Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is steeped in history: here, aviators Orville and Wilbur Wright made their famous first flight (at Kill Devil Hills), pirate Blackbeard fought his final battle (at Ocracoke), and the mysterious Lost Colony vanished (exactly where is unknown, but it was last seen on Roanoke Island near Manteo). This collection of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, known colloquially as OBX, isn't only for history aficionados. Fishing, windsurfing, and wildlife viewing are all popular among the daring. 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.
Old lighthouses, rocky dunes, and quiet beaches in the south combine with vacation homes, water sports, and kitschy beach stores in the north to create a one-of-a-kind coastal resort. OBX is great for people who want to avoid overdeveloped tourist destinations in favor of pristine beaches. There isn't much in the way of nightlife, but there is plenty of natural beauty. Beaches are more crowded in the summer, but with so many places spaced out around the barrier islands, you're unlikely to encounter overcrowding at any time of year.
Best Hotels in Outer Banks:
- Sanderling Resort
- The First Colony Inn
- Beachwoods Resort
Best Things to Do in the Outer Banks:
- Outer Banks Beaches:
- Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Rankings:
- 1 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S
- 2 in Best Places to Visit in August
- 4 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
Rating:
- 11 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
