Outer Banks

Memorable Adventures on the Outer Banks

North Carolina’s Outer Banks is one of the country’s top beach vacation destinations for a reason! With miles of natural scenic beauty and southern coastal charm, it’s easy to see why. Whether enjoying a family trip or a getaway with your closest friends, you will find amazing attractions and unique adventures near your Hatteras Island vacation rental home.

Blue skies and white clouds outside big picture windows of a luxury waterfront vacation home on Hatteras Island

Family with adolescent kids walks in the gently lapping waves on the beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

What to Do on an Outer Banks Vacation

The Outer Banks is known as a prime adventure destination and for good reason. Just one example is Jockey's Ridge State Park, home to Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School, which has been teaching people to fly hang gliders since 1974.

Kiteboarding has become another favorite for adventure sports enthusiasts visiting the Outer Banks. If you’re looking to try this water sport, check out REAL Watersports. They have become a leader in the kiteboarding world for both instruction and events.

Unwind on Outer Banks Beaches

The beaches found on the Outer Banks are prized for their natural scenic beauty. Imagine sea oats growing wild and swaying in the breeze on dunes running along the coast. The beaches are free to access, with some areas open to off road driving. Check here for Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) use information at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You can do it all on these sandy shorelines, from relaxing to trying a new watersport.

Cast a Line Fishing on Outer Banks Excursions

The Outer Banks is home to some of the best fishing on the East Coast. There are plenty of places to cast your line, including fishing piers, surf fishing spots, soundside waters, and the Gulf Stream.

Grab some bait and head to the beach! Chances are you’ll catch something to cook for a delicious dinner back at your vacation rental. Some local seafood shops will even clean your fish. Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Pirate's Cove Marina offer charter fishing excursions. Hatteras Village is also home to several marinas that offer charter boat outings to catch marlin, tuna, and other game species.

Take a Step Back into Outer Banks History

There are countless memorials or attractions that will take you to a step into the past. The Outer Banks has seen several historic events over the course of centuries. In fact, the country's first English colony was located on Roanoke Island, known as the “Lost Colony” because the people who lived here seem to have simply disappeared.

The Outer Banks' steady winds and hospitable locals led the Wright Brothers to choose Kill Devil Hills for their historic first flight, and Billy Mitchell used a Frisco airstrip to showcase how aircraft can be used in battle. In 1912, when the Titanic began to sink, Hatteras Weather Station received the first distress call.

The capture of the Confederate forts located at Hatteras Inlet provided the first Union victory of the Civil War, and Hatteras Island provided a haven for North Carolinian slaves seeking freedom in the Hotel De Afrique. The Outer Banks also played a role in naval history during World War II.

Slick calm water reflects the skies, puffy clouds, and colorful off-shore charter fishing boats in Hatteras Island marina

Fishing pier silhouetted against the pre-dawn sky fading from deep pink to orange to blue on the Outer Banks

Shopping and Restaurants on the Outer Banks

Every vacation includes a bit of retail therapy, and the Outer Banks has you covered. Wander through local art galleries, boutique clothing, and gift shops. Take your time going in and out of these spots looking for the perfect keepsake or new outfit.

Your Hatteras Island vacation rental home comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, but sometimes you won’t feel like cooking, especially after a full day of fun. Outer Banks restaurants are mostly locally owned, and they offer unique and delicious southern-coastal cuisine. Enjoy fresh seafood prepared with flair and served with a smile.

Discover Incredible Outer Banks Things to See

Discover a world of attractions while visiting the Outer Banks. Consider visiting the five lighthouses in Corolla, Bodie Island, Hatteras Island, Manteo, and Ocracoke Island. Plan a self-guided tour, and be amazed by the architecture, stories, and atmosphere.

Head north to Roanoke Island, and you’ll experience the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama, the Elizabethan Gardens, the Roanoke Island Aquarium, Island Farm, and Festival Park, featuring the Elizabeth II replica ship. Of course, there is also Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head and the Wright Brothers National Park in Kill Devil Hills. Hatteras Island offers Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which showcases the start of the US Coast Guard, our local naval history, and shipwrecks off the coast.