This Fall, follow our bucket list for fun Outer Banks activities that’ll be sure to provide you and your family lots of laughs and memories! While Summer on the OBX is amazing, Fall is here, it’s even better, and it’s time to partake in all the fun this cooler season brings.

OBX Fall Bucket List

Our Top OBX Fall Activities

We’ve broken down our favorite fall activities for your bucket list in our handy PDF above, but we want to go into more detail on the ones we really love and why! These are activities we highlighted in our summer bucket list but they’re just as magical during the fall!

 

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is a must if you’re in town! The festival is typically held in mid to late October and features some of the best, local restaurants on the OBX! Enjoy locally caught seafood of all kinds, tasty desserts, and so much more. You can get more information on the next Outer Banks Seafood Festival here.

 

Fresh, Steamed Oysters

Fall is notoriously known on the Outer Banks as oyster season! Locals know, you only eat oysters during months that end in an “R”. Steamed oysters are much easier to eat and shuck than raw and are amazing with hot sauce, cocktail sauce, and horseradish! You can buy your own locally at places like Sugar Shack and O’Neals to steam yourself or treat yourself at a local restaurant where they’re steamed for you!

 

Visiting Historical Landmarks

If you’re not a warm-weather person, the fall presents the perfect time to get out and adventure! With gorgeous weather and crisp fall air, walking around Outer Banks historical landmarks is absolutely pleasant. From climbing the lighthouses to visiting the Wright Brothers Memorial, getting outside during the fall on the OBX is a must.

Don’t have a Halloween costume? Don’t worry! We’ve got some quick, easy, and fun OBX themed Halloween costumes for that last minute Halloween party or trick or treating! Get inspired by your favorite place and check out these OBX Halloween costumes!

NO SEW JELLYFISH COSTUME

Jellyfish frequent the Outer Banks during the warmer months, so why not embrace your inner jelly sea critter this Halloween!

(craft idea from Alpha Mom)

Supplies:

• clear umbrella
• six 6 inch squares of fabric
• anything else you want to hang from the edge of the umbrella that mimics jellyfish tentacles
• quick drying glue or clear tape (anything except hot glue as it will melt the umbrella)

How To Make:

Take your six-inch square of fabric and round the edges so that it’s a circle. Cut a spiral into the circle to the very center so when you unwrap the spiral it will hang down in a tight curl. Once you have all your tendrils cut, attach them to your umbrella with glue or tape.  Pick out a coordinating outfit that matches your jellyfish tentacles and you’re all set!

OH, DEER!

Believe it or not, deer are actually a large part of the wildlife and eco system on the Outer Banks. Get creative with your makeup and get inspired by this easy doe look by Stephanie Suero!

Supplies:

• Liquid foundation
• Setting powder
• Concealer
• Contour kit or powder foundation 2-3 shades darker than your skintone
• Blush
• Light colored highlighter or very light concealer
• Black Gel Eyeliner
• White eye pencil

SHARK WEEK

Celebrate shark week during the spooky season! Whether you want to go as a family of sharks or baby sharks and a fallen surfer, this costume is a breeze. All you need is a gray sweatsuit and craft felt in gray, white, and red. Add shark teeth, eyes, and a fin with hot glue and you’re ready to hit the town!

MERMAID

What says OBX more than being a magical mermaid for Halloween this year! This easy and fun DIY tutorial from Lauren Conrad is sure to get you trick or treat ready.

Supplies:

• two large scallop seashells
• your choice of mixed seashells
• corset or strapless bra
• shimmery green fabric with some stretch
• dark green or turquoise sequined fabric
• tulle in different shades of turquoise and blue
• needle and thread
• straight pins
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• a dress form or a friend

This step-by-step tutorial from Lauren Conrad is easy to follow and fun!

PIRATES OF THE OBX

Pirates have a rich history on the OBX so why not embrace your inner scalawag for Halloween?

Supplies:

• white or striped tshirt
• red fabric
• red bandana
• eye patch optional

To get a pirate look throw on your striped tee or take your white tee and cut all the finished edges off to make it look weathered and worn. Use the red fabric to make a belt. Wear a bandana around your head, throw on a pair of black pants and boots and you’re ready to hunt for Halloween treasure!

