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 Couples 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. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 563 reviews
A national seashore preserve that has the most extensive stretch of undeveloped seashore along the Atlantic coast.
Reviewed By mikelK1251FN - Clinton, United States
We had a great time here, clean, plenty of space, I recommend you get an off road vehicle permit and drive on the beach.
2. Frisco Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By dzc00k - Arlington, United States
We stayed in Frisco and loved this beach. Great waves, easy parking and access to the beach itself, bathroom and shower as well. Plenty of space to roam on the beach.
3. Corolla Light Tennis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Corolla Light Tennis offers year-round tennis programming at the Corolla Light Resort. Our teaching pros excel at working with beginners to the very advanced players. Private lessons and clinics are open to the public.
4. Outer Banks Distilling
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By Sightsee197178 - Winchester, United States
Our group of 12 had a blast. Informative tour that revealed distilling processes, history of rum in the world and locally, and great rum!
5. Outer Banks National Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By BearH928 - Williamsburg, United States
Drove from Ocracoke to Kill Devil Hills on a Monday morning in October. Most of the road is thru the National Seashore area which is often patrolled by the park police so watch the speed limit of 55 and 45. There are villages along the way which have lower posted limits. A 2 lane highway for the most part and is heavily trafficked in parts. Since it is the only highway on the Outer banks it is used by trucks, boaters etc. The free ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke island is no reservation. The property owners on Ocracoke have priority on the ferry with their property pass. On Ocracoke the waiting area is at the end of the island with nothing but the ferry docks, Hatteras is boarding area is right outside the town. There are also 2 other car ferries one from Swan Quarter and one from Cedar Island. They take reservations and cost $15.00 one way for passenger cars. Watch your speed in the town of Ocracoke as it is 20 mph and they enforce plus you have the walkers, bikekes, golf carts to watch . Part of the highway along the dunes gets water and sand covered depending on how much wind and surf there is. A couple [laces the road works continually are pushing back the sand. One place on Ocracoke the surf is presently almost coming on the road. Take your time and enjoy
6. Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By williamlO4961CG
Great experience. A perfect way to finish an Ocracoke day. We were fortunate enough to have clear skies to see the Milky Way and a number of shooting stars.
7. 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!
8. Elizabethan Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Fanciful and elaborate gardens were kept to entertain Queen Elizabeth I during her reign. Our garden was created for your enjoyment, and as a living memorial to the time when Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists lived in this very place over 400 years ago. The Elizabethan Gardens is a project of the Garden Club of North Carolina. Located 15 minutes from Nags Head, North Carolina. Special features include: Butterfly Center, Children's Discovery Cottage/ Outdoor Play Area, Italian renaissance statuary, water views, gift shop and plant sales, mobile phone audio tour. Plant collections include: native plants, azaleas, crape mrytles, hydrangeas, conifers and seasonal blooms. Our dapple-shaded paths and lush green Scape offer a tranquil retreat from the beach. We are pet friendly. Our walkways are handicap accessible.
Reviewed By HistoryLover2017 - Maryland, United States
Winter Lights are a wonderful experience this year! The Elizabethan Gardens have created a lovely, unique experience that follows guidelines for Covid Cautions. Reservations are made online and in advance this year, and there is spacing between groups as well as a mask requirement to walk through the Gardens for the Winter Lights. This actually makes for a more private experience than in earlier years. The music is lovely and playing throughout the Gardens, the lights are very magical and there are many lovely touches, including the theatrical Elizabethan figures staged as if a ball is in progress and (new this year) individual decorated trees in plastic wind protecting 'bubbles' staged at several points in the Gardens. The entire experience makes for a lovely evening, and you'll probably want to return before the season's over.
9. 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.
10. Jockey's Ridge State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,240 reviews
Two of the highest sand dunes on the East Coast are located here, providing excellent take-off points for hang gliders.
Reviewed By donnajsatterlee - Princess Anne, United States
An absolutely magical place where there are really tall sand dunes There are trail markings for an easy round trip of 1 1/2 miles to the Roanoke Sound so that it is easy to find the route with shifting sands. The windswept sands make amazing patterns. There is a place that is wheelchair compatible, but only as far as a vista. The rest would be hard to negotiate without wide, sand friendly wheels. There are also some asphalt trails through some native to the area live oaks.
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