
If you haven’t already fallen in love with The Outer Banks, you will after you read this article..
The Outer Banks was tucked neatly into my bucket list for two years before I finally made my way towards the Outer Banks via another rockin’ roadtrip with my two toddlers.
We explored the area extensively and all three of us have never had such a hard time leaving a destination before. There were tears all around.
150 Things To Do In Outer Banks, NC
1. Go to a beach along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
2. Visit The Bodie Island Lighthouse
3. Eat doughnuts from Duck Donuts
4. Visit The Cape Hatteras Beach Lighthouse
5. See the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site
6. Go to a beach in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
7. Visit Roanoke Island (my guide to Roanoke Island)
8. Buy an Apple Ugly from Apple Blossom Bakery & Cafe
9. See the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
10. Fish on the Avon Fishing Pier
11. Visit the Oregon Inlet fishing village
12. Walk out on the Rodanthe Pier
13. Take a stroll through the Historic Corolla Park

14. Grab a delicious Fajita Quesadilla from Corolla Cantina
15. Windsurf at Canadian Hole
16. Rent a jet ski or wave runner
17. Take the ferry to Ocracoke Island (my guide to taking the Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry)
18. Visit the Graveyard of The Atlantic Museum
19. Shop around in the Pea Island Art Gallery
20. Search for wild horses in the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
21. Visit the Pea Island Life Saving Station
22. Lay on the beach at the Salvo Say Use Area
23. See the Currituck Lighthouse
24. Visit the Historic Whalehead Club
25. Fish off of the Avalon Pier
26. Walk the trails at the Sandy Run Park

27. Enjoy the shallow waters at the Haulover Day Use Area
28. Watch the kite surfers at Kite Point
29. Have lunch at the famous Howards Pub (the best place we’ve ate at in the OBX!)
30. Go kayaking in the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
31. Rent a pontoon for the day
32. Visit Little Colington Island and Big Colington Island
33. Go on a Ghost Crab Quest
34. Walk boardwalks of the Hatteras Village Park
35. See the beautiful Jeanette’s Pier
36. Walk around the town of Manteo
37. Get candy from The Laughing Lollipop
38. See the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
39. Go to the Wright Brothers National Memorial

40. Visit the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse
41. Walk up the gigantic sand dunes in Jockey’s Ridge State Park
42. Fish off of the Nags Head Fishing Pier
43. Get brave at the First Flight Adventure Park
44. Take a class from the Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School
45. Rent a paddle boat in Hatteras
46. Visit the Nags Head Woods
47. Try stand up paddle boarding in the ocean
48. Wonder around the Seaside Art Gallery
49. Play space themed putt putt at Galaxy Golf
50. Visit the Nags Head Raceway
51. Rent a jeep for beach driving in Corolla

52. Have a waterside picnic at the Harvey Soundside Park
53. Fish off of the Outer Banks Fishing Pier
54. Wonder around the Seagreen Gallery
55. Walk along the breathtaking Coquina Beach
56. Visit the dramatic sand dunes at the Run Hill State Natural Area
57. Eat scrumptious loaded nachos at the pier & ocean front Fishheads (we can’t get enough of their loaded nachos!)
58. Laze around on Corolla Beach
59. Stop by the Pony Pen to take a closer look at the wild horses
60. Indulge on a waffle cone at The Chill Spot
61. Find famous movie filming locations from Message In A Bottle & Nights in Rodanthe
62. Ride a horse on the beach
63. Take a picture in front of the Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station

64. Visit one of the country’s top rated beaches, Ocracoke Beach
65. Visit the Hatteras Island Ocean Center
66. Walk around the Frisco Native American Museum
67. Watch the sunset over dinner at Good Winds Restaurant
68. Take the Buxton Woods Trail
69. Get yourself a treat from the Gingerbread House Bakery
70. Taste delicious fresh seafood at The Mad Crabber
71. Take a chartered fishing boat
72. Try your hand at parasailing
73. Rent a bike to ride around your favorite Outer Banks town
74. Order a pizza from Angelo’s Pizza Arcade
75. Drive your own 4X4 vehicle onto one of the vehicle friendly beaches
76. Snatch your own piece of beautiful eclectic artwork from Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn
77. Take a sunset cruise
78. Rent a golf cart to drive around your favorite Outer Banks town

