15 Unique Things to Do in The Outer Banks, NC
The Outer Banks are an iconic beach destination in North Carolina. Every year, tons of people flock to this 100-mile stretch of barrier islands along the Atlantic Ocean.
The Outer Banks (OBX) have become famous for their historic landmarks, breathtaking views, and bustling beach towns. The islands have recently become more popular due to the Netflix hit show Outer Banks.
I recently went on a spontaneous weekend getaway to OBX and fell in love with the charming beach towns. Since it stretches over 100 miles, you’ll either need to focus on one area or spend more time in OBX. I was only there for 72 hours and still found that I could see and do SO MUCH in this timeframe.
About The Outer Banks
First, a little bit about OBX. The Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, offer a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. There are many small towns within OBX. I’ve listed the main towns below in order from North to South:
Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, Ocracoke
Things To Do In The Outer Banks
Enjoy the Beaches
The most obvious thing to do on a beach vacation is to enjoy the beaches! With over 100 miles of shore in the Outer Banks, you’ll have ample beach access availability. Because there are so many options for beach access, it never feels overcrowded, even in the summertime!
The beaches in OBX feature perfect temperature water, small waves, clean sand, and few crowds!
- Kill Devils Head Beaches:
- Corolla Beaches: gentle waves for kids
- Nags Head Beaches: best waves near the pier
- Kitty Hawk Beaches: ideal for water sports
- Duck Beaches: one of the most pet-friendly beaches in the US
You can also opt for Surf Lessons on the beaches and leave the Outer Banks with a new skill!
Climb OBX Lighthouses
There are five iconic lighthouses spread throughout OBX and each one is worth a visit! To climb up the lighthouse, you’ll need to book tickets in advance for a timed entry. Visiting all 5 lighthouses in one day would be a challenge because they’re very spread out (some are over an hour apart).
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Hatteras)
- Bodie Island Lighthouse (Nags Head)
- Roanoake Marshes Lighthouse (Roanaoke)
- Currituck Beach Lighthouse (Corolla)
- Ocracoke Lighthouse (Ocracoke)
I personally visited Bodie Island Lighthouse and climbed the 271 stairs to the top! The view at the top is worth the climb. Only 10 guests can enter the lighthouse at a time because the structure cannot hold the weight of any more guests on the steps.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Did you know that the tallest sand dune in the United States is located in OBX?! Well, now you do!
Jockeys Ridge State Park is a free park that is part of the North Carolina State Park system. You can enjoy a nice walk along the boardwalk, explore the visitor center, or try hang-gliding over the dunes!
The park is over 420 acres and some of the sand dunes are taller than 60ft!
I personally loved walking around on the sand dunes. But we warned – it gets very hot very quickly. There is no shade on the dunes so try to go on a cloudy day.
Another fun activity to do nearby is a Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson over the dunes!
Download the Jockey’s Ridge State Park Map!
Wright Brothers National Memorial
If you flew to your vacation here at OBX, you have the Wright Brothers to thank for that! It is here in the Outer Banks where these Orville & Wilbur Wright took the first flight on December 17, 1903! In honor of the monumental event, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil.
The Wright Brothers Monument is a 60-foot-tall, Art Deco style, granite monument that sits atop Big Kill Devil Hill-the primary location of the brothers’ glider experiments.
Tickets to the memorial are $10/adult – I recommend buying your tickets in advance to secure your spot! It is part of the National Park Service, so there are a handful of dates that are free of charge!
Corolla Wild Horses
Seeing horses roam freely on a beach sounds like something out of a movie, right? Well, here in Corolla, it’s real life! Corolla is known for its herd of wild Colonial Spanish Horses roaming freely on the northernmost Currituck Outer Banks year-round. This is easily one of the best things to do in the Outer Banks and is even on the NC Bucket List guide!
The best time to see the horses is in the spring (April-May) because it’s mating season & less crowded. Please stay at least 50 feet away from the horses.
You can also take a tour on four-wheel drive to see the horses up close and personal!
