15 of the Most Epic Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks, aka the OBX, isn’t just another stretch of coast line. It’s 200 miles of barrier islands where the Atlantic gets rough, locals eat their seafood straight off the boat, and salty history runs deep.

From Corolla to Ocracoke, these skinny strips of sand serve up the kind of raw coastal charm that’s getting harder to find on the East Coast. Here’s everything we love to do every time we visit.

Historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse stands 210 feet tall, making it America’s tallest brick lighthouse (completed in 1870 using 1.25 million bricks). Climb its 257 steps from April to October, starting at 9 AM each day.

In 1999, the entire lighthouse was moved 2,900 feet inland to protect it from the eroding shore. The site also includes a museum that tells the story of this massive move.

Wright Brothers Flight Site

Kill Devil Hills is where humans first powered flight on December 17, 1903. Today, there’s a large granite monument to commemorate the achievement. Fun fact: the first flight lasted 12 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet.

While the visitor center displays the Wright brothers’ original tools and a copy of the original model plane, the park rangers demonstrate the same flight principles used in the Wright brothers’ early experiments.

Popular Watersport Locations

Strong, steady winds make the Outer Banks perfect for kiteboarding and windsurfing, especially at spots like the Canadian Hole. The average wind speed in Cape Hatteras is around 10.7 mph. Additionally, the warm Gulf Stream creates good surfing conditions near S-Turns and Jennette’s Pier.

Prefer calmer waters? Kayak or paddleboard in the sound. REAL Watersports uses expert instructors who offer lessons for beginners and advanced riders.

Historic Roanoke Island Settlement

Fort Raleigh shows where England’s first American settlement was built in 1585. The first group of settlers included about 108 men, women, and children, who arrived under the command of Captain Ralph Lane.

The visitor center has items found during digs and exhibits about the Roanoke Colony which mysteriously disappeared. The drama “The Lost Colony” (written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green) has been telling this story at Waterside Theatre since 1937.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beaches

This 70-mile protected shoreline offers quiet and lonely beaches. The area between Frisco and Hatteras is great for finding shells, especially after storms.

Sea turtles nest here from May to October, and rangers check for new nests each morning. The meeting of cold and warm ocean currents creates excellent fishing conditions, particularly during fall. Try fishing for tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi during peak seasons.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Over 2,000 ships have sunk off these shores. The museum in Hatteras Village displays items from these wrecks, including pieces from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, and World War II artifacts from German U-boats like U-85.

The museum has ship models and old navigation tools that show how sailing has changed over time. You can learn about what caused these shipwrecks through hands-on exhibits.

Jennette’s Pier Fishing Experience

Jennette’s Pier operates under a blanket fishing license, allowing you to fish without needing an individual license. This 1,000-foot concrete pier is a popular spot for catching fish like Spanish mackerel and red drum. The pier provides bait, equipment rental, a tackle shop, and cleaning stations.

The building uses wind turbines for power and has tanks with local fish on display. Check out The “Life Under the Pier” exhibit.

Historic Plants at Elizabethan Gardens

An old live oak tree sitting at Elizabeth Gardens since 1585 (over 400 years old). Spring brings 60,000 tulips in bloom, while summer features sweet-smelling magnolias and colorful crape myrtles.

Specific areas like the Shakespearean Herb Garden showcase plants that would have been used during the colonial period. The gardens include a statue of Virginia Dare, the first English baby born in America, carved by Italian sculptor Maria Louisa Lander.

Jockey Ridge’s Sand Dunes

At Jockey Ridge, the East Coast’s tallest dune can reach heights of 80 to 100 feet. Rare animals like tiger beetles live in this desert-like environment. Take hang gliding lessons or try sandboarding from October to March with a free permit.

There’s even a 350-foot-long boardwalk that provides easy access and stunning panoramas of both the Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound at sunset.

Nags Head Woods Preserve

Bordered by two of the East Coast’s largest dunes, the preserve contains marshes and ponds, supporting 550 species of plants and 150 species of birds. This 1,400-acre forest has some of the last remaining maritime forest on the East Coast.

You can walk 5 to 8 miles of marked trails, including the Sweetgum Swamp boardwalk through the wetlands. The Roanoke Trail has signs explaining the forest’s plants and animals, and the history of people who once lived here.

Manteo Ghost Tours

Lantern-lit tours in the evenings highlight various historical sites. Walk through Manteo’s historic waterfront. Drop by the Pioneer Theatre where staff have reported ghostly images and things going bump in the night.

The William B. Fearing House (one of Manteo’s oldest homes) is another spooky stop with its creaky floors, dim lighting, and weathered exteriors. Guides narrate folklore related to pirates and colonial settlers from Manteo’s past.

Alligator River Refuge

This 152,000-acre refuge (established in 1984) protects swamps and wetlands where endangered red wolves and alligators live. Considered among the last remaining strongholds for black bears in eastern North Carolina and on the mid-Atlantic Coast.

Guided canoe trips take you through dark water creeks where you might see wading birds and migratory waterfowl. The Charles Kuralt Trail has platforms for watching wildlife. The visitor center (on the north end of Roanoke Island) opens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and admission is free.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

This red brick lighthouse (first lit on December 1, 1875) has helped ships navigate the hazardous waters between Cape Henry and Bodie Island.

The Victorian-style Keeper’s House shows life from the 1800s with period furniture (open from Easter to Thanksgiving). After climbing 214 steps, you get clear views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound.

The grounds still have the original buildings where supplies were stored, including a two-hole privy and cistern for rainwater collection.

Sound-Side Crabbing Spots

The shallow waters of Currituck, Albemarle, and Pamlico Sounds are full of ghost and blue crabs, and other marine life. The best time to catch is during their molting season in late spring when they shed their hard shells and become soft-shell crabs.

Public piers in Duck and Manteo are good spots to drop crab pots or use hand lines baited with chicken necks. Rent crabbing gear and get tips from Bob’s Bait & Tackle.

Wild Horse Tours in Corolla

The Corolla wild horses (descendants of Spanish horses from the 16th century) have lived on these beaches for 500 years, after swimming ashore from shipwrecked vessels. You can see these wild horses on a tour with companies like Wild Horse Adventure Tours, who drive you along the beach in 4×4 vehicles.

Tours last about 2-3 hours and often include opportunities for photography. Morning and late afternoon tours offer the best chance to see the horses active and grazing.