It began in 1830 when Perquimans County farmer Francis Nixon took his family on a summer vacation to the barrier islands of North Carolina because he believed that the sand and salt air in Nags Head had healing powers that would protect his family from the malaria that was spreading throughout his home county.

When he returned home, he told other plantation owners about the Outer Banks. It wasn't long before they were packing their families into riverdock steamers and heading to the beach. Instead of carrying sunscreen and surfboards, these nouveau tourists brought household slaves and livestock and summered in huts on the sound-side of Nags Head.

Since then, the tourist industry of the Outer Banks has been all about accommodating travelers. The area's first oceanfront hotel was built in 1838. By 1885, 13 oceanfront vacation cottages had been built, many of them out of wood salvaged from shipwrecks. Their protective shutters, wide porches and weathered shingles began an architectural trend still replicated in thousands of beach houses on Carolina's coast.

As word spread about the golden sand, glittering waterways, lush vegetation and towering sand dunes, more people sought the soul-restorative powers of the Outer Banks. National media has repeatedly named it one of America's top beaches and an international vacation destination.

According to statistics compiled by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, there are around 21,000 rental homes and condos, 145 cottage courts, and 3,200 motel, hotel and bed-and-breakfast rooms in Dare and Currituck counties, and these accommodations host nearly five million visitors each year.
To begin selecting the type of accommodation that's right for your family, prioritize the amenities you want. Choose from heated pools, hot tubs, golfing greens, pet-friendly rooms, home theaters, outdoor kitchens, high-tech coffee bars, fitness facilities, gourmet kitchens, maid service or tennis courts.

Check company websites to compare what they offer, the rates, available dates and housing description. Determine how many people are going; how much money you want to spend; which area of the Outer Banks you prefer; what activities you want to be near and how long you want to stay.

You might even forgo a schedule and be spontaneous. Take a road trip. Hike the maritime forest. Doze on the warm sand. Disconnect the GPS and let your curiosity guide the way. Play all day or practice what the Italians call il dolce far niente —the sweetness of doing nothing.

Although the landscape and the accommodations are different than they were in the 1800's, one thing hasn't changed. People still spread the word about their shared experiences and remembrances of the Outer Banks. This year, be one of them and give yourself something to write home about.

By Shirley Mozingo