Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are barrier islands off the coast of the U.S. state of North Carolina, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. Their open-sea beaches, state parks, and shipwreck diving sites make them a popular holiday destination. Roanoke Island was the site of England’s first settlement in the New World, an endeavor sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh.

History drips from the Outer Banks: Here, aviators Orville and Wilbur Wright took their famous first flight (at Kill Devil Hills), the pirate Blackbeard fought his last battle (at Ocracoke) and the mysterious Lost Colony disappeared (exactly where is anyone's guess, but it was last seen on Roanoke Island near Manteo). Yet this chain of barrier islands located off the coast of North Carolina – affectionately dubbed OBX – isn't just for history buffs. Fishing, windsurfing, and wildlife watching attract adventurous types as well. The Outer Banks' roughly 3,000 shipwrecks, explorable by snorkeling or scuba diving, earned it a reputation as "the graveyard of the Atlantic." Families gravitate toward the beaches, the mini-golf courses, and the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island.

Each neighborhood has its charm: Old lighthouses, rugged dunes, and secluded beaches in the south coupled with vacation rentals, water sports, and kitschy beach shops in the north all form a unique seaside destination. OBX is ideal for those looking to skip overly developed touristy towns and head straight for the unspoiled beaches. You won't find big nightlife, but you will find an abundance of natural beauty. Beaches are more populated during the summer months, but with so many destinations spread out along the barrier islands, you likely won't experience unmanageable crowds at any time of year. The best time to visit the Outer Banks is between March and May or September and November when lodging rates drop and crowds dissipate

Address: North Carolina