12 Small Towns In the Outer Banks were ranked among US favorites
What if someone told you of a place where you could lock eyes with wild ponies, enjoy the quietude of small, quaint villages, sink your ankles on sandy beaches surrounded by oceanfront houses everywhere, and climb to the top of historic lighthouses — drinking the heart-melting scenery all around? Well, this description fits the Outer Banks almost like a glove. Many swear that the beauty of the real Outer Banks surpasses what you have seen in the famous Netflix chartbuster by far. But if you want to verify for yourself, the following 12 small towns in the Outer Banks were ranked among U.S. favorites.
Corolla
You can begin your Corolla experience by having a couple of cocktails and deliciously fresh oysters at Sundogs Raw Bar & Grill in the Food Lion Plaza, enjoy a memorable shopping adventure at the famous Timbuck II Shopping Village, and then head straight to the iconic Currituck Beach Lighthouse. You will need to part with only $12 to climb the lighthouse to the top and inhale some of the most gasp-inducing views of the area. While the traffic can be terrible and something you will need to plan around, Corolla (and its environs) is a delicious eye candy you will not want to turn your back on. And here is the exciting part: You must keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of wild horses that often roam freely in the area.
Avon
About two centuries ago, the town we now call Avon was known as “Kinnakeet,” translated as “that which is mixed.” It was in reference to the mingling of the Natives and the newly arrived English settlers. The town and its environs were famous for the abundance of evergreens, including live oaks and cedars; the perfect raw materials for shipbuilding, then the town’s mainstay. Today, Avon reclines in a sweet spot about 15 miles south of Salvo and can be accessed via NC Highway 12. While the quiet water wonderland boasts several attractions, the resilient Avon Fishing Pier is a particular not-miss. Whether you want to fish, people-watch, or sit at the beach and enjoy the scenery, the first pier constructed on Hatteras Island will be handy.
Duck
While big cities that lie along the water are some of the most charming (think of Venice), Duck’s tranquil quaintness is just what many vacationers will fall in love with. Often ranked among the best coastal small towns in the Outer Banks, Duck is a refreshing neverland that will tickle the fancy of a small-town enthusiast. This hidden gem sits between the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean and provides beautiful waterfront views vacationers will find both soothing and exciting. Among the town’s star attractions is the picturesque boardwalk that is almost a mile long. Lined with locally-owned shops, eclectic galleries, and casual but classy eateries, Duck’s boardwalk is often a beehive, especially during summer.
Manteo
Another Outer Banks gem that often provides optical nourishment is Manteo, a North Carolina stunner sandwiched between the Roanoke Sound to the east and the Croatan Sound to the west. For clarity, a sound is an inlet of seawater that flows between a mainland and an island. A water paradise a vacationer will enjoy visiting in summer, Manteo’s scenery and waterfront vibes make it among the U.S. favorites. A first-time visitor to Manteo will want to explore the myriad of attractions within the town, including the 10-acre Elizabethan Gardens and Roanoke Marshes Light. The former is a greenspace gem you will find quite relaxing and picturesque, while the latter is a small lighthouse that jets out about 40 yards into the Roanoke Sound. But that said, for a sneak peek into mid-19th century farm life right on the island, Island Farm is certainly what the doctor will recommend.
Kitty Hawk
This U.S. favorite lies on Bodie Island, a narrow, ocean-facing sand barrier opposite Albemarle Sound. If other towns are laid back, Kitty Hawk fully reclines. The community is among the oldest in the area and is still considerably removed from the whirl of cars and the glamor and tinsel that characterize modern cities. While the pristine beach that comes with old-school cottages — remains Kitty Hawk’s star of the show, the shopping scene is pretty decent and features antique stores, souvenir shops, and eclectic boutiques. Then again, the town’s culinary landscape is hard to beat —among the most varied Outer Banks towns. If you want a top-rated eatery with a nice window view of the beach and ocean, you may want to check out Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar, located just across the beach.
Nags Head
Nags Head is a charming resort town in eastern North Carolina’s Bodie Island just south of Kitty Hawk. The name “Nags Head” is supposedly in reference to how shipwreckers would tie bright lanterns to the necks of ponies, then known as “nags.” The shipwreckers would then march the horses on the rolling dunes. Sea captains, however, would confuse these as the light of anchored boats and — because of the confusion — would run their cargo ships aground. The shipwreckers would then quickly pounce and seize the cargo. Today, Nags Head is a vacation epicenter in the Outer Banks that often draws crowds seeking sandy beaches, soft breezes, and towering sand dunes, especially at the Jockey's Ridge State Park. This park, for perspective, plays host to the tallest living dune system on the Atlantic coast.
