Finding free things to do on the Outer Banks is easy! We’ve got some top ideas right here. You don’t have to spend a fortune entertaining your friends and family during your Outer Banks vacation. One of the many great things about the Outer Banks is how many free activities there are to enjoy. It’s easy to entertain your family with free Outer Banks activities. We’ve come up with a list of the top free things to do on the Outer Banks that you’ll love.
The biggest reason why people come to the Outer Banks? Our gorgeous beaches. The Outer Banks is home to some of the most beautiful free beaches in the country. This is why spending your day at the beach is number one on our list of free things to do on the Outer Banks. You can see how to make the most of an Outer Banks beach day here. As long as you have a cooler packed with water and snacks and have layered on some sunscreen, the beach is one of the best free things to do on the Outer Banks. It costs $0.00 to have a great beach day and create memories that will last a lifetime with your friends and family.
Want to get some exercise in as well as learn about some seriously cool OBX history all for free? Explore the tallest natural living dune in the Eastern United States at Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. Jockey’s Ridge State Park and climbing the dune are completely free activities. Enjoy the views from the top of the dunes. With views of the ocean towards the east and views of the sound in the west, you get a unique view of the Outer Banks…all for free! Just make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks if you’re planning on playing for a while.
Take home treasures from the sea and search for shells and beach glass! The best time to look for beautiful beach glass and shells is right after a storm early in the morning. Take advantage of the summer thunderstorms and go beachcombing when the weather clears. Who knows, you might find something special that’s for free and arguably better than what you’d find at an OBX souvenir shop!
Downtown Manteo is full of history and beauty. Located just 10 minutes south of Nags Head, Manteo is the perfect town to walk around and explore. Take a stroll on the waterfront docks and enjoy the view of the Albemarle and Croatan Sounds. In Manteo, you’ll have the option to head over to Roanoke Island Festival Park. While the park itself does require admission, there’s a soundside walking path that’s free and open to the public. There are also free events that happen during the spring and summer months in Manteo. Exploring downtown Manteo is up there on our Outer Banks free things-to-do list!
The OBX is full of safe paths for bikers and walkers alike. From Duck to Nags Head and, you can ride along the beach road. As you pedal, you’ll be able to check out all of the different little local shops and eateries. Park at one of the public beach accesses for a break and a view! There’s also a bike path in Manteo that takes you from one end of the island to the other. Plus, if you rent a participating home with Resort Realty, you’ll be able to get free beach gear credit! You can put that credit towards bike rentals for your family if you don’t want to bring your own. Read more about that right here.
Take part in an Outer Banks beach must; ghost crabbing! Ghost crabs sometimes scurry around during the day but they really thrive at night when the beaches are quieter. Grab the family, some dark clothing, and flashlights, and begin your “hunt”. Ghost crabs freeze when a bright light is shining on them so that gives you a chance to check them out up close and personal! Just don’t poke, prod, or attempt to harm them. They’re still a part of the Outer Banks’ ecosystem and they will try to poke you back! Learn more about hunting ghost grabs here.
Take the day and ride the free ferry from Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke! The ferry ride from Hatteras to Ocracoke typically takes 40-45 minutes depending on the weather and runs every 30 minutes from both sides. During your ferry ride, you’ll have the opportunity for some pretty sweet photo opportunities and sightseeing. The ferry sails over the Pamlico Sound where you can see miles of water! Once the ferry stops, adventure the towns of Ocracoke or Hatteras, depending on where you got on!
The Downtown Market happens every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM from May to September. Take a stroll downtown and discover homemade goods, homegrown produce, and more. Local artists sell their works and live music is played sometimes as well. Going to the Farmer’s Market is completely free so you don’t have to spend any money unless you see something really beautiful (or really tasty) that you want to take home with you.
Learn more about the different wildlife refuges all over the country at the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitor Center. This center located in Manteo is 100% free! The National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center represents nine different wildlife refuges and one national fish hatchery. With interactive exhibits and audio-visual programs like a virtual airplane ride, you can learn more about national refuge centers and their importance!
Take a trip down to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center or over to Pirate’s Cove Marina and watch the boats come in after a long day of fishing. Watch the catches of the day being unloaded off the boats and even see who had the best day of fishing!
The Outer Banks is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, there’s no doubt about it (but we can’t help to be biased here). While the beach is one of the best Instagram posts you can have, there are a few more spots that’ll definitely improve your feed on your next Outer Banks vacation. We’ve updated our blog from March 2017 with some of the best spots of 2020! Once you visit the below spots, be sure to tag us on instagram at @resortrealtyobx and use the hashtag #ResortOBX to be featured on our page and in our brochure! Check out our top 10 Insta-Worthy Outer Banks spots and get ready for the likes to pour in.
