Waking Up: Ocean Glimpses and a Quiet Start

The morning started with us grabbing a coffee on the balcony and catching our favorite little view — that view of the ocean right between the beachfront houses across the street. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop for a second before your next sip of coffee.

The air had that clean fall-meets-ocean smell that you only get in shoulder season on the Outer Banks. We threw on hoodies and walked across the street to the beach. It took maybe a minute. The sand was cold, the waves were steady but soft, and except for two people walking dogs way down the shoreline, it felt like we had the whole thing to ourselves.

Breakfast Run: Ten O Six & Balcony Time

By the time we came back from the beach, hunger won. Instead of cooking (even though we love the chef’s kitchen), we walked over to Ten O Six Beach Road Bistro. It’s literally right next door — and has awesome owners.

We grabbed some breakfast burritos and their French toast platter to bring back. Eating breakfast on the balcony at THAT House in cooler weather is one of our favorite slow-morning traditions. We sat there with warm food, steaming coffee from the kitchen, and that cool breeze blowing off the ocean. It was simple but perfect.

Midday: Hiking Through Jockey’s Ridge

After breakfast, we jumped in the car for a short drive over to Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This is a place we love no matter the season, but in cooler weather it’s honestly unbeatable.

We started on the wooded trail — the one where the pine needles soften every step — and then stepped out into those massive sand dunes. No matter how many times you have done it, that moment when the trees fall away and the dunes stretch out in front of you still hits. It feels like stepping into another world: bright open sand rolling for what feels like miles, but without the summer heat that usually comes with it.

We walked all the way to the sound. The breeze was stronger there, but the water was glassy and calm. We just stood for a minute taking it in. It’s crazy how quiet the OBX gets in the off-season — in the best possible way.

Lunch: Dune Street Rawbar & Grill

By the time we got back to to our car, we were hungry again. We stopped across the street at Dune Street Rawbar & Grill, which is conveniently right across the street from the state park.

We split oysters (because when in OBX…), shared a shrimp basket, and added an order of hushpuppies we absolutely didn’t need but absolutely ordered anyway. The vibe was relaxed — exactly what you want after a few hours of hiking sand dunes.

Afternoon Reset: Back at THAT House

One of the best parts of staying at THAT House (and we may be biased, but still) is the easy rhythm of the day. After lunch, we headed back, kicked off our shoes, and just relaxed. The private balcony got a bit of afternoon sun, so we stepped out from the living space for a while.

Later, we made coffee in the chef’s kitchen, put on music, and just enjoyed being in the space. It’s cozy in cooler weather in a way that’s different from summer — calmer, slower, and somehow more home-like.

Dinner: The Jolly Roger (because of course)

As the sun set, we headed out to The Jolly Roger. If you’ve been, you know exactly why it’s a staple. If you haven’t, imagine a place with unforgettable décor, a huge menu, and an energy that feels like classic OBX in the best possible way.

We ordered seafood and steak and the kids ate pasta — the combination we always say we won’t order again but always do. Portions were huge (as usual), and it was exactly the warm, cozy dinner we wanted after a full day outside.

From Desert to Dessert: The Spot for Açaí Bowls & Ice Cream

We wrapped up the night with dessert at The Spot. Even in cooler weather, ice cream hits. Their açaí bowls are great too, but let’s be honest — the kids were in it for ice cream.

We sat outside for a bit, talked about our favorite part of the day, and then drove the short trip back to the house.

Ending the Night Back at THAT House

Back at the house, we stepped onto the balcony one more time before eying up the comfortable bed. The neighborhood was quiet, and the air had dropped a few more degrees. We could still hear the waves from across the street. It was one of those simple moments where you just think, “This is why we love this place.”

It wasn’t a planned itinerary. It wasn’t a vacation checklist. It was just a genuine, easy, perfect cooler-weather day at THAT House — and exactly the kind of experience we want our guests to have too.