Outer Banks of North Carolina Bucket List (2024)

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You can start planning a full year’s worth of bucket list “firsts” for you and yours to complete once you arrive on the Outer Banks. We enjoy the title of America’s First Beach, and rightfully so (the country’s first national seashore, the English’s first attempted settlement in the New World, man’s first powered flight, and more), so make your upcoming trip a vacation of firsts. You’ll be rewarded for stepping outside your comfort zone. This yearpromises adventures for doers and dreamers.Download our Bucket Listor view the full list below.

1. Visit the Wright Brother’s Memorial

2. Drive America’s First Beach, 4x4 or HWY 12

3. Follow our NC Oyster Trail or visit an oyster farm

4. Eat local seafood

5. Watch a Lost Colony performance

6. Reel in a fish

7. Go shelling or sea glass hunting

8. Catch a sunrise by the ocean

9. Pull up a crab pot or shrimping net

10. Play a round of golf or mini-golf

11. Go Ghost Crab hunting at night

12. Sample local Kill Devil Rum

13. Pitch a tent at one of our NPS campsites

14. Grab binoculars and birdwatch at Pea Island WildlifeRefuge

15. Watch an episode of Wicked Tuna: OBX

16. Try a new water sport

17. Visit N.E.S.T. sea turtle exhibit at Roanoke Island Aquariumor watch a nest hatch on the beach

18. Fly a kite

19. Make or buy beach art from funky beach finds or in a local studio

20. Read a novel (extra points if it’s about the OBX or from an OBX author)

21. Take your pet to the water

22. Tag along on a tour of the Alligator River and see a black bear

23. Hear Red Wolves howling

24. Set foot on the Elizabeth II ship replica at Roanoke Island Festival Park

25. Get an aerial view of the islands in an airplane, helicopter, or biplane

26. Spend a week in a vacation rental home

27. Awe at a sunset over the sound

28. Attend an apparatus Drill at Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station

29. Step back in time to a living history site at Island Farm

30. Get lost in the lush greenery at Elizabethan Gardens

31. Watch Nights in Rodanthe and look for the famous house

32. Take a selfie with three lighthouses: Roanoke Island, Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras

33. Hop on a ferryin Hatteras for the day

34. Enjoy a family style seafood boil

35. Sled or run down Jockey’s Ridge sand dunes

36. Learn about our 2,000+ shipwrecks at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

37. Spend happy hour on a pier or a waterside restaurant

38. Shop boutique stores along Duck Boardwalk, Outlets Nags Heador other numerous shops

39. Hike or bike alongside the marshes

40. Relax with a facial or body massage

41. Discover a culture of diversity through our African American History Trail

42. Sample ALL flavors of fudge & salt-water taffy

43. Rent a jet ski or jet pack for a few hours

44. Ride a horse alongside the shore

45. Go phone free for one day

46. Visit Cape Point

47. Do yoga by the water

48. Attend a local event, music festival or artist showcase

49. Talk like a pirate

50. Build a sandcastle

51. Grill out on the beach or at your rental. Find

52. Make an OBX music playlist

53. Charter a sailboat

54. Explore a new town or village (we have 15)

55. Teach someone else a new skill (ex. how to fish, crab, tie a boat knot)

56. Chill out on a hammock

57. Take flight at the birthplace of aviation and sign up forHang Gliding lessons

58.Brush up on all beach fire rules and host your own

59. Drive across the Basnight bridge over Oregon Inlet

60.Become a keeper of heritage at

61.Recycle bottles, cans and bags to keep the beaches clean

62. Hear about local tales and legends by joining a walking tour or ghost tour

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Outer Banks of North Carolina Bucket List (2024)

FAQs

What is the best part of the Outer Banks? ›

The Best Places to Live in the Outer Banks
  • Corolla. The most northern town in the Outer Banks, Corolla is home to miles of beautiful beaches, wild horses, fabulous restaurants, a plethora of outdoor activities, and great golfing. ...
  • Duck. ...
  • Southern Shores. ...
  • Kitty Hawk. ...
  • Kill Devil Hills. ...
  • Nags Head. ...
  • Manteo. ...
  • Rodanthe.

