Outer Banks Rainy Day Guide

The Outer Banks is a beautiful destination for outdoor activities and sunshine-filled days. But what do you do when the weather doesn’t cooperate and you’re faced with a rainy day? Don’t worry, there are still plenty of fun and interesting things to do in the Outer Banks, even when it’s raining. Don’t let a little rain ruin your vacation! Our Rainy Day Guide has plenty of fun and interesting activities to keep you entertained in this beautiful coastal region, no matter the weather.

A typical rainy day on the Outer Banks: overcast cloudy dark sky

Visit a Museum

The Outer Banks is home to several museums that offer a glimpse into the area’s history and culture. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras is a must-visit for anyone interested in the region’s maritime history. The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills is another great option for learning about the Wright Brothers’ first flight and their impact on aviation.

Explore Indoor Attractions

In addition to museums, the Outer Banks has several indoor attractions that are perfect for a rainy day. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a popular spot for families and features exhibits on local marine life. The Outer Banks Mall in Nags Head is another option for those looking to do some shopping or catch a movie at the local cinema.

Indulge in Local Cuisine

What better way to spend a rainy day than indulging in some delicious local cuisine? The Outer Banks is known for its fresh seafood and southern-style comfort food. Check out some of the area’s best restaurants and try out a new dish or two.

Relax at a Spa

Finally, rainy days are the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a day of relaxation at a local spa. The Sanderling Resort and Spa in Duck and the Aqua Spa in Duck are both great options for a day of pampering.

While rainy days in the Outer Banks may not be what you had in mind, there are still plenty of activities and attractions to keep you entertained. Don’t let a little rain dampen your spirits – embrace the opportunity to explore and discover something new.

Outer Banks Valentine’s Day Getaway

A bouquet of roses on the beach in the Outer Banks for Valentine's Day

‘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

An aerial view of the Outer Banks

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

A sunrise in the Outer Banks

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

A sunset view at Jockey's Ridge

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

Stargazing at night in the Outer Banks

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.

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

A person surfing in the ocean of the Outer Banks

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

A lighthouse in the Outer Banks illuminating the night sky

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

A vacation home in the Outer Banks

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 man fishing off of the side of the boat in the Outer Banks

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.

 

 

The Best Ice Cream in the Outer Banks

Nothing says “summer vacation” better than enjoying an ice cream cone while walking on the beach. A calm breeze and a sweet taste go great together! There are plenty of places in the Outer Banks to grab ice cream, frozen yogurt or even shaved ice. From Corolla to Nags Head, you’ll find no shortage of places to try your favorite kind of ice cream. To enjoy your next North Carolina vacation to the fullest, here are our top 5 best places to grab the best ice cream in the Outer Banks.

The Best Ice Cream in the Outer Banks – Our Top Picks

A bowl containing 3 scoops of strawberry ice cream and mint in the background as a garnish
A bowl containing 3 scoops of strawberry ice cream and mint in the background as a garnish

Big Bucks Ice Cream

Close to Kitty Hawk’s public beach access point, Big Bucks Ice Cream is a popular hot spot for ice cream in the Outer Banks. Here, you can pick up your favorite ice cream and walk right over to the beach, all within the span of a few minutes. Don’t just get ice cream here. Big Bucks has a great selection of coffee, homemade cakes, smoothies and chocolate treats as well to enjoy.

Donutz On a Stick and Ice Cream

A plate filled with freshly made donuts topped with powdered sugar and served with a small bowl of vanilla ice cream.
A plate filled with freshly made donuts topped with powdered sugar and served with a small bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Just as the name implies, Donutz on a Stick and Ice Cream is the perfect place to grab a sweet tasting dessert creation. This family-friendly shop is run by members of the Williams family and caters to people of all ages. Find ice cream and a full lunch or dinner menu. Grab the family and head on over to enjoy classics such as Avalanches, homemade milkshakes, donut sandwiches and homemade ice cream in a cup or a cone.

Winks Ice Cream

This is an ideal place for those who want to grab ice cream, especially if you are a fan of Blue Bunny ice cream. With friendly staff ready to help, at Winks Ice Cream you will find delicious ice cream creations and plenty of milkshake options to choose from. It is a great place to sit down, enjoy a cone or a shake and talk amongst the locals.

