The Outer Banks, North Carolina Travel Guide

The Outer Banks is one special place, and I am excited to share with you some of my favorite spots on this beautiful island. I have been lucky to have grown up very close to this destination and have seen it grow and flourish in many different ways. I love spending most of my summer in OBX.

Best Time To Visit: 

The best time to visit the Outer Banks is late April and May (before Memorial Day). It is also best to visit in late summer and early fall (once school is back in session). The busiest time at the Outer Banks is from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. I believe that visiting in the less busy months leads to shorter wait times at the fabulous restaurants and less crowds on the beach.

Where To Stay:  

I stay in Kill Devil Hills when I come to the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Heads are great places to stay with tons of entertainment, shopping and cuisine. Duck is a smaller area of the OBX and is great for bike rides. Corolla is perfect to see the horses on the beach. South Nags Head is more quaint. Hatteras is also quaint and is the home of the beautiful Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. You definitely would want to take a day trip and ferry ride over to Ocracoke Island! 

Calabash Shrimp Jambalaya at Steamer’s

Best Cuisine: 

My list could go on and on of the fabulous restaurants in the OBX, but here are a few of my favorites: 

• Sooey’s BBQ - Corolla 

• The Paper Canoe - Duck

• Steamer’s Restaurant & Catering - Southern Shores (Kitty Hawk)

• Art’s Place - Kitty Hawk 

• Black Pelican - Kitty Hawk

• Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar - Kill Devil Hills

• Kill Devil Grill - Kill Devil Hills

• The Colington Cafe - Kill Devil Hills

• Blue Moon Beach Grill - Nags Head

• Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant - Nags Head

• Owens’ Restaurant - Nags Head

Of course, when you are craving something sweet after dinner, check out Surfin’ Spoon Frozen Yogurt Bar. My ice cream lover self is totally in love with this parlor. 

Want to grab a bite for breakfast, then visit: 

• Pier House Restaurant at the Nags Head Fishing Pier

• Henry’s Restaurant

• Art’s Place

Airplane Tour from OBX Airplanes

What To Do: 

Besides soaking up the sunshine on the beach, here are a few must do’s in OBX. 

• Jockey’s Ridge State Park 

• Wright Brothers National Memorial 

• Climb the lighthouses… Cape Hatteras & Bodie Island Lighthouse 

• Deep Sea Fishing 

• Golf 

• Paddle board on the sound

• Bike along Bay Drive 

• Miniature golf courses, laser tag and go carting for the kiddos.  

• Catch the sunset on the sound at Miller’s Waterfront Sunset Bar & Grill.

• Airplane Tour at OBX Airplanes 

Entertainment/ Nightlife: 

There is a lot to do after the sun goes down in the Outer Banks. You can listen to live music by the ocean at Fish Heads Bar & Grill located on the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in Nags Head. The Stonefish Beach Bar located at the Avalon Pier also has live music to enjoy. 

If you are more into the night club vibe, then check live music or DJ at New York Pizza Pub or Outer Banks Brewing Station. If you wanna throw some cornhole and have a cold drink check out The Bonzer Shack.

The Outer Banks is full of life and is one of the best destinations to vacation! I hope this helps you love the Outer Banks as much as I do!