the time of the year to be thankful. 

An Outer Banks Thanksgiving may be the perfect beginning for a brand new family tradition if you’d like to find a great way to spend a holiday this year. Read below for further information about the OBX area and what the holiday season in the Outer Banks brings to the table. 

Before you plan your trip, don’t forget to check out our “Area Guide” section of our website.  The Things To Do page is filled with ideas and suggestions from a few different OBX areas, making it the ideal tool to plan your Thanksgiving family getaway!

OBX Vacation Rental Thanksgivings

The Outer Banks have been a holiday destination year after year for families and large groups of friends to gather at the beach. It’s a great way to reserve a vacation rental for a celebration surrounded by those you love for a long weekend away from work.

Thanksgiving with the family on the Outer Banks is an excellent way to start the holiday season. The weather in November is usually in the mid-60s is generally mild, and the night falls to a little cooler mid-50s. You may have a warm enough sunny Thanksgiving Day to relax on the beach most of the day. In this case, we advise planning your Thanksgiving meal ahead of time. 

Grocery Store Shopping or Restaurant Take Out

Complete Thanksgiving meals are sometimes available for ordering and pick up.

Take the guessing game out of your feast by ordering a full Thanksgiving dinner from a local OBX restaurant or grocery store. You can simply pick it up. Some foods have to be cooked and others are fresh. Full meals should be pre-ordered and advanced time limits are generally available before ordering. 

This is an excellent option if you do not have a lot of experience making a huge feast or want to make things simple for the family but still want to eat in private. Make sure to see the November 2022 hours of every restaurant or grocery store for additional information and ordering policy.

What To Expect At The Rental

Visiting our quiet and peaceful beaches to enjoy a holiday home in Outer Banks this turkey day? Our rentals are ideal for families, friends, and some even welcome the family dog!

Many of our rentals have kitchens that are large enough to make the whole family’s food; several turkey accommodating ovens and stoves, larger fridges for drinks and pies, and even an extra burner or two to create your own signature sides for all the family chefs and foodie travelers. 

With most homes having multiple levels, there’s also plenty of room for children to stay clear of the kitchen until the meal is ready.

Where To Find Thanksgiving Dinner In The Outer Banks

thanksgiving buffet in the obx (1)

For Thanksgiving on the OBX, we have suggested our dining recommendations below. We have covered you whether you are looking for a buffet dinner close to your vacation rental or a full-blown feast at a local restaurant this November.

Buffets

Thanksgiving annual buffets are sure to ease every pallet. Some seafood buffets in addition to favorites like crab legs, steamed shrimp, and more, offer traditional Thanksgiving food like turkey and ham! You’ve also often got homemade desserts, greens, sides, soups, and salads at some buffets!

We recommend calling your favorite seafood buffet to see if they have a Thanksgiving buffet this year!

Thanksgiving Menus

Would you like to visit a Thanksgiving 2022 OBX restaurant? Several restaurants of Outer Banks are open at Thanksgiving for lunch or dinner. Some of them will offer special Thanksgiving menus, of which many are well known for their foods and treats among visitors and locals on the Outer Banks. 

For details on menus, reservations, and availability, visit each restaurant’s website. You may be able to have Thanksgiving dinner during another day if your favorite OBX restaurant is not open on Thanksgiving Day. 

Call or check this list compiled by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau for more turkey day restaurant openings.

Book Your Thanksgiving Rental Today!

Year after year, the Outer Banks have been a holiday destination for families and big groups of friends on the shore. It’s the ideal chance to book a holiday rental for a celebration that you love for that long weekend away from work!

Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is one of the most trusted vacation rental managers in the local area by growing into a market leader in the Vacation Rental and Sales Industry. Joe Lamb Jr. and his family have played a vital and intricate role in the Outer Banks Community for decades. 

Over the past 50+ years, Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates have worked diligently to help promote the Outer Banks for the amazing beach and family vacation destination that it is, helping to increase tourism in the area and grow our beautiful community.

