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
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day 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. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site & Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 392 reviews
Reviewed By allisonk835 - South Riding, United States
My husband and I were greatly impressed by the staff knowledge. Self guided tour was wonderful giving us time to explore the property and consider the lives of the USLSS a century ago.
2. Blue Pelican Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Shop American Made, Shop Handmade, Shop LOCAL. Blue Pelican Gallery and Gifts is a unique little shop with a lot of heART.With hundreds and hundreds of handmade and individually produced items, Blue Pelican is a great place to pick out an affordable, special, often one of a kind gift for a special person...including yourself. We have a huge selection of items under $20. We are constantly changing and adding new art and artists. Three generations of our family own and staff the shop. Remember to shop LOCAL on Hatteras Island!Some of the items you can find are: jewelry, pottery, prints, photography, soap, candles, ornaments, sun catchers, clay wall art, metal art, blown glass art, Outer Banks SeaSalt, pet sitter gifts, art cards, and much, much more.
Reviewed By TyiaP1
I ordered online from Blue Pelican Gallery. At the time of my order, the Gallery was up on stilts, being raised due to flooding. Jennifer contacted me and let me know that she couldn't get in her store (safety) at the time and asked me if I wanted a refund or if I wanted to wait until the Gallery was lowered back down. I told her I would be fine with waiting. It wasn't more than a week, but one of the items I had ordered got lost when they lowered the house and the display fell. Jennifer wrote me a note and sent it along with my order explaining that one item had been lost, she sent several replacements, refunded my shipping, and said that she will ship the lost item when she finds it. This woman is BEYOND NICE!!! She has gone above and beyond in making up for the loss of an item that was beyond her control! She is an example of what not only quality customer service, but a quality human being, should be! Thanks Jennifer! I will definitely be recommending and shopping from your store again!
3. Currituck Outer Banks Visitor's Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Anita767 - Sioux Falls, United States
The staff were excellent. They gave me a map of the OBX (Outer Banks) that showed by location recommended sites to see. This was so incredibly helpful. It helped me organize my trip and not miss opportunities.
4. Pea Island Art Gallery, Salvo, NC
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By DonaldC1334
owner and help are great not pushy lots to choose from neat garden surrounding the house .We go in spring and the fall
5. Scotch Bonnet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 70 reviews
Named for the North Carolina State Seashell, The Scotch Bonnet is located in Frisco in the heart of Hatteras Island on the beautiful, windswept Outer Banks of North Carolina We have been a Hatteras Island landmark for over 60 years welcoming generations of families. The Scotch Bonnet is most famous for its rich, creamy and delicious fudge that is made right on the premises with real cream and butter! Our Fudge is so heavenly it was even featured on the Food Network! We also offer over 21 flavors of saltwater taffy, Jelly Belly jelly beans, seashells, t-shirts and unique gifts. So if your sweet tooth needs satisfying and you find yourself on the Outer Banks, a stop at the Scotch Bonnet is an absolute must!
Reviewed By jobo347 - Llano, United States
I love the fudge here. They sent me an e-mail telling me of flavor of the month, it was Bear Claw Fudge. Since I'm not going there till Oct. I had them send it to me. Wonderful!!!!! It tasted just like a Bear Claw Danish. I hope they still have it in OCT. when I visit. If not, they still have 30 + flavors to choose from. This is the best fudge and they always are having new flavors.
6. 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!
7. Buffalo City Exhibit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
What happened? An entire city just vanished...all of the buildings...all of the people just disappeared. Well yes and no. It was more of a wild west town except it was in eastern N.C. Life there was difficult to say the least. The people made a living in the logging industry and making moonshine. Step back in time and discover what was once Dare County's largest town, Buffalo City.
8. OB-Xscape Rooms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 218 reviews
We are a local family and veteran-owned business providing an unique indoor entertainment to both OBX tourists and OBX locals and businesses. Whether you want to beat the heat or have fun on a rainy day, our seven escape rooms, Mutiny on the Lark, Cold Case Murder of Dawn Renee, Cell Block 4 Death Row, The Blind Tiger Speakeasy, Meltdown, Raptor Revenge, or Rest in Peace Motel will do just that for you! Escape rooms are real-life adventure games where you are metaphorically locked in a room and have to use objects and elements to solve a series of puzzles, discover hidden clues, and make logical connections in order to find the way out (hence, escape). Don't be the only one that doesn't escape the Outer Banks when planning your OBX vacation or your night out with the family and friends and book online in advance to get your chance! Make OB-Xscape Rooms Your New Family Tradition in the Outer Banks!
Reviewed By 289SuzanneM - Niskayuna, United States
A couple of twenty-somethings in our group stumbled upon this when the clouds came in, and they generously invited me, a baby boomer, to participate. It was my first escape room, and I was intrigued. We chose Cold Case. We booked online and checked in at the appointed time. Our guide ran us through the basics. We locked away our cell phones and entered the room with the guide. We ran through an introductory (necessary) video that explains the rules. A video screen near the ceiling counts down your time (you have one hour to escape) and sometimes provides clues. Without spoiling, let me tell you, this, is one complex and slightly scary room, with clues puzzling and plentiful. There were several screamer moments, as the atmosphere and sound effects are very well done. One surprise in particular.....bwahahahaha Once we ran into technical difficulty on a lock we had to open, and our guide, who apparently watched us the whole time, ducked in apologetically just to fix it so we could continue. He was as unobtrusive as possible, but we appreciated his help, because we had the code right and the lock still wasn't opening. We could have used one more person on this one. We got fairly close, but ultimately we were not able to name the murderer. The poor girl's spirit was still trapped in the room when we left.... ....just waiting for YOU!!!!! The girls I did it with had been to a few rooms in other cities, and they both said this one had the best atmosphere they'd ever experienced.
9. OBX Axe Throwing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
"Nothing says entertainment more than hurling axes. Axe throwing is perfect for family, friends, team building, celebrating special occasions and meeting new people. Release your inner lumberjack and try your hand at slinging axes. Guests will be coached on proper technique and set up to throw. Ages 10+ can participate! Nothing says fun like flying axes! We specialize in hosting group events and can bring you from someone with no prior axe throwing experience up to a bullseye slinging axe throwing machine! You will not believe how much fun and how empowering it is to land your first BULLSEYE! Any group looking for a unique way to spend a few hours together, check out axe throwing."
Reviewed By joshuam285 - Norfolk, United States
Visited the OBX as we do every year with the family and we were looking for something fun to do and so we saw the AXE throwing!! Figured what could it hurt and absolutely LOVED it!!!! Friendly staff and a great price! Definitely a great time, highly recommend!!!!
10. Ocracoke Preservation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
A tiny museum that features the history of Blackbeard, the 18th-century pirate.
Reviewed By sandcmom - Boone, United States
We stumbled across this gem after eating lunch at sMacNally's. It's full of Ocracoke history but the best part is that it won't take up a whole lot of your time. It's just a small place and I think we were there maybe 30min. We soaked it all in and we on to enjoy the rest of the island. It's free which is always nice, but they do have little donation jars sat around if you do want to donate.
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