There actually are towns out there you know, lol. I love Hatteras Island, prefer the north end. Waves, Salvo, or Rodanthe. But you’ve got to drive 20 miles to avoid paying island prices for groceries, down to Avon. Avon is large enough to have a selection of restaurants and bars, some tourist stuff for entertainment. The ferry landing on the south end of Hatteras is somewhat developed, and you get back into spanish moss and palm trees there, since the Gulf Stream is so close.
North of Hatteras Island are Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. Every fast food place, eight land highways and all. Jungle golf and tourist kitkat galore. The Wright Brothers Memorial on a huge dune field right in the middle of it all.
I like end of the world places, so it’s Hatteras for me.
Super Walmarts?
I’ve been to Salvo, fishing with my father, 1984 or 1985 iirc. Mosquitos like one’s worst nightmares!
For some people it’s the right place, but I don’t consider not being able to get groceries or diapers a “vacation.” To be honest, I’d rather my family went to the beach and left me with the pets! (Bill gets that gig this year, along with Ramon the Tile Guy replacing the kitchen and dining room floors.)