A classic American Southern escape to the beaches of the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Along most of North Carolina’s coastline is a collection of beach communities and unspoiled natural landscapes known as the Outer Banks. This remote strip of barrier islands, often abbreviated as OBX, makes for an ideal escape. Stretch your legs with walks along sandy beaches, explore historic attractions, tour many lighthouse-adorned villages, or visit dunes where you can hang glide. Or you can do what many visitors do: enjoy island life with a towel on the sand and watch the sunset.
Take a road trip and discover the best of North Carolina’s coastal attractions.
Soar through the skies in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head
The nearest international airport is Norfolk International in Virginia, about an hour and a half drive from the Outer Banks. To enter the island, you must drive across the Wright Memorial Bridge, named in honor of the Wright brothers and their first flight. It was right here in Kill Devil Hills, your first stop, that brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright flew the first powered, heavier-than-air aircraft in 1903. Walk the flight line of the historic event and you’ll get a new perspective on air travel. The first takeoff was no higher than 120 feet. Continuing down the island toward Nags Heads, you’ll come across Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the tallest dune on the Atlantic coast and one of the most beautiful beaches around. Here people gather to fly kites with the kids, climb the dunes, or have a picnic. Try your hand at sandboarding on the dunes, or take advantage of the relentless winds and go hang-gliding off the beach. Wait for sunset for a perfect photo, or head a little further south to Jennette’s Pier for a fantastic panoramic view. Nags Head is a good place to stay for the night. Your next destination is happily out of the way.
Natural beauty and adventures on Hatteras Island
Stretching for nearly 140 miles, the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, also known as Highway 12, is the primary route for travel between the islands. Head south for a day of beach and sun at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which encompasses 70 miles of protected, pristine coastline. Enjoy activities such as surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, crabbing, and of course, sunbathing. During the season from the third Friday in April through October 12 (Columbus Day), brave the climb to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, decorated with its black-and-white horizontal stripes. You can also visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. At the tip of Hatteras Island, hop on the free ferry to remote Ocracoke Island. With an estimated thousands of shipwrecks offshore, this is a must-see destination for divers. History buffs will also be intrigued by the World War II-era British cemetery. If you’re ready to give your flip-flops a rest for the day, you can find relaxed and affordable lodging options in the village of Hatteras.
The charming coastal towns of Duck and Corolla
Drive north on the highway and arrive at your starting point for a day in the charming towns of Duck and Corolla. At Duck Town Park and Boardwalk, you can go canoeing or kayaking, go crabbing, take the kids to the playground, and walk along the beautiful boardwalk. At the nearby Waterfront Shops, shop for gifts and souvenirs at local boutiques and grab lunch at a coastal restaurant. If you’re looking for beach access, head to the nearby town of Corolla, where colts roam freely on the sand. Several companies offer beach tours to get you up close to these untamed animals. From March through early December, you can climb the 220 steps to the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, an unpainted brick structure that deserves at least a nice photo in the off-season. Nearby, take a tour (self-guided or ghost-themed) of the Whalehead Club, a restored 1920s-era seaside mansion. With its convenient amenities and resort-like feel, Corolla is a great place to spend the night.
Culture and history in Manteo
On your way back to the mainland, spend a few hours in Manteo on Roanoke Island. The island is steeped in colonial influences, beginning with a failed attempt to establish a camp in 1584, followed by a fight with the native inhabitants and the construction of a fort that was never found. In 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh brought 120 English men, women and children to the island. Later that year, the governor returned to Europe for supplies, but because of the war with Spain, he was unable to return until 1590. But upon his return, he found no trace of the colony. This disappearance is considered one of the greatest mysteries in the history of the nation’s colonization. Intrigued? Head to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site for an exhibit of “The Lost Colony,” available to the public from May through August, which is an entire outdoor production that dramatizes this incomprehensible event. Admire the colorful trees and flowers at Elizabethan Gardens, located within the historic site. Your history lesson continues at Roanoke Island Festival Park, an interactive, family-friendly attraction where you can board a 16th-century-style ship, explore a recreation of the Algonquin Native American seaside village, and interact with historical interpreters at the settlement village. Grab a bite to eat in Manteo’s waterfront historic district before returning to Norfolk International Airport for your trip home.