The Kitty Hawk Pier has a rich, Outer Banks history. Originally constructed in 1953, the pier was ruined by Hurricane Isabel in 2003; just after undergoing about $300,000 worth of renovations. In 2006, the Hilton Garden Inn purchased the pier and is now popularly used for weddings and events. The pier is still open to the public with purchase of a pier pass; making it a great place for some great insta pics or just taking in the view of the beaches!
Trust us; go for the coffee and fresh baked treats and stay for the great photo spots! Ashley’s Espresso Parlour has been open on the OBX for just over a year now. Their menu consists of a multitude of coffee drinks, local beers, baked goods and more! Our personal suggestion? Any of the amazing cold brew milkshakes. A sweet treat that’ll definitely have you bright eyed for your Outer Banks instagram pics.
Oh, the Wright Brothers. Quite possibly the biggest contributors to modern day flight. The first manned flight took place in Kitty Hawk on December 17th, 1903. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills and not only is it educational, but it provides some of the best spots to take photos and have a piece of history to hold on to long after vacation is over.
Seagreen Gallery is an Outer Banks hidden gem. Located on the beach road in Nags Head, Seagreen Gallery is home to art made from recycled and repurposed items. Everything from the giant wave made from license plates and candles made from Coca-Cola bottles, Seagreen Gallery has given new life to items that most people overlook. Plus, the back garden is full of life, spanning from tropical plants, driftwood waves, and the cutest little bunnies you’ve ever seen. You’ll leave Seagreen Gallery with a new piece of unique art for sale along with some great Outer Banks Instagram content for your feed.
Bodie Island Lighthouse was commissioned in 1837 by the US government. The 156 foot tall lighthouse helped guide boats safely to shore. The Bodie Island Lighthouse (actually pronounced as “body”) is full of Outer Banks history…and a great photo op. There’s a huge lawn that’s perfect for posing right in-front of the lighthouse, a docked path that leads to an overlook of the marsh, and a covered porch; all perfect places for Outer Banks Instagram content!
Roanoke Island Festival Park is home to historical representations of what life was like in 1585. Strictly a military settlement, the colony of 1585 is known as the colony before the Lost Colony. On site at Festival Park, there is a working blacksmith, representational ship named the Queen Elizabeth II, and history museum! In addition, the grounds surrounding the park features a soundfront dock that gives you stunning views of downtown Manteo; perfect for Instagram pics.
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is actually a replica lighthouse of the original that was built in 1877. The lighthouse was originally located in Wanchese in order to help sailors and fishermen find their way to dock. Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a great spot for photos since it provides super cool views of the Nags Head bridge, the Elizabeth II, and the back side of Pirate’s Cove!
Corolla
Seeing the wild horses in Corolla is a must! It’s so cool to see them roaming around free and swimming in the ocean. Just make sure when you do take photos, you zoom in. You have to stay at least 50 feet away from the wild horses. It’s illegal and dangerous to get any closer than that.
Kill Devil Hills
If you’re more adventurous and are familiar with free diving or snorkeling, grab your GoPro and check out the Triangle Wrecks in Kill Devil Hills! These wrecks met their fates back in the 20s on the Outer Banks. One ship, the Kyzickes, wreck in December 1927 and the second ship, the Carl Gerhard, wrecked in 1929 and cut the Kyzickes in half. Exploring the shipwreck is fun but best done when the water is clear and especially best done with a dive buddy so you’ll be safe and so they can get some rad pictures and video of your adventure.
Duck
The Waterfront Shops in Duck are home to all of your shopping and ice cream needs. With little ice cream stores and shops like Life’s a Beach (an official Lilly Pulitzer retailer) and Islands by Amity, you’ll have the perfect wardrobe and the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram post!
Corolla
The Beer Garden has over 60 different craft beers and wine for you to try! Located in Corolla just off of Highway 12, The Beer Garden welcomes everyone, including your four-legged friend! With a quirky and chill island vibe, The Beer Garden is the perfect place to unwind after a long beach day with the perfect backdrop for tons of pictures!
Nags Head
Ben Franklin is an OBX staple that happens to have some pretty awesome artwork painted on their building! The entire outside of the store has a seascape painted that’s perfect for taking instagram photos. You can even get yourself a souvenir inside!
