Seven Unforgettable Spots on the Outer Banks (Sponsored)

Beaches Of Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The beaches of the Outer Banks are second to none, offering mile after mile of uncommon natural beauty. Windswept sand dunes, rolling waves, and wild sea grasses are a playground for snowy egrets, sea turtles, and a rich variety of plants. From South Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is 70 miles of beach heaven. Take your off-road vehicle on the sand for a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience on Bodie Island or comb for seashells and driftwood on Ocracoke. Whether you're in town for adventure or pure relaxation, these pristine beaches will not disappoint.

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Jockey's Ridge State Park, Nags Head, Northern Beaches

Whether you're a thrill seeker or a geographer, Jockey's Ridge in the charming town of Nags Head is a must-see. The tallest natural sand-dune system on the East Coast, the 426-acre park offers visitors a stunning backdrop for kite flying, hang gliding, and hiking. Explore the park's Roanoke Sound Estuary and you might just find a Blue Crab burrowed in the rich sea grass and mud. Then climb to the top of the spectacular dunes for an unparalleled view of the Carolina coast ablaze with an orange and pink sunset.

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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton, Cape Hatteras

The iconic Hatteras Lighthouse's black-and-white-striped tower and red-brick base stand tall (208 feet, to be exact—the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States) as a beacon of light for ships in the Atlantic. Hardy travelers can take a tour of the lighthouse but should be prepared to work for it, climbing 248 steps with one handrail and no air conditioning. But the reward is well worth the exercise. Try the sunset tour or the monthly full-moon tour to make this unique experience even more striking.

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Jennette's Pier, Nags Head, Northern Beaches

Vacationers of all ages can come together on the oldest pier in the Outer Banks for live-animal exhibits, educational programs, and, of course, fishing. Revamped and reopened by the North Carolina Aquarium in 2011, Jennette's Pier has been designed to showcase clean-energy technology alongside new fish tanks, rotating exhibits, snack bars, and tackle shops. Seafood lovers can angle for tasty bluefish or flounder, then use one of the pier's fish-cleaning stations to prepare their catch for a fresh, local dinner.

Plan your ultimate escape to the Outer Banks! Request a Free Travel Guide or browse the Virtual Travel Guide now.

Sponsored By The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau

Plan your ultimate escape to the Outer Banks! Request a Free Travel Guide or browse the Virtual Travel Guide now.

The Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo, Roanoke Island

Escape the beach and be transported to Elizabethan England in these lush landscaped gardens on Roanoke Island. Colorful azaleas, roses, foxgloves, and crepe myrtles bloom among an impressive array of Renaissance statues, fountains, and bird baths. There is beauty year-round in this tranquil setting, which offers events such as children's gardening camps, Easter egg hunts, and a grand winter celebration when the garden is illuminated by more than one million twinkling lights.

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The Lost Colony, Manteo, Roanoke Island

It's one of the oldest unsolved mysteries in America: the legendary fate of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. In 1587, 117 weary travelers arrived on the island and set up what was to be the first permanent English colony in America. Instead, all but one—the lucky John White, who left to sail back to England for supplies—mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Visit Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to walk the nature trails as the colonists would have, then settle in and watch the dramatic live performance of The Lost Colony at the Waterside Theater, set against a backdrop of clear-blue Atlantic waves.

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Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, Northern Beaches

On a cold day in December of 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful airplane flight from the sand dunes of Kill Devil Hills. Today, the memorial site just south of Kitty Hawk features a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 Powered Flyer and an engine block from the original plane, along with a replica glider and a massive granite monument atop the 90-foot dune known as Big Kill Devil Hill. Climb to the summit for a breathtaking view of ocean and sound—from the very spot where the Wright brothers made history.

Plan your ultimate escape to the Outer Banks! Request a Free Travel Guide or browse the Virtual Travel Guide now.