8 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in Outer Bank
The Outer Banks is a truly unique string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. The region comprises three long and skinny islands connected by North Carolina Highway 12. It’s a great place to go if you love the water and enjoy beautiful beach towns away from big cities. Straddling the Atlantic Ocean and the various sounds to the west created by its barrier islands, the Outer Banks are full of iconic towns, boardwalks, lighthouses, marinas, diving spots, and dunes that scatter the island. The geography is captivating, and on top of that, it’s a historic time capsule. Here, you can see local references to the first British colony in the US, the site of the first human flight, many shipwrecks on the ocean bed, or wild colonial-era Spanish Horses roaming on the beach. Did Netflix bring you here? If you haven’t already seen it, check out the show Outer Banks to get even more excited to plan a visit.
Manteo
The town of Manteo pays homage to its distinct roots on the Outer Banks’ Roanoke Island, namely the beginnings of English colonization of the US in the form of the infamous lost colony. Manteo is thus the home of the Lost Colony outdoor symphonic drama, an 86-year-old work of the performing arts based in the late 1500s. The play tells the gripping true tale of the first British Settlers in America who mysteriously vanished on Roanoke Island. This action-packed masterpiece dazzles audiences with its references to pirates, the court of Queen Elizabeth the 1st, music, and Native American choreography. The Lost Colony is a tourist favorite in the Outer Banks and won a Tony Award in 2013 for Excellence in Theatre. Catch the performance in the Fort Raleigh Complex, which includes a star-shaped fort used during colonial times.
The fascinating past of being the first British Colony is also visible throughout Manteo, such as at the 1587 Restaurant and Lounge. Another unique thing to do in Manteo is see a replica lighthouse on the deck of a pier that extends forty yards from the shore. This construction makes it very inviting to visitors who can learn more about the history of the lighthouse and the region once inside. Manteo has more to see, including Elizabethan gardens, an aquarium, and many parks. It comes to reason that Manteo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Outer Banks.
Kill Devil Hills
Kill Devil Hills is world famous for being where the Wright Brothers tested their inventions and achieved flight for the first time in history. The Wright Brothers National Memorial Park is full of dedications to this story, of which there are few rivals in terms of importance. The park’s most visible feature is a huge granite memorial with striated wings atop the hill where the different aircraft took off. A boulder displays flight information and a plaque on the very spot of the first successful flight. You will also want to visit the Main Visitors Centre, which has replicas of the original gliders and airplanes, including the original 1903 Wright Flyer. With additional replicas of the original hangars and living quarters, this is one of the world's most significant and memorable places. Besides the marquee attraction of the inaugural powered flight, there is plenty to do in Kill Devil Hills. The Avalon Pier is a great place to go fishing, watch the ocean, or grab a meal from the Beach Bar on the pier. After eating fresh seafood, consider going on an adventurous walk through any of the many acres of dunes.
Corolla
The town of Corolla is host to one of the most unique experiences with living history, which is that you can come here and see wild Spanish horses that were left here almost 500 years ago. You can take your own 4x4 here and explore the reserve, or take a tour with Wild Horse Adventure Tours, among the best-rated tour companies in the US. There is no other experience like driving on the sandy beach of this sanctuary while seeing horses graze by the ocean breeze. Corolla has a trove of sights, like the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The red-bricked lighthouse is of imposing stature, 162 feet in total height. Thanks to restoration efforts, tours of the lighthouse and its adjacent quarters are available to tourists. When you climb to the top of the tower, you will get an aerial view of The Whalehead in Historic Corolla, another one of Corolla’s famous attractions. The Whalehead is a 21,000-square-foot mansion in the Great Gatsby style of architecture known as Art Nouveau. Your memories of this place will begin as soon as you step onto the gorgeous footbridge leading to a view of the property, where you will see the mansion with its bright yellow paint, numerous dormers, and five bright red chimneys. Seasonal tours of the interior are available.
Nags Head
Nags Head might be the most popular place in the Outer Banks. Go there, and you will soon see why. The most eye-catching of its attractions is Jeanette’s Pier, a concrete construction built 1000 feet from the shore onto the ocean. The pier isn’t just a fishing spot, there is a welcoming building on the shore end replete with a shop, interactive research center, covered balcony with chairs overlooking the water, and a sunset pavilion where people gather for mesmerizing views.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse is another of Nags Head’s most alluring details. 156 feet tall and distinguishable by its black and white stripes, the lighthouse and its well-preserved keeper’s residence are tourist favorites. This might be because of the beautiful boardwalk leading up to the lighthouse, the fact that you can climb to the top from April to October (with reservation), or because the lighthouse still functions to maintain maritime safety.
One more of the frequently visited destinations in Nag’s head is Jockey Ridge State Park. The park is a great place to explore the dunes, the largest living ones on the east coast. Many visitors take advantage of the size of the dunes for hang gliding, kite flying, and sunset watching. The park has a visitor center, an auditorium, and exhibits. Also in Nag’s head is a large tourist economy of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and rental accommodations.
Hatteras Village
Hatteras Village is the title town of the southernmost island of the Outer Banks, Hatteras Island. The town of Hatteras is a fishing haven and is known as the Blue Marlin capital of the world. Having existed as a settlement since the 1700s, the village of Hatteras has a rich maritime history. This history is well documented in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, a place dedicated to curating a past that tells of shipwrecks, storms, pirates, and lifesaving crews. The museum is a maritime marvel as it resembles a ship with its curved timber-framed hull of a structure. Construction of new exhibits is underway, so plan your visit for early to mid-2024.
Maritime activities are very popular here in Hatteras Village. This town is a diver’s delight as visitors can see the remnants of seafaring misfortune by diving among the various shipwrecks. Hatters Dive is the recommended company to plan your exploration of the sound bed. On the shore, Hatteras Landing is a perfect place to walk around and see and get onboard ships, observe fishers, peruse shops, eat the freshest seafood imaginable, and rent gear for water activities.
Duck
The town of Duck is the newest incorporated town in the Outer Banks. Its name comes from the historical popularity of duck hunting in the area. Its most striking feature is its mile-long boardwalk that curves as it hugs the island's shores. The boardwalk gives you a view of the sound while also connecting you to shops and restaurants for a relaxing time as you watch the sunset. The boardwalk is connected to Duck Town Park, a gorgeous and well-maintained park with trails, Amphitheater, kayak and canoe launches, piers, playgrounds, and gazebos. The municipality of Duck offers free events year-round in the park, like the Jazz Festival in October, the Fourth of July Parade, and a Yuletide celebration. Duck is a great small town full of family-friendly fun and great outdoor activities, and with one of the best boardwalks in the Outer Banks, it is a great place to make treasured memories.
Rodanthe
Rodanthe is a town that came into the spotlight recently because of Nights in Rodanthe, a novel and movie adaptation starring Diane Lane, Richard Gere, and Viola Davis. The movie was even filmed in Rodanthe and some of the neighboring towns on Hatteras Island. Fans of the movie clamor for vacation rentals of the place where the main characters meet, The Inn at Rodanthe. Many history lovers visit the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station when they go to the Outer Banks. This is one of the most complete lifesaving stations in the country and one which got a lot of use given its location along the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Two stations and five outbuildings are preserved at Chicamacomico. Visitors are given an introduction to the site and a map that guides them through the tour of the historic place. Another fun thing to do is go fishing or stroll on the towering Rodanthe Fishing Pier.
Buxton
The town of Buxton is well known for being the location of one of the most popular sites in the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras Light Station. This lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the US at nearly 200 feet. Visitors are in luck for 2024 as the lighthouse is in the midst of restoration, with the result of being open for people to climb the tower in mind. This isn’t the first time work on the lighthouse has been done, as it now sits 2,900 feet from its original location in 1870. While the lighthouse is certainly the main attraction in Buxton, there are some lesser-known yet memorable activities like horseback riding on the beach, a free ferry to Ocracoke Island, and Buxton Books is a delight to the avid reader who is interested in literature with a local focus.
The barrier islands of the Outer Banks are home to a unique blend of extremely popular tourist destinations and small-town charm. The Outer Banks are gaining popularity, and many visitors flock there today. The diversity of experiences is staggering, allowing for busy attractions and plenty of tranquil ocean and sound side relaxation. The historical significance of this collection of islands is in elite company in the US, but you would be forgiven for forgetting that as you sit on a dune and watch the sunset.