Holiday Events in The Outer Banks of North Carolina

Spend the holidays on the Outer Banks to make them even more memorable. Every month, there are plenty of fun events for the entire family to celebrate while staying in your vacation rental. We’ve included some of the big holidays and events taking place in our communities below. 


For a complete schedule of activities during your stay, go to the Area Guide tab and look under Things to Do In The Outer Banks.

Tree Lighting

A blurred image of a lit up Christmas tree.

Each year, cities and communities on the Outer Banks hold Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies. With a few exceptions, the festivities are normally conducted after Thanksgiving and after dark and are sometimes sponsored by towns, business areas, or malls. There may be entertainment, Santa Claus, and sing-alongs at the Tree Lighting festivities. They can also be found at larger events like festivals, and parades. You may want to attend one of the following tree lighting celebrations. All of the events listed are free and open to the general public.

Town of Manteo

The Manteo tree lighting ceremony, which takes place in front of the historic old courthouse, is a musical-dramatic celebration of that indefinable spirit of selfless joy that has touched the lives of Roanoke Island residents at Christmastime for over 400 years and inspired them to persevere against all odds in pursuit of their dreams.

Browse some of the beautiful Nags Head vacation rentals available which is a wonderful town just a short drive from Manteo.

Price: FREE

Age limit: Fun for the whole family!

When is the Event?: Friday, December 3, 2021 – 6:00 pm

Christmas Tour

Shelves of Chritmas cottages and candles lit up.

There is an amazing holiday-themed tour for all of the festive activity seekers here in the Outer Banks. It takes place in the wonderful town of Corolla at The Whalehead. If you are interested in visiting the OBX to attend one of these tours we have plenty of stunning vacation homes in Corolla to help you with your accommodation needs.

Whalehead’s Candlelight Christmas Tour

The Whalehead Candlelight Tours are a wonderful way to start the holiday season. Enjoy music, drinks, and the wonderfully adorned Whalehead estate. Live performances on Whalehead’s original Steinway piano, caroling, and an exclusive peek of the new Starkey Room exhibit and new acquisitions will all be included in the tour.

Candlelight Christmas Tour Details

Dates – Tours will take place starting November 26, 2021, thru December 18th, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The exact dates are November 26th and 27th and December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th.

Admission – $20 per person Tours are very limited. Advance registration is required. For more information and to register call: 252-453-9040

Holiday Festival

A couple of ladies shopping in a Christmas themed shop.

Keep that Christmas energy going with this engaging holiday festival. Get there early to enjoy all the shops and dining the town of Duck has to offer. Shop local and find something for everyone on your nice list this year!

If you want to make a vacation out of this visit look into staying at one of our conveniently located coastal home rentals available to you in the town of Duck.

Duck Yuletide Celebration

Join the town of Duck for live Christmas music, sweets, and an elf scavenger hunt as we await the arrival of our special guest: Santa Claus, who will swap in his sleigh for a spectacular arrival on a Duck Fire Truck.

Price: FREE

Age limit: All ages

When is the Event?: Saturday, December 4, 2021 – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Santa will be waiting!

Santa sitting on the beach under an umbrella

So what are you waiting for, come celebrate your holidays on the Outer Banks by attending our holiday OBX-mas events this month? We strongly encourage you to participate in the month of holiday activities and entertainment for the whole family. We hope to hear from you and see you and your friends & family soon! Best wishes and Happy Holidays.

Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is one of the most trusted vacation rental managers in the local area by growing into a market leader in the Vacation Rental and Sales Industry. Joe Lamb Jr. and his family have played a vital and intricate role in the Outer Banks Community for decades. 

Over the past 50+ years, Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates have worked diligently to help promote the Outer Banks for the amazing beach and family vacation destination that it is, helping to increase tourism in the area and grow our beautiful community.

