The Outer Banks , or OBX to those in the know , are a thin ribbon of sand islands , dramatically bowing into the Atlantic and then doubling back to North Carolina ’s mainland , stretch roughly a hundred sea mile from the North Carolina - Virginia border down to Cape Hatteras southwestward to Ocracoke Island . The Outer Banks are removed and can take an eternity to drive to , but your forbearance is rewarded with a series of quirky beach villages , the fine backbone and solarize the United States has to offer , and some of the freshest Pisces the Fishes you could ever desire to corrode . Here ’s why they ’re one of America ’s finest gems :
The water is warm and the weather is just fine
Those old Gulf Stream stream come up from the wind of Florida and cozy back up to set ashore right off of Cape Hatteras , which not only keeps the piddle lovesome , it hold open temperatures cooler in the summer and warmer in the wintertime , meaning that you ’ll be well-to-do outdoors almost all year . Every so often , Mother Nature gets wild with hurricanes and nor’easters that do a number on the dunes , but most of the fourth dimension the breezes are welcoming .
OBX has the freshest seafood you can find
Rich nutrient in the Gulf Stream flow bring an abundance of good - rust fish – tuna , sword , mahi - mahi , and more . Hardworking fishermen land the catch from the ocean stream , while boater mold the sounds to bring up oyster , shrimp , and crabs , and it all nation on the wharf here . A hefty portion is then truck compass north , south , and west , but the best of the catch is trade locally , both sweeping to OBX eating house and retailed at mom & pop surgery to the public . Austin Fish Companyin Nags Head is a favorite of locals and savvy visitors , and in Wanchese – the epicenter of the seafood diligence –O’Neal ’s Sea Harvestis located right on the docks and volunteer some of the freshest catch in the earthly concern , both in a eatery and at retail . And if you ’re look for oyster , Kitty Hawk ’s fresh - ishI Got Your Crabswas open in 2012 by a third - propagation Currituck waterman and has a grow host of fan .
Or hook a catch yourself
Bring your own rig and fish right from the bank . For a lowly fee , a mean solar day - pass at any of the several fishing piers can put your bait on the sweet spot . The recently rebuild Jennette ’s Pier in Nags Head is a magnet for fishermen and sightseers , but to shoot down the really big ones , charter a boat and captain and help your bait to the beasts of the Stream . pinch up withPirate ’s Cove Marinaon the Manteo - Nags Head Causeway , Oregon Inlet Fishing Center , or Teach ’s Lair Marina in Hatteras Village to put you on the big ones .
Get lost in a deep American history
out Banks history run back to the early colonies , to pirate of old , to the invention of powered flight of steps . At Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island , check out the spot where English colonists , under impresario Sir Walter Raleigh , first attempted to get a bridgehead in the New World . The colony did n’t work out too well , but is depicted during the summer months in a diachronic musical theater , The Lost Colonyat Waterside Theatre , which was doingHamiltonbeforeHamiltonwas doingHamilton .
Dive with pirates – or at least drink to them
Ravaging storms and pillaging by pirates helped pull in the Outer Banks the soubriquet Graveyard of the Atlantic . If you are into scuba or are moderately practiced at snorkeling , many sunken hulks can be explored close to shoring . If you prefer staying on land , learn about the ships misplace and the brave coastwatchers – the antecedent of the US Coast Guard – at theGraveyard of the Atlantic Museumin Hatteras Village . But perhaps the good fashion to appreciate sea rover is to elevate a pint to them right smart down at the remainder of tiny Ocracoke Island , where America ’s most notorious pirate Edward Teach , aka Blackbeard , lost his head after a struggle with British Navy troop in 1718 . Legend has it that Blackbeard , whose soundbox was throw overboard , still haunts the body of water around Ocracoke . So grab a dry pint and a spot on the deck atHoward ’s Puband bring up one to the captain .
Take flight with the Wright brothers
The Wright Brothers National Memorial , a 60ft - tall granite monument atop Kill Devil Hills salutes the Wrights ' 1903 flight into the account record book . you could take the air the route of their first unforesightful flights , and hold out a full - scale replica of the original Flyer in the visitant nub . A stroll to the top of the Benny Hill via circular trails offers sweeping aspect . Inscribed around the base of the social organisation is the phrase , " In commemoration of the conquest of the melody by the brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright gestate by genius achieved by audacious result and unconquerable faith . " The word " genius " has its own spot at the north - facing corner . Go ahead , take a selfie under it , we all do .
Get wet with water sports for every level of adventure
The surfing is great here , and even if you do n’t hang 10 yourself , surfriding is a blast to observe . Skimboarding is harder than it looks , but with surf shops all over the place , you could link up with a enough board and give it a effort . The quieter water of our sounds and the near - constant steer bring kite boarders from all over , and for docile person , the mellow dangerous undertaking of stick out - up paddleboarding ( SUP ) and kayaking are plentiful .
And did we mention the eating and drinking?
The Outer Banks offer a multitude for take a freshly capture meal and a cold beer while the waves crash before you , the duck soup mishandle , and your worries melt away . Here ’s a town - by - town guide to the unspoiled stripe and restaurants on the Outer Banks .
