If there is one thing I enjoy the most about blogging its meeting and connecting with other bloggers from many different places around the world. This week I am sharing with my readers my top 3 places that I enjoy visiting in the cozy and coastal OBX.
It is beyond inspirational to connect creatively together while living miles away. This week’s post is a blogging collaboration post that was created and inspired by Bee, blogger of Mind Beauty Simplicity.
Places Around The World Blogger Collaboration Intro
Bee challenged us to this Places Around the World Collaboration, a blogging challenge to share the top 3 places we enjoy in our area.
The pandemic has left us all itching to travel so this is a fun way to enlighten and spark the interest back into travel.
No matter where you are in the world, there is always so much to see and explore. Bee created this collaboration for bloggers to participate in and showcase where you live, or simply just share general activities that you enjoy.
Places Around the World: Cozy and Coastal OBX
My top 3 places are all located in my favorite cozy coastal towns scattered along the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
For those of you that know me or have at least been following me for some time you know that home is where the shore is for me. And North Carolina is even more special to my husband and me since it’s where we first began our life together 8 years ago.
Top 3 Places I Enjoy Visiting in the Cozy and Coastal OBX
It’s more than just my favorite lighthouses and numerous shipwrecks that attract me to the cozy and coastal OBX. With this in mind, check out my top 3 favorite hidden gems on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
1. The Island Bookstore
First, let me make this clear- books make me happy. But what makes me even happier is The Island Bookstore. There are several locations up and down the coast of OBX.
The Island Bookstore is a cozy full-service independent bookstore on the island. And it’s one of the first stops we make once we hit the island. What’s a vacation without a good book to read?
The atmosphere is great and the staff is beyond friendly.
Their selection of books is vast to be a small bookstore. Something that makes this bookstore even more special to me is the large selection of books for the area.
Something that I missed as a part of the pandemic is the various author book signings that often take place during the summer months.
Most importantly, even if you don’t have an upcoming trip planned to the OBX, you can place an order to have your books shipped to you. This was a plus so I could continue to support my favorite cozy local bookstore throughout the pandemic.
2. Ducks Cottage
Secondly, here is a fun fact, Ducks Cottage coffee, and bookstore opened in 2002. What I love most about this cute coffee shop and bookstore is that it was original known as the Powder Ridge Gun Club, a hunting cottage in Duck, NC that was opened in 1921 by a group of New Yorker investors.
This was a pivotal time in OBX and was one of the first attractions that began bringing investors to the area. During that time investors were attracted to the waterfowl hunting which was a big think of it’s time.
This cottage is one of the oldest buildings in town still to this day. Aside from the historical appeal of I was attracted to this small local coffee shop and bookstore because of their freshly brewed coffee and friendly staff.
Needless to say, every time I visit I truly feel welcomed like a local. And this makes my trip worth it every time. Not once has my order ever been made incorrectly and it’s such a nice cottage to meet up with locals and friends to enjoy some good conversation.
In addition, the book collection here is unbelievable. You are guaranteed to find a good read for a day at the beach. Along with other specialty items such as my favorite coastal-themed puzzles, greeting cards, and signature gift items.
3. Pea Island
Last but not least, Hubby and I stumbled upon Pea Island unintentionally. We literally were traveling back up the coast from Hatteras and saw a nice area to pull off at to take a picture.
However, little did we know all of the history behind Pea Island…
After all, more than simply a wildlife refuge. Pea Island is the location of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station which was one of the first life-saving stations in the country to have an all-black crew. In addition, what’s, even more, special is that this was the first life-saving station to be led by a black commanding officer, Richard Etheridge.
For more information about the story behind the Pea Island Life-Saving Station check out this video:
Nonetheless, on Pea island today stands alone a life-saving station that once housed crews that saved lives, ships, and other cargo from island storms and shoals.
However, maybe on a good day, you might be able to get close to the life-saving station. On a bad day, you won’t even be able to get close. The sand dunes change so rapidly in this area.
All in all, visiting Pea Island had to make my top 3 list of places around the world that I enjoy visiting. It’s one of the quietest and most beautiful places in the OBX and is filled with a rich history.
OBX Photo Dump
What places would you like to visit around the world?
As travel restrictions continue to be lifted, now is the time to start planning trips again. Trips to places that you would love to visit around the world.
