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 beautiful 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 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

Strategies for getting the perfect vacation property experience:

Sticking to a spending budget:

• To find the best value, consider shifting your family's Ocracoke vacation dates to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and October offer warmer weather, , and greatly reduced traffic.
• Reserve your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules often become available 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many families book their Summer vacations during Winter holiday gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Some hosts and property managers offer discounts or promotional rates for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Property management companies usually offer their guests an option to add vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost you anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for details.
• Find a copy of your local Ocracoke visitors guide upon arrival. If your rental property doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, visitor guides contain money saving offers on local shops and restaurants.

Selecting the perfect rental home in the Ocracoke area:

• Begin by selecting your vacation dates and a budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. Elsie's House On Howard Street has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is often accessible online. Otherwise, email or call the host before you book the vacation property. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds and bunks. You will need to establish which bed configuration is optimal for your group.
• Does your group require special amenities? Most rental websites include amenity lists and search filters.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Remember to confirm all required amenities are available and included before booking
• Traveling with pets? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Ask your property manager before booking, and study your agreement! Pet fees or charges may be applied to your contract.

More considerations:

• Put the manager's contact information in your smartphone.
• Document any damages to the property during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the host. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that can be helpful if there is a dispute.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, A/V setup or washer/dryer. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief phone call prevents lots of difficulties.
• Respect your neighbors. Often times, nearby homes are filled by local residents. Respecting late-night noise limits 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 charter a fishing boat, have a great night out, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up when you are away, just like you would back home.
• When it's time to leave, take a walk-through to confirm you didn't leave anything behind. Check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the property one final time and scan for damage. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the host is not available, ensure that you take photos of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave feedback! Property managers rely on great feedback to drive future bookings. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationing families will be thankful you shared your experience find their best rental home. Please be fair with your feedback If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to solve it.