Related Post: Top 50 Things To Do in North Carolina
Elizabethan Gardens
Explore this stunning garden that offers a year-round variety of plants and flowers. Tickets are $10/per person and well worth the money! This was one of my favorite things to do in the Outer Banks!
I’ve included a link to the Elizabethan Gardens map below – as you can see there are so many things to explore!
Off-Shore Fishing
The Outer Banks is known as The Billfish Capital of the World – which makes fishing is a popular activity here in the Outer Banks! The best fishing season is in the summer, but some fish like the yellowfin tuna can be caught year-round.
There are dozens of vendors that offer off-shore fishing charters but my favorite is this private charter for off-shore fishing in Outer Banks!
Ghost Tour
The Outer Banks have a few different Ghost Tour options for those looking to get spooked! My favorite Outer Banks Ghost Tour is Manteo Ghost Walking Tour. This tour is 1.5 hours long and only $25 per person. Here you’ll learn the history of one of America’s most haunted beaches! You won’t want to miss this spooky things to do in the Outer Banks!
North Carolina Aquariums
Fun Fact: There are 4 unique North Carolina Aquariums – and 2 are located in the Outer Banks! Visiting the aquariums are one of the best things to do in the Outer Banks on a rainy day!
Roanoke Island: Discover the wildlife inside the “Waters of the Outer Banks”. You can see tons of fish, alligators, string rays, and more! My favorite is their Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center – where they focus on saving sea turtle nests on the beaches.
Jeanette’s Pier: This NC Aquarium location is so much more than just a traditional aquarium – you can actually fish here! More about this below!
Jennette’s Pier
Jeanette’s Pier has become one of the family favorite things to do in the Outer Banks. They offer interactive science exhibits and a large aquarium view. But they also have fishing, youth adventure camps, beaches, and more!
To access the pier, you must pay $2/per person. If you’d like to fish, you’ll need to pay more.
Camp on the Beach
Camping in a tent is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors – but what about camping in a tent on the beach! This is such a unique experience falling asleep to the sound of the ocean and waking up to the sunrise directly outside of your tent.
My absolute favorite Outer Banks camping spot is the Rodanthe Waterfront Camping – the views here are surreal!
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
Have you ever wondered what’s lost at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean? Well, now you can explore some of those hidden treasures in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. This is one of the most unique things to do in the Outer Banks because it is rare that you get a glimpse into the ocean floor!
The museum features a variety of exhibits that showcase artifacts and stories from shipwrecks and rescues, including displays on pirates, warships, and the heroic efforts of the US Coast Guard. You can see actual artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, such as cannons, anchors, and navigational instruments, as well as exhibits on the history of fishing and whaling in the area.
One of the highlights of the museum is the interactive exhibit on the USS Monitor, a famous Civil War ironclad ship that sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras in 1862.
Visit Filming Locations of Netflix’s “Outer Banks” Show
The Netflix series “Outer Banks” was inspired by the true Outer Banks in North Carolina. They filmed on location in the actual Outer Banks on occasion (the rest of the filming was typically in Charleston, SC). Here are some of the filming locations you can visit:
- The Wanchese Fish House: This commercial fishing operation in Wanchese was used as the Pogues’ hangout and workplace in the show.
- Roanoke Island: Several scenes were filmed on Roanoke Island, including the historic downtown area of Manteo and the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum.
- Bodie Island Lighthouse: This iconic lighthouse in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was used as a filming location for several scenes in the show.
- Fort Raleigh National Historic Site: This national park on Roanoke Island was used as a filming location for several scenes, including the climactic final showdown.
- The Royal Pavilion: This beach house in Kill Devil Hills was used as a filming location for the Kook’s party scenes.
Related Post: TV Show Filming Locations in the USA
Ferry to Ocracoke Island
The Ocracoke Island can only be reached by ferry. The trip takes approximately 2.5-3 hours one way, and the ferry runs several times a day depending on the season.
The ferry is operated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and is a free service, although you may need to pay for parking at the ferry terminal.