Nags Head
The Spot will soon be your new favorite place to cool off when you come to the Outer Banks. Serving up smoothies, ice cream, and their specialty acai bowls, The Spot in Nags Head is perfect for a sweet treat in between beach sessions. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone or a for a healthier treat grab a Loggerhead Bowl (pictured above). Not only are acai bowls super good for you, they photograph well too!
Manteo
Make sure you have enough storage on your phone because you’ll want to take pictures of everything at The Elizabethan Gardens. There’s so many different plants and flowers, you won’t see anything you don’t like. Located at the North-end of Manteo, The Elizabethan Gardens will transport you to a garden fit for Queen Elizabeth herself. You’ll be a hit on Instagram with your pictures because honestly, who doesn’t love flowers?!
Nags Head
Take a hike through Nags Head woods! With over 5 miles of trails, you’ll see wooded dunes, ponds, marsh and more! 7 different trails are available to explore, even a trail for those who have disabilities to get out and experience the beauty of Nags Head woods! Any trail you pick will sure to be picture perfect!
Hatteras Island
Pea Island is about 13 miles of land with no hotels, business, or houses in sight. This land is completely undeveloped and home to about 400 species of migrating birds and other wildlife. You’ll definitely see some awesome bird sightings and stretches of beach without any building in sight; giving the perfect setup for the best Outer Banks instagram photos!
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and for you last minute Mother’s Day planners, don’t worry. If you’re lucky enough to be on the Outer Banks this Mother’s Day or if you live here, we’ve come up with the top spots on the Outer Banks that Mom will love!
Taking a stroll through the historic and beautiful Elizabethan Gardens is a perfect way for mom to enjoy her special day. With views of the sound, beautiful statues, and of course the vibrant flowers, all will be sure to make her smile.
For the active mama, a yoga class on the Outer Banks is the best way to spend her day! Local yoga studios like Village Yoga in Duck offer an array of classes to get mom active doing something she loves!
What better way to spend Mother’s Day than at the spa? The Outer Banks is full of different amazing spas for mom to get the celebrity treatment. Treat her to a facial and massage this Mother’s Day weekend.
From the Outlets to great local boutiques, mom can spend her day engaging in a little retail therapy! A shopping day fit for the queen mom is!
No Mother’s Day is complete without a great meal, and who doesn’t love brunch?! Restaurants like Ocean Boulevard, Red Sky, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe, and Outer Banks Brewing Station offer amazing brunch that everyone, including mom, will love!
Whether mom wants to run around and play with the kiddos or settle in with a good book, spending some time on the beach is probably at the top of her list. Plan a day full of fun, rest, and relaxation on the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks.
The ultimate spot for mom? On the porch watching the waves crash in an Outer Banks vacation rental! Whether you want to give mom a weekend away or want to spend a whole week with her, Resort Realty has a wide array of homes that mom will be sure to love!
Road trips can be stressful, there’s no doubt about it. When you’re trying to remember if you packed everything for everyone and the kids are getting restless in the backseat, you can’t wait to get that OBX vacation started. With these 10 family travel apps, the traveling process from packing to pit-stops will be seamless!
This travel app will help you find the closest rest stops along your route on the closest highway or interstate. The app shows traditional rest areas as well as welcome centers. The app also allows you to mark rest stops as favorites, gives you notifications when you’re in range of a rest stop, and lets you leave reviews and see other reviews of the rest area.
Do you remember your favorite childhood book? This app is perfect for the kiddos that need entertainment. This family travel app has many beautifully animated animals that offer storylines to keep them at bay. Petting Zoo was created by illustrator Christoph Niemann and is perfect entertainment for ages 3 and up. This app does come with a $4 price tag, but it’s well worth it!
Are you or your kids interested in Art? The app, Drawing Pad is the perfect app to keep your kids entertained for hours. The app features a clean whiteboard and several basic colors making it the perfect family travel app for kids ages 4 and up.
What’s a road trip without some quality music? Spotify is free to use and features music from every artist you can think of. If you search “kids” in the search bar, you’ll find kid-friendly songs that everyone will love. While you’re at it, search for Resort Realty, give us a follow, and listen to our monthly Music Monday playlists to put you in that summer vacation mode! Don’t worry, our playlists are family friendly too!
The Kids World Atlas is a free app that’s perfect for kids to learn about places all over the world. The free version of this family travel app allows you to learn about animals all over the world with text and video along with quizzes that test your child’s animal knowledge.
Remember playing Mad Libs in the car and it was so hard to write when the car was moving? Now there’s an app for that! The free Mad Libs app has 21 free stories that allow you to save the stories to re-read and laugh at them for hours. The app is kid-friendly and you can play solo or with friends and family. The app is suitable for ages 9 to 11, but let’s be real, you’ll probably play Mad Libs as much as the kids will!
