48 Hours in the Outer Banks

Visiting the Outer Banks, a collection of barrier islands in North Carolina, offers an ideal getaway where naturally formed sand dunes frame colorful gliders and kiteboards, and blue herons, osprey, snowy egrets, and brown pelicans soar above the turquoise waters. Beyond the beach, 15 towns and villages—each with its own charm—invite visitors to explore art, shopping, and seaside dining, all set against a backdrop of lush forest preserves and historic lighthouses.

Here’s how to make the most of two days in this coastal paradise.

Day 1

Staying in Nags Head at a beachfront hotel or condo rental provides a central base for exploration of the Outer Banks—also known as OBX.

Start your day with coffee and a pastry from Morning View Coffeehouse & Roastery before heading to Jockey’s Ridge State Park for a picnic—or for hang gliding, kiteboarding, hiking, or birding. 

If you prefer a hearty sit-down breakfast, however, head to Stack’em High Pancakes and So Forth in Kill Devil Hills before visiting one of the region’s biggest attractions: the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the setting where the first successful powered flight took place in 1903. Check out the hands-on exhibits, and climb Big Kill Devil Hill to visit the must-see monument.

Head next to Kitty Hawk for a seaside respite involving watching colorful kites dancing in the sky while enjoying a stroll on the beach. For a quiet nature retreat away from the busier beach scenes, the Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, one of North Carolina’s last maritime forests, draws hikers, paddlers, and cyclists—and offers a chance to spot deer, turtles, egrets, and otters.

Stop for lunch at the Black Pelican, a popular oceanfront restaurant housed in a circa-1874 former life-saving station. After a filling lunch, tour the Outer Banks’ iconic lighthouses. The Outer Banks is home to six historic lighthouses, as well as numerous former life-saving stations, each reflecting the region's rich maritime heritage.

While it may be challenging to visit them all in the remainder of your afternoon, don’t miss Bodie Island Light Station, which features distinctive black-and-white stripes and is open for self-guided climbs.

If time permits, stop at The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo. Unlike the towering brick lighthouses, this one is built on stilts over the water. With its wooden pier, black shutters, white cottage look, and red roof, it creates a postcard-perfect setting and storybook ending to your first day of OBX exploration.

End the night with dinner at the waterfront 1587 Restaurant & Lounge in Manteo, which emphasizes fresh, locally sourced specialties such as OBX scallops and blue crab.

Day 2

Begin your second day with a delicious breakfast at Waveriders Coffee, Deli & Market, the perfect spot to fuel up and grab sandwiches and snacks to continue your lighthouse road trip.

Before setting off, however, sample the local boutiques and galleries of OBX, such as Seagreen Gallery in Nags Head and Duck, where you’ll find repurposed antiques, local art, sea glass, and other unique souvenirs. Stop by Mom’s Sweet Shop in Kill Devil Hills for local treats, or head to The Christmas Shop & General Store in Manteo for year-round festive finds. Nags Head also boasts galleries featuring jewelry, books, furniture, and garden art.

After a relaxed morning of shopping, make your way to Rodanthe, where you might spot wild horses roaming the shores. Though wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, you will find the historic Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, the first of its kind in North Carolina. Explore this preserved site on a self-guided tour, where you can explore original buildings like the stable, cookhouses, cistern, and water towers, each offering a glimpse into the brave past of the Life-Saving Service.

A visit to the iconic Cape Hatteras Light Station in Buxton is a must. Famous for its bold black-and-white stripes, it has long stood as the guardian of the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” referring to the shipwrecks that lie off the coast.  Nestled within the scenic Cape Hatteras National Seashore, it offers stunning views and a chance to experience the essence of the Outer Banks as you pass through quiet, undeveloped landscapes on your way. (Note: The lighthouse is currently closed for restoration until summer 2026, so climbing it is not permitted until repairs are complete.)

End your adventure with another unforgettable sunset, followed by a delicious dinner at one of OBX’s best spots: Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar in Kitty Hawk or The Saltbox Cafe in Kill Devil Hills.

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The Outer Banks serves up a slice if paradise, a place to lose yourself in the rhythm of the sea and the charm of its villages.