What food is Outer Banks known for? ›

Food is a huge part of the OBX culture, and it's no surprise that seafood takes center stage. The region is renowned for its bounty of shrimp, crab, and oysters, which are considered some of the best in the world.

What is so special about Outer Banks North Carolina? ›

What makes the Outer Banks so special? No boardwalks, no loud theme parks, and no high rise hotels blocking the views of the ocean. No flashy nightlife, no neon lights, or main street tourist traps. The natural beauty of the fragile islands and the pristine beaches is what makes the Outer Banks so unique.

What are the best months to visit OBX? ›

Hurricane season is over and the Outer Banks is starting to warm up again. Spring is a great time to plan a trip to the beach. May and April, if you can make the time for a trip, introduce delightful weather and exciting events to the area.

Is Outer Banks cheap? ›

"We ranked Outer Banks as the least expensive destination, where the allure of the Atlantic meets affordability," the company shared in its findings via email.

What is the prettiest beach in the Outer Banks NC? ›

10 Best Beaches in Outer Banks
  • Rodanthe Beach.
  • Kitty Hawk.
  • Nags Head.
  • Kill Devil Hills.
  • Ocraco*ke Island.
  • Hatteras Island.
  • Duck Beach.
  • Cape Point Beach.

What town in the Outer Banks has the most to do? ›

KILL DEVIL HILLS

This town is the center of the Outer Banks and the hub of the majority of restaurants, shops and activities.

What is the nicest town in OBX? ›

DUCK, NC. Whereas Corolla is a town offering tons of attractions and man-made things to keep you busy, the Town of Duck is the place to be if you're looking to unwind and enjoy wandering through a charming OBX town with a small-town vibe.

What is the big deal about the Outer Banks? ›

It is also known for its stunning natural beauty, including miles of pristine beaches, towering lighthouses, and unique wildlife such as the wild horses that roam the islands.

Why is Outer Banks so popular? ›

The coastal islands of the OBX are full of unique, must-see attractions and destinations found nowhere else in the world. The golden beaches, the beautiful Atlantic, the distinctive American and historical architecture, the local flora and fauna…all ad to your unforgettable adventure.

What are the tourists called in Outer Banks? ›

Additionally, the houses are right off of Charleston's low country and far from the Outer Banks classic homes that everyone loves. My final con is that they use the word “touron” to describe tourists which has always greatly bothered me.

What is most popular on the Outer Banks? ›

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

However, the biggest attraction, literally, is the giant saltwater tank which is home to the largest of the Outer Banks marine species, including sharks, drum, and meandering sea turtles.

Is Corolla, NC worth visiting? ›

Corolla is the perfect place to gear down, relax and forget about your hurried life back home. While quiet dinners and strolls on the beach are mainstays of Corolla's lifestyle, other more action-oriented recreation options include kayak tours, Jet Ski rentals, deep-sea fishing charters, and go-karting.

What is Outer Banks mainly about? ›

The show follows a group of Pogue teenagers who live at The Cut and are determined to find out what happened to the missing father of the group's ringleader, John B. Along the way, they discover a legendary treasure that is tied to John B's father.

Does Outer Banks have nightlife? ›

The Outer Banks glows after dark with beachy bars, late night shows, wide-open piers, and a canopy of thousands of stars overhead.

Can you have alcohol on the beach in OBX? ›

Alcohol on the Beach

Beer is allowed on Outer Banks beaches. Glass containers are not allowed. Open containers in vehicles are not allowed. Wine and liquor are not officially allowed on the beach.

How many days do you need in OBX? ›

So, how many days should you plan to visit the Outer Banks? We recommend you set aside at least three days for an Outer Banks vacation. However, it would be preferable to spend an entire week along the coast of North Carolina. Here are a few popular things to do while vacationing on the OBX.

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