Elsie's House On Howard Street - Vacation rental home in Ocracoke, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 8
• 4 Bedrooms
• 4 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home
• Approximately 2700 square feet

Located among the live oaks, Elsie's House on Ocracoke's fabled Howard Street, a peaceful sandy lane in the heart of the village, is just steps away from Silver Lake harbor, stores and eateries. It was originally constructed from ship's timbers in 1888 on occasion of the wedding of Simon Garrish to Sarah Howard. It stayed in the family and was last occupied by Irvin Garrish, Ocracoke's first Hyde County Commissioner and ferry Captain and his wife, Elsie Ballance Garrish, the island nurse. Local islanders fondly remember them 'holding court' from the front porch swing, greeting those passing by the shady lane.

In September 2019 Hurricane Dorian flooded our striking home and Elsie's was forever changed. We found ourselves on a long wait list to have the home lifted and rebuilt. During this time we reimagined Elsie's rebirth - a place for families and friends to savor space to gather together while also providing room to relax and spread out. We kept the appeal of the original home while adding new, cavernous rooms, additional bedrooms and baths, porches and decks on each of the three levels. AND we now provide a cargo lift to help ease the burden of your bags.

Open the front door and you will be welcomed by the airy space and delightfully reclaimed heart of pine floors. The great room features comfortable seating and a 75 inch intelligent TV, a well supplied brand new kitchen with items for cooking and dining, and a convenient pantry/laundry. The original part of the home is filled with a cozy parlour, a dining room, and a private den with a 50 inch intelligent TV.
There are four unique bedrooms, two original to the home and two added. Elsie's has grown from a one bath home to a three and a half bath plus TWO outdoor showers! You will find comfort from the elements with dual central heat and air and unlimited on demand hot water system.
Outdoor living is yours on the many porches and decks.

Feel the casual slow pace of Ocracoke finishing a good book, taking a walk to Springer's Point, riding the waves on the beach, kayaking to Teach's Hole, cycling around the village, appreciating a fine meal, or sailing into the sunset...you can do it all and then come home to the warm lantern glow of Elsie's House.

About the Area

Ocracoke is home to this vacation home. Ocracoke Lighthouse and British Cemetery are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Hatteras Landing Marina and Teach's Lair Marina. Ocracoke Pony Pens and Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Know Before you Go

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Our top Ocracoke rental home booking tips and tricks:

When to book a Ocracoke rental & When to go:

• To find the best value, consider shifting your family's Ocracoke vacation dates to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and even October offer warm weather, less crowded beaches, and reduced traffic.
• Book your rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules often open a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families book their Summer vacation rentals during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property management company or host whether your group qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Property managers usually offer renters an option to purchase vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which generally costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for additional information.
• Find a copy of your local Ocracoke area magazine when you check-in. If your rental home doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, visitor guide magazines have money saving offers on nearby tours, shops, and attractions.

Narrow your Search:

• Choose a group leader, select your vacation dates, and choose a spending budget.
• Note the number beds and the configuration you need. Elsie's House On Howard Street has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Ocracoke vacation rental search.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is regularly available online. If not, reach out to the property owner before you book your rental. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds and bunks. You will need to determine what is best for your vacation family.
• If there's an individual Ocracoke attraction you are crazy about, keep an eye out for homes that are either near by, or those that cater to your needs.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all necessary amenities are included before booking
• Some properties allow pets, but some do not. Allowable types of dog or cat, size and breeds may be restricted, and added charges may apply. Ask the host about pet restrictions before booking.

Considerations for your stay:

• Be sure you get the owner's contact number and arrival/departure procedures for your .
• Document any issues with the property during check in, and immediately contact the property manager. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that can be helpful if damages are assessed.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, elevator or washer/dryer. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief call can prevent a lot of issues.
• Respect your neighbors. Frequently, adjacent homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to get the best breakfast in town, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Keep your rental home locked while you're away! Don't let burglars spoil your vacation.
• At departure, complete a final walk-through to make sure you did not forget anything. Remember to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the property a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever possible. If the host isn't available, remember to take pictures of the property to record its condition.
• Did your group have a wonderful time? Most vacation rental websites make it easy for vacationers to provide comments. If your rental and/or host was great, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was wrong and they failed to correct it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your feedback.