Top Things to do in Outer Banks
Top Hotels in Outer Banks
- 1. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks / Corolla
- 2. Sanderling Resort
- 3. Sea Ranch Resort
- 4. Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel
- 5. The Island Motel
- 6. Best Western Ocean Reef Suites
- 7. Days Inn by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills Oceanfront - Wilbur
- 8. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront
- 9. Shutters On the Banks
- 10. Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk
Countries
What to do and see in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands dotted with pristine beaches, quaint towns and historic sites.
If you love swimming, kayaking, or surfing, be sure to visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. To really experience local culture, explore each coastal village and sample as much food as you can along the way. (Pro tip: Try the catch of the day.) If you’re looking for a history lesson, check out Roanoke Island or the Wright Brothers National Memorial. And of course, no day is complete without watching the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge.
Restaurants in Outer Banks
1. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 563 reviews
A national seashore preserve that has the most extensive stretch of undeveloped seashore along the Atlantic coast.
Reviewed By mikelK1251FN - Clinton, United States
We had a great time here, clean, plenty of space, I recommend you get an off road vehicle permit and drive on the beach.
2. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site & Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 392 reviews
Reviewed By allisonk835 - South Riding, United States
My husband and I were greatly impressed by the staff knowledge. Self guided tour was wonderful giving us time to explore the property and consider the lives of the USLSS a century ago.
3. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,566 reviews
The nation's tallest lighthouse was moved to a different location to preserve it.
Reviewed By GypsyJules1111 - Albany, United States
Was a great experience! Tour groups were formed quickly.. beautiful grounds around the lighthouse to explore, informative tour guide & well worth the climb to the top! Amazing views from the top deck! Just an awesome experience!
4. Elizabethan Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Fanciful and elaborate gardens were kept to entertain Queen Elizabeth I during her reign. Our garden was created for your enjoyment, and as a living memorial to the time when Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists lived in this very place over 400 years ago. The Elizabethan Gardens is a project of the Garden Club of North Carolina. Located 15 minutes from Nags Head, North Carolina. Special features include: Butterfly Center, Children's Discovery Cottage/ Outdoor Play Area, Italian renaissance statuary, water views, gift shop and plant sales, mobile phone audio tour. Plant collections include: native plants, azaleas, crape mrytles, hydrangeas, conifers and seasonal blooms. Our dapple-shaded paths and lush green Scape offer a tranquil retreat from the beach. We are pet friendly. Our walkways are handicap accessible.
Reviewed By HistoryLover2017 - Maryland, United States
Winter Lights are a wonderful experience this year! The Elizabethan Gardens have created a lovely, unique experience that follows guidelines for Covid Cautions. Reservations are made online and in advance this year, and there is spacing between groups as well as a mask requirement to walk through the Gardens for the Winter Lights. This actually makes for a more private experience than in earlier years. The music is lovely and playing throughout the Gardens, the lights are very magical and there are many lovely touches, including the theatrical Elizabethan figures staged as if a ball is in progress and (new this year) individual decorated trees in plastic wind protecting 'bubbles' staged at several points in the Gardens. The entire experience makes for a lovely evening, and you'll probably want to return before the season's over.
5. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
An off-beat wildlife refuge that is interesting for children.
Reviewed By annecolorgreen - Louisville, United States
My husband and I actually visited two different times. The first, was just after lunch on a hot July day. We had quite the delay getting there because I mistakenly thought that the trail was close to the visitor's center--it's not. and then I couldn't figure out how to find it. Don't put the visitor's center in your GPS, put in the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail (which is actually the 1/2 mile nature trail that you can hike at the beginning of the motor trail). My husband and I kept driving in circles trying to find it! When we actually did get there, I was very impressed. There are very well maintained gravel roads that go in/out through this part of the refuge. There were also some dirt roads (not necessary to drive on) but they were well marked that they could be potentially hazardous during wet weather. We saw birds, a bear from a LONG distance, many turtles sunning on logs, and an alligator. Also, lots of pretty late summer flowers. Because we took awhile to get there and there are no restrooms, we eventually did have to leave. I made a plan to go back the next day and was up well before dawn to drive back over from Kitty Hawk (30'ish minutes?). This time, my plan was to drive along the areas with big fields keeping an eye out for bear. If this is your goal, don't turn off onto Sawyer Lake Rd (to the right) but keep going straight until you can turn left onto Long Curve Road. Drive slowly and pull off to the side if you want. You will soon see some big open fields--keep your eyes peeled. Through the help of a local, I was directed to the area by the "dump" where there are NUMEROUS bears that gather at least in the early hours of the day. Sadly, I didn't see or hear the wolves, but the bears were fun to watch.
