I grew up with the extreme privilege of being able to travel down to the Outer Banks in North Carolina just about every summer from the time I started school through college with my family because my grandparents own a lovely house on the island. The few summers I had to miss the trips were the worst because the OBX is seriously my happy place. I love the way the salt air feels, the sound of the ocean in the morning and in the evening, the way that sunsets and sunrises look just a little bit more perfect and I love how I FEEL when I’m there. I feel at peace, confident and full of sunshine – no matter how grey the day might actually be. Although I don’t live there and there’s certainly more qualified people than me to write this post, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite places on that sweet little island with you!
- Restaurant, Captain Frank’s: This hotdog place isn’t too far down on the island. We always hit this restaurant at least once our trip – they have great hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and seafood options for everyone. Don’t forget to try their cheese fries!! I love that this restaurant is and always has been family owned, that they hire college students during the summer, and that they keep the restaurant full of character! It can get really packed really fast – just tells you how good it is! But now, they’ve expanded their restaurant to include upstairs seating which helps! A must go!
- Restaurant, Big Al’s: To get to Big Al’s, you have to cross over the bridge towards Manteo! I LOVE this Coca-Cola, 1950’s themed restaurant. It’s full of so much fun music, décor and GREAT food. This is truly a burger joint – I love the burgers and the seafood here for sure!
- Restaurant, Pamlico Jack’s: I promise these won’t all be restaurants! Ryan and I fell in love (again) with Pamlico Jack’s. It sits right on the sound and is the restaurant with the big ol’ pirate ship. We love that you can sit inside and see the sound or sit out on the patio and look right at it. The seafood here is amazing and definitely try the sangria! One of our favorites for a more upscale (but not too upscale, I mean you are at the beach people!) spots on the island!
- Historical, Wright Brother’s Memorial: For those of you who don’t know, the first manned flight actually took place in the Outer Banks in the early 1900’s, as the two Wright Brothers thought the sandy dunes of Kitty Hawk would be the perfect location to figure out how to make a plane fly. Although I’m not into aviation history all that much, seeing and standing on the spot that these two men bravely tried (and succeeded!) at flying is awe-inspiring. The museum isn’t too overwhelming and there’s plenty to do and see outside. It’s definitely worth at least one trip while you’re there.
- Historical, the Lost Colony production: Another fun (maybe not so much if you asked the colonists) and interesting spot in the Outer Banks is the settlement of Roanoke (now known as Dare County – named after Virginia Dare, the first baby born in the New World). Even before Jamestown, settlers came with Sir Walter Raleigh to the New World. After a bit of time, members of the colony headed back to England for more supplies and when they returned to Roanoke, the remaining members had disappeared – leaving only the word “CROATAN” on a tree. It’s a mystery that’s plagued historians for decades. Every summer, a theatre company puts on a production about this colony and their story. It’s very well done and worth an evening of your trip if you can get tickets! The presentation is live, full of dancing + great acting – all done under the stars!
- Landmark, Jockey’s Ridge: One of the amazing things about the Outer Banks are the sand dunes. They’re huge, they’re beautiful and they’re fun to visit. Jockey’s Ridge has the best view of the sunset of the sound – if you’re up for a little exercise! Climbing up these dunes is hard work!! There’s a great little information center at the entrance since Jockey’s Ridge is a national park. Take the time to look around and chat with the Park Rangers – especially in the summer – they have some really neat information to share (ask about the lightening rods!).
- Landmark, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: I LOVE lighthouses. I mean, I really love them you guys. The fact that the OBX has so many beautiful lighthouses all over the island is probably one of my favorite things about this place. Although Hatteras is still a bit further south than the main portions of the OBX, it’s worth the drive to see this beautiful lighthouse. It’s been moved from it’s original location to keep it safe (and you can walk to see where it used to be!). I remember when it was in the old location AND I remember seeing it be moved – such an incredible process.
- Entertainment, Professor Hackett’s Lost Colony Mini-Golf: Every year that my family and I have gone to the OBX, we always spend 1 or 2 evenings out as a big group. Usually we hit a great buffet and then go mini-golfing. It’s about the only place we mini-golf except Disney (and maybe Myrtle Beach once?). There’s a few different spots you can mini-golf in the OBX but I personally LOVE Professor Hackett’s. I love that there’s two courses, a fun little train ride and that the course never seems to get old – there’s challenges for everyone! After almost 20 years of going to the island, if I can say I STILL love this place – it must be awesome!
Honestly, no matter where you go to eat, shop, or visit on the island is going to be wonderful. I do my best to support the local small businesses instead of the chains whenever I can because that’s what this island is truly about. Enjoy the history – enjoy the view – enjoy the salt air. It really is such a wonderful place. If you go to the OBX, where are some of your favorite places to visit? Tell me all about them!!
xoxo
Kristina
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