What to do in Outer Banks, NC

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Outer Banks

Types of activities

Where to stay

Outer Banks travel guide

Wright Brothers National Memorial featuring a statue or sculpture

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center showing a bay or harbour, signage and boating

Cape Hatteras National Seashore featuring a sandy beach

Outer Banks Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Outer Banks has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Outer Banks, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Outer Banks with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Outer Banks

Outer Banks is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Outer Banks, and make it a breeze to explore Outer Banks and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Outer Banks to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Outer Banks, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Outer Banks.

Outer Banks attractions

Outer Banks has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Outer Banks to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Outer Banks.

Looking for things to do in Outer Banks can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Outer Banks or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Outer Banks attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

When you drive into Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you might see oystercatchers or piping plovers flying overhead before you even hear the waves on the beach. These are signs of the magical place you’re entering. Spend at least a weekend exploring the 70 miles (110 kilometers) of coastline that are part of this remarkable preserve.

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2. Jennette's Pier

Experience some of the finest fishing available in the Outer Banks at Jennette’s Pier. Learn about the region’s history in the pier house. The pier was completely rebuilt after major destruction in 2003 when Hurricane Isabel blasted through the area. With support from the North Carolina Aquarium Society it is now an eco-friendly education center and a sustainable fishing hotspot.

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3. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Visitors to the Outer Banks of North Carolina should make a point of seeing the twisting, white and black stripes of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The distinctive spiral pattern on this structure makes it a pretty subject for a photo. Come to see a beautiful relic of maritime technology and learn about the troubled history of those who have relied on its guidance in nearby waters.

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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse featuring a lighthouse

4. Bodie Island Lighthouse

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Bodie Island Lighthouse featuring a lighthouse

5. Wright Brothers National Memorial

If you’ve read about the first plane taking off near Kitty Hawk, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial where this epochal moment occurred. Stand in the trail of history and see where Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their first four test flights between 1900 and 1903.

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Recommended things to do in Outer Banks

Number of things to do	8
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: £12
Top 5 things to do	2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4x4 Lorry Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks Corolla Kayak Adventure Self-Guided Audio Driving Bundle of Outer Banks Tours Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe
Half-day tours	2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4x4 Lorry Corolla Kayak Adventure Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe Private Professiona Vacationl Photoshoot in Outer Banks OBX
With kids	2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4x4 Lorry Corolla Kayak Adventure Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe Private Professiona Vacationl Photoshoot in Outer Banks OBX

What to do in Outer Banks

Popular places to visit

Jennette's Pier

Fish for striped bass, flounder and bluefish or simply admire the oceanfront surroundings from this eco-friendly pier in North Carolina’s beautiful Nags Head.

Nags Head Fishing Pier

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Explore the waterfront of Nags Head Fishing Pier and enjoy activities such as fishing in Nags Head. Stroll along the seaside or visit the notable monuments in the area.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

This soaring brick lighthouse is among the very tallest in North America. It’s a great place to learn about American maritime history.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

3/5(1 review)

Climb the iconic lighthouse just south of Nags Head and experience spectacular natural views of Bodie Island, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding areas.

Duck Boardwalk

After visiting Duck Boardwalk, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Duck. Wander the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

5/5(2 reviews)

A true testament to the origins of aviation history, this monument is also a visually impressive and inspiring feature of the North Carolina landscape.

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Admire the tallest sand dunes on the Atlantic coast, explore the maritime forest and see the shallow Roanoke Sound body of water in this unique state park.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

With a large range of boat choices, one of the eastern seaboard’s largest charter boat fishing fleets has options for all fishing enthusiasts, and non-fishermen too.

The Lost Colony

You can make plans for a show at The Lost Colony during your trip to Manteo. Visit the area's notable monuments or amble around its beautiful beaches.

Explore areas of Outer Banks

South Nags Head

While visiting South Nags Head, you might make a stop by sights like Bodie Island Lighthouse and Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

Whalehead Beach

While visiting Whalehead Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Currituck Beach and Corolla Beach.

Ocean Sands

While visiting Ocean Sands, you might make a stop by sights like Corolla Beach and Outer Banks Beaches.

Corolla Light

If you're spending some time in Corolla Light, Whale Head Bay and Whalehead are top sights worth seeing.

Sea Scape

If you're spending some time in Sea Scape, Sea Scape Golf Links and Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve are top sights worth seeing.

Pine Island

If you're spending some time in Pine Island, Corolla Beach and Outer Banks Beaches are top sights worth seeing.

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