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32 Best and Fun Things To Do In Outer Banks, North Carolina


TouristWire Editors

The Outer Banks is a breathtaking vacation spot, known for its stunning natural scenery and thrilling outdoor activities.

With long stretches of sandy beaches and various offshore pleasures, the Outer Banks boasts a wide variety of outdoor ventures for every type of traveler. Because these beaches are family-friendly, they are a perfect destination for a memorable family vacation and an ideal spot for everyone to unwind and relax. No loud theme parks and city noise, no expensive hotels, no boardwalks, flashy nightlife, and mainstream tourist traps. These qualities make Outer Banks ideal for those seeking a getaway from busy everyday life.

With many islands, secluded villages, and quaint towns to visit in the area, you will have an abundance of cultural experiences that will keep you coming back. The following list will illuminate all the unique attractions in the Outer Banks that will bring color to your trip.

The 32 Most Popular Things To Do In Outer Banks, North Carolina

32. North Pond Trail

4.0 ★★★★☆ (1 review)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

31. Brigand Bay

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

30. Duck Island

5.0 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

29. Hatteras Island Fishing Pier

4.2 ★★★★☆ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 24251 Atlantic Dr Rodanthe NC

Tel:  252 987 2323

Web Address:   http://hatteras-island-visitor-guide.org/

28. Buxton Woods

4.2 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)

800px-frisco%2c outer banks%2c north carolina %2814453786114%29

Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

27. Canadian Hole

3.9 ★★★★☆ (7 reviews)

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Credit: Viv Lynch, License, Flickr

26. Pea Island Beach

4.8 ★★★★★ (17 reviews)

799px-outerbanks north carolina pea island

Credit: Mathieu Landretti, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Rodanthe NC

Tel:  252 216 9464

Web Address:   https://fws.gov/refuge/pea_island/

25. Bodie Island

4.7 ★★★★★ (22 reviews)

800px-egret at bodie island north carolina image 3

Credit: DrStew82, License, Wikimedia commons

24. Buxton Woods Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ (25 reviews)

Location: 46375 Lighthouse Road Buxton NC

Tel:  252 473 2111

Web Address:   https://nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

23. Museum of the Sea

4.8 ★★★★★ (32 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 46377 Lighthouse Road Buxton NC

Tel:  252 995 4474

Web Address:   http://nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm

22. Cape Point

4.7 ★★★★★ (32 reviews)

21. Old Lighthouse Beach Access

4.8 ★★★★★ (36 reviews)

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Credit: leep, License, Flickr

Location: Buxton NC

Web Address:   https://npplan.com/parks-by-state/north-carolina-national-parks/park-at-a-glance-cape-hatteras-national-seashore/cape-hatteras-national-seashore-beaches/cape-hatteras-national-seashore-bodie-to-cape-point-beaches-atlantic/cape-hatteras-national-seashore-cape-hatteras-lighthouse-beach/

20. Cape Point

4.9 ★★★★★ (49 reviews)

800px-cape hatteras national seashore%2c north carolina highway 12%2c outer banks %2814268268739%29

Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Unnamed Rd. Buxton NC

Web Address:   https://outerbanks.com/cape-point.html

19. Kite Point

4.7 ★★★★★ (76 reviews)

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Credit: Don McCullough, License, Flickr

Location: North Carolina Hwy 12 Buxton NC

18. Coquina Beach

4.9 ★★★★★ (102 reviews)

17. Avon Beach

4.9 ★★★★★ (103 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

16. Beach Access Ramp 43

4.5 ★★★★★ (114 reviews)

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Credit: Harry Miley, Google Maps

Web Address:   https://nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/beachactivities.htm#ORV

15. Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station

4.8 ★★★★★ (152 reviews)

Location: North Carolina Hwy 12 Rodanthe NC

Web Address:   https://uslife-savingservice.org/station/endangered-stations/oregon-inlet-life-saving-station-1898-rodanthe-nc/

14. Rodanthe Beach Access

4.7 ★★★★★ (187 reviews)

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Credit: Jimmy Hall, Google Maps

13. Pea Island Art Gallery

4.8 ★★★★★ (188 reviews)

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Credit: Paul Diming, Google Maps

Location: 27766 North Carolina Hwy 12 Salvo NC

Tel:  252 216 5647

Web Address:   https://peaislandartgallery.com/

12. Frisco Mini Golf & Go Karts

4.0 ★★★★☆ (329 reviews)

Location: 50212 Trent Lake Ln Frisco NC

Tel:  252 995 6325

Web Address:   https://friscominigolfandgokarts.com/

11. Salvo Day Use Area

4.7 ★★★★★ (413 reviews)

800px-salvo day use area%2c cape hatteras national seashore%2c north carolina highway 12%2c outer banks %2814454908445%29

Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Salvo NC

Tel:  252 473 2111

Web Address:   http://nps.gov/caha

10. Rodanthe Pier Place

4.5 ★★★★★ (796 reviews)

Location: 24251 Atlantic Dr Rodanthe NC

Tel:  252 987 0030

Web Address:   https://rodanthepierllc.com/

Our Top picks

9. Pea Island

4.9 ★★★★★ (34 reviews)

799px-outerbanks north carolina pea island

Credit: Mathieu Landretti, License, Wikimedia commons

8. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

4.8 ★★★★★ (80 reviews)

Location: Buxton NC

Web Address:   https://nps.gov/caha/index.htm

7. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site

4.8 ★★★★★ (161 reviews)

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Credit: Unknown author provided, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 23645 North Carolina Hwy 12 Rodanthe NC

Tel:  252 987 1552

Web Address:   http://chicamacomico.org/

6. Cape Hatteras

4.8 ★★★★★ (202 reviews)

5. Avon Fishing Pier

4.6 ★★★★★ (1,092 reviews)

Location: 41001 North Carolina Hwy 12 Avon NC

Tel:  252 995 5480

Web Address:   http://avonfishingpier.com/

4. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

4.6 ★★★★★ (1,843 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1401 National Park Dr Manteo NC

Tel:  252 473 2111

Web Address:   https://nps.gov/fora/index.htm

3. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

4.8 ★★★★★ (2,050 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 14500 North Carolina Hwy 12 Rodanthe NC

Tel:  252 473 1131

Web Address:   https://fws.gov/refuge/pea-island

2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

4.8 ★★★★★ (4,361 reviews)

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Credit: Jon Gudorf Photography, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 46379 Lighthouse Road Buxton NC

Tel:  252 473 2111

Web Address:   https://nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/chls.htm

1. Bodie Island Lighthouse

4.8 ★★★★★ (4,759 reviews)

450px-bodie island lighthouse outer banks

Credit: Mathieu Landretti, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road Nags Head NC

Web Address:   https://nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/bils.htm

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Outer Banks, North Carolina! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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