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Outer Banks

Best Things to Do in Outer Banks

The Outer Banks have activities for relaxation and for adventure. The quiet beaches are the main draw to the area, but others visit OBX for the horseback riding, hang gliding and water sports. Touring the shipwrecks off the coast, sightseeing at Corolla's Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Kill Devil Hill's Wright Brothers National Memorial or Nag's Head's Jockey's Ridge State Park make a happy medium for recent vacationers who desire a more balanced getaway.

Tips on What To Do in Outer Banks»

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How We Rank Things to Do
#1
Outer Banks Beaches
Score: 5.0
Outer Banks Beaches
  • Type: Beaches
  • Time to Spend: Half Day to Full Day

Why go: The Outer Banks beaches stretch for 90 miles on a barrier island, which frames the ...continue

#2
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Score: 5.0
Jockey's Ridge State Park
  • Type: Hiking and Parks
  • Time to Spend: Half Day to Full Day

Why go: The most popular part of Nags Head is Jockey's Ridge State Park, home of ...continue

#3
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Score: 4.5
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
  • Type: Beaches
  • Time to Spend: Half Day to Full Day

Why go: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches for miles and tempts visitors with its well-kept sands ...continue

#4
Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks
Score: 4.5
Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks
  • Type: Sightseeing
  • Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours

Why go: After the Pirates of the Caribbean craze, what kid doesn't like pirates? This Manteo ...continue

#5
Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop
Score: 4.0
Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop
  • Type: Shopping
  • Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour

Why go: This one-stop shop is a big favorite among recent travelers, who compliment its variety of ...continue

#6
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Score: 4.0
Wright Brothers National Memorial
  • Type: Monuments and Memorials, Sightseeing
  • Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours

Why go: If you flew to the Outer Banks, you have the Wright Brothers to thank. In ...continue

#7
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Score: 4.0
Roanoke Island Festival Park
  • Type: Museums, Sightseeing
  • Time to Spend: 2 hours to Half Day

Why go: Located in Manteo, the Roanoke Island Festival Park takes visitors back in time to the ...continue

#8
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Score: 4.0
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
  • Type: Sightseeing
  • Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour

Why go: Before 1875, ships sailing by the North Carolina coast faced an 80-mile "blind spot" between ...continue

#9
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Score: 4.0
Bodie Island Lighthouse
  • Type: Sightseeing
  • Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour

Why go: This thrice-built, black-and-white lighthouse sits south of Nags Head on Bodie Island. The first incarnation ...continue

#10
North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
Score: 3.5
North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
  • Type: Zoos and Aquariums
  • Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours

Why go: If you want to see what animals you're sharing the water with when you ...continue

#11
Tanger Outlets Nags Head
Score: 3.5
Tanger Outlets Nags Head
  • Type: Shopping
  • Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours

Why go: This Nags Head outlet mall runs along Hwy 158 and features stores like J. Crew ...continue

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