Higher Grounds – Coffee & Ice Cream

There is nothing that beats freshly brewed coffee and a scoop of ice cream. Higher Grounds is a shop that specializes in both. It is a dog-friendly establishment that offers hot and iced caffeinated drinks, fresh tea and baked goods such as bagels, muffins and various breads. You will also find popular dishes such as the vanilla and espresso milkshake that locals rave about.

Scoops Homemade Ice Cream

Three people holding ice cream cones together with different flavors of ice cream.
Three people holding ice cream cones together with different flavors of ice cream.

If you want traditional ice cream from a classic parlor, then this is the place for you! Scoops specializes in custom birthday cakes, specialty dessert dishes and of course, delicious ice cream cones. Each type of ice cream is made from unique and homemade recipes. Every scoop is made in small batches to make the flavor unforgettable. You’ll find fresh ingredients used such as real vanilla, fresh nuts and freshly chopped fruit.

Look forward to your OBX vacation with our top picks of the best ice cream in the Outer Banks. With plenty of ice cream options to choose from and even unique creations you simply won’t believe until you see it, the Outer Banks is a place to find the best ice cream in the country. Grab the family and enjoy a cone today.

 

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 Spring Picnic Places

A fully equipped Outer Banks Vacation rental kitchen with a view of the ocean.

Each Vacation Rental Home comes equipped with a kitchen capable of whipping up some amazing picnic meals!

The arrival of Spring weather on the Outer Banks seems to send everyone racing to the nearest beach, park, or patch of grass, with a gingham blanket and basket in hand. A picnic menu requires skill: the food must be prepared ahead of time and packed correctly so as to not make things soggy, it needs to also be robust enough to survive the journey, and delicious at room temperature. 

All of the Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates Vacation Rental Homes on the Outer Banks have kitchens where you can create your own fabulous picnic so much easier than trying to navigate a tiny hotel room with just a dorm fridge and microwave. 

From the quick and easy to the more involved glamorous feast here are some great ideas for meals and some scenic suggestions for that perfect OBX picnic location!

Quick wraps and rollups perfect for an Outer Banks beach picnic.

Enjoy quick picnic foods perfect for grabbing on the go and heading to the beach.

When it comes to the most basic of beach picnics the theme is often quick, easy, and cold. Check out these suggestions for simple beach picnic foods to pack.

Fruit: When sandy fingertips are involved, whole fruits are preferable to cut up fruits. Apples, peaches, and bananas (which can become soggy in the sun, so keep them in the cooler) are all good options. A tub of watermelon or cantaloupe slices, cut from the rind, is also perfect for the beach. Almost all of these foods are also hydrating, which is a plus!

Nuts: It’s a perfect way to get some protein in a rush. If you think you can eat this without crunching on sand (struggle!), make a trail mix of dried fruit and nuts.

Chips or Crackers: If you need to bring some snacks, crackers and chips are a nice choice. If you prefer whole-grain crackers, they would be less salty and healthier for you.

Wraps: The star of the show down on the beach. A sandwich filling like tuna or chicken salad is more enjoyable to eat when it’s wrapped in anything other than two pieces of bread, whether it’s a tortilla or your favorite gluten-free plant. Kids may also eat a wrap with one hand, leaving their other hand free to keep their sippy cup upright. Wraps are a lot easier to make.  Protect the bottom half with a cloth napkin or even a paper towel to keep the sand out.

Drinks: These can be whatever you want as long as they are cold and refreshing and fit in the cooler. But please do not bring glass to the beach, that is a huge NO-NO!

*** Please remember to use recyclable silverware, paper straws, and other items that are beach and marine life friendly while on your beach picnic. Also, it is important to note that all OBX beaches are carry-in carry-out so remember to pack a trash receptacle in your picnic basket to carry any trash off the beach. Leaving your best beach picnic place as clean as you found it.***

Choose one or all of these suggested beach spots to have your best beach picnic:

  • Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The park is known for its towering sand dunes, which stand between 80 and 100 feet tall and appear to belong in a desert region rather than a coastal beach town.
  • Nags Head Town Park. A scenic 1-mile hike through sand dunes and maritime forests leads to a remote, quiet sound side beach at the nearby Nags Head Woods Preserve nature trail.
  • The beach right outside your door. If you are lucky enough to secure one of our oceanfront vacation rentals in the Outer Banks then just throw open your door and head down to the beach where you are staying!
A group of young adults gathered around a picnic basket in an Outer Banks park eating sandwiches.

Sturdier dishes and sides are perfect for the in-between or impromptu picnic spots all over The Outer Banks.

