The Outer Banks, often abbreviated OBX, is a 200-mile-long string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. Known for its natural beauty, rich history, and laid-back atmosphere, it even inspired a popular television show.
While this is a weekend guide, you need way more time to explore this chain of barrier islands on the North Carolina coast to fully submerge yourself in the pirate lore and charming communities, each with a different vibe.
If you’re looking to fly into the area, the Raleigh and Norfolk airports are your best bet. There’s also a regional airport in New Bern. Note that this guide does not include the Southern Outer Banks, or the Crystal Coast, which will be its own guide.
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The Islands of the Outer Banks
Currituck Banks
The northernmost of the areas is Currituck, which includes the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, a 4,570-acre stretch of protected landscape. The communities in this region include Corolla, Carova Beach, and Knotts Island.
Corolla is known for its wild horses, which roam the beaches, and upscale beach homes. Most come to see the aforementioned horses, which you can see on a self-driving 4×4 tour or a guided tour in Carova Beach. Just remember to keep a safe distance.
The iconic 1875 red brick Currituck Lighthouse stands 162 feet tall and is another must-see, open for seasonal climbing, as is Whalehead in Historic Corolla Village, a restored 1920s Art Nouveau estate turned museum.
You can’t go to the beach without having seafood, and Sun Dogs Raw Bar & Grill is great for families. Menu favorites include oysters and gourmet burgers. Mike Dianna’s Grill Room has the best steaks in Corolla, all USDA Prime, with fresh seafood and weekend brunch.
La Dolce Vita is a charming Italian eatery in TimBuck II with hand‑tossed stone‑oven pizzas, seafood pasta, and a curated wine list. Then grab a pint at Whalehead Brewery, a woman- and veteran-owned brewery serving crafted beers and shareable plates.
The Inn at Corolla has contemporary charm on the waterfront with an outdoor pool, daily breakfast, and free bike rentals. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks/Corolla is another option, with the perks you expect from the chain, like an outdoor pool and breakfast.
This area also has plenty of rentals like Aqua Sol, with its pool, playground, and elevator. Outer Banks West/Currituck Sound KOA is also convenient to Corova for those looking to camp.
Bodie Island
Bodie Island, pronounced like “body,” is home to Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Colington Island, and Nags Head. It’s connected by a causeway, so you’ll find amenities like big box stores and groceries.
Duck is a charming village with boardwalks, boutiques, and fine dining, perfect for families. Now a chain, you can visit the original location of Duck Donuts or enjoy local seafood, prime steaks, and steamer pots at Cravings.
The Sanderling was recently renovated and has beach access, two pools, a spa, and several restaurants. Ocean Pines Resort has classic beach resort vibes with tennis courts, a fitness center, and an indoor swimming pool. This area also has plentiful rentals like Duck Therapy as well as Bel Isle in Southern Shores.
Kitty Hawk is more developed, with beach motels, piers, and restaurants, and is famously home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. It was here that brothers Wilbur and Orville performed their “First Flight” in 1903.
The 1,800-acre Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve offers hiking and biking trails, soundside kayaking through creeks like Jean Guite, and birdwatching. Kitty Hawk surf lessons are also a fun experience to have in the Outer Banks.
Black Pelican Oceanfront Café is best for seafood and wood-fired pizza overlooking the ocean. The island-inspired bowls at Rundown Café make it a favorite. Or stop by TRiO Restaurant & Market for gourmet wine, cheese, beer, and small plates.
The Sea Scape Beach and Golf Villas offer family rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a games room with easy beach access. The beachfront Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk has amenities like flat-screen TVs, small refrigerators, coffee makers, and microwaves.
Allegedly taking its name from “rum strong enough to kill the devil,” Kill Devil Hills is a great base for this part of the Outer Banks. Spend your day fishing from the pier, hanging out at the beach, or taking advantage of a kayak rental.
Noosa Beach Grille takes its name from an Australian city and serves tropical burgers and seafood. Enjoy locally made beer, live music, and sandwiches at OBX Brewing Station. Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar and Grill is another classic KDH establishment.
The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront has direct beach access, a pool, and a fitness center. Or enjoy the retro vibes of the Outer Banks Motor Lodge, with its outdoor pool, playground, and laundry.
Nags Head uniquely blends natural wonders, coastal heritage, family activities, and small-town charm. You can’t miss Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the tallest living sand dune on the East Coast, up to 110 feet. Here you can go sandboarding, take a hang gliding lesson, hit the trails, or fly a kite with Kitty Hawk Kites.
Coquina Beach is known for surf fishing and a historic shipwreck. Bodie Island Lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Pamlico Sound, marshes, and maritime forest, also open for seasonal climbing.
Despite its name, Biscuits N Porn is a fantastic gas station eatery with a breakfast buffet that includes biscuits (of course), eggs, cinnamon rolls, and more. Sam & Omie’s is another option, open since 1937, with steamed shrimp or fried flounder sandwiches. The family-run Tale of the Whale serves fresh seafood and steaks with live music on a waterfront gazebo.
