With tons of beautiful beaches and rich history, the Outer Banks in North Carolina is a great choice for your next family getaway, couples trip or even a fun girls trip. There are so many things to do and I think it’s a perfect summer vacation destination!
Not that long ago, I had the chance to visit the Outer Banks. It’s a destination that’s been on my bucket list for some time and when I had the opportunity to go, I was beyond thrilled!
Going into the trip I knew two things about the Outer Banks, it had beautiful beaches and there would be seafood! In fact, the food was amazing and I have some great suggestions on places to eat in the Outer Banks if you visit!
The Outer Banks in North Carolina, aka OBX, is a 200-mile long strip of barrier islands. There are several towns that make up the OBX with names like Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head.
On the east side you will find the gorgeous beaches of the Atlantic, these are perfect to work on your tan, splash in the water or just have a peaceful walk. The other side is the sound, there’s so many different water sports and fun things to do!
The Outer Banks is FULL of rich history too. Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk is the location of the Wright Brothers’ famous 1903 flight. OBX is also home to the famous Roanoke Island and The Lost Colony mystery.
Below is a list of my favorite stops in the Outer Banks. Be sure to add them to your list as you plan your trip! You may want to check out this fun OBX Bucket List too, it’s full of ideas on things to do, you can print out your own copy and take it with you as you travel!
Things to do when you visit the Outer Banks
The Wright Brothers National Memorial
The first stop on our fabulous Outer Banks adventure was The Wright Brothers National Memorial. Everyone knows about the Wright Brothers and their epic first flights. To stand at the place where this happened was amazing. All of the travel that I do wouldn’t be possible without these two men.
The Wright brothers first flight was in the Wright Flyer and lasted only 12 seconds but it changed the world forever!
There’s a lot of fun things to see at The Wright Brothers National Memorial, including a recreation of the building they lived in and worked in. The monument has breathtaking views too, be sure to take the walk up and see for yourself!
Plus, there are fun statues to take a selfie with!
The Lost Colony
One of our nation’s oldest mysteries is that of The Lost Colony. Although we never discover what happened to the first English colony, we did get to visit and see all the elegant costuming and behind the scenes of many staff working to prep for the opening night that was just around the corner. The Lost Colony is a Tony Award-winning play that has been entertaining audiences for 81 seasons!
When I vacation with my boys, we love to try and find some type of show or dinner show to attend. It’s always nice to sit and relax in the evening while being entertained if you visit OBX make sure this stop is on your list. It’s full of entertainment and history that makes a perfectly relaxing evening.
The Mothervine
Being a wine lover made our next stop very exciting. The Mothervine was the first grapevine brought to the country around 1584. You can find it alive and doing well in Manteo on the Roanoke Island. Although there was a time when this beautiful vine was threatened to continue existing because it was accidentally sprayed by a utility worker who was spraying roadside brush, the Mothervine continues to live on and produce delicious grapes.
Outer Banks Distilling
Two brewers and two bartenders had the vision to bring back the tradition of rum on the Outer Banks area and opened Outer Banks Distilling. Kill Devil Rum is a smooth and flavorful rum that makes all of your cocktails come to life. My favorite was the pecan honey, it’s delicious enough to drink on its own!
I had the chance to tour the distillery with one of the four owners, Scott Smith, who gave great information on how the distillery opened, how rum is made and much more. The tours are open to the public, so be sure to check into this on your visit!
OBX Crabbing
Captain Marc and his OBX crabbing and shrimping charter adventure offer you a first-hand glimpse into what it’s like to be an Outer Banks crabber. We were able to take a short boat ride out and personally have a chance to go through the process of catching crab. We also learned how to tell the difference between male and female as well as start to understand the difference in how they’re priced. I love soft shell crab, so this was a fun learning experience for me! Everyone from kids to adults will love this tour!
Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Museum
Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Museum is one of the most complete U.S. lifesaving stations in the country. It was originally built in 1874 and is located on Hatteras Island. The US Coast Guard recognizes the 1918 “Mirlo” rescue by the Chicamacomico station as one of the top rescues in maritime service’s history.
Full of history and beauty, your entire family will love this stop!
These are just a few of my favorite stops in the Outer Banks, it’s such a great vacation destination. Be sure to watch for our upcoming article on the gorgeous lighthouses in the OBX area!! If you’re looking for places to eat on your visit check out our post about The Best Places to Eat in the Outer Banks.
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Disclosure: Complimentary accommodations, meals, and activities were provided by The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Becca Wilson says
June 15, 2018 at 9:24 amI live on the Outer Banks for seven years and you definitely hit it spot on for what to do. Gorgeous photos!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
June 15, 2018 at 2:06 amThis looks so much fun! I will be adding this to our plans this summer!
Rachel says
June 14, 2018 at 10:12 pmI have never been to the Outer Banks. I’ve had friends that have gone a few times and they loved it.
Claudia Krusch says
June 14, 2018 at 10:11 pmYour pictures are so beautiful! You’ve made me want to visit the Outerbanks!
krystal says
June 14, 2018 at 8:22 pmI hope to one day visit. It looks like a fun. A nice change from Florida!
Kathy says
June 14, 2018 at 7:30 pmThat looks like a great place to be. I love places like these. It would be a great place to explore.
Stacie says
June 14, 2018 at 12:31 pmI’m bookmarking this. I love the Outer Banks; I have ever since I first visited. I haven’t seen everything it has to offer, and this is a great resource to help me fill out what I’ve been missing.
robin rue says
June 14, 2018 at 11:51 amI have always wanted to go to the outer banks. It looks like there is so much to do there.