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Make your getaway to North Carolina’s Outer Banks a trip to remember. Between climbing the three historic lighthouses here, searching for wild horses in the dunes, building a few sandcastles, surfing and fishing and paddling around, and soaking up the sun – there are many activities to enjoy. The Outer Banks are rightly famous for beaches and sunshine. At the same time, there’s a sometimes surprisingly rich selection of cultural, natural and historic places of interest.
Let’s think of the Outer Banks as north and south.
South of Nag’s Head is dominated by approximately 80 miles of Atlantic coastline called the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, double that with the calm, sound-side. Long sections of natural undeveloped beach are joined by some very impressive bridges. Famous lighthouses at Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras invite exploration. The are 7 towns along the route, each with its own charm. Whether your surfing, kite-boarding, fishing or simply looking for your own section of beach to search for shells, you will find this section less crowded. At the town of Hatteras, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a fascinating view into the challenges faces by ships plying the waters.
Nag’s Head, Kitty Hawk, Duck, all the way to Corolla at the northern end is a collection of towns, each blessed with lovely beaches. Or wander out onto one of the famous piers for a little fishing time or to simply feel like your walking out past the waves. The events that changed the world as the Wright Brothers proved they could beat gravity are celebrated at the dedicated Wright Brothers National Memorial. To play in the sand dunes, a visit to Jockey’s Ridge is good fun. If you like exploring the the end of the road, you’ll be rewarded with the village of Duck, and another great lighthouse and superbly scenic Currituck Sound at the town of Corolla.
Be sure to include at least a half day visit to Roanoke Island and its charming waterfront town of Manteo. The island is the site of the Lost Colony and Fort Raleigh – the earliest English settlement in the New World who vanished without verifiable explanation. The world-class aquarium and several other attractions round out a great day out.
With so much to explore, between your beach and relaxation time, you’ll want to have a plan and a guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Hatteras, Kitty Hawk or Nag’s Head
At least three days, ideally a week or more.
Driving the full distance from Corolla in the north to Hatteras in the south is a total distance of 95 miles.
The Cape Hatteras Light Station is currently closed for climbing and will likely not open until the summer of 2026, visit nps.gov for updates.
