Now that we have returned home from our Crystal Coast vacation, I wanted to offer “our best of the Crystal Coast” highlights. If your family took your summer vacation to the Crystal Coast, don’t forget to list your personal favorites by leaving a comment below. Here are our best of nominations!

1. Best dinner value: Jordan’s Seafood. Excellent prices, fair portions, and good reliable service is what makes this Emerald Isle restaurant tops for a dinner value.
2. Best lunch value: The Crab Shack in Salter Path with their $7.95 Baby Flounder lunch special plus 2 side items is our choice for the best lunch value on the Crystal Coast. We received 3 large pieces of Flounder making this one excellent lunch value.
3. Best ice cream: The Emerald Isle DQ soft serve followed closely by The Candy Shop Hersey ice cream are our choices for best ice cream on the Crystal Coast. Glenn and his great staff at the DQ provide awesome service even when the line is out the front door!
4. Best meal overall: The consensus of the Carroll family was our Friday evening meal at Rucker Johns. While the service on 2 of our 3 visits during the week was just “ok”, our final meal on Friday (9-11) was most tasty and the service quite improved over our previous visits. What made this particular meal special was the seared tuna entree with mixed veggies and sweet potato. For $8.95, the portions were good and the flavor outstanding! Special kudos to Becca, our RJ waitress, for her attentive service.
5. Best family activity. Hands down the trip to Beaufort with a water taxi to Shackleford Banks is a must for any family vacation to the Crystal Coast. Kids of all ages will enjoy spotting the ponies of Shackleford Banks, shelling (go early for large conch shells) and a swim in the sound. Take care not to forget to wear foot protection while roaming this barrier island as prickly burrs are plentiful. Swimming on the ocean side can be tricky as the water gets deep quickly and the currents are swift so take caution.

Can’t Miss Things To Do in Emerald Isle

For family fun, I wholeheartedly recommend the following fun things to do on your Crystal Coast vacation:

• Putt-putt golf at Emerald Forest. Every trip to Emerald Isle should include a game of putt-putt.
• Biking anywhere in Emerald Isle on those wonderful bike paths is a pure delight! Mega kudos to the Town of Emerald Isle for providing these awesome strips of asphalt for residents and visitors alike!
• A walk on the Bogue Inlet Pier after a cone of ice cream at the DQ. It’s a Carroll tradition.
• Favorite rainy day activity at the beach? A trip to the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is a must!

Your Crystal Coast favorite Things To Do?

Now that you know our favorite things to do on vacation on the Crystal Coast, it’s time you listed your personal favorites by leaving a comment.

Helping you create wonderful vacation memories here on the Crystal Coast,

Bobby

This is one family event you will not want to miss. The Emerald Isle Parks & Rec is hosting a “Friday Free Flick”, Friday, April 17. Checkout the details below. If you are planning a trip to the Crystal Coast, don’t miss the FREE movie “Bolt”.

Crystal Coast Event

Event Date: Friday, Apr. 17, 2009
Event Time: 7:00 pm
Friday Free Flick • Join us at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation building at 7500 Emerald Drive on Friday, April 17th at 7pm for “Bolt”. The movie is rated PG and the admission is FREE!

All children, be sure you bring your parent(s). $1 = popcorn and a drink. Remember, no outside food or beverage is allowed.

For more information on this family-friendly Crystal Coast event, contact Laura Lee Davis.

Laura is the Program Supervisor with the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation
Phone: 252.354.6350
Email Laura: davis@emeraldisle-nc.org

Why Emerald Isle is such a Great Place to Live and Visit!

The awesome part of residing (or visiting) a small NC Coastal town like Emerald Isle is the really cool family-friendly events the crew at the parks and recreation host. Besides the obvious scenic beauty and the recreational opportunities, what other reasons would you list for living or visiting the Crystal Coast?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Bobby Carroll – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

Now that school is back in session, and the summer crowds are gone, you might be wondering what’s left to do on that quick weekend getaway to the Crystal Coast. Just remember, with less crowds and pleasant weather in the fall months, it’s an ideal time to visit Emerald Isle. If you’re coming for a weekend or maybe even a fall vacation and you’re not quite sure what you and the kids should do, here are my top 4 things every family should do when coming for your Crystal Coast fall getaway.

