Lurking in the skies of the Outer Banks may be enchantment itself. How can one describe a location where untamed horses play by the ocean and people have the chance to soar?
These were my musings when I journeyed there for the inaugural time as someone who’s always lived in states without coastline and who, to be frank, seldom longed for seaside escapes. These destinations never seemed to match the beauty depicted on postcards – I suppose Outer Banks postcards had been absent from my collection. My spouse’s kin, like so many others, undertook yearly sacred visits, and after extending an invitation to me, I finally understood the allure.
These fragile land strips known as barrier islands shield around 200 miles of the North Carolina shoreline from Atlantic tempests, though they sometimes measure only a few hundred feet across. With over a dozen national wildlife refuges, conserved coastlines, and state reserves, the mix of aesthetic allure and raw might, wide expanse and tranquil vulnerability creates quite the magnetism.
And indeed, explorers are taking note. This year, about four to five million tourists will explore the Outer Banks – or OBX – nearly twofold the count from 15 years ago, says data from travel agencies and park administrators, signifying that foresight in planning is advantageous. Even with the influx of visitors, the beach towns and rejuvenating landscapes preserve their airy appeal – further proof of OBX’s mystique. Here are my prime pieces of advice for optimizing your visit.
Phase 1: Determine your home base
Choosing the ideal spot is essential in OBX since each community exudes its unique essence, although traversing between them can present obstacles. On Hwy 12, the principal route spanning the Outer Banks, traffic might disrupt the tranquility up north, while the southern Ocracoke Island is reachable solely by Ferry. Beachside parking availability is more limited than typical bicoastal resorts, so pondering how vital proximity to a beach point is will be crucial. Here’s a rundown from the north heading south.
Corolla
Vibes: Elegant yet genuine, an amalgamation of luxurious stays, shopping delights, and nature’s splendor. While the Outer Banks technically initiate in southern Virginia, usually conversations about OBX pertain to North Carolina locales, and Corolla represents the farthest north one can drive without a beach-ready 4WD (Note: pronounce as kur-ALL-ah, and avoid stranding the kah-ROLL-ah in the soft sand).
Do: Spying on the wild mustangs, long-lost relatives of Colonial Spanish horses, on the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge’s sandy peaks may become the hallmark of your journey. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund, a nonprofit, provides guidance on independently accomplishing this if your vehicle is equipped with 4WD, otherwise numerous nearby tour facilitators are accessible. Ascend the Currituck Beach Lighthouse steps, then select a novel from the Island Bookstore as a preparation for your beach repose.
Eat: Indulge in a lavish crabcake benedict followed by your lighthouse outing. As twilight descends, savor a refreshing brew at the Corolla Beer Garden with its calm ambiance.
Stay: The array of vacation rentals is extensive, catering to every financial plan in OBX. Opt for Airbnb for more intimate or budget-friendly stays, but for larger groups, I’d recommend a regional vacation rental service like Twiddy & Company, which holds a prominent position in the northern OBX sector offering greater staff service on standby. The Inn at Corolla captivates with sunset vistas of Currituck Sound.
Duck
Vibes: Charming and perfect for families, Duck is a captivating place graced with a boardwalk filled with trinket shops and seafood spots. Artcrawls and complimentary concerts in the park will immerse you in a seaside town vibe akin to Netflix’s Outer Banks (Disclaimer: I haven’t watched a single episode, yet the series is actually shot in South Carolina anyway.)
Do: Borrow some wheels from Ocean Atlantic Rentals and dash down the bike path, then get a kite from the boardwalk stores to fly on the shore. Meander down to Duck Town Park and see the rushes sway in the breeze.
Eat: Pick up an almost-too-beautiful-to-eat doughnut at the initial Duck Donuts spot that kickstarted the national franchise. The Blue Point presents simple yet delightful versions of seafood staples like scallops or shrimp and grits, while the intimate ambiance and innovative artistry of the Paper Canoe are ideal for an evening with a partner.
Stay: In case Twiddy or Airbnb offerings in Duck don’t suit your preferences, Village Realty operates an office in town. An array of hotels are lined along the slender land strip between Duck and Corolla, with the lavish Sanderling Resort standing as the most refined.
Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills/Nags Head
Vibes: This set of neighboring locales provides both more activities and a larger crowd partaking in them than anywhere else in OBX. Opt for a busier beach in exchange for more approachable conveniences and rental expenses here.
Do: Kitty Hawk is where the Wright Brothers famously conducted their initial airplane experiments, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial stands here marking the spot the inventors wrestled with gravity. Jockey’s Ridge State Park contains the Eastern Seaboard’s largest moving sand dunes system. Want to try riding yourself? Arrange a beach horseback expedition.
Eat: Beachside grill shack John’s Drive In has been serving burgers and cool delights for nearly 50 years, whereas Sam and Omie’s maritime comfort fare has been pleasing people for nearly 90 years.
Stay: This area has more motels and national chain hotels, which could better suit your needs than an entire house rental. If escaping the hustle is what you need, the child-free Colington Creek Inn on the Roanoke Sound side offers a soothing retreat in Kill Devil Hills.
Roanoke Island
Vibes: The community of Manteo on Roanoke Island in the sound should be your base if museums and historical attractions excite you more than beach activities.
Do: Attempt to unravel one of the nation’s oldest unsolved mysteries by exploring the infamous 16th-century disappearance of the “Lost Colony” at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, where around 120 British settlers vanished without a trace. Stroll among the blooms at the grand Elizabethan Gardens, a living tribute at the location.
Eat: The oysters, either grilled or raw, at Blue Water Grill for midday meal will sustain you until your appointment for a steak supper at the 1587 Restaurant and Lounge within the Tranquil House Inn.
Stay: The island has numerous charming inns and classical bed and breakfast options. There’s the previously mentioned Tranquil House, but the vistas and boardwalk access to the Roanoke Inn are hard to rival.
Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands
Vibes: At the outermost edge of the southern Outer Banks are Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, the more remote and laid-back options compared to the buzz in northern OBX (although lodging still gets booked fast during peak times).
Do: Arriving here will be part of the journey. The drive along Hwy 12 to Hatteras through Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers panoramic views of both the ocean and the sound, while Ocracoke can only be reached by ferry. Once arrived, revel in a less-busy beach or trek the path through Buxton Woods.
Eat: Howard’s Pub is an eccentric loved spot in Ocracoke serving decent burgers, or switch it up with Thai curry ramen at Cafe Pamilco.
Stay: For more tailored accommodations in these locations, consider one of the rental offices that focus on these communities, such as Ocracoke Island Realty or Hatteras Realty.
Step 2: Arranging your lodgings
For our journeys to OBX, we’ve arranged large villa rentals, a must for a dozen travelers including youngsters, yet exploring choices may appear overwhelming. There are various rental agencies, and prime locations are often reserved well in advance—sometimes more than a year ahead. Twiddy signals that its assortment of large homes is nearly 80% booked for summer by the beginning of January each year. The tricky aspect is that owing to fluctuating agreements between lodgers and rental management companies, booking availability might seem scattered, with future rates marked as tentative even while you can place a reservation. If opting for a rental abode, begin your search immediately and secure your choice. Even if you continue observing alternatives and might need to forfeit a minimal hold fee for adjusting, it is wiser to confirm early.
Renting a home isn’t essential for every party, understandably, yet if lingering
en el hotel, date el lujo de hospedarte en esa acogedora posada si es posible. Muchos bares no permanecen abiertos hasta tarde y la vida nocturna en OBX es más relajada que excitante, así que elige un lugar donde disfrutes relajarte por la noche.
Paso 3: Planifica tus días
He mencionado varias recomendaciones arriba, pero todos sabemos por qué vas a los Outer Banks: las playas. Hay numerosas opciones para alquilar equipo de playa, incluyendo sillas y sombrillas, tablas de paddle o incluso carritos de golf para transportar a tu grupo a distintos puntos de acceso a la playa. Es crucial reservar con antelación para conseguir equipo de buena calidad. Si olvidas algo, es mejor llamar a distintas agencias de alquiler en lugar de solo consultar sus sitios para ver si puedes conseguir algo de último momento.
