Why You Should Visit the Outer Banks in July

Avoid July OBX Vacation FOMO

Blog / Tips & Tricks
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The month of July is the top of the vacation mountain here on the Outer Banks. Sunny skies and warm waters may be what peak travelers’ interest at first, but there are endless reasons why July is our favorite month on the OBX. Here are just a few!

mini golf

1. Open for Business

The Outer Banks truly comes alive in July. With the turning of the summer solstice, comes the turning of all the open signs! Attractions, restaurants, and places to go are all open, well-staffed, and ready for your summer fun to begin.

4th of july parade

2. Local Events

From 4th of July festivities to live music and farmers markets, local events are in full swing on the Outer Banks in July! There’s an event for everyone pretty much every day of the month. Check out more of What to Do in the Outer Banks in July here.

twomey's reunion photos

3. School’s Out For Summer

July is perhaps the easiest month of the year to gather your loved ones for a vacation. With no school or athletic schedules to dodge, it’s way easier to spend a week together on the Outer Banks.

👈 Gather your loved ones for a getaway just like this family who has been vacationing with us in July for nearly 30 years!

kayaking the sound

4. Beautiful Weather

Not only is July the most likely to have more beach days than any other month of the year, but it provides gorgeous sunny weather for all sorts of outdoor activities on or off the beach. Try kayaking the sound or taking a hike through Nags Head Woods. You may be surprised by how one with nature you are by the end of your vacation! Even on the rare chance of a rainy day, there’s plenty to do if the weather happens to not be nice enough for a day outside.

whalehead sunset

5. Longer Days

Pack in more to your vacation! The long summer days of July mean you can hit the beach, play a round of mini golf, eat at your favorite restaurant, and make it just in time for a gorgeous summer sound sunset!

But isn’t the traffic bad in July?

Every now and again, we’ll hear people talk about beating the traffic by coming another time.  Well, the only problem there is that another time isn’t July – which is the BEST – and there’s a tradeoff. Here’s a better approach – an Outer Banks veteran’s ideas on how to beat the traffic.

 

  • Don’t travel on Duck Road on Saturday between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Turns out everyone has the same idea – get here early, which can cause a traffic jam. Plan to travel on Duck Road either before 9:00 am or later in the afternoon – the seasoned OBX vacationers get here around 6:00 pm.  

 

  • Don’t take the Dogwood Trail backroad. That’s turned into a real mess.  Stay on Duck Road, where our local police help to guide traffic.

 

  • Sunday is fine. About 60% of homes turnover on Saturday so most folks have checked in or out the previous day.

 

  • Consider arriving a day early or staying a day later. Reserve a room on Friday night or Saturday night and just opt out of the traffic altogether. Your hotel, if you let them know your plan, might even let you stay until your home is ready. We suggest checking out the Corolla Village Inn in Historic Corolla Village.

 

  • Download media ahead of time. If you’ve got kids in the backseat, make sure to download your media prior to getting in the car, and don’t plan on good wifi through Southern Shores. Or, listen to the Wright Brothers by David McCullough on Audible and learn what led to all this traffic anyway.
tips and tricks

Book Early for the Best

Are you dreaming of renting a gorgeous pet-friendly oceanfront vacation home with a private pool, hot tub, and more? You have more choices when you choose to book early. Score the amenities, location, and view that you’re longing for. Most families make their Outer Banks vacation plans in December or January. If you don’t want to miss out on your dream home, there is no better time than the present to reserve a home!

 

For a quick guide on how to find the vacation home of your dreams, check out Tips & Tricks for Booking Your Outer Banks Vacation.

Avoid July OBX Vacation FOMO

The dreaded fear of missing out! Don’t be caught sitting around in July, scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram feed, seeing all of your friends’ pictures and videos of their awesome Outer Banks vacation. Make your July OBX vacation a reality!

Twiddy & Company

Twiddy & Company

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