You’re likely to encounter a lot of black-and-white bumper stickers with the letters “OBX”—the proud symbol of an Outer Banks driver—as you travel towards the coast in North Carolina.
The 200-mile length of barrier islands is one of the country’s most popular beach destinations, featuring not only magnificent stretches of sand but also hundreds of historic sites—mostly lighthouses, though you may have heard of the Wright Brothers and their aviation experiments at Kitty Hawk.
You’ve got yourself a top holiday spot when you combine fantastic food and natural attractions. Looking to go there? Don’t rush through with the bookings. Start planning, book frontier airlines reservations in any class and save up to 45% off on one-way & round trips on every flight. Scroll down and see the top things to do in the Outer Banks are listed here:
Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Historic Site
Rodanthe’s Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is one of the Outer Banks’ greatest assets. This top attraction also serves as a historical site and museum, allowing you to gain a new perspective on the area and providing crucial context for your visit. The life-saving station was one of 271 across the country that was established in 1871 with a single mission: to locate and rescue stranded seafarers.
Lounge on the Beaches
People visit the outer banks mostly to enjoy the world-class beaches. These broad beaches, lapped by the Atlantic Ocean, stretch for kilometers and give limitless chances for amusement and fun. When you cross the long bridges from the mainland and arrive in a spot where it’s all about sun and sand, you get a distinct experience.
Roanoke Island Island Festival Park
The Roanoke Island Festival Park is a 25-acre interactive historic park located along the Manteo coastline that represents the first English colony (established in 1585). There’s also an outdoor pavilion with live music, a reproduction of an American Indian town honoring the early immigrants, and a 16th-century ship on which you may board and play checkers with a sailor. Take a walk with your dog and kids among the Sir Walter Raleigh roses and weeping willows, or learn about the park’s rich history.
Light Houses
Five lighthouses in the northern Outer Banks are within a day’s drive of each other, three of which are in Dare County’s Outer Banks. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, a cottage-style screw-pile lighthouse at the end of a wharf in the Croatan Sound, can be found if you turn west from there.
North Carolina Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium is located on Roanoke Island, just north of the picturesque hamlet of Manteo, and has the state’s greatest shark collection. Rain or shine, this attraction offers something for everyone in the family to do, see, and learn. There are various buildings to explore at the Chicamacomico complex, each with actual life-saving antiquities and tools on display. A local grass-roots movement spared the site from demolition, and it now accepts donations to keep it running. It is presently one of the few remaining life-saving stations in North Carolina, as well as the only one that serves as an educational museum. On a Thursday at the best time to visit is to see a life-saving drill demonstration.
OBX on an Eco Tour
Many eco-tours depart from the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge at Manteo, near Manns Harbor, in the northern portion of the Outer Banks. Because the water pathways are clearly designated, kayaking and canoeing through the refuge is popular. It is free to visit the 150,000-acre sanctuary, and you can either explore on your own or join a guided tour. For guided kayak outings, there is a cost.
Outer Banks
The majority of visitors to the Outer Banks are eager to go on the water, which is why boat cruises are so popular. There is a boat excursion for just about every interest, from adventure tours and sunset sails to air boat rides and even fishing charters. Deep sea fishing is one of the most popular boating trips, as Hatteras is one of the most popular fishing departure points on the North Carolina coast. Pirate’s Cove, Oregon Inlet, and Hatteras are the ideal places to start any of the boat tours.
Stroll on Duck Town Boardwalk
Duck is a walkable and bikeable village featuring shopping, restaurants, and a well-known boardwalk. It’s an ideal place for families with children and individuals who want to spend their time looking at the beach rather than on the sand. The boardwalk, which stretches for nearly a mile through the heart of town, is lined with restaurants and places to sit and relax the ocean.
Conclusion
North Carolina’s Outer Banks’ a beach resort that attracts millions of visitors each year due to its enticing beauty, fascinating history, and entertaining things to do and see. So, are you onboard? Plan your international trip with AirlinesMap right away. We’ve compiled a list of favorite attractions, which we recommend to visitors when they ask what they should see.