A Culinary Adventure in OBX With Something For Everyone

By Chef Dennis Littley — Mar. 08, 2022

The Outer Banks brings together some of the best beaches in the country with a food scene worth building a trip around. From welcoming restaurants and fresh oysters to mineral rich sea salts for flavoring and a local distillery, planning a foodie getaway here is easy.

If the Outer Banks of North Carolina has never been on your travel list, it may be time to change that. More than 100 miles of shoreline, tasty places to eat, charming shops, and a long list of activities make it a destination with wide appeal. Visitors can settle into an ideal beach spot for an easy day with a good book, and one thing is certain: finding a great meal will not be a problem. With so many dining options across the Outer Banks, it becomes clear that the area is known not only for some of the best beaches in the country, but also as a culinary destination. The reason I first visited, though, was not the sand or the restaurants. I wanted to stand where the Wright Brothers changed history as the first in flight.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is an essential stop during an Outer Banks visit. The National Park covers more than 400 acres and identifies the locations where Orville and Wilbur Wright completed their first four powered flights. Standing there makes it easy to reflect on how much aviation has advanced since that first flight.

Lighthouse fans will also find plenty to explore. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse is one of four along the main stretch of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Built during the 1800s, they continue to shine their beacons and help guide ships through dangerous waters. Across the centuries, roughly 1,500 ships have been lost in these waters, giving the Outer Banks its name: Graveyard of the Atlantic.

In 1999, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was relocated about 3000 feet to where it stands now because of natural beach erosion. It was first constructed 1500 feet from the ocean, but the shoreline has steadily shifted over time, making the move necessary to protect the historic structure.

A climb up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse offers a memorable experience. From ground level to the balcony, there are 257 steps, comparable to ascending a 12-story building. The staircase is narrow, has a handrail on just one side, allows two-way traffic, and includes a landing every 31 steps. Climbers go at their own pace and are rewarded with views from the tallest brick lighthouse in North America.

For travelers who still feel like kids when kites come out, Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a place to make time for. The park features the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States, with dunes topping 80 feet. Across 420-acre, it provides a natural setting for kite flying and a broad overlook of the ocean and the bay.

Local watermen Bill and Ryan Belter, a father-son team, recognized that this pristine microenvironment was an incredibly healthy and fertile ecosystem, beautifully suited for supporting oysters and other sea life.

While visiting the area, head over to Roanoke Island and the Fort Raleigh Historical Site. There, visitors can experience a recreation of the events surrounding The Lost Colony. The Outer Banks carries a deep sense of history, and that history is reflected in local businesses throughout the region.

During our time on Roanoke Island, we visited Manteo for lunch and a tour of the Outer Banks Distilling Company. I was able to taste Kill Devil Hill Rum and took several bottles home to share with friends. One of the best parts of travel is bringing back something from the places I visit. It makes the experience last longer and brings the memories back every time those local products are used.

Distillery tours are offered Tuesday thru Friday at 1 pm; Saturday at 1 & 3 pm. Reservations are required, and tour guests must be 21. If the Outer Banks of North Carolina is still on your someday list, this year may be the right time to go.

Categories

• Culinary

Tags

• Manteo
• Kill Devil Hills

Author

Chef Dennis Littley

Dennis is a retired Chef and Culinary Instructor who now lives in Sunny Florida, where he is pursuing a second career as a Food & Travel Blogger, brand promoter, live streaming show host, and producer.

Along with his work in blogging and social media, he has been described as a pioneer in the Live Streaming arena as both a participant and speaker. He has also been listed in the Top 10 of Social Influencers via Rise Market, the Top 100 of Travel Bloggers on the Travel 1K list via Rise Market, and the Top 225 of Food Bloggers in the US via the American Food Blogger Association data.