OBX First Impressions for New North Carolina Residents

By Neha Rao on
Oct. 08, 2020

A couple’s introduction to vacationing in the Outer Banks

Earlier this year, we made the move to Charlotte, and just as we were ready to start discovering North Carolina, the pandemic arrived and put our travel ideas on hold. Once summer was underway and restrictions began easing a little, we were more than ready to shake off quarantine fatigue. Right on time, TheOuterBanksNC invited us to experience the Outer Banks, also called the OBX.

Beaches that feel untouched and views of the Atlantic Ocean were already enough to brighten our mood, but once we arrived, I realized OBX offers far more than that.

Here are the Outer Banks experiences we loved most. This visit was an extended weekend getaway, and we already know we want to come back soon to see even more.

Where we stayed

The Outer Banks are a 100 mile chain of barrier islands along much of the North Carolina coast, positioned just south of Virginia. Our home base was Manteo, a sweet, quiet town on Roanoke Island. While we were there, we learned this area is also known as The Lost Colony because of its past as one of America’s first settlements.

Tranquil House Inn hosted us in Manteo for a peaceful work-from-obx-cation, and yes, let’s absolutely make that a thing. With Shallowbag Bay stretching out on one side and charming downtown Manteo on the other, this 19th century styled inn felt like the ideal break from our high-rise apartment in the city. It also made complete sense to me that Richard Gere and Diane Lane stayed here while filming the 2008 Romantic film Nights in Rodanthe.

Experiences you should not skip

OBX has so many one-of-a-kind things to do. These were the highlights we got to enjoy during our first visit.

Sunset sail, Manteo

A private romantic evening on the water had been sitting on our bucket list for ages, and we had tried to make it happen in several places around the world. Somehow it never worked out before, so I am especially happy that it finally did in OBX. Our Sail Outer Banks departure point was just steps from our room. Captain Dan was a skilled sailor and made the whole outing feel incredibly special. It is also a lovely way to enjoy time together while keeping social distance.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head

This was one of the stops that made us especially excited for the trip. I did not expect to find such a striking landscape in OBX. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is home to the tallest sand dunes on the east coast, standing at 80-100 feet. Even from the beach bypass road, the dunes are impossible to overlook.

Around sunset, plenty of people arrived to hike, sand board, and fly kites. The park is large, so keeping distance is possible. If you want a kite before going to the dunes, you can pick one up at Kitty Hawk Kites. Truly, make time to pause here for sunset. Issa Vibe!

Biplane ride, Manteo

If climbing into a small open air cockpit while wind rushes by at 130 MPH sounds terrifying, believe me, I felt the same at first. The fear lasted only a few minutes, though, before the views took over: lighthouses, marshlands, clean beaches, and the powerful Atlantic. I was surprised by how affordable this adventure was in OBX, and I absolutely suggest checking out OBX Airplanes in Manteo.

Beach bonfire, Cape Hatteras

Few things feel more romantic or calming than gathering around a beach bonfire while the sky shifts from blue into pink-orange shades. You do need a permit for beach fires, and only certain OBX beaches allow them. Logs, a lighter, and tumbleweeds fire starters can be picked up from a nearby Hardware or 7-Eleven store. Please be thoughtful and review the rules and regulations for both starting and fully putting out a bonfire.

Stargazing, Cape Hatteras

Only a small number of places in the world have conditions that are ideal for stargazing, and Outer Banks is definitely one of them. After our early-evening bonfire at the Cape Hatteras beach, we grabbed food and started back toward the resort. Halfway there, I looked out, shouted for Akhil to stop the car, and realized the sky was not simply full of stars — the whole of Milky Way was visible. Missing that would have been such a mistake.

So learn from us: bring your food back to the beach, settle in until it gets dark enough, and take in the view of our galaxy.

Sunrise at Jennette’s Pier

I cannot think of a better OBX morning than a beach walk. With over a 100 miles of coastline, there were plenty of choices, but we went to Jennette’s Pier because it was beautiful and close to our resort. We saw soft candy-colored skies, people fishing along the pier, and the kind of light breeze we love.

More ideas for a future trip

These are the experiences we did not get to fit into this visit, but they are on our list for next time:

• Wild Horse Tours — The famous wild horses of Corolla have been captivating visitors for years. You can look for them on an open jeep tour or take your own 4x4 onto the beaches, but be sure to keep a safe distance.
• Wrights brother memorial — The Wright brothers helped make the world feel smaller. Visit the memorial in Kill Devil Hills to see the place where aviation began.
• Fishing piers are one of the best features of a costal area, and OBX gives you several to pick from. Bring your gear and try it out.
• Wildlife is plentiful throughout these islands, including turtles, dolphins, alligators, black bears, and harder-to-spot red wolves and bobcats. A hike through Pea Island or Alligator river wildlife refuge areas may give you a chance to see some of them.
• Guided horseback riding is available on the beach. Look into Equine adventures in Cape Hatteras.
• The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, with seasonal flower displays and antique sculptures, are made for an easy, lovely walk.

Where we ate

Since we are vegetarians, we did not dive into the seafood options, but we still found lots of great vegetarian food. Avenue Waterfront Grille, which was only steps from our resort in Manteo, had plenty to enjoy. The Crispy Tofu Tacos and the Hippie Burger paired perfectly with the waterfront view.

Manteo also has several breakfast spots. At Front porch cafe, the spinach and cheese turnovers were delicious. For bagels and an Iced mocha latte, Charis cafe was another charming stop, complete with a prayer wall where you can pin a wish or prayer.

If you are in Cape Hatteras and pizza is what you are craving, Angelo’s Pizza is the place to go. It was among our favorites.

And if you are like me and enjoy ending the night with something warm and sweet, make your way to Duck Donuts. They are fried on the spot with the toppings and glazes you choose, and the result is heavenly. During the day, I also suggest getting ice cream to cool off in the summer heat.

Helpful things to know

• From Charlotte, the drive takes about 5-6 hour, with Raleigh and Durham along the route if you want an easy stopover. It is even closer from Virginia.
• I would suggest staying in one of OBX’s small towns, such as Manteo or Hatteras. Manteo offers a quaint waterfront-town feel with fewer crowds, while the Cape Hatteras Seashore has beautiful empty beaches.
• Make the most of the free activities, including the sand dunes, a beach bonfire, or driving on the beach in your own 4X4.
• Summer can get very hot, so pack clothing that is loose and comfortable.
• Bring your beach basics and sunscreen. Enjoy!

Author

Neha Rao is a Charlotte, NC blogger who documents fashionable life moments and exciting travel experiences while sharing helpful know-hows through her blog, TheGeminiAllure.com.