Visit The Outer Banks

A Perfect 72-Hour Escape to the Outer Banks

North Carolina’s Outer Banks offer a peaceful alternative to the high-rise condos, souvenir shops, and casinos found along other East Coast beaches. This chain of barrier islands combines uncrowded stretches of sand, memorable sunrises, and exceptionally fresh seafood along the Atlantic.

A long weekend here can include scenic beaches, historic sites, local restaurants, watersports, horseback riding, and other coastal highlights. Few experiences are as serene or romantic as walking beside the waves on a quiet beach.

THURSDAY

Evening

After arriving and settling in, begin the trip with a free wine tasting at OBX Winery in Kill Devil Hills. This microwinery makes all of its wines in-house and puts distinctive spins on familiar varietals.

Along with the standard selections, sample the tart green apple Riesling, tangy Merlot/Cab blend, and peach Chardonnay. The OBX Sweet Mead, made with honey collected by local beekeepers, is another option worth trying.

Next, dine at Owens’ Restaurant in Nags Head, the oldest restaurant in North Carolina still operated by its founding family at its original location. Its crab cakes have remained on the menu with the recipe unchanged since the restaurant opened in 1946. Other choices include Carolina jambalaya with shrimp, crawfish, sea scallops, tasso ham, and andouille sausage, or dry-rubbed, slow-roasted St. Louis-style ribs.

Every meal comes with a chance to sample the restaurant’s famous hushpuppies. Make time to see the memorabilia collection devoted to the US Life-Saving Service, the organization that came before today’s US Coast Guard.

FRIDAY

Morning

Rise early for the sunrise from your lodging’s deck or balcony, or head directly to the sand at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This protected series of beaches extends for more than 70 miles along the island chain.

Bring a picnic breakfast and spend the morning building sandcastles, gathering seashells, flying a kite, or simply listening to the surf while enjoying the beach before the crowds arrive.

When the day is fully underway, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Walk across the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright completed the world’s first powered flight more than 115 years ago.

The visitor center includes a replica of the Wright Flyer. Exhibits explain the mechanics and history of the invention, along with why the brothers selected this windy seaside location for their experiments.

Lunch

For traditional Eastern North Carolina barbecue, stop at High Cotton NC BBQ in Kitty Hawk. The menu includes hand-chopped pork, pulled chicken, ribs, beef brisket, and fried chicken, alongside Southern favorites such as coleslaw, baked beans, fried okra, Brunswick stew, and hushpuppies.

Afternoon and Evening

After spending the morning learning about flight, devote the afternoon to the thrill of being airborne. Kitty Hawk Kites offers hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, while OBXjetpak takes guests high above the water by jetpack.

On the return trip to your accommodations, gather seafood for dinner from a local market. Options include Dockside N’ Duck Seafood Market in Duck, Austin Fish Co. or Greentail’s Seafood Market and Kitchen in Nags Head, O’Neal’s Sea Harvest in Wanchese, and I Got Your Crabs in Kitty Hawk.

Pick up shrimp, scallops, clams, crabs, lobsters, and assorted fish for the kitchen steamer pot, along with she-crab soup, side dishes, dessert pies, and other additions. Set everything out on the deck with a few beers or bottles of wine for an easygoing coastal evening.

SATURDAY

Morning and Afternoon

Take advantage of Saturday by sleeping late. When you are ready to start the day, have breakfast at Stack ‘em High Pancakes, an Outer Banks institution for nearly 40 years with locations in Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk.

The restaurant serves numerous pancake and waffle specials, egg dishes, and Carolina favorites including country ham, sausage gravy and biscuits, and grits.

Spend the rest of the day on the water. Try surfing, kiteboarding, or windsurfing on the ocean side of the islands. On the sound side, choose a stand-up paddleboard or kayaking excursion. Outfitters offer both equipment rentals and guided tours, making it possible to select an activity suited to your group.

Bring a picnic lunch so you can eat on the beach, recharge, and continue enjoying the water.

Evening

After rinsing away the salt, dress up for dinner at 1587 Restaurant in Manteo. World-class chefs prepare dishes with house-grown herbs, catch-of-the-day seafood, and locally grown vegetables in a calm waterfront dining room.

Possible selections include organic beet risotto, sesame seared scallops, and pan-seared maple-glazed duck breast. Whatever you choose, the meal is designed to be an exceptional dining experience worth repeating.

End the evening with a beach fire on the national seashore. Obtain a free permit before building the fire, and follow the requirements for its size, timing, and location. For many visitors, a beach bonfire becomes the defining memory of an OBX vacation.

SUNDAY

Morning and Afternoon

Allow time to pack and check out, but there is no need to leave the Outer Banks immediately. Use whatever remains in the refrigerator for breakfast—blue crab omelettes are one possibility—then take NC-12 south.

In Frisco, meet Equine Adventures for a horseback ride along the beach.

Continue to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse for a climb and panoramic photographs above the waves. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day and can only be purchased in person at the lighthouse, so consider stopping there before the horseback excursion to secure them.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in America, with views that extend for miles. Once back on the ground, photograph the 19th-century structure against the ocean before ending your trip.

Before You Go

Places to stay on The Outer Banks are in high demand, so reserve lodging ahead of time. Choices range from small bed and breakfasts to large resort hotels.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau website is a useful starting point for comparing the many accommodations and gathering trip-planning information.

Article Information

This article was written by Danielle Taylor and dated Feb. 01, 2019. It was originally posted on Matador Network.

Danielle Taylor is a freelance travel and outdoor adventure journalist, tourism marketing professional, editor, blogger, budding photographer, and sometimes meandering wifi hobo. Her work covers outdoor recreation, conservation, public lands, history, and travel, with a particular focus on America’s national parks.

After six years as a magazine editor in northern Virginia, she moved to a family homestead in rural western Pennsylvania in 2015. She established a full-time freelance writing business, lived out of the back of her Subaru Outback for two years, and traveled while writing to support her gas tank, appetite, and postcard collection. She now enjoys giving her wings and itchy feet some rest while deepening her roots.

Categories

Tags

Related Outer Banks Reading

Visit the 72 Hours on the Outer Banks | Weekend Travel Guide page →