79. Grab an Italian Ice from Cups And Cones
80. Go scuba diving off the coast of the Outer Banks
81. Have fun at Frisco Mini-Golf and Go-Karts
82. Embrace your inner child at Hatteras Toy Store & Candy Island
83. Stop at Plaza Azteca for delicious Mexican food
84. Enjoy a healthy smoothie from Island Smoothie
85. Buy some Outer Banks made Mango-Pineapple Habenero Salsa from Hattibuilt
86. Taste any and every flavor of salt water taffy from Forbes Candy & Gift Shop
87. Stop by Josephine’s Sicilian Kitchen for yummy Italian cuisine
88. Enjoy the wildlife in the Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods Preserve
89. Search for black bears, turtles, and alligators in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
90. Walk around the beautiful grounds of the Elizabethan Garden

91. Enjoy marine life at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
92. Spend a night in nature at one of the Outer Banks’ campgrounds
93. Experience what life was like in the 19th century at Island Farm
94. Learn a thing or two at The Monument To A Century of Flight
95. Visit the National Wildlife Refuges Visitors Center
96. Drive the length of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway
97. Learn about the loggers and moonshiners of Roanoke at the Buffalo City Exhibit
98. Follow the historical monuments of the Civil War Trail
99. Go for a beer tasting at the Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe
100. Visit the Dare County Airport Museum

101. Walk the Duck Soundside Boardwalk
102. See the Lost Colony Play
103. Visit Duck Town Park
104. Explore the North Carolina Maritime Museum
105. Go shopping at the Nags Head Outlets
106. Attend the annual Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
107. Go crabbing or shrimping on a Croatan Charter Boat
108. Take a Harbor Star Dolphin Tour
109. Get your picture taken at Miss Kitty’s Old Time Photos & Gifts
110. Have fun and try to escape from OB-Xscape Rooms

111. Try a donut on a stick at Donutz On-A-Stick Ice Cream
112. Get your hair wrapped at Life On A Sandbar
113. Be a dare devil with Skydive OBX
114. Take an Outer Banks boat tour with Vineyard Voyage
115. Go bowling at OBX Bowling Center
116. Stop by Kill Devils Frozen Custard & Beach Fries
117. Take a tour with Ghost Tours Of Outer Banks
118. Take a kayak tour with Coastal Kayak Touring Co
119. Enjoy a rainy day at Corolla Movie And Bistro
120. Take a Hummer Adventure Tour
121. Experience a true coastal Carolinian dining tradition with Outer Banks Boil Company
122. Have fun at the Corolla Raceway
123. Take a Back Country Safari Tour

124. Grab a Key Lime Pie Bar, Bananas Foster Cheesecake, or a delicious Oreo Brownie from the Scratchmade Snackery
125. Sample olive oils and balsamic vinegars at Outer Banks Olive Oil Company
126. Take a tour of the rum making process at OBX Distilling
127. Visit The Comedy Club of the Outer Banks
128. Browse through the wines at Bacchus Wine & Cheese
129. Take a yoga class at Soulshine Yoga or Duck Village Yoga
130. Enjoy frozen yogurt at Surfin Spoon
131. Take part in an OBX Mystery Dinner
132. Relax with some hot tea from Dolce Pastries & Desserts
133. Go indoor rock climbing at Kitty Hawk Kites Nags Head location
134. Take a jewelry making class at Studio 12

135. Have fun on obstacle courses and slides at Bouncing Off The Walls
136. Enjoy malts, shakes, ice cream, fudge and more at The Olde Towne Creamery
137. Take a cooking class a A Culinary Affair
138. Grab a chilli cheese dog from Oh My Dog
139. Go to Beach Braids for henna tattoos
140. Make a rememberable craft souvenir at What The Shell
141. Play lazer tag and black light min-golf at Destination Fun
142. Go shopping in the Timbuck II Shopping Village
143. Browse through the largest selection of wine and beer in the Outer Banks at Chip’s Wine & Beer Market
144. Watch a movie at RC Kill Devil Hills Movies
145. Grab a bagel for breakfast at Lighthouse Bagels
146. Go shelling on Ocracoke Beach
147. Watch wild Spanish mustangs in Carova
148. Grab a slice from Rocco’s Pizza
149. Visit the popular Cape Point Beach
150. Collect shells on Shelly Island

I’m happy to answer any questions you have about visiting the Outer Banks in the comments below! 🙂
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I’m now officially in love with the Outer Banks and would want nothing more than to visit one day, especially to see that beautiful lighthouse. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva
Yesss definitely worthy of the bucket list! 🙂
Looks so fun and beautiful!! Lots of ideas! Will definitely put this on the list for future family vacays!
You’ll love it!:)