5 reasons an Outer Banks road trip gave me the confidence to travel again
While several of my colleagues have had an opportunity to fly over the last few weeks, I have yet to board a plane during the pandemic. I haven't given up on travel, though! Instead of flying, I've been focused on exploring the country by car, most recently with a loaned 2020 Audi Q5 SUV as part of a TPG partnership with Silvercar.
After a seamless Silvercar pickup in New York City and a fun overnight stay at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, my Q5 and I continued on to one of my favorite parts of the country, in North Carolina's Outer Banks. I journeyed all the way down to our rented house in Frisco, near the southern tip of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a narrow, 70-mile stretch of shoreline running from Bodie Island all the way to Ocracoke.
My family has been visiting Cape Hatteras since I was a toddler, and while there has been some development over the years, the area remains free of large shopping centers, endless chain restaurants and high-rise hotels —here, I explain why it's an ideal pick for anyone looking for a safe escape during the pandemic, and, hopefully, for generations to come.
There isn't a commercial airport
Some of the best road trip destinations are those that aren't easily accessible by commercial flight — even if we weren't in the middle of a pandemic, flying to Cape Hatteras wouldn't be the most sensible pick. During the pandemic, that inaccessibility helps limit the number of guests — prospective visitors must be up for a bit of a trek.
Billy Mitchell Airport (HSE) is an option if you have access to a private jet, but you'll want to have a car to get around the Outer Banks, limiting the appeal of private air travel even for travelers who can afford it.
Fortunately, AvGeeks can still get their aviation fix even if they drive down to the Outer Banks, with a stop at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, near Kitty Hawk.
There's plenty of space to yourself
Driving all the way to Hatteras is a commitment. On the way, you'll pass through miles and miles of far more populated beach towns, but it's worth the extra couple of hours in the car. With fewer housing options and a longer drive, the island doesn't feel crowded, even when it's backed up.
You'd need to head to the beach in the middle of the week to find similar open stretches at places like Wildwood, NJ and Virginia Beach, VA, and other more-accessible destinations along the East Coast.
On Hatteras, there's never a need to come within six feet of someone on the beach, and if you're looking for even more solitude, you can catch a ferry to Ocracoke Island, about an hour away.
Many businesses are good about masks
Tourists and locals alike weren't wearing masks when able to maintain proper distance on the beach, or even on outer ferry decks, but many businesses were enforcing mandates indoors, where wearing a mask matters most.
Our favorite fish market, Risky Business Seafood, was only letting one group inside at a time, and visitors didn't seem to mind lining up for access. Indoor dining was available at some restaurants during my visit, but we were easily able to avoid that and any other high-risk situations, by being more selective about where we ate.
There isn't any nightlife
You're on your own for entertainment after the sun goes down, and, with indoor bars and large gatherings being especially risky at the moment, that certainly isn't a bad thing.
Also, thanks to early bedtimes, I was able to maximize my sunshine on this trip — I made sure to begin my day just before 6:00 a.m. in order to catch the incredible sunrise during daily long, peaceful morning walks.
You'll be staying in a private home
As much as I love a good five-star hotel, I'm doing my best to avoid coming into contact with strangers at the moment. To make that even more manageable, I've been booking private homes whenever practical.
That's actually the norm in Cape Hatteras: While there are motels and inns here and there, the vast majority of visitors stay in rental homes, all within walking distance of the beach. Depending on where you stay, you can book a four-bedroom house for around $1,000 for an entire week, directly through local agencies, such as Midgett and Hatteras Realty.
Bottom line
Cape Hatteras is almost fully open for business. It's legal to do things like play mini-golf near other groups or partake in indoor dining, and you may encounter customers neglecting to wear a mask, especially in larger stores. Still, by following CDC guidelines, visiting smaller markets, ordering takeout and maintaining distance on the beach, it's easy to minimize your risk.
While eating out was always a highlight during my childhood Hatteras visits, we didn't miss it on this trip. I even whipped us up a sushi dinner with some of the incredibly fresh tuna we picked up at Risky Business.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAS62FpddB/
Still, there is a cost of traveling to some parts of the U.S. right now. As of this writing, some states, including my home state of New York, are requiring anyone entering from a handful of high-risk areas to quarantine for 14 days. Aside from walking over to get a coronavirus test after returning home, I spent all of the time until my next trip stuck in my studio apartment.
As inconvenient as the quarantine requirement can be — especially given my incredibly low risk of exposure — I understand the importance of implementing a standardized process right now, and I'm happy to follow it in exchange for the opportunity to travel from time to time. This adventure also helped give me the confidence to embark on more East Coast road trips, including one up to Maine, again with an Audi Q5 in partnership with Silvercar.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.