Beach Reading on Your next Outer Banks Vacation.

A stack of books to read on your next OBX Vacation.

Take the time now to prepare for your upcoming OBX vacation.

Finally, a place with no urgent deadlines, endless meetings, or obligatory workplace lunches to distract us, vacation is one of the only occasions we can just totally lose ourselves. However, decision fatigue may have set in after picking a vacation destination (Nags Head? Kill Devil Hills? Kitty Hawk?), a beach house, figuring out what to pack and what to place on the itinerary. 

Remembering to pack a book or two can be an oversight while trying to navigate your pre-trip planning. Take the time in the “off-season” to load up your book list or e-reader now to prepare for your next Outer Banks Vacation.

If you are a bit of a traditionalist and still find comfort in a physical book here are some pros and cons of a hardback and paperback to hopefully help you decide what to bring. 

Let us start with hardbacks, a few pros are they are very durable which makes them capable of withstanding a bit more handling and placing/removing from that beach tote full of sunscreen and sand toys. They are also a little more sturdy and can probably handle a splash or two. The cons of a hardback are obviously their heft and weight, this might make lugging more than one a bit of a chore. The hardbacks are also a bit more expensive to replace so bringing them around the beach or pool might not be the best idea.

Now let us move on to the paperback book. The pros of paperback books are they’re great for travel due to their lightweight design, they are usually much cheaper than hardbacks and can generally be held open with one hand making beach reading very easy. As with their hardback counterparts, there are a few cons. Their design although great for travel actually makes them a bit more vulnerable when it comes to wear and tear and no one likes to borrow a book only to find out the last three pages have been ripped out or water damaged!

These are just a few examples of things to think about when it comes to physical books, now let us move on to a completely different option to increase your leisurely vacation reading. The e-Reader! Did you receive a gift card for a birthday or other holiday that you might want to use to fill up your e-reader? Now’s the time to decide on those book titles.

Reading from an e-Reader on the Outer Banks.

Download your favorite beach reads onto your e-reader.

There are a few die-hard physical book readers vs. e-reader vacationers left out there, so packing a few books on a beach vacation is nothing new. But as with many things, the advancement of technology has made the art of reading much simpler and accessible.

e-Readers have the benefit of downloading a lot of books all in one easy to use and convenient location. Giving you a variety of options to choose from without having to dig in the bottom of your seemingly endless beach tote for that big cumbersome murder mystery hardback you could have sworn you packed only to remember it is sitting on the dining room table of the amazingly spacious 5 bedroom beach house you rented. When you use an e-Reader you are keeping your beach bag light and your time focused on the beach. Not worrying about what you might have forgotten or having to get up and walk back.

They make saving your spot in the story you are reading a breeze while you take a quick break to enjoy a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean just a few feet away. Quick tip, make sure your e-Reader is waterproof and or has a waterproof case if you are taking it to the beach or the pool! Just like no one likes reading a water-logged book from wet fingers and hands making the pages all wavy, no one likes buying new tech toys due to not planning ahead and making sure their technology was properly safeguarded!

Father and Daughter reading on the beach in the Outer Banks.

We just want you to be happy and relaxed while reading!

At the end of the day, all that matters is the experience you have while on vacation here in the Outer Banks. 

You can choose to bring one or two hardback books to escape reality or bring a stack of paperbacks to catch up with your book club. You can even download everything to your e-Reader so you can lounge on the beach or poolside of your OBX vacation rental. Whatever you decide, we just want you to be happy.

In fact, you really do not have to bring a book at all because we have about 15 little free libraries all around the Outer Banks to give you a chance to grab a book and unwind. The Outer Banks also has a great selection of local bookstores to shop when visiting: Island Bookstore in both Kitty Hawk and Duck, Duck’s Cottage in Duck, and Downtown Books in Manteo.

Just book your vacation and then vacation with your book (anyway that works for you)!

Before that decision fatigue sets in permanently, if you have not booked your next Outer Banks vacation yet click here to get started and use this off-season as a time to plan for your upcoming OBX vacation! 

Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is one of the most trusted vacation rental managers in the local area by growing into a market leader in the Vacation Rental and Sales Industry. Joe Lamb Jr. and his family have played a vital and intricate role in the Outer Banks Community for decades. 

Over the past 50+ years, Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates have worked diligently to help promote the Outer Banks for the amazing beach and family vacation destination that it is, helping to increase tourism in the area and grow our beautiful community.

Top 10 Reasons to Rent Monthly during the Outer Banks Winter

We all know about the amazing summers spent on the Outer Banks, frolicking under the warm sun, splashing around in the refreshing Atlantic and spending warm nights under the stars Barbequing with friends and family. Labor Day use to mark the end of the “busy” season here on the beach but each year, the peak season seems to last a little longer and the fun continues later into the Fall.

You would have never guessed that roughly 20 or so years ago after Labor Day the Island was completely vacant… Only a very small few knew the secret of how special the Outer Banks is once the sun begins to set a little earlier, the nights grow a bit cooler, the traffic subsides and each person you pass you know by name. Slowly but surely it seems that the long kept secret of winter on the Outer Banks is out and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share our special slice of heaven with you!

Show Me the Winter Rentals!

Many people still don’t know what to expect from winter on the Outer Banks so let me paint a picture for you!

Off-Season Renters in OBXImagine, starting your day first with a cup of locally brewed fresh coffee and taking it down to the beach, that’s right some days are still warm enough that with the proper bundling or garments you can enjoy a sunshine-filled stroll down the beautiful coast collecting more seashells and sea glass than would have ever been possible during the summer months! Shell collecting becomes one of my absolutely favorite hobbies during the winter months, there is something so serene about taking a walk down an empty beach, feeling the sun on your face & watching it glint off the water while the bird’s perform a private concert just for you! Days are blissful but the nights do get a little colder. Visualize yourself cozying up with loved ones in front of a fire, drinking hot cocoa, snuggled up in the blanket you purchased at one of the many unique boutiques that are only on the Outer Banks, listening to the mighty melody of the oceans roars in your extremely well priced Ocean Front cottage!

So, now that the stage is set and the picture is painted, what else does winter on the Outer Banks have to offer besides peaceful nights and extremely LOW rental prices? The list goes on and on… So let me break it down for you:

The Top 10 Reasons to Rent in the Winter in the OBX

  1. Collecting Shells During the Off-Season
    The winter season is the BEST time to find shells!

    No lines! Visit the grounds of your favorite spots like all the amazing Light Houses, or the Wright Brothers Monument without having to wait in those long hot summer lines!

  2. Most of Your Favorite Restaurants are still opened with NO WAIT and delicious menu items.
  3. Holiday shopping, Tree lighting ceremonies and Parade events are a must!
  4. Bird Watching at Pea Island and of course FISHING!!!!
  5. Sea Glass/ Shell collecting is at a peak due to the rough seas washing up treasures from the sea floor! (your friends that are stuck in the city will love it as a souvenir and wish they would have come with you!)
  6. Peaceful time spent on reflection, the Outer Banks is one of the most premiere spots for artist to get away and focus on their work; whether you’re a writer, painter, photograph or musician the solitude and beauty of each day is just what you need to inspire your next piece of work!
  7. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot tub while watching an unparalleled Outer Banks sunset from your vacation rentals deck.
  8. Witness the possibility of snow fall on the SAND! Due to our sunny days it melts quickly but it sure is a site to behold if given the chance!
  9. Take a walk around Historic Whalehead club in Corolla and see it completely decorated with a Christmas tree in each room!
  10. Did I mention, the AMAZING DEALS and LOW LOW PRICES!!

 

So what are you waiting for? Check out our winter rentals OBX page to find your hidden treasure.