The Outer Banks of North Carolina | Things to Do & Hotels

The 12 Bars of Christmas

Now-December 31, 2025

The 12 Bars of Christmas

Meet Me in Manteo - New Year's Eve Celebration

December 31, 2025

Midnight Magic in Manteo

Outer Banks Wedding Weekend & Expo

January 16-18, 2026

Newlyweds With Their Dog On A Beach On The Outer Banks Of NC

Hatteras Island Oyster Roast

February 7, 2026

Hatteras Island Oyster Roast

The Outer Edge Video Series

Outer Edge 2

Make the Outer Banks Promise

Make a Promise, Protect the Place

NEST seaturtle roanoke island aquarium

Offers & Packages

Check out these specials and local discounts

sunset duck

Open Spaces, Endless Possibilities

Conveniently Located Just Beyond Compare

horseback riding beach sea oat

A Fisherman's Paradise

Cast a line on the OBX

A Fisherman's Paradise

Quaint Coastal Towns

Each with their unique charm

bike cycle manteo boardwalk

Birds of a Feather

OBX Birdwatching Tips

birding pea island blog

The Outer Banks of North Carolina offers a welcome relief from crowded cities and overrun vacation spots. In fact, you won’t find any cities on the Outer Banks, just 100+ miles of wide-open shoreline, charming seaside villages, and a mix of towns brimming with personality and fascinating connections to our nation’s history. Although we’re just a drive away, these barrier islands feel remote. Choose an oceanside vacation rental home, and just pop in the keycode for your rental and start vacationing on your own stretch of beach. Or, go for a different home experience at one of the romantic B&Bs of Roanoke Island and enjoy the walkable waterfront downtown of Manteo. This is where our country started (only makes sense to start a vacation here, too). You’ll find a variety of Outer Banks hotels, motels, cottage courts, campgrounds suitable for whatever experience you choose.

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Places to Stay

Free Outer Banks Travel Guide

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For travelers seeking an authentic coastal experience, the variety of towns and villages that dot the picturesque coastline of the Outer Banks are sought out by visitors far and wide.

20 Miles

Kitty Hawk to Manteo

63 Miles

Manteo to Hatteras Village

78 Miles

Duck to Hatteras Village

Family Fun

Flying High with Park Rangers at the Wright Brothers National Memorial

5 min read

When brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright captured the attention of our 8-year-old son, Sean, my…

Flying High with Park Rangers at the Wright Brothers National Memorial

Family Fun

How to Plan a Successful Home Rental in the Outer Banks for your Family

9 min read

So, you’ve found your dream house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for your family…

How to Plan a Successful Home Rental in the Outer Banks for your Family

Family Fun

Tips to Build a Beach Fire

3 min read

Learn how to build a beach fire along the shoreline of Cape Hatteras National Seashore or Nags Head…

Tips to Build a Beach Fire

Family Fun

Spend a Day in Nags Head

4 min read

Nags Head combines everything people love about the Outer Banks — sand dunes, dolphin tours…

Spend a Day in Nags Head

Family Fun

Spend a Day in Kill Devil Hills, NC

3 min read

Kill Devil Hills, NC, has everything you need to spend a memorable day in the Outer Banks. As the…

Spend a Day in Kill Devil Hills, NC

Outdoor Enthusiast

Sailing the Outer Banks: A Comprehensive Guide to Charters and Nautical Adventures

3 min read

Steady breezes, open water and breathtaking views make the Outer Banks one of the best places on the…

Sailing the Outer Banks: A Comprehensive Guide to Charters and Nautical Adventures

Culinary

Explore the Outer Banks Brewery & Spirits Trail

7 min read

For those who love the finer tastes in life, Outer Banks breweries and tasting rooms capture the…

Explore the Outer Banks Brewery & Spirits Trail

Outdoor Enthusiast

Your Ultimate Guide to a 20-Person Kiteboarding Trip to the Outer Banks

10 min read

The plan is to gather 20 of your favorite kiteboarding comrades for a week-long, wind-fueled…

Your Ultimate Guide to a 20-Person Kiteboarding Trip to the Outer Banks

Best Outer Banks Coffee Shops

4 min read

Coffee and the beach is a match made in heaven. For the java enthusiast, the Outer Banks has a…

Best Outer Banks Coffee Shops

Family Fun

Gather Together For Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks

3 min read

Year after year, the Outer Banks has been a destination for families and large groups of friends to…

Gather Together For Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks

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