Adventuring in North Carolina's Outer Banks
I grew up in Southern California always at the beach…so when I moved to North Carolina and the closest beach in the state was six hours away, it presented itself to be an issue. So far in the six years, I’ve lived in North Carolina, I’ve been to the beach four times…I know, drastic difference. But I think I’m slowly coming to find my favorite oceanside town in North Carolina: the Outer Banks. I’ve currently been to the Outer Banks twice but still find new and exciting things to do every time. I also find that doing exactly what I did on the last trip is still just as fun as the time before. If you’re looking for a beach to plan your next vacation at or just need a quick getaway, the Outer Banks is perfect.
Here’s my go-to guide for the perfect OBX trip:
First, where you stay is going to determine a lot of how your trip turns out. You might find some nice hotels, or just be a hotel person, but for me, I find my experience traveling is always so much better when done in a house rather than a hotel. With a house, you get a kitchen, much more space than you would in a hotel room, it tends to be way cheaper, and (my personal favorite) you get to invite people to share these experiences with. The Airbnb we stayed in was the perfect beach bungalow for our trip. It was close to the beach and grocery stores but far enough away in a cute little neighborhood that we didn’t feel the claustrophobia that results in being in the more commercialized part of town. I recommend using Airbnb or Vrbo when looking for rental houses. I’ve found the most luck and friendliest hosts on these two sites!
Okay now onto the fun stuff…I have only barely scratched the surface of places to visit in the Outer Banks, but my favorite so far is Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. Nags Head, Duck and Corolla are beautiful too. Starting from Nags Head, you can beach hop all the way too Corolla to find the perfect place to pull out the boogie boards or relax in the North Carolina sun. Each beach has a different feel to it, some have piers and boardwalks you can find shade under, others are tiny expanses of sand that meet the street, giving just enough space to lay out a blanket and a good book. While surfing is popular in the Outer Banks, make sure you are checking reports like Surfline to see which beaches have the best waves and safest conditions. I will also warn that some beaches tend to be hotspots for rip currents, so if you are not a comfortable swimmer, make sure to research what beaches are currently fit for you.
At night, the OBX beaches are the best place to chase the sunset, play in the late-night light dusk and watch as all the ghost crabs emerge from beneath the sand. If you’re not careful and don’t walk with a flashlight, these little iridescent critters might end up under your toes. From surfing to boogie boarding, swimming to crab hunting, or tossing around a football to hunting for the sunset the OBX beaches are full of life and things to do.
Local cuisine can make or break a trip, in my opinion at least. But lucky for you, the Outer Banks has a lot of different restaurants to offer. When you get tired out from the sun and want to go out for the night or have plans to catch some waves early at the beach, going out for food is sometimes the best option. For breakfast, I recommend Stack’em High Pancakes. They have all the breakfast food, fast, affordable and above all, it’s just plain good. Every time I visit the Outer Banks, I make sure to grab some pancakes at Stack’em High. For lunch and dinner I haven’t eaten out much and therefore don’t have many recommendations but I can guarantee, any place you go to in OBX you will enjoy.
If you know me, you know I’m a complete and total sucker for sunsets. So obviously, I have found the ultimate sunset spot in the Outer Banks. Not only is this OBX gem the perfect spot to watch the sun set, but it’s also one of my favorite “attractions” at the Outer Banks. It’s called Jockeys Ridge State Park. This 427-acre sand dune is home to the tallest active sand dune system in the Eastern United States and 100000% worth the trip. Before you go, here’s what you need to know: wear pants, and sandals you can easily take off to walk barefoot. (pants will come in real handy when sliding down the dunes), bring a boogie board (to use as a “sled”), and leave all valuables in your car. Go to the park around sunset, hike to the farthest back dunes and enjoy sliding down the sandy hills. It’s basically a beach town version of sledding in the snow. After you’ve gotten your fill of sliding down the dunes, watch the sun set into the sand.
The Outer Banks is far from any beach I grew up with, but I got to admit, it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. It’s worth the drive whether you are a North Carolina local or are just looking for an oceanside getaway.
Some of my favorite moments captured from this trip:
