Outer Banks Travel Guide (15 Epic Things to do on Your Vacation)

Planning your summer getaway to North Carolina? Check out this ultimate Outer Banks Travel Guide before you go!

Draped along the Eastern Seaboard, North Carolina’s famed Outer Banks region is one the most incredible summer getaway destinations in the country. Fierce winds, Atlantic water, sandy beaches, lovely towns, and historical sights give this area its famed uniqueness.

Now, if you’re wondering exactly what to see or do in the Outer Banks, look no further! This Outer Banks Travel Guide will give you an overview as for what to see and do, as well as tips for how to get to the Outer Banks. Plus, you’ll find money saving tips to make your dream trip a little more affordable.

So, are you ready to plan your North Carolina adventure? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Outer Banks…

Outer Banks Travel Guide

Outer Banks Photography Tips

Looking to take your photography game up a notch before you visit the Outer Banks? Go check out my 21 Travel Photography Tips to get started today! This guide will show you how to begin with whatever gear you have, and tips to create memorable photos that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Travel Photography Tips

Outer Banks Things to do:

#1-5: Visit the Lighthouses

The Outer Banks lighthouses, in order from north to south are as follows:

1. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
2. Roanoke Marches Lighthouse
3. Bodie Island Lighthouse
4. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
5. Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

Here are the lighthouses, in more detail:

#1: Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Built in 1872, Currituck Lighthouse is located on the northern end of the Outer Banks in the town of Corolla. The 162′ lighthouse has a cool brick façade. You can ascend 220 steps to the top for panoramic views, and walk around the lovely surrounding grounds as well.

#2: Roanoke Marches Lighthouse

Located on Roanoke Island, this lighthouse is interestingly on the end of a pier! If you’re spending the afternoon in the town of Roanoke Island, you’ll want to stop by here.

#3: Bodie Island Lighthouse

Just south of Nags Head, Bodie Island Lighthouse is yet another lovely lighthouse to see on your Outer Banks trip! Photography lovers will enjoy shooting the white and black zebra-striped tower at sunrise/sunset.

#4: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The tallest lighthouse in North Carolina, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is quite a sight to see! The white and black stripes swirl their way to the top of this prominent historical landmark.

#5: Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

At 75′ tall, Ocracoke Island Lighthouse isn’t quite as tall as some of the others listed here, but it’s worth the visit nonetheless. Built in 1823, it predates the others by 50 years.

#6: Corolla

At the northern end is Corolla, a lovely little town adjacent to the wide (and windy!) Currituck beach. There’s a handful of hotels and restaurants as well. While it isn’t the most central location to stay, it could work if you just want something a little quieter.

As mentioned above, you should visit Currituck Beach Lighthouse – it’s awesome! Also, any of the beaches along Corolla are great to spend some fun in the sun.

#7: Kitty Hawk

As the central part of the part of the Outer Banks, the Kitty Hawk-Kill Devil Hills-Nags Head area is where all of the major shopping and accommodations are! You’ll even find a Walmart, which is great for stocking up on food, clothes, and more.

Related: How to Get Free Walmart Gift Cards (+ Shopping Hacks)

#8: Kill Devil Hills

If you’re a history buff, you should most certainly stop by Kill Devil Hills! This was where the Wright Brothers made their first successful flight. You can nowadays visit the Wright Brothers Memorial, showing respect to the invention that would ultimately change the world.

Also, you should stop by the beach just for the sake of feeling the sheer intensity of the wind!

#9: Nags Head

Nags Head is just south of Kill Devil Hills. While you’re there, pay a visit to Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which is home to the highest sand dunes on the East Coast of the US!

#10: Roanoke Island

Roanoke Island is a little more inland when compared to all the other islands. It’s along on of the two main highways going out to the Outer Banks, so you’ll probably drive through here if you’re coming from the south. As mentioned above, don’t forget to visit the Roanoke Island lighthouse!

#11: Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore make up a huge chunk of the Outer Banks, and is brimming with fun activities and destinations! While you’re there, don’t miss Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (mentioned above), Lighthouse Beach, and the WWII British Sailor Memorial.

Nearby Destinations:

#12: Jamestown Settlement, Virginia

If visiting the oldest English settlement in what is now the United States interests you, you should definitely visit Jamestown! It’s not the oldest European settlement in, though. The Spaniards had already founded St Augustine in what is now Florida and Santa Fe in modern day New Mexico. The French had also founded Québec, too, before Jamestown came around. Even so, it’s an interesting place worth visiting, and not to far from Virginia Beach.

#13: Wilmington, North Carolina

Getting to Wilmington is a slow ordeal, as there’s no interstate. However, the drive is pleasant enough. This lovely little city tends to fall under the radar compared to nearby Myrtle Beach, but it’s an awesome destination in and of itself. The USS North Carolina, the downtown riverwalk, Wrightsville Beach, and the Green Swamp Preserve are all places to check out.

#14: Virginia Beach/Norfolk

Virginia Beach and Norfolk are pretty close to Jamestown, so visiting both go hand in hand. Don’t miss First Landing State Park, the site where the first English voyage landed in the New World. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is a great place for people of all ages to come and enjoy the Mid-Atlantic water life. Also, take a stroll down the Oceanfront bike path, too!

#15: Washington, DC

At over 5 hours away, it’s a bit of a stretch listing DC as a nearby destination. However, if you’re doing to comprehensive road trip through the Mid-Atlantic/South, then you can combine DC, Jamestown, and the Outer Banks into one epic trip. That’s what we did.

With so much to see and do, the nation’s capital has an incredible amount of things to see and do!

Related: Washington DC Travel Guide

Traveling to the Outer Banks on a Budget – What to Bring:

Flying to the Outer Banks?  Why pay, when you can score FREE airfare?!?  When you use Swagbucks, you can get free gift cards for Southwest Airlines and Delta, which both fly into the Norfolk International Airport (1.5 hours), and the Raleigh International Airport (3.5 hours).

Overall, this is the the best way to reduce the cost of your airfare to North Carolina.  I’ve been a member of Swagbucks for about 10 years now, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to earn Free airline gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up with Swagbucks
• Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points.  There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks!  You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc.  I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
• Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Southwest Airlines Gift Cards and Free Delta Gift Cards!

How to Get Free Uber Rides in the Outer Banks:

If you’re flying into the Outer Banks for a getaway, and you don’t plan on renting a car, you can simply call an Uber to come pick you up from the airport and take you into the Outer Banks.  My favorite trick is to cash in Swagbucks points for Free Uber gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up with Swagbucks
• Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points.  There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks!  You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc.  I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
• Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Uber Gift Cards!

How to Save Money on Outer Banks Accommodation:

Your accommodation can take up a huge chunk of your Outer Banks trip budget, so saving money here is extremely important. Go give these Hotel Hacks to Save Money a read so you don’t have to worry about overspending. 🙂

Related: Hotel Hacks to Save Money

So, now that you’ve seen this Outer Banks Travel Guide, the next step is to plan your trip! These travel tips and tricks below should help out with that…

Vacation Travel Safety Tips

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Best Suitcase Packing Tips

Long Haul Flight Tips

Cheap Flight Hacks

Beating Jet Lag

Bucket List Trips

Now that you’ve read this Outer Banks Travel Guide, don’t miss out any more!  Follow along with Never Ending Journeys for more fun Travel Tips, Easy Recipes, and Decor Hacks!

What was YOUR favorite part of the Outer Banks Travel Guide??  And what are your favorite things to do in the area?

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