Planning a Girls Weekend in OBX

By Megan Wilson on Sep. 16, 2021

A girls weekend can take plenty of shapes. You might choose a big-city scene with plenty of nightlife, or fly off to a distant destination. Those trips can be great, but a getaway to the Outer Banks gives you more experiences with less hassle while still making the escape feel far-flung. Stylish rentals, spas by the water, vibrant meals, and the unforgettable beauty of the ocean create the kind of girls trip worth photographing and remembering.

Choose a Cozy Place to Land

For a smaller crew, a charming one-bedroom bungalow such as this Tiny House works well for two close friends who expect to spend most of their time out and about. The porch is made for sunset wine and cocktails. If you’re traveling with a bigger group, vacation rentals like this 9-person bohemian spot in Kitty Hawk give everyone room to settle in and make the stay feel like your own. For a more traditional setup, book several rooms at Outer Banks inns such as Tranquil House Inn in Manteo, or pick oceanfront hotels like the Oceanfront Ramada Plaza.

Pick Up Sushi When You Arrive

Start the first night with something delicious as everyone eases into vacation mode. Catch up at your lodging over ocean-fresh flavors, wine, and homemade cocktails. Single Fin in Nags Head makes an easy first stop, with online ordering for sushi rolls, seaweed salad, calamari, stir fry, and pad thai for the group. Farther south, Diamond Shoals in Buxton also offers a wide-ranging menu. Along with fresh sushi specials, you can bring back crab stuffed mushrooms, scallops, burgers, or ribs for the evening. Grab dinner, drop the bags, and relax.

Spend Time Outside

Make the most of the day by trying something outside the usual routine. The beach is only the beginning here. Think about taking flight with a hang gliding experience at Jockey's Ridge State Park. Kitty Hawk Kites can guide you through the adventure in the same region where the Wright brothers launched their first flights. If a boat outing sounds better, Captain Marc Mitchum of OBX Crabbing & Shrimping Charters can take you on an authentic, hands-on, educational trip to spot dolphin, osprey, pelicans, and other fishies and creatures. You may also get a turn catching fresh North Carolina seafood along the way. On land, stretch out with a walk through Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve. Wander among rare plants, atmospheric forests, maritime swamp, and interdune ponds. While you’re here, take in the history of the Outer Banks. If the group is ready for a challenge, climb a lighthouse together; the view and the American history lesson make the effort worthwhile.

Make Time for Shopping

Pack with a little extra suitcase space before leaving for your Outer Banks girls’ weekend. Across the barrier islands, you’ll find memorable places to shop. Look for coastal home decor, modern clothing, and pieces to take back with you. Stop into independent boutiques such as Sisters in Manteo and Islands in Duck for a new outfit or a throw pillow. If you want more stores and deals in one stop, set aside a few hours for the Outlets in Nags Head. The Outer Banks is also a thrifters paradise, with spots like Class & Trash filled with vintage and consignment furniture, decor, and unexpected finds.

Dine Beside the Water

The Outer Banks has plenty of places for an Instagram-worthy meal. Bring the group to one of the area’s waterside food hubs for appetizers, dinner, cocktails, and flavors that feel local to the coast. For a beach-bar atmosphere, head out onto the dock at Sunset Grille in Duck and order classic beach cocktails, firecracker shrimp, and Alaskan snow crab legs. In Nags Head, the sunset views at Miller’s Waterfront are hard to top. The popular restaurant also offers a vegetarian menu alongside its southern inspired favorites. Farther south in Buxton, Cafe Pamlico serves a broad and inventive cocktail/mocktail menu, plus appetizers like bacon jam brie and creative seafood entrees. Blue Point offers a more elevated dining experience with a farm-to-table inspired menu and a deep cocktail list for food lovers.

Go Find the Music

When the group wants to dance and meet people, the Outer Banks has a strong music-loving streak. In Corolla, Sundogs Raw Bar & Grill brings in lively bands, karaoke, DJs, and open mic nights. In Duck, make your way to Roadside Bar & Grill, where the main restaurant has a sandy-floored outdoor music venue and tiki bar out back. In Kill Devil Hills, Outer Banks Brewing Station is a classic nightlife stop. Look at the calendar before your trip so you can get tickets for nationally touring acts on the large indoor stage, or plan for a more low-key show outside. The Bonzer Shack is another OBX party spot, with DJs and disco energy indoors or outdoor fun with cornhole and other games.

Recover with Brunch

The morning after a night out can be one of the best parts, especially when everyone is swapping stories, laughing about the night before, and digging into a hearty brunch. Between Nags Head and Manteo, Freshfit Cafe is a memorable choice for a brunch that feels healthy, filling, and scenic. Off the beaten path, Saltbox Cafe serves tasty bites from a cozy cottage setting with creek views from the porch. In Nags Head, Waveriders is another option for brunch smoothies and sandwiches to go, complete with mimosas in a bucket.

Book a Spa Day

A girls getaway weekend needs at least a little pampering. Across the Outer Banks, spas offer easygoing luxury. In Duck, Aqua Spa creates a waterside retreat. After a massage, facial, or pedicure, you can walk downstairs to the restaurant for a cocktail or appetizer. The Spa at Sanderling Resort includes yoga classes and a full hair care menu, along with nail services, scrubs, soaks, massages, and more. In Avon, Koru Village is unique resort with a bit of everything, including dining, lodging, and access to the Avon Pier. Reserve spa time with the girls for body treatments, massages, facials, and more.

Article Details

Category: Culinary

Tags: Avon, Duck, Hatteras, Rodanthe, Waves, Frisco, Salvo

Author

Megan Wilson is a travel writer and marketing specialist at SweetSauceBlog.com from Richmond, VA. She regularly makes the 3-hour trip to the Outer Banks for adventure and relaxation. She always brings her work along to create with a view.