The Tar Heel Motel is another old-school accommodation with an outdoor pool and in-room kitchenettes. The Comfort Inn South Oceanfront is more modern, with complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, and an outdoor pool. But if you’re looking to rough it, it doesn’t get any better than the location of Oregon Inlet Campground.
Roanoke Island
Roanoke is among the more well-known parts of the Outer Banks because it was the first English attempt at settlement in the New World. It’s here that the so-called Lost Colony occurred, a mystery that continues to unravel and inspired an outdoor drama.
Manteo is known for its role in early English colonization, which you can learn about on the Manteo Historic Walking Tour. There’s an outpost of the North Carolina Aquarium on the island, or you can see wildlife on the water aboard a dolphin cruise.
The nearby fishing town of Wanchese offers shrimping and crabbing charters. Roanoke Island Festival Park has a recreated 16th-century ship, live interpreters, a museum, and outdoor concerts and events. Don’t miss the chance to sample Kill Devil Rum, inspired by the age of piracy.
Darrell’s Seafood Restaurant has been a Manteo staple since 1960, known for generous portions of fresh seafood, especially their famed fried oysters. Lost Colony Tavern is a British-style pub serving pub classics and local seafood in a cozy atmosphere with an outside garden.
Offering fresh local seafood, steaks, and happy hour specials, Stripers Bar & Grille spreads across three floors at the marina. Start your day at Front Porch Café, open since 1999 with artisan-roasted beans and specialty drinks.
Roanoke Island Inn is one of the most charming places to stay in all the Outer Banks, with antique-filled rooms and shelves stocked with books. Hotel Manteo, Trademark Collection by Wyndham has all the modern amenities like WiFi and an outdoor pool.
Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island has some of the most iconic places in the Outer Banks, including Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Rodanthe is laid-back and home to the Rodanthe Pier, a local angler hotspot and one of the few remaining piers on Hatteras Island. You can also see the Inn at Rodanthe, made famous by the Nicholas Sparks book and subsequent film.
Explore the Historic Life-Saving Station Museum, built in 1874, complete with original buildings and artifacts. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge has 13 miles of protected dunes, marshes, and tidal flats for birdwatching and kayaking.
Neptune’s Kitchen & Dive Bar is a Rodanthe staple, with tapas-style seafood, tacos, live music, and karaoke. Watermen’s Bar & Grill in neighboring Waves has local seafood, a rum bar, beer, coffee, and spectacular sunsets over Pamlico Sound.
Most of the accommodations in this area are rentals like Salvo Sunset and park-run campgrounds.
Avon’s popular restaurants include Gidget’s Pizza & Pasta, open since 1997, and Bros Sandwich Shack, known for its hearty sandwiches and laid-back atmosphere.
While in Buxton, explore Buxton Woods Preserve, a 1,000-acre maritime forest offering hiking trails, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. Afterward, enjoy a meal at Cafe Pamlico at The Inn on Pamlico Sound, set on a quiet stretch of the coastal highway with local seafood and pasta. Beads & Grinds is a cozy café offering locally roasted coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and baked goods.
If you’re not staying at the inn, rentals like The Jetty Cottage have plenty of space for groups. Managed by the National Park Service, Cape Point Campground offers a rustic experience with proximity to the lighthouse and beach access.
Hatteras and Frisco have several cultural offerings that can’t be missed. The Frisco Native American Museum showcases artifacts from the Croatan tribe, including pottery, oil paintings, and furniture.
The free-to-visit Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras showcases the maritime history of the Outer Banks, including exhibits on shipwrecks, piracy, and the Civil War. The Hatteras Island Ocean Center offers guided kayak tours, educational programs on sea turtles, and nighttime stargazing sessions.
Famous for its “Apple Uglies,” a local pastry treat, Orange Blossom Bakery & Café is an essential stop in Hatteras. A popular spot for seafood and American cuisine, Hatteras Sol offers waterfront dining with sunset views.
Frisco Woods Campground offers a variety of accommodations, including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins, all set along the Pamlico Sound. Edgecamp Pamlico Station features rooms designed by Jonathan Adler.
Looking for more Outer Banks suggestions? Our friends at NC Tripping have you covered.
Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke is only accessible by ferry, which makes it feel almost captured in time. You won’t find any chains here, but rather a laid-back village feel and stunning beaches. Rent a golf cart to get around for the full experience.
Ocracoke Lighthouse is a must-see, located near where Blackbeard met his end at Springer’s Point Nature Preserve. The British Cemetery honors the lives lost off the island’s shores during World War I. The island even has a craft brewery, 1718 Brewing, named for the year Blackbeard was killed.
You’ll find plenty of locals at Ocracoke Coffee Co., a locally owned shop with coffee drinks, smoothies, and breakfast pastries. Visitors from the ferry head straight to SmacNally’s Waterfront Bar and Grill for seafood fresh from the boats. The Flying Melon Cafe offers a New Orleans-style fine dining experience.
Blackbeard’s Lodge is a longtime hotel on Ocracoke, named for the famous pirate. Guests enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, game room, and balcony rooms. The Ocracoke Harbor Inn offers daily breakfast and coastal-inspired rooms.
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