Quick Summary: Found just off the coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks are an inviting chain of islands that offer beautiful beaches, national parks, and a rich history. Visit during the summer, when the weather is perfectly suited for fishing, birdwatching, camping, and enjoying the natural beauty of the islands.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Wright Brothers National Memorial ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Attractions
Wright Brothers National Memorial | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

2. Bodie Island Lighthouse ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Bodie Island Lighthouse | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of jiawangkun - Fotolia.com

3. Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve

Category: Activities
Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Alicia - Fotolia.com

4. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Kenneth Keifer - Fotolia.com

5. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of digidreamgrafix - Fotolia.com

6. Coastal Kayak Touring Company

Tours
Coastal Kayak Touring Company | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of 2tun - Fotolia.com

7. Corolla Adventure Park, Outer Banks

Tours
Corolla Adventure Park, Outer Banks | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Irina - Fotolia.com

8. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Category: Activities
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

9. Ghost Crab Quest

Ghost Crab Quest | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of ricardo - Fotolia.com

10. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

11. Jockey's Ridge State Park

Category: Activities
Jockey's Ridge State Park | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of lembi - Fotolia.com

12. Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School

Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Jill Lang - Fotolia.com

13. Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports

Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Lars Gieger - Fotolia.com

14. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Category: Attractions
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Talya - Fotolia.com

15. OBX Airplanes

OBX Airplanes | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© OBX Airplanes

16. Ocracoke Preservation Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Ocracoke Preservation Museum | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Ocracoke Preservation Museum

17. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Activities
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Michael Gallagher - Fotolia.com

18. Roanoke Island Festival Park

Category: Entertainment
Roanoke Island Festival Park | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of jiawangkun - Fotolia.com

19. The Lost Colony

The Lost Colony | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of THANANIT - Fotolia.com

20. Wild Horse Adventure Tours

Tours
Wild Horse Adventure Tours | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of Moonborne - Fotolia.com

21. Avon Fishing Pier, Outer Banks

Category: Activities
Avon Fishing Pier, Outer Banks | Things to Do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
© Courtesy of oldmn - Fotolia.com

Summary & FAQ Wright Brothers National Memorial Bodie Island Lighthouse Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve Cape Hatteras National Seashore Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Coastal Kayak Touring Company Corolla Adventure Park, Outer Banks Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Ghost Crab Quest Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum Jockey's Ridge State Park Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island OBX Airplanes Ocracoke Preservation Museum Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Roanoke Island Festival Park The Lost Colony Wild Horse Adventure Tours Avon Fishing Pier, Outer Banks

Map:


Plan Your Trip