This Outer Banks itinerary offers a fantastic way to discover the hidden gem of the North Carolina coast. Although I visited the Outer Banks when I was younger, I was thrilled to return as a young adult, and it surpassed all my expectations.
We decided to explore the Outer Banks not only to re-experience the area but also for my first real camping experience.
The Outer Banks is an ideal destination for a beach vacation, where you can spend as much time as you want enjoying the peacefulness of the ocean and taking in the beautiful coastal scenery. Use this post as your ultimate guide for planning a vacation to the Outer Banks!
NOTE: The Outer Banks encompasses 200 miles of coastline. Due to the expansiveness of the Outer Banks, this post focuses to the Nothern Outer Banks, spanning Rodanthe to Corolla
What is so special about the Outer Banks?
What sets the Outer Banks apart, in my opinion, is the preservation of the area. As someone who lives by the coast in Wilmington, NC, I was amazed by the wildlife and the pristine condition of the dunes and beaches. An OBX vacation is ideal for families and individuals looking to experience a sense of stepping back in time.
Initial Outer Banks Itinerary Planning
Where to Stay
The best part of OBX to stay in?
Listed below are the major towns in the Outer Banks. Where you choose to stay depends on your interests and itinerary. Here is a description of the key areas and attractions.
- Nags Head
- Nags Head is the busiest area within the Outer Banks. Several shops, restaurants, and other activities put you close to everything.
- Oregan Inlet
- Nature-centered, the only option to stay is the Oregon Inlet campground. This is where we stayed and I loved being immersed in nature and walking distance to the beach.
- Within minutes of Bodie Island Lighthouse
- Kitty Hawk
- Located in the middle of the Outer Banks, so you will easily access the major attractions.
- Duck
- Major shopping area in the Outer Banks
- 15 miles to Corolla and Currituck lighthouse
- Corolla
- Known for surfing and the Corolla Lighthouse
- Must have 4-wheel drive to visit, but so worth it to see the wild horses!
Best Time to Visit OBX
Best Month?
The best thing about the Outer Banks is that it offers activities for everyone. Whether you’re a nature lover or a family looking to relax on the beach, the Outer Banks caters to a wide range of interests. When you choose to visit depends on your preferences. Below are the seasons and popular activities you can enjoy:
- Spring
- There are fewer crowds to enjoy the beach at cooler temperatures and other outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and hiking.
- This is also a popular time for water sports such as kite surfing and surfing due to the change in winds.
- Summer
- Summer is a great time for a typical beach vacation. Of course, you will deal with crowds, but summer makes the most sense for families and individuals wanting to soak up the sun.
- Fall
- Similar to the spring, fall is a popular time for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hiking.
- Winter
- If you can handle the crispy winter months, I suggest visiting the Outer Banks for holiday markets and events.
- Winter is also a great time to enjoy the perks of the locals such as star gazing and shelling.
Outer Banks Itinerary: 3 Full Days
Day 1: Roanoke & Bodie Island
Bodie Island Lighthouse
This stunning lighthouse was originally constructed in 1847. However, due to poor construction and the impacts of the Civil War, the lighthouse that you see today was built in 1872.
- Tickets: $10
Note: you must arrive 10 minutes before your time to go to the top of the lighthouse. We arrived 10 minutes late and they would not budge on our time. So unfortunately, we were not able to go up, but there is a boardwalk where you can get pretty views of the lighthouse and the Roanoke Sound.
Fort Raleigh Historic Site
An Outer Banks itinerary would not be complete without visiting Fort Raleigh as it is pertinent to North Carolina and American history. You could easily spend all day here, but a few hours is enough to see the highlights. Listed below are the main attractions within Fort Raleigh:
Hiking and Walking Tours
There are a few different trails around Fort Raleigh where you can admire nature and be guided along historical trails.
We took a free guided historical tour of the Lost Colony, and it was fascinating to learn about the events from that period and the various theories regarding what happened to the English settlement. I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in history!