Unlike a quick beach picnic the inland outdoor dining experience can be a little more creative and fun. Dishes that can be prepared together for a bit more grown up and sophisticated feel are perfect for these types of Outer Banks picnics. 

Sandwiches with a little flair can start to come into play with these picnic levels. Think panini’s and cubanos wrapped tight to stay warm. Triple decker club sandwiches stacked high with all the toppings come to mind as main attractions for these basket dinners.

You can also think of pairings such as chicken on the bone whether it is fried, grilled, or baked all three taste great with some rice and beans and salad. Maybe even some fish tacos with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob would be a delicious treat. These foods can still be eaten with your hands if you wanted or since you will have put a little more thought into this meal and you had plenty of room in your vacation rental homes kitchen they can be placed on some reusable plates and eaten with utensils. 

Foods on a skewer can be added to these types of picnics. They are still in the wheelhouse of convenience but also lend themselves to the diversity of multiple flavor profiles all in one meal. Kabobs of steak and peppers or chicken and tomatoes come to mind.

Finding one of these fun sites or Outer Banks parks to dine outside along the coast this Spring will make your vacation feel exciting and eventful!

  • Lighthouses. Although you will not be allowed to actually eat at the top of the lighthouse you could voyage up to the top and come back down to work up your appetite and then have your picnic nearby with the stunning view of the lighthouse as your backdrop.
  • David Paul Pruitt Jr. Multiuse Path and Park. It’s a family-friendly community playground with play equipment for both young and older children inside a fenced-in area and picnic tables near the parking area on the outside. Perfect for that mid-range meal with friends or a special someone.
  • Dowdy Park. There is a fitness trail for adults to work up a healthy desire to eat. For everyone else, there are picnic pavilions, covered tables, and grills.
A woman pouring a sparkling water while feasting on a charcuterie board of nuts and fruits all on top of a hip southwestern design blanket.

Fancy portable meals that are easy to unpack but still feel glamorous like crab legs and charcuterie boards are a great fit for places that set the mood just right.

If you really want to create a posh picnic that will make memories to last a lifetime it starts in the prep work.

The key to really going all out during this process is planning. It’s also crucial to resist the sack-lunch mindset and instead opt for dishes that need more participation and collaboration. Choose recipes that you don’t make very often or that use higher-end ingredients for the most enjoyable picnic. This can be difficult to envision, so here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Meal ideas like crab legs, lobster, oysters, and filet mignon come to mind as the culinary experience unfolds. These are decadent but also easy to eat in the picnic setting. 

Something else to include is a charcuterie board. Not only are these beautiful to look at but you can get as fancy and visually creative as you want. You can add nuts, cheeses, fruits, meats, jams, honey, crackers or bread, and more. All of those ingredients travel well and make customizing your picnic flavorful and fun.

This is also where you can break out the higher-end drinks, a good bottle of wine or champagne. Maybe a pre-mixed themed beverage that can be made ahead of time and brought in a large thermos or tumbler.

(FUN IDEA: you both take turns trying to name the drink based on some of the memories already made on this vacation, like the “Lighthouse Lemonade” etc…)

While you are back in the kitchen putting this basket of goodies together put some thought into the presentation as well. Use real silverware, bring the good china, use the coziest blanket. This is not the picnic to skimp on the details. This is one for the record books!

(Do Not Forget The Flowers!)

When you have the meal portion of the picnic planned it’s time to think of a location here is where Spring on the Outer Banks really shines because you can go to one phenomenal spot and have an outstandingly romantic experience.

Say hello to Historic Corolla Park! Here you can cozy up to each other on the lush green lawn of the Whalehead Club, a stunningly restored Art Nouveau-style mansion on the National Register of Historic Places from the 1920s. You can marvel at the beauty all around you while dining on your carefully curated Outer Banks Spring Picnic!

A concrete sidewalk leading to a beautiful view of the lighthouse on the Outer Banks.

Any way you slice your sandwich, Spring is a wonderful time to start taking advantage of the incredible outdoor areas the Outer Banks has to offer.

The Outer Banks is known for its regularly breezy days, blooming trees, and daily temperatures perfect for outdoor opportunities in the Spring. 

We have plenty of wonderful vacation rental homes with well-equipped kitchens that are excellent for prepping any type of picnic you choose to go on around the barrier islands. Spring brings plenty of chances to start taking advantage of all the incredible outside activities and areas available to you in the Outer Banks.