Once you arrive on Ocracoke Island, you can explore the charming village, with its historic homes and buildings, unique shops and restaurants, and beautiful beaches. Some of the top attractions on the island include the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the British Cemetery, and the Springer’s Point Nature Preserve.
Vineyard Voyage Wine Tour
The Outer Banks Vineyard Voyage is a unique experience for wine lovers and anyone who enjoys scenic boat tours. It’s a guided tour of the coastal North Carolina wine country, with a twist – you’ll be taking a boat from island to island to visit some of the region’s best wineries.
The tour typically starts in Manteo or Nags Head, where you’ll board a comfortable, covered boat with a knowledgeable guide. The boat will take you on a leisurely cruise through the beautiful waterways of the Outer Banks, passing by wildlife and natural scenery along the way.
Some of the wineries you may visit on the Vineyard Voyage include Sanctuary Vineyards, Martin Farm and Winery, and Vineyards on the Scuppernong. Each winery offers a different selection of wines, and many also offer locally produced food and snacks to pair with your tasting.
Food & Beverage in The Outer Banks
One of the best things to do in the Outer Banks is enjoy the fresh seafood! Below I’ve listed the best restaurants in the Outer Banks that you won’t want to miss!
- Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar (Manteo): This restaurant offers fresh seafood, sushi, and a raw bar, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the marina.
- Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe (Nags Head): This restaurant offers a variety of seafood dishes, as well as Southern favorites like fried chicken and barbecue.
- The Black Pelican (Kitty Hawk): This restaurant is housed in a historic Lifesaving Station and offers seafood, steaks, and pasta dishes, as well as a rooftop bar with ocean views.
- Coastal Provisions Oyster Bar & Wine Bar Cafe: This restaurant in Southern Shores offers fresh seafood, oysters, and an extensive wine list, with indoor and outdoor seating.
- Kill Devil Grill (Kill Devil Hills): This restaurant offers classic American fare like burgers, sandwiches, and salads, as well as daily specials.
- Tortuga’s Lie (Nags Head): This restaurant offers seafood, Mexican dishes, and Caribbean-inspired cocktails, with indoor and outdoor seating.
- Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar (Kill Devil Hills): This restaurant offers fresh seafood and an extensive raw bar, with indoor and outdoor seating and live music.
- The Paper Canoe (Duck): This restaurant offers a seasonal menu of seafood, steaks, and other dishes, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the sound.
Outer Banks Brewing Station
Mulligan’s Grille in Historic Cottage Row
Where To Stay in The Outer Banks
Picking a hotel or Airbnb in OBX is particularly important since everything is so spread out. I personally prefer to stay in Nags Head or Kitty Hawk since it’s in the center of the barrier islands which gives you the ability to take day trips north to Corolla or south to Hatteras.
- Best Place to Stay in Nags Head: Oceanfront Luxury Home
- Best Place to Stay in Kitty Hawk: Saltaire Cottages
FAQ About Outer Banks
How many days do you need in the Outer Banks?
Travelers will need 3-4 days in the Outer Banks at a minimum in order to see and do majority of the island activities. You could easily spend a week in Outer Banks and use that extra time to relax on the beach!
Do you need a car in the Outer Banks?
You will absolutely need a car in the Outer Banks to get around. The islands are 175 miles long and often experience heavy traffic when locals and tourists alike are navigating up and down the chain of barrier islands. Not only is it important to have a car, but it is also important to leave early and plan for traffic!
What month is the best time to visit the Outer Banks?
The best month to visit the Outer Banks is April. The weather is officially warm every day, and it is before summer season kicks off into full swing!
When is hurricane season in the Outer Banks?
Hurricane Season in the Outer Banks begins in June and continues through November. However, peak hurricane season is only from mid-August to late-September. Don’t let this prevent you from booking a beach vacation as hurricanes are few and far between!
Final Thoughts on Things To Do in the Outer Banks:
You’ll quickly see why the Outer Banks are a popular travel destination – there are so many fun activities and unique things to do here! If you have any other recommendations on best things to do in the Outer Banks, drop them below in the comments!
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