Outer Banks
The barrier islands known as the Outer Banks separate the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland off the coast of North Carolina in the United States. They are well-liked vacation spots because of their open-sea beaches, state parks, and shipwreck diving locations. Sir Walter Raleigh funded the first English settlement in the New World, which was located on Roanoke Island.
The Outer Banks are dripping with history—the Wright brothers made their illustrious first flight here, Blackbeard fought his final conflict there, and the enigmatic Lost Colony vanished. 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.
Location: North Carolina, the United States
Best time to visit: between March and May or September and November
Price: $1,276 for a solo traveler, $2,292 for a couple, and $4,296 for a family of 4 for 7-day trip
Ranking:
- #1 Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.
- #4 Best Cheap Family Vacations
- #6 Best Cheap Spring Break Destinations
Website: https://www.outerbanks.org/
