My best kept secret is my issue with commitment. This may come as a surprise to some, but if you really know me and really think about it, you’re nodding right now, going, “Ahhh, yeah, that’s what it is.”
It’s odd, actually, considering I’ve had the same job for two weeks and 20 years, and I recently celebrated my thirteenth wedding anniversary. But other things in my life have been – and still are – fleeting. I mean, it’s hard to stick with the same one thing of anything. The same outfit, same food, same workout, same eyeshadow, same routine, same vacation.
Just me?
If it’s also you, then you can understand why even though I’ve longed for a beach house my whole life, I’ve never taken action to try and get one. Why, you ask? There’s always been too many different places to go, too many different things to see, too many beaches to discover, and not enough funds to do it all. (Joe and I are both educators, by the way. We have the whole summer to tour the world – on our teacher salaries.)
So that’s why when we decided to vacation in The Outer Banks, specifically Duck, NC, we were both shocked that we both wanted to return the following summer.
Fast forward six summers later and we are officially Those People. The annoying couple that calls it our happy place, that plans what wines we will bring, buys a rooftop storage unit for their car, beach games like Mashball, and repeatedly watches YouTube videos of the place two months before the trip.
Here’s a breakdown of why it’s our favorite spot, everything you need to know before you go, and why it’s still not time for us to move on:
The Town
We’ve been to other parts of OBX and done all the traditional tourist things – the wild horses, the aquarium, mini golf, fishing on the pier, climbed Jockey’s Ridge State Park, but now that we’ve settled on Duck, we don’t need or want to go anywhere else.
The village of Duck is like a mini resort town – but tank tops and flip flops (also the name of the tiki bar I’m planning to open down here) are all you need to wear.
Located on the Northern Outer Banks and has one main road, Duck Road, (cute, right??), that’s nestled between the boardwalk/bayside and the beach/oceanside.
(Houses are only on the ocean side, which is a total plus I’ll get to later.)
And true to form as Those People, our whole family breathes easier as soon as we see the sign welcoming us back.
The part of town with the most action can’t be more than a mile and a half.
You can walk, run, or bike to any local shop, but don’t look for a Starbucks – only local businesses, a couple of farm stands, a town park, jewelry and clothing boutiques, ice cream, and of course, the OG Duck Donuts.
There are a total of 93 shops – so grab your frose at Coastal Cantina (#ifykyk) and hit up some of my favorites:
TreeHouse Coffee Co – the most amazing homemade biscuits and coffee. Across the street from the boardwalk, literally nestled in the trees. It’s amazing. I keep it simple with the biscuit and honey, but they have more elaborate varieties and specials.
Dockside ‘N Duck Seafood Market – this may be our most coveted once a year spot. Every year, Joe buys blue crabs and we feast on crabs and spaghetti. And do NOT miss the tomato pie.
Birthday Suits – adorable swimsuits and accessories – and not the mainstream. The website doesn’t do the location in Duck justice – but everything is better at the beach, right?
Mango’s Boutique – Some of the cutest curated beachwear in OBX
Untucked Resort Apparel – located in the Waterfront Shops. Great selection for men, a foosball table for the kids, and a lounge area in the back. The owner will greet you, chat you up – and not wear shoes.
Duck’s Cottage – coffee and books – an English teacher’s dream. There are a couple of bookstores in town, but this one is my favorite. It’s on the bayside and so welcoming and cozy. You can always snag a book signed by a local author as well.
Candy and Corks – need I say more??
Aqua Spa and Restaurant – yes, you read that correctly. This is a restaurant on the bay that has a sneaky and amazing spa upstairs. Go see Simone for a facial – you will think about it all year long.
Pre-Covid, the town park also hosted all kinds of events for kids and families. A weekly magic show, hula hoop lessons, live music – all kinds of choices that actually made me ponder leaving the beach. Speaking of….
Your House at the Beach
As I said above, the houses in Duck are ONLY located on the ocean side of town. So even if you’re not residing directly on the ocean, you never have far to walk, bike, or ride your golf cart to hit sand.
A few years ago, we upgraded to an ocean side house and I will never look back. Although the prices have gone up since Covid, a house for a week here is still more affordable than beach houses in the Northeast, which is where I live. (New York, New Jersey, and New England prices are sky high.)
And in OBX, almost every house has a pool, hot tub, and every amenity known to man. We only travel with one other family, but many of the houses accommodate huge numbers of people, if that’s what you want or need.
Can’t lie – even though the vibe is so laid back here, I feel so boujee. When I was a kid, I longed for a beach house – going for a run, then diving right into the ocean. It’s a dream come true. I’m so happy my own kids can experience this.
Depending on the weather, you can surf, paddle board, body surf, or just swim all day.
The waves never cease, making it a little nerve wracking for parents, but the kids love it.
Alcohol is allowed, and I swear, in six years, we’ve never encountered anything but friendly people on the Happy to be Here Team. Nothing crazy – just pure fun. If you don’t imbibe too much, wake up early in the morning to walk, run, or catch the sunrise. When the sun sets, grab a flashlight and catch some ghost crabs for fun.
Here’s a sneak peek at what the house on the beach affords:
Siblings get along here 
Charlee feels like it’s home 
I allow my backside to be shown 
We hunt for crabs 
Kids cook dinner 
Siblings hug in the pool
There are plenty of realtors – here are the two I’ve used:
Where Else to Eat – besides your house
Dining out is always part of the plan, but when your toes are still in the sand at 6 pm, you have to talk yourself into leaving. But then you hear the live music, think about not cooking – and you round up the family and move.
Unfortunately, restaurants in Duck have not been immune to the effects of Covid. This year, some places couldn’t open due to lack of staff, but here’s a list of places we’ve been to for dinner – all a walk or short drive away:
Sunset Grill Raw Bar and Restaurant
The Paper Canoe – geared toward adults only
And now, the downside…
I can’t believe I’m saying this.
However comma if you live far, getting to Duck, or anywhere in OBX is work.
It’s the kind of trip that requires packing the car, packing things for the house, buying things for the house once you are there, and if you stay on the beach and then hit the pool, you are cooking dinner and doing laundry because you just can’t bring yourself to get up and leave the house.
The view helps – BUT – it’s still work to make it happen. And lately, houses are a little harder to come by. People are booking for the following summer as soon as they tearfully depart.
Coming from the North, we always break up the drive and stop for a night in Norfolk, VA or Virginia Beach. It makes it so much easier on the driver. On the way back, we stop halfway through – for us somewhere in Delaware – and do the same. We pick a standard Holiday Inn, let the kids jump in a pool, and get a good night’s sleep before we re-enter reality.
So are we going back next summer? Yes, we are.
Am I making a conscious effort to save some money so we can also go somewhere else and stay at a hotel?
Yes, I am.
My issue with commitment isn’t rearing its ugly head with Duck, yet.
That’s because when I know a good thing, I stick with it, no problem. My husband, my good friends, my job, Jo Malone perfume, fitness, a great white tank top – to those, I am fiercely loyal.
The town of Duck has made it to this list. It keeps calling me back. When I start daydreaming about running, riding my bike, walking on the beach, sipping cocktails with the sun on my back – I can’t give it up. My family looks forward to it – work and all. The kids love it – I’m hopeful they will look back on it and remember our time there as a family. That makes me happy. If and when I decide to let it go, I’ll let you know.
