The Outer Banks Travel Guide: Make the Most Out of Your Next Vacation

North Carolina has been welcoming millions of tourists to the Outer Banks for summers to experience the beautiful beaches, amazing weather, delicious food, and wonderful places to explore. 

If you’re looking for a new destination for your next family vacation, then the Outer Banks should be the first place on your list.

There is plenty to do for the whole family whether you’re looking for some outdoor activities and adventure, or just looking for a place to relax for a few days the Outer Banks has it all. 

Keep reading for our Outer Banks travel guide and see how you can make the most out of your next vacation. 

Watch the Sunset

One thing to do in the Outer Banks is to watch a beautiful sunset at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. You can climb one of the highest sand dunes right before sunset and wait for the spectacular sight. 

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a place to go for tons of outdoor activities with its 426-acres of land there’s tons of stuff for the whole family to do. You can fly kites, hike any of their two self-guided trails, or even go hang gliding. Just make sure you wear the appropriate shoes, bring lots of water, and remember to reapply sunscreen throughout your day. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something a bit milder, they even have a visitor’s center, small gift shop, museum, and places for you to have a picnic. 

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a must-stop site to see if you’re planning to travel to the Outer Banks. 

Climb to the Top of a Lighthouse 

Cape Hatteras is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States and you and your family can climb to the top of it. This is an iconic landmark that is a fun destination that the whole family can explore. 

This black and white lighthouse is a shocking 150-feet tall and can be a beast to climb. You and your family can take on the challenge for just $8 per adult and $4 for senior citizens and children 11 and under. 

The tour is self-paced and accompanied by spectacular views.

Host Your Family Reunion

The Outer Banks is filled with tons of things that you and your entire family can do so why not throw a family reunion for your whole extended family? 

There are plenty of family reunion house rentals that have over 20 bedrooms, with oceanfront views, private pools, and even pet-friendly rentals. 

Getting everyone together for a family reunion can be tough but when you make plans to vacation together it can be a good way to make new memories. 

Your entire family will have a blast renting a house that you can all use together which is really fun for the family members who don’t all live by each other. The icing on the cake is that you get to experience a vacation at the Outer Banks as well!

Spend Time on the Beach

During your vacation to the Outer Banks, you may want to spend some time relaxing on the beach and luckily for you there are plenty of those. Every beach has something unique and different to offer as they stretch for more than a hundred miles.

There are plenty of different things you can do at any of the Outer Banks beaches. You can spend your time relaxing on the clean sand that the beaches provide. You can even take a dip in the water but be mindful of the current. 

Many people love the beaches for onshore or offshore fishing!

There are even places where they see more waves which are perfect for surfing or skimboarding. 

Before you leave the beach make sure to pick up any trash that you may have accidentally left behind. The reason why the Outer Banks beaches are so great is because travelers have kept up with the cleanliness of these beautiful beaches. 

Eat Some Delicious Seafood

If you’re traveling to the Outer Banks which is surrounded by water, then you’re probably going to want to experience some delicious seafood or other bites to eat and there are tons of that!

The Outer Banks is known for its independent and locally-owned restaurants so make sure you come hungry and are ready to try something new. 

There are plenty of dining options when you travel to the Outer Banks at a variety of price points so everyone can have something delicious to eat. 

Don’t worry if you’re looking for something fresh. There are tons of places that you can eat the catch of the day!

See Some Beauty

If you’re looking for some unique sites to see, then The Elizabeth Gardens will bring you beauty, tranquility, and peace as you explore all they have to offer. These botanical gardens are filled with flowering plants, shrubs, and trees. 

You can also see some interesting sculptural designs spread over the acres of land that these beautiful gardens consume. 

These gardens are open year-round and constantly changing due to the seasons which makes it a magical place to visit. 

Experience Life in the 1850s

Have you ever wondered what life was like before the Civil War? Well, now you can live it! 

Island Farm is filled with actors dressed in period attire and watch as they carry out daily activities as if it were the 1850s. They’ll be doing woodworking, cooking, children’s games, and so much more throughout the day. 

Luckily for you, these activities are hands-on! So you can participate as well. 

You can take time to explore each of the farmhouses and see how things operated back in the day. You’ll even have time to get to know the staff as they’re friendly and ready to teach you everything that you want to know. 

Use Our Outer Banks Travel Guide

When it comes to visiting the Outer Banks with your family there are tons of awesome and unique things that you can do together. Make sure to use our Outer Banks travel guide so you know the best places to explore and beautiful sites to see. 

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