So reach up to the top of your cabinets and dust off that old basket and throw the super plush extra-large blanket in the washing machine because it is Spring Picnic Season on the OBX!

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.

The Cookie Crumbles at New Cookie Bakery Crumbl in Southern Shores

A plate of Crumbl chocolate chip cookies.
A plate of Crumbl chocolate chip cookies.

It’s that wonderful scent of freshly baked cookies that that seems to reach out and beckon to the unwary. And even the wary.

It doesn’t seem to matter. Crumbl, the new cookie bakery that opened just a couple of months ago in Southern Shores is doing a lot right. And one of the things they are most definitely doing right is baking cookies fresh all day long.

Even though they smell like home, these are not the cookies you and your mom and dad would sit around baking. These are huge, multiple serving behemoth of cookies.

Ok…admittedly, even though they’re really big, a lot of people just go ahead and eat the whole thing. But they are so big they could be a multiple serving dessert.

Crumbl is a national franchise that seems to be really taking off. The Southern Shores store, owned by local Dave and Susan Bramwell, is the only one right now on the East Coast, so the couple may be somewhat cutting edge in their business model.

What sets Crumbl apart, aside for the wonderful taste of the cookies, is how the company sets up their business.

It’s simple—they bake cookies and nothing else.

There are two cookies that are always on the menu—the chocolate chip, which is a rich full-flavored cookie made with milk chocolate chips. The other cookie is a sugar cookie. And Wow is it sugary.

The other four cookies rotate, Monday being changeover day. So if you’re in the store, find a cookie you really like, Sunday will be the last day to get it.

Crumbl is located at 5385 N Virginia Dare Trail. That’s that little strip center on the access road between NC 12 and US 158 just past the Southern Shores Town Hall.

Another wonderful reason to spend some time on the Outer Banks. Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates has all the perfect locations and best homes.

Big Currishuck, Great Food, Great Music and a Great Good Time

All you can eat oysters, freshly steamed and tasty. One of the best parts of the Big Currishuck.
All you can eat oysters, freshly steamed and tasty. One of the best parts of the Big Currishuck.

If it’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving it has got to be the Big Currishuck at Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. It’s just a little ways north of the Outer Banks. Close enough that we can still call it the Outer Banks.

This is the seventh or eighth version of the annual event and it always seems to keep getting better and better. Or maybe it’s just that the latest one is so good that memory pushes the last one to the far reaches of our minds.

The Big Currishuck is all about fresh steamed oysers, all you can eat. And crab, all you can eat. And fantastic eastern North Carolina barbecue…all you can eat.

And music—we don’t want to forget about the music. This year from Jonny Waters & Company and Trae Pierce & the T-Stones back for the fourth year in a row. They’re a central Florida band with an amazing range of music all done in their own hiphop, jazzy kind of style.

Can’t forget the four local microbrews that were on hand either. Nor the wines from Sanctuary Vineyards.

In short, it’s a great event and the perfect way to wrap up Thanksgiving Weekend.

It has become such an event that people plan their visits around it. Really, there were a couple of visitors who mentioned that the Big Currishuck is right up there with Thanksgiving dinner as a highlight for the weekend.

The oysters are the main attraction and a big shout out to I Got Your Crabs down in Kitty Hawk for steaming up so many, and keeping everyone stocked. According to what we heard they were form Chesapeake Bay this year. Makes sense. Hurricane Dorian did a number on the local oyster farmers.

Also a shoutout to John Wright of Sanctuary Vineyards for putting it all together. Can’t wait for next year.

Winter is special on the Outer Banks. Discover the hidden side of life on a sandbar in a Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates home.

10th Annual Shrimp Cookoff–Great Food for a Great Cause

Preparing Polynesian shrimp in a crispy wonton topped with a kimchi cucumber at Shipwreck's.
Preparing Polynesian shrimp in a crispy wonton topped with a kimchi cucumber at Shipwreck’s.

Now that the 10th Annual Shrimp Cookoff is an event of the past, we can honestly say we never thought shrimp could be prepared in so many ways.

There was the California Style Shrimp Wonton from Ocean Boulevard. Really two dishes on one plate—a poached shrimp in a fried wonton and spicy shrimp rice ball.

It was good. No wonder it won the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards.

That, however, was just one of ten remarkably innovative ways to think about preparing shrimp.

