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
What to do and see in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: The Best Museums
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. Silver Bonsai Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Kinnakeet Clay Studio & Showroom
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
A treasure worth taking the time to discover, seek us out in Historic Avon Village (Kinnakeet). Enjoy our Out-of-Ordinary collection showcasing an impressive selection of local and regional pottery including that of artist/owner Antoinette Gaskins Mattingly. Find 'jar frogs', local wall art, home decor, ornaments, handmade gifts and jewelry. Browse our showroom featuring the work of 40+ artists, take a pottery or painting class in one of our two working studios, watch demonstrations and shop to your heart's content. Savor the experience of art and fine craft.
Reviewed By brianjill - Glenside, United States
My wife and I are fortunate to have been able to spend an annual vacation in Avon each October for the past 15 years. There few things that we have not already seen, so it takes something special to get us away from our beach front rental. One place that is a annual must for us is Kinnakeet Clay. They have wonderfully crafted art, warm & welcoming staff, and a great artisan/owner. If you are staying in the OBX south of Nags Head, Kinnakeet Clay is well worth you time for a visit. ????
3. 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!
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. Hatteras Island Ocean Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
The Ocean Center provides a wide variety of recreational and educational activities for people of all ages. Please come view the exhibits, experience the wetlands and coastal forest, attend our programs and events, and use our ocean access.
Reviewed By ailatanie
We attended a 2 programs at the Ocean Center (turtle patrol and marsh madness) and both adults and children absolutely loved it. My kids are curious about the places we visit and they were craving an opportunity to learn about the wildlife we are surrounded by in Hatteras. I cannot think of a better way! Shirley showed them around the nature center (only one family is allowed in due to COVID), described the life cycle of turtles and the efforts to protect them, and showed the nest on the beach. It was fun interactive and all kids (ages 6, 9, 12) were very interested and asked a lot of questions. The next day they went crabbing, caught and learned about blue crabs. We even spotted a snapping turtle. I highly recommend it!
6. Hang 12 Art Gallery & Classes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Wine & Paint the Outer Banks Tuesday , Wednesday & Thursday 6:00 - 9:00 pm Spend your evening painting your own custom art with Outer Banks Local Artist Brad Price. Come follow me through a painting in a fun open studio environment, and feel free to bring something to drink! BYOB All art supplies included 45.00
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. SeaWorthy Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
On the Outer Banks of North Carolina and located in Hatteras Village, the SeaWorthy Gallery stands out as the premier showplace of collectible art on Hatteras Island. Here in a relaxed and tranquil setting, one finds an elegant presentation of eclectic art forms from paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and home decor.
Reviewed By M9229EUdavidt
There is no doubt that this is the finest shopping on Hatteras Island. Great jewelry, pottery and art work. Many customers when we were there. Almost all bought something or other. Definitely recommend a visit.
9. Studio 12
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Studio 12 is a fun place for kids and kids at heart. Bring in the whole family for some artsy fun. Grab a latte or all fruit smoothie from the coffee bar and then create your own mosaic, paint some pottery or make some glass fusion. Browse our gallery to find unique gifts made by local OBX artists as well as owners Carolyn and Gary Schena. Studio 12 is fun for all ages!
Reviewed By 251cathrync
So much to choose from for families to do and everyone had a blast. We painted animals and bowls and also did a mosaic. The staff is friendly and helpful and it's a nice relaxed atmosphere. We noticed we were not the only table of painters happily singing along to the music they played. The studio is bright and colourful and fun to look at all the artwork, both samples of painted pottery and art from local artists. Lots of art for the walls, as well as beautiful jewellery. They also have lotion and soaps and fun gifts for the kids. Loved that we could purchase a coffee and smoothies at the shop next door. Will come again!!
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.
