Nags Head is a family-type place with many terrific oceanside and soundside cottages for rent. The prices, naturally, go up in July, the heart of the tourist season, but they are most affordable in spring and fall and rates in late June weren’t that bad.
We often rent a cottage on the sound, but you generally have to stay a week in order to make advance reservations, so that was out for us this time. One of the best short-term rentals we have found is at the Blue Heron Hotel, right on the beach.
It’s not a fancy place, but it’s clean, the staff is friendly and accommodating, and when you open the curtains in your room, there is the ocean. How bad can that be?
Each room, in fact, has a private balcony with unobstructed views of the Atlantic. The sunrises are breath-taking. About an hour before the sun peeks up over the ocean, the horizons are a beautiful purplish-red, simply spectacular. The Blue Heron is most convenient. There is a fishing pier within walking distance and surf fishing at your back door. The inn offers comfortable accommodations with double beds, individually controlled heat and air, color cable TV, WiFi, easy access to the heated pool and spa, as well as to the outdoor pools. Efficiencies offer fully-equipped kitchen and all rooms feature microwaves, a mini-refrigerator, coffee makes and phones. YMCA Passes are available.
The Blue Heron is located at 6811 Virginia Dare Trail. Call them at 252-441-7447. If the Blue Heron is not available, we have also enjoyed our stays at Surfside Hotel, just up the road. Again, great ocean views and convenient to most everything. The Fin & Feather on the Mangteo Causeway is another short term option.
To go through a Realtor, try Atlantic Realty or Cove Realty, both have an excellent inventory of rental properties. But when it comes to a vacation getaway to Nags Head, it’s more about the ocean and all the fun things to do than mere accommodations.