Something heavy? Go for the shrimp biscuit and gravy from Bad Bean Baja Grill featuring a shrimp and pork meatball over a freshly made buttermilk biscuit.

Looking for something lighter? The Polynesian shrimp in a crispy wonton topped with a kimchi cucumber at Shipwreck’s was delightful.

There was so much to choose from that trying to choose the best was really difficult.

The best part of the day, though, is that the Shrimp Cookoff is a fundraiser for the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research. Actually their biggest of the year and Executive Direrctor Jessica Taylor mentioned that they sold out of tickets.

That’s great. It means the research the OBCDR has been doing on the Outer Banks dolphins will continue to be funded. The work the group has been doing has been invaluable in identifying the local population and getting a reasonable count. Around 800 in Roanoke Sound and still counting.

Next up on the Outer Banks—next weekend is Veteran’s Day Weekend which mean the Outer Banks Marathon will be happening 

There is so much to do on the Outer Banks one week is barely enough time. Stay with us at Joe Lamb, Jr., & Associates for a week or two and discover the real Outer Banks.

Shrimp Cookoff to Support Outer Banks Dolphin Research This Sunday

The 10th Annual Shrimp Cookoff will support Outer Banks dolphin research.
The 10th Annual Shrimp Cookoff will support Outer Banks dolphin research.

Eating shrimp for a good cause. Could there possibly be a better plan of action than that?

The 10th Annual Shrimp Cookoff is this coming Sunday, November 3 at Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk. 

The good cause? The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research.

The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research has been gathering data on the Outer Banks dolphins that call Roanoke sound and surrounding waters their home. Yes, there are a lot of them.

For the most part they are seasonal visitors, staying on the Outer Banks from spring though early fall. They are somewhat migratory and as the weather turns colder, they head for warmer waters.

What is surprising is how many dolphins call the Outer Banks home during the summer. Since 2008 when they first began counting dolphins, the OBCDR has confirmed 800. 

To identify individual species, the OBCDR uses a simple but effective method. They photograph the dolphin’s fins. Each fin is unique, often with evidence of tangles with sharks or other predators, making identification fairly obvious.

Their work has helped scientists get a better handle on which dolphins migrate to where and when.

It is ongoing work, and the Shrimp Cookoff goes a long way to helping the OBCDR do its research. 

Some great restaurants will be on hand, including Ocean Boulevard, of course, Bad Bean Baja Grill, AQUA Restaurant and many more.

This is a great opportunity to sample some great seafood from some of the best Outer Banks chefs and help a good cause.

There is always something to do on the Outer Banks. Spend some time with Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates  and see what it’s all about.

For The Lost Colony Third Time Is Truly the Charm

Wine, food, some beer, wonderful music, perfect weather and a great time at The Lost Colony Grand Tasting.
Wine, food, some beer, wonderful music, perfect weather and a great time at The Lost Colony Grand Tasting.

For the The Lost Colony Grand Tasting third time’s the charm evidently, although we have to admit the first two times were awfully nice.

But the Saturday wine tasting at the the SoundStage Theater certainly seemed like the best yet.

Maybe it was the weather, with that gently breeze blowing off Croatan Sound; or the bright sunshine. Maybe it the music—some jazz in the beer garden and the vocals and acoustic guitar of Jessica Hudson & Thorne Wiggs inside. Or the food which was sublime.

And then there was the wine. Over 100 different wines from around the world to sample. Probably somewhere in the 550 folks that were on hand tried to get to all 100+ wines, which would be unfortunate because the object is to try the wines and find the best.

The technique is to sip a bit and maybe pour out some of the wine. And be sure to try some of the food offered by the finest Outer Banks restaurants. It all comes with the price of a ticket, so why not.

The Grand Tasting is part of The Lost Colony’s Wine and Culinary Festival, a weekend long celebration of wine, food and the Outer Banks. Friday night there was a wine dinner with five Outer Banks chef’s using their imaginations to create a multi course dinner paired with wines. Sunday it’s brunch at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe.

But the signature event for the weekend is the Grand Tasting and The Lost Colony management has made some great decisions to insure its success. Perhaps most importantly they limit ticket sales to 500—or 550 if the weather is going to allow people to get outside. The insures little or no line at the tasting tables and quick service for food.

It really does make for a better event.

October seems to be event month with Rock & Roast in Corolla, the Duck Jazz Festival Columbus Day Weekend, the Outer Banks Seafood Festival the following weekend and even more events throughout the month. It’s a great time to stay with Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates.