6 of the Most Quaint Small Towns in the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks are a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands off of the North Carolina coast. The island chain is made up of small towns and villages, and each one is drenched in historical significance. These quaint towns embody the charming coastal lifestyle and have much to offer visitors in both historical sites and recreational activities. Some of the historical sites include Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Fort Raleigh, and the Elizabethan Gardens. Discovering the most quaint small towns in the Outer Banks is like going back in time. The laidback atmosphere is infectious, and the tranquility is a welcome sight for mainland-weary visitors.
Kitty Hawk
Kitty Hawk is famous for being home to the Wright Brothers, who invented flight in 1903. A popular historic attraction is the Wright Brothers Memorial. The Kitty Hawk Village is one of the oldest communities in the Outer Banks and reminds visitors of a bygone era. Though there are a couple of national chains like Walmart, most of the shops and restaurants are local and independently owned. Kitty Hawk is also home to the 1,877-acre nature preserve, Kitty Hawk Woods. An amateur botanist could spend weeks here studying and enjoying the vast diversity of flora and fauna. This unique ecosystem embodies the beautiful nature of The Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk is the most commercialized town, but it does not detract from its small-town charm.
Hatteras
Hatteras, or Hatteras Village to locals, is on the south end of Hatteras Island. It is a historic maritime port, and visitors can learn about this important history at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which displays the maritime history of the treacherous waters and the many shipwrecks that lie just offshore from Hatteras. The museum is temporarily closed at the end of 2023 while new displays are being added, but it will reopen in early 2024.
Other historical sites include a monument that honors African Americans who served during the Civil War and the famed Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse, which was built in 1870, is a beacon in the night for sailors traversing one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic Coast. Visitors can roam the beach on horseback, stroll along one of the boardwalks, or visit the Ocean Center to learn about marine life and wildlife conservation. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the finest features of this town. It is unobstructed from homes and commercial buildings and, is rarely crowded, making it ideal for beachcombers to relax.
Avon
Avon is the busiest town on Hatteras Island and has the islands only two streetlights. The town was originally called Kinnakeet, and locals still refer to the older part of the town by that name. Avon is known for its surfing, and the Haulover Hole is the most popular kitesurfing spot on Hatteras Island.
The Avon Fishing Pier is one of two wooden piers on the island, and tens of thousands visit annually for the incredible surf fishing. Avon is more developed than the other towns in the Tri-Villages area and offers stunning art galleries, including Studio 12.
Manteo
Manteo is a beautiful town in the northern part of Roanoke Island. It stands apart from the other islands because of its seamless merging of history and modern and modern amenities. Manteo has a gorgeous waterfront and is a center for the arts and is home to over ten art galleries.
Roanoke island is often, confusingly, called Manteo, but the island is made up of Manteo on the northern side and Wanchese on the southern tip. Manteo is incorporated and has most of the island's inns, restaurants, and shops. The downtown waterfront is the heart of the town, and here is where you will find most of the art galleries and Festival Park with a replica sailing ship from the 16th century. Manteo boasts five of the Outer Banks' most popular attractions, including the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, The Lost Colony’s Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony, the Elizabethan Gardens, and the North Carolina Aquarium.
Rodanthe
Rodanthe, formerly known as Chicamacomico, is a romantic town that is geographically divided into two halves: North and South Rodanthe. The main historic site is the Chicamacomico Station, which was the first Life-Saving Station on the Outer Banks. Ironically, the station, built in 1874, is also the most intact station on the islands.
This small town is on the Outer Banks' eastern tip, making it a haven for water sports like surfing and kiteboarding. Other attractions include the Rodanthe Pier Place and The Eye of Rodanthe, a remote island that was featured in the 2008 movie, Nights In Rodanthe. The Inn at Rodanthe became famous because the exterior was filmed for the movie, and visitors are welcome to stay here. However, it is best to book in advance because the house is the most popular rental property on the island.
Nags Head
Nags Head is a historical town that opened the first resort on the Outer Banks. The beaches still draw visitors 150 years later. Today, the coastal town is home to the most watersports outfitters on the Banks, the greatest number of beach accesses, and a diversified ecology. The ecological sites include ridges, forests, and flora.
Jockey's Ridge State Park has colossal dunes, including the tallest on the Atlantic Coast, and is perfect for watching the sunrise. Jenette's Pier is only the second wooden pier on the Banks, and it is right across the street from Sam and Omies, the oldest restaurant on the islands.
The quaint towns of the Outer Banks offer an abundance of history and coastal town charm that is hard to find anywhere else. Visiting these towns feels like stepping back into a simpler way of life that also makes room for modern conveniences. From the historic lighthouse on Cape Hatteras to the original Life-Saving Station on Rodanthe, each of these small towns offers something unique without the hustle and bustle of bigger cities.
