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 handsome 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 appreciate space to gather together while also providing room to relax and spread out. We kept the appeal of the original home while adding new, roomy 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 suitcases.

Open the front door and you will be welcomed by the airy space and handsomely reclaimed heart of pine floors. The great room features comfortable seating and a 75 inch intelligent TV, a well outfitted 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

Ocracoke rental booking tips and tricks:

Find your perfect rental:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months along the coast of NC. To find the most suitable rental within budget, we recommend booking in Fall or Spring months. You'll enjoy lower rates, greater selection, beautiful weather and the absence of giant crowds at restaurants, beaches, and activities. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable during June, July, and August. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Ocracoke vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• The sooner your group can book, the better your selection will be. The best rental homes are booked early. Reserving your vacation rental six to twelve months before your vacation is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to plan and book your vacation home.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your group qualifies for a discount.
• Management companies and individual rental owners frequently offer renters an option to buy vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Many rental management companies supply Ocracoke area visitors guides that include special deals, either offered directly by local businesses, or through a relationship between the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Ocracoke visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Make a plan and pick your prefect Ocracoke rental:

• Begin by choosing vacation dates and a max budget.
• Decide how many beds and the configuration your family needs. 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.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is regularly available online. If not, email the host before you reserve the home. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds in living rooms. You will need to determine which bed configuration is best for your trip.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction or event? Try a map search to browse nearby rentals.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. Make certain to inquire about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.
• Some properties allow pets, and others don't. Allowable types of pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask your host about pets before booking.

Some things to know before you go:

• Take a copy of the host's contact number and arrival/departure procedures for your . Store the host's information in your smartphone.
• To make sure damages aren't attributed to your family's visit, inspect for any problem areas upon your arrival. Make contact with the property manager right away to record any damages. If there is a dispute, having a record of concerns and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, intercom or kitchen appliance. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief telephone call can prevent a lot of difficulties.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You'll enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are a great source for finding the best local restaurants, beaches, and hangouts.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to launch your kayaks, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your things!) by locking the property while you are out, just like you would back home.
• On check-out day, complete a final walk-through to make sure you didn't forget any personal items. Make sure to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• After your trip, leave feedback! Property owners rely on excellent ratings to propel more reservations. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationers will will be grateful for your review find their best vacation rental. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to solve it.