Do you have a travel bucket list? Please share with me in the comments places around the world that you would love to travel to. Places can be near or far.
Can you name 3 top places in your area that you enjoy? I would love to know. For those of us that are simply looking to travel whether near or far it would be great to learn about a new place.
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Talk to you soon!
Before you go please check out these amazing bloggers who also participated in this places around the world blogger collaboration:
- Mind Beauty Simplicity
- All Things Gee
- The Curly Sunshine
- Inspiring Positively
- Faerie Lifestyle
- Examine This Moment
- HeadphonesThoughts
- Jessica Lasa
- Korra Shay
- Life Begins at Twenty
- Growing With Spawn
- Riyah Speaks
- Sophia Patel
- The Yorkshire Dreamer
- Along Came Rosie
- Victoria St Michael
- Simply Alex Jean
- Alice is…
- The Nutmeg Diaries
- Enviorline Blog
- This Brits Life
When you head over to their blog please be sure to leave a comment on their latest. Specifically their places around the world blogger collaboration. Get to know the blogger behind the blog and their favorite places around the world.
I promise that you won’t regret following each of the bloggers above.
Sophia Patel
these photos are lovely, I love the old style buildings and all the history that goes with it! Great post lovely!
Jocelyn
I enjoyed reading this post! The Island Bookstore looks so cozy and homely. Would love to visit someday! Thanks for sharing x
Estée | Faërie Lifestyle
I’ve always wanted to visit North Carolina. These places all seem so magical and amazing.
It was so fun being a part of this collab. It was such a delightful experience and interacting with a lovely community filled with wonderful people is so inspiring. I can’t wait to read the rest of the posts!
Have a lovely rest of the week.
Estée
Anthony
These are all some great places. The NC setting, especially in areas near OBX, are so inspiring. I’d imagine writing in that setting would really help things flow. Such a beautiful, inspirational area.
Diana
Omg these places are so adorable 🤩 North Carolina is on my list! I’ve always wanted to see a lighthouse so I hope to one day! 😇 ps. This bookstore was the nicest outdoor one I’ve ever seen!
Caroline
Love the book shop 😍 Would love to visit sometime 🙂
bloglifewitherica
Thank you Caroline! Yes, definitely my kinda bookstore. Small and cozy. I enjoy supporting small local businesses.
xo Erica
theyorkshiredreamer
I am so excited to travel again when it is safe to, and this blog post added to that excitement! 😊
The island bookstore looks cosy and sounds welcoming. I agree; every vacation needs a good book. I love the history you shared throughout this blog post, as it is nice to have some insight into each building.
Thank you for including the video as well; it provided a lot of background about the Pea Island life-saving station and its heroic crew. No equipment, during a hurricane, braving the sea to save those people on the wreckage, remarkable.
Lovely photos as well; thank you for sharing. 😊
bloglifewitherica
Thank you so much for reading. Yes, to have stumbled across Pea Island I would have never known the deep history. I think it’s so important for visitors to learn about this story. So many risked their lives, I admire the story for sure. Such bravery.
xo Erica
mindbeautysimplicity
I haven’t been to the OBX yet but I def want to! It seems so cute & quaint for a beach town. 😊🙌🏻
bloglifewitherica
I really hope you get a chance to visit soon! There is so much to do.
xo Erica
Karalee
Even though I’m from the US and have family all over, I have never been to North Carolina. The Outer Banks looks like a lovely area & it’s interesting learning about the history of the buildings there. The photos of you & your family are cute as well!
bloglifewitherica
Hi Karalee,
I really hope you get a chance to visit one day.
Thank you for reading.
xo Erica
Pastor Natalie
Enjoyed reading about your 3 favorite places. Would love to visit in the future. I especially would like to visit the coffee shop/bookstore. Sounds like fun. This was fun to collaborate with other bloggers. Excited to read everyone’s post too. 😊
bloglifewitherica
Thank you for reading. I don’t typically participate in collabs but this was too fun. I am so happy that I did and I am looking forward to participating in more collabs with other bloggers in the future.
I am definitely looking forward to reading everyone’s post over the next week or two.
xo Erica
Jodie | That Happy Reader
The OBX looks like a great place to visit! Thanks for sharing your recommendations and photos!