My first attempt at a serious panorama of the Milky Way, our home galaxy. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse provides an ideal location since it faces the right direction to compose such a panorama while maintaining the balance in the image.

This shot is composed of 6 vertical shots shot at 30 degrees of rotation and merged in Photoshop. Added to the usual difficulties of shooting and composing a panorama at night, this night was crazy hot with nighttime temperature in the mid 80s, no breeze and humidity so high that the lens had to be wiped after every exposure. On top of it, the mosquitoes had a field day running rings around me and no amount of bug spray helped. But in spite of all that, I managed to walk away with an image and experience that does appeal to me.

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Our top choices for Tidewater Region motels

The Anchorage Inn and Marina

Ocracoke

Jordan

2.330.471 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

22 Jan - 23 Jan 2026

Premium Room, 1 Queen Bed, Balcony, Pool View | Pillow-top beds, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, free WiFi

Pony Island Inn

Ocracoke

Kathryn

3.144.198 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

31 Dec - 1 Jan 2026

Colonial Inn Motel

Nags Head

Lois

2.109.549 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026

Sand Dollar Motel

Atlantic Beach

Darnell

1.765.474 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

2 Jan - 3 Jan 2026

Basic Double Room | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

The Bay Inn

Norfolk

Caleb

1.985.467 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Dec - 30 Dec

Sea Gull By Kees Vacations

Hatteras

Sherry

2.566.468 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jan - 15 Jan 2026

Mariner Inn and Suites

Kill Devil Hills

Casey

1.735.705 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Dec - 26 Dec

Days Inn by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills Oceanfront - Wilbur

Kill Devil Hills

Michelle

1.576.563 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026

The Beacon

Salter Path

Evan

2.619.921 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Dec - 26 Dec

Island Guesthouse and Motel

Manteo

Dominique

2.151.143 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026

Deluxe Single Room, 1 King Bed, Smoking, Hot Tub | Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Relax Inn

Hampton

Rock

1.999.701 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Dec - 26 Dec

Standard House, Multiple Bedrooms, Oceanfront | Terrace/patio

Outer Banks Motel

Buxton

Jenny

2.599.133 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

27 Dec - 28 Dec

Atlantic Shores Inn and Suites

Downtown Chincoteague

Barbara

2.101.129 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

24 Dec - 25 Dec

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Jetted Tub | Desk, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds

Washington Burgess Inn

West Point

Preston

3.157.800 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Dec - 26 Dec

Days Inn by Wyndham Williamsburg Historic Area

Williamsburg

William

1.179.964 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

2 Jan - 3 Jan 2026

Budget Inn Norfolk Va

Willoughby Spit

Consuela

1.654.950 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Dec - 30 Dec

Econo Lodge Crystal Coast

Morehead City

Elisabeth

1.780.210 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026

Days Inn by Wyndham Virginia Beach At The Beach

Northeast Virginia Beach

Joy

2.140.724 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Dec - 30 Dec

Americas Best Value Inn Edenton

Edenton

Rosella

2.383.876 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026

Cape Hatteras Motel

Buxton

Brenda

2.860.546 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

30 Dec - 31 Dec

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Top Tidewater Region Hotel Reviews

Schooner Inn

10/10 Excellent

"I stayed in one of the rooms with the heart shaped jacuzzi/ocean front view. I loved it so much! It was such a peaceful experience. I would definitely return. The staff was welcoming/accommodating. If you don’t mind the cold, I would suggest going there during off-season. The rates are much more doable. Cheers! =D"