D.C. Area Nesties
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
NC Beaches
We're considering an outer banks beach rental for a week later this summer or in early Summer. We've never been and I'd love some insight on the best beaches, things to do, places to eat. We'll be bringing out dog as well. I notice a lot of places mention needing 4WD, which we have, so that isn't a problem.
Thanks!
Re: NC Beaches
It depends on what kind of beach vacation you are looking for. Nags Head and Kitty Hawk (right where the bridge puts you) are much more commercial. Think mini golf, chain restaurants, outlet shopping, and Wings. The beaches are more crowded. We always stop at John's Drive-In for crabcake sandwiches and milkshakes though. There is no boardwalk or anything like that in OBX.
Duck, Corolla, and points north are much less commercial. I find their beaches more... wild? There are occasional wild horses, and, at least where we have stayed, it's a longer walk to the actual beach, but it's a very nice area.
We find it to be worth the drive an hour or so south (of course, we've been evacuated or nearly so because of hurricanes each of the past four years so the drive to evacuate is longer!). It's much more remote (thus more fun with our dog, to us). We've stayed in Avon but much more frequently in Frisco (ocean front or most often ocean view). You won't find a ton down here: it's more about being able to relax on the beach without hardly anyone else. Scout can run around off leash. The restaurants aren't (as often) chains, nor are the stores and galleries.
Depending on where you stay, you might enjoy taking the ferry to Ocracoke. We do it once a year. It's maybe a 45-minute ride each way and you'd get some use out of your 4WD because that's what those beaches are for. Again, there isn't much to "do" (there's a small town with some shopping and what we have found to be mostly dog-friendly restaurants, like The Pelican).
Since it's your first time, depending on if it's your thing, you might like to stop at each of the lighthouses: Corolla, Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke (though Ocracoke's is sort of laughable).
I have a mild obsession though. I enjoy the frozen custard at Uncle Eddie's right across from Hatteras Light in Buxton?also dog-friendly. 
My favorite fudge is Sweet Tooth on Ocracoke.
We cook most meals and bring several large coolers. Once you get out of Kitty Hawk, grocery stores (Food Lion) are much more sporadic and very expensive. Bring bottled water... the water in OBX tastes terrible.
Be sure to book soon... houses allowing dogs can be difficult to find. Have a great vacation!
Scout
Chocolate Blog!
we stay in corolla, its really nice though the traffic once you get off the bridge to your house is awful....because there is only 1 road in and out. We love it though becuase there isn't a boardwalk like OC its just beach. THere are many things readily available though, there is a harris teeter and food lion very close by as well as many local restaurants and shops. I agree the water doesn't taste great down there. Taking the drive down to kitty hawk to see the wright brothers memorial is cool as well are the sand dunes....
have fun!!
Scout
Chocolate Blog!
I second (or third) the Duck and Corolla area.
I would not do the 4W drive area though. It can easily take you 30 minutes or more in or out to a road from some of the houses in the 4W drive area. Good place to visit, not stay IMO.
Mainly I like Duck and Corolla because while there are plenty of shops and things, it isn't quite as commercial as the Nag's Head and Kitty Hawk area. But it is a pretty close drive if you want to go to that Nag's Head or Kitty Hawk.