Los hermanos Wright realizaron sus primeros vuelos aquí gracias a los constantes vientos del mar, y puedes deslizarte tú mismo con lecciones de kitesurf o vuelo en ala delta de Kitty Hawk Kites. Yo prefiero mantenerme en tierra (es decir, tengo miedo de las alturas) así que una cometa novedosa que pueda volar sobre nuestras sillas de playa es más mi estilo. Vigila los reportes de surf y viento antes de decidir tu plan del día; malas condiciones en el agua o un fuerte viento del oeste (que trae más mosquitos y moscas desde las aguas tranquilas del sonido) pueden ser motivos para omitir la playa ese día y explorar alguno de los pueblos.
Por último, verifica los horarios de lanzamiento en las instalaciones de la isla Wallops de la NASA y Kennedy Space Center. Son esporádicos y dependen mucho de las condiciones climáticas óptimas en el momento del lanzamiento, pero tuvimos la suerte de presenciar uno en 2023, y ver una nave literalmente salir de la atmósfera terrestre es una experiencia poderosa y humilde. Solo puedo imaginar lo que pensarían Orville y Wilbur Wright.
Paso 4: Planifica tu menú
Existen innumerables opciones de restaurantes de mediano nivel en OBX, con un enfoque natural en los mariscos, pero cualquier lugar que acepte reservas probablemente se llenará con días o semanas de anticipación en la temporada alta, así que haz algunas reservaciones antes de salir de casa.
Si viajas con familia u otro grupo grande, una forma divertida y sencilla de evitar las multitudes es hacer un hervido de mariscos en casa. Outer Banks Boil Company podrá armar tu combinación preferida de mariscos y acompañamientos mezclados con mantequilla y condimentos, todo envuelto para llevar. Solo necesitarás una estufa para hervirlos. Vale la pena reservar tu olla con antelación en la temporada alta.
Paso 5: Decide cómo llegarás allí
El aeropuerto internacional más cercano es Norfolk International, que se encuentra a aproximadamente 90 minutos en coche, sin tráfico, hasta el puente Wright Memorial hacia los Outer Banks, y dependiendo de dónde exactamente te alojes, podría ser otra hora conduciendo por OBX. La clave es “sin tráfico”, ya que la temporada alta puede aumentar considerablemente este tiempo, especialmente en puntos críticos cerca del puente y en los centros de las ciudades. Haz todo lo posible por llegar y partir a mitad de semana, ya que llegar un sábado al mediodía significará pasar la mayor parte de tu primer día de vacaciones mirando luces de freno.
Si vienes desde Norfolk o más al norte, haz una parada en Morris Farm Market cerca de Barco, N.C., que tiene la selección de productos más grande, y los baños más limpios, de los mercados que se encuentran en la ruta norte hacia OBX. La ruta sur a través de la isla Roanoke por la carretera 64 es generalmente menos congestionada, y es el camino principal si vienes desde Raleigh. Los transbordadores a Ocracoke salen desde Swanquarter y Cedar Island en el continente, y como todo en la temporada alta, reserva con anticipación para asegurar tu lugar si tomas esa ruta.
Hablando de rutas, verifica en tu GPS que no te esté dirigiendo accidentalmente a un ferry en un intento poco acertado de evitar el tráfico. De igual manera, tu GPS podría dirigirte a través de calles laterales del vecindario una vez en OBX, a pesar de los intentos locales de hacer que las empresas tecnológicas dejen de recomendar estos atajos (he visto a residentes colocar carteles que dicen “¡Google Maps miente! ¡No conduzcas por aquí!” para disuadir los desvíos). Si no puedes evitarlo, al menos conduce despacio y respetuosamente por los barrios fuera de las rutas principales.
Paso 6: Prepara tu equipaje
Para nosotros, esto es uno de esos viajes de “llenar el coche hasta el tope”, ya que llevamos comida y suministros para abastecer la propiedad de alquiler durante nuestra estancia. Además de bloqueador solar y repelente de insectos, también querrás llevar artículos de higiene y jabón para lavar ropa que tal vez no sean proporcionados por el alquiler. Es mejor traer desde casa en lugar de perder el tiempo en largas filas para pagar precios elevados después de llegar.
Compra la sombrilla de playa o dosel más fuerte y pesado que puedas, ya que los vientos voltearán una barata o la enviarán volando por la playa, y necesitarás un refugio del sol. Lleva una camisa ligera con botones o un vestido elegante si deseas arreglarte para una cena o dos, aunque con vestimenta casual de playa puedes arreglártelas prácticamente en cualquier lugar.