6. Wright Brothers National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,204 reviews
Park where visitors can see a replica of the Wright Brothers' plane and receive an entertaining history of flight.
Reviewed By PHLee7ca - Ellicott City, United States
We visited this attraction on a sunny Saturday in October. The cost was $10/adult and lots of free parking. We first walked around the grounds and saw the old "runway", sheds, and climbed up Kill Devil Hill to see the monument and view of the town. Then we joined the narrated tour by one of the Park Rangers, she was very informative and animated! We then spent the rest of our time touring inside the info. center and got our "passports" stamped in the Gift Store! From the top of the hill, we noticed a full scale scene of the first flight and stopped by on our drive out....very nice, all the "characters" immortalized in bronze along with the plane. A very nice "park", museum and history lesson.
7. Roanoke Island Festival Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 496 reviews
Experience a new adventure in an old-world at Roanoke Island Festival Park. This 25-acre historic site allows guests of all ages to experience first hand what life was like for the first English settlers in 1585. Historic costumed interpreters are featured through Indian Town, the Settlement Site and the Elizabeth II ship to show and tell how the first settlers lived, worked and played on Roanoke Island. For a hands-on history lesson, visit the Adventure Museum that features interactive exhibits that all ages will enjoy. The park also serves as a venue for concerts, events and weddings in the indoor theatre or outdoor waterfront pavilion. Whether you’re enjoying the museum or an outdoor concert, Festival Park offers a stunning location with piers, nature trails and picturesque views at every turn. Experience an unforgettable adventure on the Outer Banks at Roanoke Island Festival Park – where history comes alive.
Reviewed By Mike58318 - Front Royal, United States
Me and wife visited here during our vacation in South Nads Head .We especially enjoyed the tour of the ship Elizabeth and the folks on board were very informative . We toured the grounds as well and the fellow in the blacksmith shop was very informative,he was English, and his accent enhanced our experience making for a great visit
8. Jockey's Ridge State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,240 reviews
Two of the highest sand dunes on the East Coast are located here, providing excellent take-off points for hang gliders.
Reviewed By donnajsatterlee - Princess Anne, United States
An absolutely magical place where there are really tall sand dunes There are trail markings for an easy round trip of 1 1/2 miles to the Roanoke Sound so that it is easy to find the route with shifting sands. The windswept sands make amazing patterns. There is a place that is wheelchair compatible, but only as far as a vista. The rest would be hard to negotiate without wide, sand friendly wheels. There are also some asphalt trails through some native to the area live oaks.
9. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Located in the Outer Banks, this preserve is one of only a few maritime forests left in its natural state.
Reviewed By akvolkan
If you're looking for a change of scenery or some trail running (can get runs in between 1-7miles), you have to visit this unique corner of the Outer Banks
10. Currituck Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Location of the only lighthouse in the state of North Carolina that is still located where it was erected.
Reviewed By hwhi0218 - Buffalo, United States
This beach is gorgeous. Morning and evening seem to be the best time to see the wild horses. You MUST have a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive on this beach, we saw multiple people attempt it with 2 wheel drive and got stuck. You don’t need a pass to drive on the beach but for $50 you can buy a 10 day pass that allows you to park on the beach and hang out. It was so convenient to be able to throw coolers, beach gear, etc into the back of the truck, drive onto the beach and have everything available right there to use all day.
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