Top Things to do in Outer Banks
Top Hotels in Outer Banks
- 1. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks / Corolla
- 2. Sanderling Resort
- 3. Sea Ranch Resort
- 4. Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel
- 5. The Island Motel
- 6. Best Western Ocean Reef Suites
- 7. Days Inn by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills Oceanfront - Wilbur
- 8. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront
- 9. Shutters On the Banks
- 10. Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk
10 Historic Sites in Outer Banks That You Shouldn't Miss
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands dotted with pristine beaches, quaint towns and historic sites.
If you love swimming, kayaking, or surfing, be sure to visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. To really experience local culture, explore each coastal village and sample as much food as you can along the way. (Pro tip: Try the catch of the day.) If you’re looking for a history lesson, check out Roanoke Island or the Wright Brothers National Memorial. And of course, no day is complete without watching the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge.
Restaurants in Outer Banks
1. USS HURON Wreck
2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,566 reviews
The nation's tallest lighthouse was moved to a different location to preserve it.
Reviewed By GypsyJules1111 - Albany, United States
Was a great experience! Tour groups were formed quickly.. beautiful grounds around the lighthouse to explore, informative tour guide & well worth the climb to the top! Amazing views from the top deck! Just an awesome experience!
3. Wright Brothers National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,204 reviews
Park where visitors can see a replica of the Wright Brothers' plane and receive an entertaining history of flight.
Reviewed By PHLee7ca - Ellicott City, United States
We visited this attraction on a sunny Saturday in October. The cost was $10/adult and lots of free parking. We first walked around the grounds and saw the old "runway", sheds, and climbed up Kill Devil Hill to see the monument and view of the town. Then we joined the narrated tour by one of the Park Rangers, she was very informative and animated! We then spent the rest of our time touring inside the info. center and got our "passports" stamped in the Gift Store! From the top of the hill, we noticed a full scale scene of the first flight and stopped by on our drive out....very nice, all the "characters" immortalized in bronze along with the plane. A very nice "park", museum and history lesson.
4. Whalehead in Historic Corolla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 654 reviews
Take a step back in time when you visit Whalehead in Historic Corolla! Originally built in the 1920s, this magnificent residence has been restored to its original grandeur and is open for tours year round. Located inside Historic Corolla Park, the museum is situated on 39 acres of pristine waterfront property, and is located in the heart of Historic Corolla. Open year-round for a variety of tours - choose from various House Programs, Children's Activities and Park Programs that are perfect for all ages! Check our online calendar for exciting events hosted in the beautiful Historic Corolla Park.
Reviewed By tee168 - Appleton, United States
This is worth the stop. It's an amazing house with a very interesting history that's really well re-done. It's self guided where you listen to an "I pod" recording that tells you about each room. Very informative. Took about an hour. Would highly recommend if you love old restored homes and learning about the local history.
5. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,160 reviews
Open for the 2021 season, daily, 9a-5pm, weather permitting. Climb the 220 steps to the top for a breathtaking view while learning from docents, brochures, and exhibits about shipwrecks, the lives of lighthouse keepers, the history of the tower (it filled the last remaining dark space on the east coast in 1875) and the original 1st order Fresnel lens. The beacon continues to be an active aid to navigation (3 seconds on, 17 off). The station is preservation effort of the Outer Banks Conservationists along with the State of NC and the USCG through the NHLHP Act of 2000. $10/person (card or cash); Children ages 0-3 may ascend (free) but only in a carrier with adult 18 or over. All other climbers $10.* Children 13+ may climb alone with parent signature.
Reviewed By rbrich - Cherryville, United States
This is a beautiful lighthouse that from the top you can see the ocean and the sound, it shows just how narrow the strip of land that makes up the outer banks is. This is the second time we have visited this lighthouse and it was just as fun this year as it was 12 years ago.
6. British Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 385 reviews
The remains of four British soldiers whose ship was sunk off the coast during World War II are buried here.
Reviewed By snoopydoo - Florida, United States
This cemetery is truly historic and a beautiful tribute. You'll only need to pul over for a few minutes to take it in. The stones/memorials explain who they are and why they are there. It's a quick sight, but worth your time to pay respects to these soldiers. Very glad we stopped.
7. Island Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
On any given day at Island Farm, our staff is telling the real story of the hardscrabble life of Roanoke Islanders who first settled here – after the Lost Colony, and before the Civil War and the Wright Brothers first flight. You’ll find live demonstrations including everything from traditional agricultural, blacksmithing, food preparation, hearth cooking, weaving and spinning wool, feeding the animals, and so much more! History is alive here, and ready for you – don’t miss it! Open seasonally from April to November - Tuesday through Friday - 9am until 3pm. Special Events held through out the season.
Reviewed By HistoryLover2017 - Maryland, United States
Last week I attended Christmas at the North End which is a recreation of Christmas on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s. This was a wonderful experience and walking around this circa 1840 restored farm is very peaceful and really takes you back to an earlier time. There are sheep, a cow, very curious and friendly chickens as well as small orchards, vegetable gardens and a family cemetery to visit as well. The farmhouse and other buildings are decorated for Christmas and staged to show the preparations of the season - wreaths, food and other festivities. Individuals in period costumes are staged throughout the farm and offer visitors the chance to make a beeswax candle over a fire, put together a grapevine wreath, or have a small snack (in a tiny bag) of freshly popped popcorn. This is a don't miss on Roanoke Island!
8. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 478 reviews
Historic museum that tells the story of the 16th-century Roanoke Island colonists.
Reviewed By NancyW871 - Cincinnati, United States
Being a descendant of settlers of Jamestown, I guess I never really bothered to learn about Roanoke Island/Fort Raleigh, except what I've seen on Discovery and American Horror Story. Not wanting to make the 2 hour trip to Ocracoke with the grandkids, I thought this might offer up some history, imagination, mystery, and a romp in the sound. My granddaughter is in to Jr. Ranger Badges, so we came here twice. The first day we watched the little movie, hiked the interpretive trail to the sound, which resulted in 3 wet kids, and picked up the booklet. The second day was the diorama, artifacts, local Algonquin cultural history, learning about the underground railroad (still amazed this was a stop!), and of course, scoring the coveted badge. It could easily be done in one day, but we arrived late the first day and spent way too much time in the sound, so the visitor center was closed when we finished playing. It was fascinating to learn how the whole idea was really about getting a one-up on the Spanish and finding and abundance of (speculated) gold. It was all about the money - at least for Sir Raleigh. But to the lost/forgotten/abandoned settlers, it was about a bountiful new world. Once again, if there isn't a fortune to be made, the hell with them!
9. Fort Ocracoke Monument
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By deebug2470 - Pittsburgh, United States
The Fort Ocracoke Monument is an interesting stop. It’s along the beautiful scenic water front and worth the time to stop and read the history.
10. Kitty Hawk Lifesaving Station #7
The Kitty Hawk Lifesaving Station #7 is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Currently, one of the only lifesaving stations that is a vacation rental, this home has seen many rescues by the men of the United States Lifesaving Service, called Surfmen. A well preserved piece of history, with modern touches, this home is a fun place to stay and learn about the Outer Banks & its history.
