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
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast
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. Back Country Safari Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,638 reviews
Custom open-air Safari Beach Cruisers take you & your family on off-road explorations of the Outer Banks northern beaches.
2. Segway Of The Outer Banks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 124 reviews
Experience off-road Segway thrills on bumpy sand trails thru the Spanish Mustang preserve OR cruise thru the old Village of Corolla on your own personal Segway!
3. Barrier Island Aviation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 193 reviews
The best way to view the magnificent beauty of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Seating up to two passengers in front of our pilot, our open cockpit aircraft is one of the original WWII trainer biplanes built by WACO. Flying in this vintage aircraft is truly an unforgettable experience! We also offer rides in a Cessna 172 (3 passengers) & a Cessna 206 (5 passengers).
4. Wild Horse Adventure Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9,975 reviews
COVID-19 Update: Please see our website for details on how we are operating amid the new local and state health recommendations. Feel the ocean breeze and taste the salty air! See the wild horses of the Outer Banks and whip through beach, dune, and forest trails with Hummer Adventure Tours. Discover some of the most unique sights the Outer Banks has to offer. Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides take you onto pristine northern beaches that are accessible only with a 4x4 off-road vehicle. With more terrain, no two tours are ever the same; so if you like history, ecology, adventure, and quick-witted comedy, we have you covered.
5. Equine Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 330 reviews
Horseback riding on the beach. Ride through the Buxton Maritime forest out to the pristine beaches of Hatteras Island. We offer 2 hour guided horse tours daily. Reservations are required and are available online as well as by phone.Open year round. Join us for a ride and see the island from a different perspective. All levels of riders accommodated and appreciated.
Reviewed By 934haleym
Of the many trail rides we’ve experienced, this one ranks as one of the best! Gorgeous views, knowledgeable, friendly, and organized staff, as well as happy and well-taken care of horses. We loved our ride led by Marlee! Marlee was a wonderful guide with great knowledge about horses and the surrounding area and customized the ride to ensure we had a great time. We tremendously appreciate how the horses enjoy their job and are treated very humanely. They found perfect horses for our skill level and provided a safe Covid-19 protocol. 10/10 would recommend!
6. Kitty Hawk Water Sports
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 240 reviews
Located on the Roanoke Sound in Nags Head, we provide tourists of the Outer Banks a means to get on the water and have fun. We are a full-service watersports location with rentals, lessons, tours, sales, and activities. Stop by and see what makes us so special.
7. First Flight Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 368 reviews
Adventure Park! 48 obstacles, ranging from 12-50 feet above the ground, are sure to challenge anyone in your family. The course is designed for ages 6 and up, so bring the whole family along for the adventure and memory of a lifetime! check website for availability.
8. Corolla Outback Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 530 reviews
Ride into our "Outback" area past the road's end, traversing several refuge areas and sanctuary sites like the Wild Horse Estates Conservation easement. Along the way we often see a variety of shore birds and other wildlife and of course our Colonial Spanish Mustangs! Learn the history and local lore discovering what makes this wild part of the Outer Banks unlike any other place on earth, interpreted by Corolla's most experienced guide service. Our tour features a unique and memorable two hour round-trip North toward Carova Beach and False Cape State Park near the VA - NC border. Stumps rising from the sand along the ocean bare silent witness to the early existence of an ancient maritime forest. Picturesque scenery and unscheduled appearances of wildlife offer many photo opportunities. Along the way, the horses are sometimes seen walking along the beach and even playing in the surf! We are very fortunate to have private access into the Wild Horse Conservation Easement, situated on secluded land our family donated for additional habitat area for the Colonial Spanish Mustangs. Several vehicle types are available for your convenience and seasonal comfort. Group tours accommodated for schools, club outings and wedding parties. We also arrange transportation to and from the 4-wheel drive area for special events.
9. Ride The Wind Surf & Kayak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 211 reviews
Ride the Wind is a full service surf shop, offering surf instruction, surf camps, surf & kayak rentals, Standup Paddleboarding, and the latest in surf apparel, footwear, and sunglasses.
Reviewed By A9197LXrobertm
We were a family of four that had never tried stand up paddle boards. Our waitress Cathy at Howard's Pub recommended Ride the Wind surf shop down the street in Ocracoke. Robert and Jesse gave us the lowdown on board rentals. $20.00 per hour. Other longer term rates available. We parked at the shop. Their dock is across the street - very convenient. Jesse outfitted us with life jackets, paddles and a board. None of us had formal training on the boards - only from watching videos and other boarders. We were able to climb on the boards and stand up. It took 5 - 10 minutes acclimation for balancing skills to kick in. For me it helped to focus on the horizon. In one hour we paddled around Silver Lake and out to Pamlico Sound towards the light house. Our round trip was an hour. Just enough for us. Ride the Wind on Silver Lake Harbor is an excellent intro to Stand Up Paddle boarding - I would recommend for anyone thinking of trying it out for the first time, or accomplished paddlers.
10. Coastal Helicopters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 329 reviews
Coastal Helicopters, Inc. offers Outer Banks helicopter tours and charters with chances to see popular OBX attractions, from the air, including the Wright Brothers Monument, lighthouses, fishing piers, shipwrecks, dolphins, schools of fish and more. The Outer Banks draws thousands of vacationers every year, but most people only see it from their beach chairs and car seats. If you want to experience the Outer Banks of North Carolina in the most unforgettable way, then an Outer Banks helicopter tour is exactly what you need! With room on the helicopter for three passengers, every seat is a window seat!