CorollaGrab a cup of coffee and a hot , customized donut atDuck Donutsnear the Currituck Club . After you ’ve shredded the wave , hook up with a brewage or two atNorth Banks Restaurant & Raw Baror settle into a mesa atMike Dianna ’s Grill Room , both in the Timbuck II shopping marrow .
DuckDuck is a fairly upscale , pedestrian - friendly wide spot in the route . Take in the good afternoon concert at the quaint town park then saunter across Hwy 12 to the comfy and rusticRoadside Bar & Grillfor killer shrimp and grit . The extended cocktail card caters to every taste and there ’s often live medicine . Dress up a little and enjoy the ultimate in Southern culinary art and hospitality at TheBlue Point , just up the route in the Waterfront Shops . The place opened in 1989 and set the bar for heavy food , spirit , and service of process in the area . Before dinner , enjoy a beverage at its YardBar and soak in the sunset over Currituck Sound .
Bopbie/Shutterstock
Kitty Hawk / Kill Devil Hill / Nags HeadThe cluster of Town to the due south , Kitty Hawk , Kill Devil Hill , and Nags Head are the universe centre of the Outer Banks and declare oneself the greatest diverseness of dining options . For breakfast , class pile toStack’em High , the original pancake house on the Outer Banks , with locations in Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills .
In Nags Head , at least one morning has to originate atBiscuits N ' Porn . Officially Stop Quik , this flatulency place / convenience storage / breakfast and dejeuner parry churns out stuffed , nutritionist’s calorie - laden biscuits that will show that holdover who ’s genus Bos . Step in line with the anglers and tradesmen and grab a hefty Malva sylvestris biscuit and ask for egg , cheese , and either jambon , sausage balloon , or chicken and a side of gravy . The " porn " part amount from the magazine publisher rack , powerful up front for the world to see .
If fish taco and pad Thai surround your ship’s bell , letMama Kwan ’s Tiki Bar & Grillin Kill Devil Hill set the plate . A good starter motor is the Thai Money Bags . Trust us .
Flickr/Counselman Collection
You ’d be hard - pressed to ascertain a better wine-colored and beer excerption than atTrioin Kitty Hawk . If an English pub , an Italian bistro , and a cheese and wine shop had a baby , this would be it . With 24 bottles available in ego - service tasting machines , and 24 beer on tap , luncheon here can go on into the night . If you are there on the right night , you could catch our favorite homo with a horn , Dr. John Sanchez and his group , Chez Says . They ’ll call down the touch of Miles Davis right at the top of the stairs .
In Nags Head , there are two piers where you may eat and drink out on the water system . At the Nags Head Pier , Captain Andy ’s Oceanfront Bar & Grillis a major stress - substitute system . pink one back with the sea breeze in your facial expression and the sea crashing just below . Further in the south , you’re able to likewise get a alike prescription sate atFish Heads Bar and Grillon the Outer Banks Pier .
Hatteras IslandIn Rodanthe , Lisa ’s Pizzeriais a longtime pet for din in or getting takeout , with an across-the-board carte . Twenty - one statute mile down Hwy 12 in Avon a stoppage in atBros Sandwich Shackis a must . Beef here is drudge in - mansion . Ask for a slice of ghost capsicum cheese on that burger . Also in Avon , Ketch 55is a cut above , with interesting combinations like the tune poke with 1st Baron Verulam . There ’s a good range of beers on tap include several local brews .
Flickr/Sarah
At the tip oddment is the Hatteras Village itself , where the Harrison family brings in a local collar and set it for you at theHarbor House Seafood Market . Hatteras Harbor Deliat the Hatteras Harbor Marina doles out a hearty breakfast and lunch and gets high marks for both its grilled runt Warren Burger andThe Captainsandwich , grilled , shredded ribeye steak on a kaiser bun with horseradish .
Ocracoke IslandFrom Hatteras , an 60 minutes - recollective ferryboat takes you to Ocracoke Island , and 13 miles of open ocean and soundscapes . Being here is the definition of contract away from it all . At the tip end is Ocracoke hamlet , a post so remote , some of the local anesthetic speak a dialect , the Ocracoke Brogue , that call back to the earliest coastal settlers .
If you ’re up early on , Ocracoke Coffee Companyis the post to be for deep brown and fresh - sunbaked pastries . Or for a heartier start to the day , make your way in for breakfast atPony Island Restaurant .
Wright Brothers National Memorial|Flickr/Leon Reed
Stroll around town and have a smell at Ocracoke Light , build in 1823 , it ’s the one-time operating light post in North Carolina . take the air or bike over to Silver Lake Harbor and slide into a chair atSmacNally ’s Waterfront Bar & Grillsmack dab in the Anchorage Marina . Fresh local seafood sway , but like most place , there are non - seafood dish to choose from . After beach it or boat it , head to theBack Porch Restaurant and Wine Baron the Back Rd for a cocktail and an upscale dinner . get going it off with an order of the crabmeat beignets . From the ferry docks , you’re able to reserve passage by ferry to either Swan Quarter or Cedar Island to strike back to the mainland and that bothersome reality .
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Flickr/Mm..Bacon!
SmacNally’s Raw Bar and Grill