1. Play miniature golf! There are several Crystal Coast miniature golf courses located in and around Emerald Isle. My personal favorite is the Emerald Forest Putt-Putt “tract”. It’s located adjacent to the Pacific Beach Superstore at 8720 Reed Drive across from the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center. The course is still in fairly good condition. That means the bricks that outline each hole allow for the ball to remain on that particular hole. This is very important for those “junior golfers” who might find it a bit of a challenge to keep their ball on the course. Crystal Coast Blog secret: Local catalogs contain a $1 off coupon so be sure you have yours when you arrive. Call ahead for hours of operation: 252-354-5034.
2. Visit the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores! Rainy days at the Crystal Coast are common in the late summer and early fall months so why not take advantage of those rainy days by planning a trip to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Crystal Coast Blog secret: This is a very popular Crystal Coast attraction, so be prepared to get there early especially on those dreary days at the beach.
3. Go Fly a Kite! Scheduled for October 24th through the 26th, the Kite Fest is held at the Atlantic Beach Sheraton Hotel. It is a wonderful family friendly 2-day event with kite flying demos and activities held on the beach at the Sheraton. All events are organized by Kites Unlimited of Atlantic Beach. For more information, please call 252-247-7011. Crystal Coast Blog secret: This is another popular event and parking space can be difficult to find. Come early and avoid a long hike to the festival site.
4. Go Fish! The fall is the perfect time to take a kid fishing. Whether it’s casting your line from the shores of the Crystal Coast or from the Bogue Inlet fishing pier, the fall time of year is best time to land the big one. Crystal Coast Blog secret: Make your trip more convenient by simply renting your fishing gear from the Bogue Inlet fishing pier in Emerald Isle. For those families headed down to the beach from the Triangle area, many stop at the Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston, NC for bait, rods and reels.

What Are the Other Kid-Friendly Things to do on the Crystal Coast?

Be sure to leave a comment let our readers know what other fun things you have discovered on the Crystal Coast during the fall season.

Lately I have been thinking about the direction of topics and information provided in this blog. One key element I teach every blogger is you must know who your audience is and then provide “high-value” content to your audience in your blog. That way, loyal readers will return time and again to read your fresh content.

The SEO Benefits to a “Themed Blog”

Another important element is to make sure a blog has a central theme for search engines. Random thoughts across a broad spectrum of topics can confuse the likes of Google and Yahoo, not to mention my readers.

Real Estate Agents and Brokers Read the Crystal Coast Blog

Because of my activities as a real estate marketing coach, I advise my real estate agent clients and other real estate related professionals the best practices related to real estate web sites, blog sites, blogging and search engine optimization. And yes, I have used this portal to occasionally speak to that audience. I’m confident my clients and other industry friends who hang out at online social media sites read this blog too. My site stats and the comments left by real estate agents bare this out.

Speaking to Crystal Coast Consumers

Then again, consumers who visit the Crystal Coast for their vacation, and others who are thinking about buying and selling a home on the Southern Outer Banks of NC read this portal. It was and still is my mission to provide meaningful travel and vacation tips mixed with real estate buying and selling strategies so you will make the absolute best decisions about your Emerald Isle real estate transaction or vacation trip.

Slight Topical Shift Ahead

Going forward, each new post added to the Crystal Coast Blog will be 100% focused to you, the consumers. If you are seeking information on vacations on the Crystal Coast as well as those families and individuals seeking to buy and sell property in Emerald Isle and all along the Crystal Coast, this blog is for you!

Plenty of Resources for the Real Estate Crowd

If you’re a real estate agent or broker and you were expecting to find articles to help you  better understand the dynamics of real estate marketing, I will be featuring those articles on several blog portals including the blog at dakno.com, at BloggingBootCamp.com and the Bloggerlounge.com blog.

Please let me know how you feel about this slight change in topical direction.

Bobby Carroll – The Crystal Coast Blogger

And I Did All the Work for You!

I realize some of you just don’t have the time to search for the spring rental and hotel deals on the Southern Outer Banks (or some are just to dang lazy to do it!), but I decided to see for myself if all this “talk” about NC Coast spring vacation rental and hotel discounts was just that – a lot of talk. Well guess what? There are spring beach deals out there but who knows how long they are going to last. Remember – it’s first come, first served!

Crystal Coast Beach Deals

With that said, I combed the web just for you to see what kind of Crystal Coast beach deals are out there. Remember, as true to the philosophy of the Crystal Coast Blog, these specials do not serve as an endorsement of goods or services provided by these suppliers. Once you have experienced the supplier’s services, why not email or comment on this blog and let me know the quality of the rental or hotel room and service you experienced. Don’t forget to tell me if the “deal” was for real.. an honest to goodness deal!

Atlantic Beach Hotel and Rental Specials

Sheraton Atlantic Beach Hotel Specials

Atlantic Beach Realty Spring Rental Specials

Cannon & Gruber Real Estate Rental Specials (Most are weekly specials)

Crystal Coast Beach Rental Specials by Spectrum Properties

Emerald Isle Rental Specials

Emerald Isle Realty Beach Rental Specials (Weekly only)

Emerald Isle Rental Specials (Weekly only)

Emerald Isle Rental Specials Offered by Century 21 Coastland Realty (Weekly only)

Disclaimers For All

Of course, I’d be stupid to omit this disclaimer. All Crystal Coast beach specials are subject to availability. I can not assume any responsibility for the quality (or lack thereof) of the goods and services you purchase. If I have omitted any information, it is totally by accident and I am not responsible for the accuracy of the information you find on this or any other website in the universe. Enough of the lawyer speak.