Ocracoke
Aside from being one of the finest shelling destinations in the Outer Banks, Ocracoke is famous for having been a piracy theater decades ago — and for playing host to one of the most infamous pirates in the history of the Atlantic coast. Edward Teach, better known as “Blackbeard,” inspired a reign of terror during his heydays that would only end with his death. Spotting a black beard that reached down to his waist — and which he would light fuses on to create a ghost-like appearance that often sent cold shivers down the spine of his victims, Blackbeard would form a base on Ocracoke Island and embark on a notoriously criminal career that has since inspired books, films, even amusement park rides. Today, Ocracoke is home to the second oldest working lighthouse in the United States, up to 14 miles of white-sand beaches, and beautiful herds of ponies.
Hatteras
Hatteras village (or town) is among seven other small towns, including Waves, Salvo, and Avon, that make up Hatteras Island. Hatteras occupies the southern tip of the eponymous island and once played host to a port that was among the largest in the state. Hatteras has been called the "Blue Marlin Capital of the World" and, even today, proudly flaunts that heritage. For instance, the Hatteras Village Library and Community Center displays a then world-record-shattering 810-pound blue marlin that was caught on June 11, 1962. If you are a seafood connoisseur, one of your finest picks would be Back Porch Restaurant, where patrons enjoy meals on the porch while cool breezes soothe their faces. Needless to add, you will hardly find qualms with the Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, once named “Best Beach in America” by Dr. Beach — and the first one in the contiguous USA outside Florida.
Frisco
Another Outer Banks treasure that is also among U.S. favorites is Frisco, one of the many towns on Hatteras Island, secreted about three miles from Hatteras Village. Boasting a population of just about 690, Frisco is a small, quaint gem ideal for a townie who craves some seclusion in laid-back and slow-paced environs. While the town’s quiet beaches are among its star features, Frisco’s other attractions include the Frisco Native American Museum, a cultural goldmine whose central structure dates back to 1880. Dedicated to preserving Native American art and culture, this museum also features several acres of scenic nature trails that meander through lush maritime forest. Besides, Frisco’s downtown area has several casual restaurants, art galleries, and gift shops.
Salvo
Salvo is in North Carolina’s Dare County, the easternmost county in the state. Encircled by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Salvo features deliciously rustic waterfront vistas. This North Carolina stunner is part of a triad of villages, known as Tri-villages, that also includes Rodanthe and Waves. However, Salvo is special for being the southernmost of the three villages and the quietest. Salvo, like many Outer Banks towns, offers a first-class beach experience. However, other attractions in Salvo also make it a U.S. favorite. One of these is Pea Island Art Gallery, an awesome little place whose art exhibits are both tasteful and sublime. If you have the slightest interest in art, this art gallery will make you smile.
Buxton
Buxton, just like Salvo, Frisco, and Avon, also sits on Hatteras Island and is a much sought-after travel destination for several reasons. This Outer Banks charmer plays host to one of the most famous lighthouses in the United States. Many will agree that the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which goes up 198 feet from foundation to pinnacle, is the most iconic structure on the island. But it is not just on the island. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is also the tallest in the United States, made of bricks. Built to cast light an impressive 16 miles in all directions, this famous lighthouse is distinguished by its spiral paints of alternating black and white. Climbing to the top of the tallest brick lighthouse in the country and gasping at heart-melting views all around is usually an experience of a lifetime.
Kill Devil Hills
For its eyebrow-raising name alone, this Outer Banks hot cake would be a U.S. favorite. The name "Kill Devil" refers to recovered rum from wrecked ships in the area that locals believed was strong enough to kill the devil. But that aside, Kill Devil Hills boasts a well-established reputation in vacation circles. Almost every American has heard intriguing stories about the "Birthplace of Flight" and the exploits of the Wright Brothers. Kill Devil Hills is proud of that heritage and often promotes the Wright Brothers National Memorial as a crucial port of call for first-time visitors. While the memorial is a show-stopper that does an excellent job curating important highlights of America's aviation history, Kill Devil Hills is a bigger town than its neighbors and boasts a decent array of shopping and dining options.
Discover America's Hidden Coastal Jewels
Well known as a photographer's paradise and featuring some of the prettiest beaches on Earth, the Outer Banks, a string of beautiful barrier islands mostly off the coast of North Carolina, is among America's best-kept secrets. Aside from the breezes and the waves, the Outer Banks hosts a cornucopia of beautiful small towns often ranked among U.S. favorites. Some of these include Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, famous for being the "Birthplace of Flight," and Buxton.