GasBuddy is the app you need if you’re trying to find the cheapest gas anywhere. You can choose to view gas stations by distance or price, report gas prices to help others find cheap gas, and you can enter to win $100 in free gas every day!
Accidents happen, hopefully not during your travel or on vacation, but they happen. Just to be prepared, the American Red Cross has provided an app that helps you in situations from anaphylactic shock to CPR chest compressions. The First Aid App also gives you tips on how to prepare for emergencies, can call 911, and locate the nearest hospital making it the perfect family travel app to keep you safe and prepared.
Waze is like the wonder app of traffic. Seriously. This family travel app helps you avoid accidents, road closures, police traps, and gives you real-time traffic updates. It also gives you turn by turn voice guided navigation. You can also send your ETA and real-time drive to update people you’re meeting at your Outer Banks vacation rental.
Oh good old Candy Crush. This game will work on problem solving with your child but you’ll probably end up wanting to play a couple of rounds too! This family travel app is sure to keep everyone, no matter their age entertained on your Outer Banks road trip.
Don’t forget to pin for later!
Hatteras is a unique island that is part of the Outer Banks. Full of history, beauty, and local culture, Hatteras is an exceptional gem that you’ll definitely want to visit. Check out our Top 10 Things To Do in Hatteras guide and start planning your Hatteras getaway today!
1 – Lighthouse Climbs
Cape Hatteras is home to two different lighthouses; the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Bodie Island Lighthouse. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse boasts 257 steps while the Bodie Island Lighthouse has just over 200. The climb isn’t for those who have heart, respiratory, or other medical conditions but climbing is up to your discretion. The view from the ground is as stunning as the view from the top of the lighthouses so even if you’re unable to climb, you still won’t miss out!
2 – Visit Avon Pier
Enjoy a morning sunrise or spend the day fishing away at Avon Fishing Pier. First opened in 1963, Avon Pier is home to many famous catches and the giant Red Drum that like to swim around the pier. A fishing license is not required to fish on Avon Pier and if you don’t have the right gear, the Pier House has you covered.
3 – Ferry Ride
Hatteras is home to the Hatteras/Ocracoke Ferry. Plan a trip down to Ocracoke and hop off the Ferry. The ferry ride is only about 40-45 minutes long. The Ferry can transport your car, bike, or even you just on foot! Take a ride across the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke for a day you’ll never forget.
4 – Visit Frisco Native American Museum
The Frisco Native American Museum is a treasure on Hatteras Island. The Native American Museum showcases historical artifacts like drums, weapons, clothing and more from different local Native American tribes. There are also nature trails that wind through several acres of Hatteras forest. Along the trail, you can also dig for fossils in the fossil pile. Fun and education meet at this little museum!
5 – REAL Watersports
REAL Watersports offers a place to shop for surf, skim, skate, and kiteboarding gear. Cape Hatteras is recognized as the best place to kiteboard in the world and is one of the top surfing destinations on the East Coast. If you’re in town on July 21st, REAL hosts Roxy Beach day; a day full of surfing, beach yoga, kiteboarding, and more (and it’s all free!) REAL Watersports also offers kiteboarding, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding lessons. Try a new sport and who knows, you might be the next professional surfer or kiteboarder!
6 – Chicamacomico Life Saving Station
Chica-what?! Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station (pronounced CHICK-a-mah-COM-ick-o) was one of seven lifesaving stations commissioned in 1871. Learn about the history of Live Saving Stations in North Carolina and how they helped contribute to what the United States Coast Guard is today.
7 – Pea Island Art Gallery
View artwork from over 100 local and regional artists at the Pea Island Art Gallery. With pieces like pottery, glass, jewelry, wood, sculpture, and more there’s something for everyone to look at. If you really fall in love with a certain piece of art, you can buy it to bring home with you!
8 – Tour by Air
A unique way to experience Hatteras Island is by viewing it by air! Burrus Flying Service has three different tours you can choose from. The South Tour will fly you over Hatteras inlet and move toward Ocracoke. The Cape Tour takes you over the Pamlico Sound and the Canadian Hole where you can get a sky view of windsurfers. The North Tour takes you over the sound towards Waves and Salvo where you can see different shipwrecks from a bird’s eye view!
9 – Eat Locally
Hatteras Island is known for being a fishing community, like many other towns on the Outer Banks. With fishing communities comes the freshest seafood you will ever find and let us tell you, there’s nothing like it. Hatteras restaurants like Café Pamlico feature dishes made from seafood right from the waters of Hatteras and all over the Outer Banks.