If not, listed below are some popular trails you can stroll along at your own pace:
- Thomas Hariot Nature Trail– .3 mile loop
- Scenic views of the Roanoke Sound and highlights natural history along the way.
- Freedom Trail– 1.25-mile one-way trail
- Scenic views of the loblolly pine forest also provide a history of the Freedmen’s Colony.
Downtown Manteo, NC
Manteo is a picturesque downtown full of history. If you want to spend more time here or want a more detailed description, read my guide to Manteo, NC.
- Shopping
- In downtown Manteo, several shops line the waterfront area. This is a great place to support local businesses and find unique gifts.
- Discover Manteo has an entire page dedicated to where to shop. In downtown Manteo, several shops line the waterfront area where you can easily stroll and explore.
- Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
- The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a replica of, an earlier lighthouse originally constructed in 1877. Admission to the lighthouse is free, and visitors can enjoy beautiful views of Shallowbag Bay. This lighthouse in Manteo is distinct from others in the Outer Banks due to its smaller size and unique architectural style.
Day 2: Nags Head and Kitty Hawk
Jockeys Ridge
Jockeys Ridge is a must-see on your Outer Banks itinerary because it is one of the most unique state parks in North Carolina. This state park has the highest dune system on the East Coast where you get beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound.
- Hang Gliding
- When arriving at Jockeys Ridge, you can take hang gliding lessons. This is such a unique activity and a great way to see the dunes and the coastal landscape.
- Sandboarding
- Another unique activity to explore the dunes. Similar to snow activities, people can cruise down the dunes like snowboarding or simply sledding.
- Hiking
- Tracks in the Sand Trail: 1.2-mile out-and-back
- From this trail, you will get great views of the dunes as well as the Roanoke sound. This trail is considered moderate as the dunes are hilly and the sand adds extra difficulty when walking.
- Tracks in the Sand Trail: 1.2-mile out-and-back
- Soundside beach access
- A great way to relax by the water is to hang out on a sound side beach.
Wright Brothers Memorial
From the Lost Colony to being the first in flight, the Outer Banks is full of deep-rooted history. At the Wright Brothers Memorial, you can walk along the path where they took the first flight.
- Admission: $10 for adults 16+ and free for children 15 and younger
Day 3: Northern OBX
Shopping in Duck, NC
Duck is a cute little shopping town situated along the Currituck Sound. There is a boardwalk connecting all of the shops and restaurants.
This Duck, NC guide has a full list of the shops if you want to plan before you go.
End Your Outer Banks Itinerary by Exploring Currituck and Corolla
After getting some shopping done, I would continue to venture North and stop by the Currituck Lighthouse to learn about the history of the area. From there, drive through Corolla and eventually reach Corova Beach to drive on the beach and admire the wild horses.
Currituck Lighthouse
Built in 1873, the Currituck Lighthouse was constructed to shine light from Cape Henry, Virginia to the the Bodie Island lighthouse.
- Admission: $13 ages 4+
Corolla Wild Horses
You can’t have an Outer Banks itinerary without including a visit to see the wild horses. It fascinates me that the origin of these horses dates back to the 16th century. How they arrived in Corolla remains a mystery. Some speculate that they swam to shore from shipwrecked Spanish vessels, were traded to Native Americans, or were simply abandoned by the Spaniards.
No matter the true origin, these horses are magnificent and are so special to see. To reach Corova Beach, a 4-wheel drive car is needed. If you do not have a 4-wheel drive, you can take a guided horse tour so you will still get an opportunity to see the horses.
Bonus Activity: Corolla Surfing
The surfing culture in OBX is so unique to the area. I would suggest stopping by Corolla Surf Shop for a lesson or taking the opportunity to watch the surfers. Being from Wilmington, one of my favorite activities is catching the sunrise at Wrightsville Beach to either watch the surfers or attempt myself.
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Thank You
Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about this Outer Banks itinerary and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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