Planning a family weekend trip to the Outer Banks? You’re in for a treat! The Outer Banks, or ‘OBX’, is a group of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. It’s known for beautiful beaches, lighthouses, shipwrecks, and even some pirate lore.
Here’s our guide to all the fantastic activities and sights you can enjoy on your weekend getaway!
We planned a 3-day weekend trip and boy did we have a full itinerary. The Outer Banks offers a little bit of everything- history, nature, lighthouses, entertainment, and let’s not forget to mention… beach fries and frozen custard!
Exploring Sand Dunes in the Outer Banks
Most of the sand dunes along the Outer Banks are protected, so walking on them is off-limits. But…. at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, you can hike right to the top of the giant dunes!
Home to some of the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast, this park is a playground for kite-flying, sandboarding, and rolling or sliding down the dunes (a favorite activity for kids). You can even reserve hang-gliding lessons and stick around for a gorgeous sunset.
Lighthouses of the Outer Banks
There are so many lighthouses all along the Outer Banks’ coast! The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Island Lighthouse are all located within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a stunning coastal scenic drive.
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is operated and maintained by Outer Banks Conservationists. It is the northernmost lighthouse, located in Historic Corolla Village. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is situated on Roanoke Island in Manteo. Some lighthouses offer climbs, so be sure to check their websites for more information and reservations..
We visited Cape Hatteras Light Station, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Each one was unique in its own way, making it hard to pick a favorite!
Corolla Wild Horses
In the northern part of the Outer Banks, you can take a tour (or your own four-wheel drive vehicle) onto the beach to see wild horses! We opted for take a tour with Back Country Safari Tours, and all I can say is wow! It was an incredible experience- truly a bucket list activity.
Check out our ‘Wild Horses in the Outer Banks‘ post to read more about the amazing experience learn how you can see them too.
National Park Sites in the Outer Banks
Did you know that there are three National Parks in the Outer Banks? Wright Brothers National Memorial, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (on Roanoke Island).
Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers beautiful beaches, lighthouses, and scenic drives. Discover the mystery of the “Lost Colony” at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Explore the world of aviation at the Wright Brothers National Memorial and learn why North Carolina is called “First in Flight”.
Recreation and Entertainment- So much to choose from!
Beyond the natural beauty of the Outer Banks, there are also plenty of entertainment and recreation options- from mini golf and go-carts, to hang gliding and tons of water sports.
We soaked up just about as much nature and history as we could (or as much as the kids could handle) during the first part of our stay. And… since life is all about balance, we wrapped up the weekend with a round of mini golf at Lost Treasure Golf! The kids loved the train ride that takes you to your starting spot, and playing one of the 18 holes in a pirate ship was a hit!
After mini golf, we refueled at a popular hot spot on the island, Kill Devil’s Frozen Custard and Beach Fries! TThey offer a full menu of American classics, but we went for the namesake: a bucket of their famous beach fries. We also enjoyed waffle cones with the delicious seasonal frozen custard flavors. The restaurant is only open Thursday- Sunday, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Planning our next visit to the Outer Banks
For our next visit, we plan to make the trip to Ocracoke Island. There we can visit the quaint village and explore the beautiful beach and lighthouse. Ocracoke Island is only accessible by plane or water, and we ran out of time to plan this adventure.
Whether you’re seeking adventure, history, or simply some quality family time, the Outer Banks has it all. From climbing towering sand dunes and visiting historic lighthouses to experiencing the wonder of wild horses and diving into aviation history, there’s something for everyone. Add in delicious beach fries and frozen custard, and you’ve got a perfect family weekend getaway.
Happy Travels!
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