Come on Guys – Talk to Me!

Did I waste my time or is this information helpful to anybody out there? Don’t forget, please let me know if the deals represented on these links offer some decent discounts or if their a lot of “hot air’.

Geez… I hope somebody out there saves some money after all that hard work I went through. Ok, admittedly it only took me less than 20 minutes to perform a few searches, but I did it all for you!

Helping you save on your next Crystal Coast vacation,

Bobby :>)

With Memorial Day less than 2 weeks away, the peak vacation season at the Crystal Coast is about to begin. Pack your bags and head to the beautiful beaches of the Southern Outer Banks. What better way to spend your summer vacation. Sure gas is expensive but if you’re headed to Emerald Isle be sure to take advantage of the bike paths. Why not park your car in the driveway of your rental and pedal to almost any where you want to go.

Helpful Crystal Coast Rental Agency Websites

Planning your vacation is part of the fun. Go on line and do a search of rental properties on the Crystal Coast. There are several easy-to-use rental property websites from the local Crystal Coast real estate agencies. Each one has it’s own unique features. I suggest you find one that makes your rental search easier and gives you the best results for your family’s needs.

Rainy Day Options

Investigate fun things to do. Remember, not everyday will be bright and sunny. Having alternative activities pre-planned for those rainy days at the beach will make your vacation more fun for everyone. Day trips to the N.C. Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores or the Tryon Palace in New Bern make great getaways to keep the kids busy when the sun decides to take a vacation. Explore local boutiques and gift shops that carry items made by local artisans. Don’t forget about the new bowling alley called Mac Daddy’s opening soon over in Cape Carteret. You can even catch a movie at the Emerald Isle Plantation Movie Theater or just rent a DVD and take it back to your condo or beach cottage. Most rental properties have DVD players. Many families bring along some old favorite movies from home or hit the local DVD rental store.

Repeat After Me – “A Vacation List is My Friend”!

A well planned Crystal Coast vacation is worth the effort. The time you spend before you leave home can make the time away from home much more enjoyable, memorable and affordable. Items that you forgot to bring can be purchased at the coast but are usually a little more expensive. The sunscreen you left at home can be replaced once you are on the Crystal Coast. Often those items carry an extra expense you didn’t need. By all means – make a list before you leave. I don’t know how many times I have gotten to the coast and said “I forgot to bring the Kite”. Or “I forgot to pack the sunscreen”. I try to make a list of the items I want to remember to pack. As it gets closer to our vacation, things have a tendency to become more hectic… trying to pack, making sure everything is caught up at work, remember to cancel the newspaper and the house is ready to leave vacant. Lists help me to make sure nothing is forgotten. That way your vacation will be more fun and less costly!

Be the First to Leave a Comment

It’s so easy. Just click on the “leave a comment” button and tell what you do when pre-planning your Crystal Coast vacation that helps make your time here more enjoyable and maybe even less expansive?

Helping you make the most of your Crystal Coast vacation,

Pam

By following these simple tips, you stand a far better chance of returning to a secure home from your trip to the Southern Outer Banks. The best way to protect your home is by creating the appearance that your home is occupied even while you are out of town. You can achieve this by:

1. Stopping your newspaper delivery. Some newspapers allow you to have your paper delivered to a local public school while you are away on vacation.
2. Temporarily have your mail stopped also.
3. Postpone any regular scheduled home deliveries until you return home.
4. If you and your family are away for an extended vacation, you may want to contract with a lawn care company to maintain your yard so your home doesn’t appear vacant.
5. On a practical note, be sure to use or remove from your refrigerator and pantry any perishables before you go away
6. Unplug any electronic devices including TVs, computers, and monitors while you are out of town.
7. Leave on typical interior lights left on in the evening to leave the appearance of someone at home.
8. Arrange for a neighbor friend or nearby relative to occasionally check on your home.
9. Advise your local Neighborhood Watch Captain of the dates you will be out of town on vacation. FYI… in many smaller towns and communities, local police departments, if advised, will have an officer drive by your home while your out of town.
10. If you contract with a security company, be sure to advise them the dates you will be out of town and provide your contact information where you can be reached in the event of an emergency. FYI…. Don’t forget to set your alarm when you leave!

These timely tips should help reduce the risk of a home intrusion while your family is away on vacation.

Your Feedback

What other ideas or tips would you recommend to maintain a safer home while you are away on your Crystal Coast vacation?

Helping you arrive back to a safe, secure home,
Bobby