Visiting North Carolina’s Outer Banks is a good idea regardless of the time of year, but in the summertime, the living’s exceptionally easy along this 200-mile-long strip of barrier islands in the Atlantic Ocean. A journey here comes with plenty of history, killer waves, cotton-candy-hued sunsets, and many exciting activities and sights.
Here are 8 reasons to visit the Outer Banks this summer. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Choose from Distinctive Vacation Personalities
Whether you’re a history buff, surfing fanatic, or simply looking to chill out and enjoy sandy beaches, you’ll find that the Outer Banks’ towns each have a distinctive personality.
Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head are the most populated and home to many restaurants and shops, as they’re the closest to the mainland, but don’t let that fool you. Even on a crowded, peak summer day, the Outer Banks is worlds away from a regular beach destination.
One road (North Carolina Highway 12) connects all the islands — make your way up north to the buzzy Duck and Corolla or head south to sleepier spots like Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. And Ocracoke Island, only accessible by ferry, offers 16 miles of picturesque, undeveloped beaches.
Create Your Own Adventure
There’s a lot more adventure to the Outer Banks than beautiful beaches, epic seafood, and mesmerizing sunsets. Hang glide over Jockey’s Ridge State Park and get a glimpse into the world of Wilbur and Orville Wright, brothers who launched the first-ever airplane from Kill Devil Hills on December 17, 1903 (their memorial here is worth a visit).
Or explore Cape Hatteras National Seashore on a stead with Virginia Beach Horseback. It’s a charming way to view the coast.
Go Crabbing and Shrimping
Fishing is an obvious choice, but there’s also crabbing and shrimping in the Outer Banks. Hop on a boat and gear up for the ultimate water adventure with OBX Crabbing & Shrimping Charters. Expect to catch loads of shrimp and crab while cruising through the Roanoke Sound.
The best part? You get to keep what you catch. Your guide will teach you a few culinary tips and tricks on how to prepare the goods.
Eat Up, It’s Soft-Shell Crab Season!
Soft-shell crab season spans from May to September, give or take (water temperature plays a role in the season’s timing), and is a prized time of year when the blue crab sheds its exoskeleton, becoming a prized delicacy in the region.
The whole crab, claws and all, is edible, and locals know there’s something extra special about the salty, sweet, crunchy balance of a soft-shell crab.
In Duck, freshly harvested soft-shell crabs are battered, fried, and served at Aqua Restaurant, The Blue Point, and Red Sky Casual Dining & Cocktails.
You’ll also find perfectly fried, fresh-from-the-docks soft-shell crab sandwiches at O’Neal’s Sea Harvest in Wanchese, or with a waterfront view at Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant.
Climb North America’s Tallest Lighthouse
Standing 193 feet above ground, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, in Buxton, is the tallest lighthouse in North America — and yes, you can climb it. Perfect after a picnic lunch, the self-paced climb is 257 steps from the bottom to the balcony (think of it as climbing a 12-story building).
A panoramic view of Hatteras Island is the real prize — so don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the scenery.
Check Out America’s Oldest Cultivated Grapevine — and Drink Wine, Too
Most people don’t think of wine or grapes when visiting the Outer Banks, but muscadine grapes are native to North Carolina and prized in these parts.
In Manteo on Roanoke Island, visit The MotherVine, what may be America’s oldest cultivated grapevine, dating back to 1584. Visitors can crawl under the massive grapevine for photo-ops.
On the way to the Outer Banks, stop by Sanctuary Vineyards for a tasting and check out The Plank, an aged muscadine wine crafted from grapes harvested in North Carolina. The Cotton Gin, with locations in Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head, owned by the same family as the vineyard, sells Sanctuary Vineyards wines and offers tastings.
Visit the Coolest Aquarium in the Southeast — with a Sea Turtle Hospital
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is touted as one of the best aquariums in the Southeastern U.S., for both kids and adults.
The sprawling complex is home to an exhibition where visitors can walk through a shipwreck to explore local marine life and treasures; a room surrounded by glass tanks of jellyfish; and outdoor exhibits like the Maritime Forest Restoration Area, which is filled with native flora and fauna.
The aquarium also houses STAR (Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation), where staff and volunteers care for sick sea turtles and teach visitors about conservation.
Don’t Leave Without Duck Donuts and Apple Uglies
Curb sweet tooth cravings with a morning stop at Duck Donuts, aptly named by its first location in Duck Duck— all donuts are made to order using their signature vanilla cake batter, and served hot.
If that’s not enough for your sweet tooth, hit Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe in Buxton for their famous apple uglies — giant apple-fritter-like treats that may not be very beautiful but are worth all the hype.
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