10 – Beach It
No commercialization means a lot more room and a greater connection to nature and the beauty of the beach. Unlike other Outer Banks beaches, the Hatteras seashore has no other buildings or homes right on top of the beach. Hatteras beaches are pet-friendly and 4-wheel drive capable (with a permit). Spend a beach day in the ocean or relaxing in the sand. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
With all of these activities to do and more, why not plan your next vacation on Hatteras Island? Resort Realty offers many different vacation homes in Hatteras that will suit your every need. Check them out and book your next Outer Banks vacation in Hatteras with us today!
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
Cape Hatteras Beach
Nags Head is full of beauty, adventure, and history much like the other 15 towns that make up the Outer Banks. Check out these places to see and things to do in our list of Top 10 Things To Do in Nags Head!
1. First Flight Adventure Park
Bring out your inner adrenaline junkie and take on the First Flight Adventure Park. Challenge yourself at Nags Heads’ newest aerial adventure park! With platforms ranging from 12 feet to 50 feet high and 6 total courses, there’s something for everyone.
2. Jockey’s Ridge
Learn the history and ecology of that huge sand dune you’ve probably seen a time or two at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Once you’ve learned some of Jockey’s Ridge’s history, make your way across the street to Kitty Hawk Kites and rent a kite to fly on the sand dunes or browse around Kitty Hawk Surf for a new outfit or outdoor gear.
3. Shopping
Nags Head is home to Tanger Outlets with shops like J.Crew, Polo, Coach, and more. Take time out and stroll through the mall or visit some of the other amazing local shops like Secret Spot Surf Shop or Foxy Flamingo in Nags Head as well.
4. Galaxy Golf
Directly across from Bonnet Street beach access, Galaxy Golf is a fun mini golf course that the whole family will love. This outer spaced themed mini golf course features 18 different holes. Once you’ve had a fun round of mini golf, head over to the Bonnet Street beach access and cool off in the ocean!
5. Jennette’s Pier
Jennette’s Pier, originally built in 1939 is one of the oldest fishing piers on the Outer Banks. The North Carolina Aquarium Society purchased Jennette’s Pier and rebuilt it in 2011. Once just a home to fishing, Jennette’s Pier offers a snack bar, tackle and gift shop, and an AMAZING view of the Atlantic Ocean.
6. Go Karts
How about a little friendly competition? Nags Head Raceway offers single and double go-karts so everyone can compete! The soundside track is sure to captivate you but don’t get too distracted; its Outer Banks tradition that the loser has to buy the winner ice cream!
7. Fish Heads
Enjoy great food with the very best view of the beach. Fish Heads Bar and Grill is located right on top of Outer Banks Fishing Pier. With over 30 different beers on tap food choices like fish tacos and crab cake sandwiches, Fish Heads is the place to go. Did we mention 15 cent shrimp every day from 4 PM to 6 PM?
8. Nags Head Woods
With over 7 different trails to discover and explore, Nags Head Woods will provide hours of active fun. One of the most popular trails is the Roanoke Trail located right off of Ocean Acres Drive. The Roanoke Trail has a direct path to the Roanoke Sound and back which equals out to be about 1.5 miles long.
9. Farmdog Surf School
Learn how to hang 10 or paddle out at Farmdog Surf School. Farmdog offers surfing and stand up paddleboarding lessons ranging from 1 student to over 15. Farmdog will provide you a surfboard, a wetsuit (weather providing), and a shady beach tent when it’s break time. Farmdog also offers beach yoga and a fitness studio!
10. Beach It!
With over 40 public beach accesses up and down the town of Nags Head and the beautiful Outer Banks weather, there’s no reason for you to not get out and soak up the sun! One of the biggest advantages of the Outer Banks is the simplicity of a quality beach day. All you need is a towel, some sunscreen, a bathing suit and a beachy state of mind to enjoy and truly Outer Banks beach day!
This top 10 list only just scratches the surface of what all the town of Nags Head has to offer you on your visit. Now that you’ve seen this list of a few new things to see and try in Nags Head, start planning your Outer Banks vacation! Check out Resort Realty’s stunning Nags Head vacation homes and make us a part of your Nags Head summer vacation!
First Flight Adventure Park – Courtesy of First Flight Adventure Park
Farmdogs Surf School – Courtesy of Farmdogs
Fish Heads Bar and Grill – Courtesy of Fish Heads
Galaxy Golf – Courtesy of Galaxy Golf
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