Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are permeated with history: Orville and Wilbur Wright made their illustrious maiden flight in this area (at Kill Devil Hills), Blackbeard fought his last fight (at Ocracoke), and the enigmatic Lost Colony vanished (precise location unknown; last seen on Roanoke Island close to Manteo). However, the OBX group of barrier islands, which situated off the coast of North Carolina, isn't just for history aficionados. Along with fishing, windsurfing, and wildlife viewing, these activities draw the most daring. The Outer Banks gained the moniker "the graveyard of the Atlantic" due to its estimated 3,000 shipwrecks, which can be explored by snorkeling or scuba diving. The beaches, mini-golf courses, and North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island are popular with families.

Old lighthouses, rocky dunes, and isolated beaches in the south combine with vacation homes, water sports, and kitschy beach stores in the north to create a distinctive coastal destination. Each community has its own appeal. For those who want to bypass excessively developed tourist destinations and go straight to pristine beaches, the OBX is great. There isn't a lot of nightlife, but there is a ton of beauty in nature. Beaches are busier in the summer, but with so many places to visit dispersed along the barrier islands, you probably won't encounter overwhelming crowds at any time of year.

• Country: USA