SCUBA DIVER

This fun and easy costume for kids will have you ready for an under the sea halloween adventure! This tutorial from Delineate Your Dwelling is easy, inexpensive, and fun!

Supplies:

• Black shirt and pants
• 2 sets of 2 liter bottles
• cotton rope or yarn
• spray paint
• black electrical tape
• sponge hair curlers
• swim goggles and snorkles
• metal pail
• silver Washi tape
• hot glue
• chalkboard paint.

Delineate Your Dwelling has all of the easy, step by step instructions to turn your little one into the cutest scuba diver on the block!

Halloween is coming up and we’ve gathered together some of the best cocktails to celebrate the spooky season! From Harry Potter inspired brews to fun, family friendly concoctions, check out these 13 creepy cocktails that you’ll be sure to love this Halloween.

HOCUS POCUS FIZZ (KID FRIENDLY)

1 // Mix pineapple juice, almond extract, coconut extract, and food coloring in a small pitcher

2 // Grab a ziplock bag and place 2 tablespoons of sugar, 5 drops of red food coloring, and 5 drops of yellow food coloring in bag.

3 // Seal the bag and knead mixture until the color is evenly distributed.

4 // Pour sugar mixture on to a shallow plate and dip the rim of a damp beverage glass in the sugar to coat

3 // Pour 2 ounces of mixture into the sugar rimmed beverage glass and serve

WITCH’S BREW

1 // Mix juices and soda in a highball glass

2 // Pour a shot of rum down the side of the glass and serve

 

BLACK SANGRIA

1 // Add all ingredients into a pitcher and mix with a large spoon

2 // Let mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (the longer it sits, the darker the plums will be)

3 // Serve chilled and enjoy

 

PINA GOULADA

Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Serve chilled with goulish decor!

THE RAVEN

 

This coffee liqueur recipe is sure to please even the darkest souls of your crew. Take all ingredients and our into a glass and stir until mixed. Easy and ready to serve!

PUMPKIN PUNCH

For the spiced syrup:

1 // Add all spices to small saucepan over medium heat. Do not let them burn

2 // As soon as the spices start to smell, add the water and sugar. Stir continuously to dissolve the sugar and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Remove mixture from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer.

3 // Cool to room temperature before using

For the punch:

1 // Combine the spiced rum, orange juice, syrup, and pumpkin puree in a large bowl and stir.

2 // Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher and chill until ready to serve

3 // Place a large bowl, safe for dry ice, into your hollowed pumpkin. Use tongs to fill the bottom of the bowl with dry ice and cover with a slightly smaller bowl that will hold your punch.

4 // Pour mixer into punch bowl and add sparkling water. Stir to combine.

5 // Carefully pour hot water into the bottom bowl so that it activates the dry ice.

6 // Allow guests to ladle punch in their glasses and garnish with cinnamon stick. Stir as you serve as ingredients will separate.

POISON APPLE

 

A cocktail even Snow White couldn’t say no to! Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until well mixed and our over ice into double old fashioned glasses. Add an apple slice to garnish and serve!

BLACK WIDOW

 

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add all ingredients, stir, and serve!

BLACK MAGIC

1 // In a cocktail shaker, add orange juice and triple sec over ice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

2 // Using the back of a spoon, pour black vodka slowly into a glass to the vodka sits on top of the orange juice and triple sec mixture.

3 // Carefully dip one edge of the orange wedge into the vodka and place on the rim of the glass. Serve and enjoy!

BUTTER BEER

1 // Chill ginger beer and cream soda.

2 // Add ginger liqueur and butterscotch topping to a small bowl and whisk until fully combined.

3 // Moisten rims of glasses and dip in sanding sugar.

4 // Add ice to glasses.

5 // Distribute ginger liqueur mixture evenly among glasses.

6 // Add 4 ounces of ginger beer to each glass.

7 // Add 4 ounces of cream soda to each glass.

8 // Stir gently before serving.

CANDY CORN COCKTAIL

1 // Combine Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka, Sour Mix and Pineapple Juice in a shaker with ice, shake away

2 // Pour mix into a martini glass

3 // Slowly pour Grenadine into mix so it settles at the bottom

4 // Top with whip cream

MR. HYDE’S POTION

 

EMBALMING FLUID

Mix all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake twice and serve in your most ghoulish of glasses.

5K’s, surf contests, haunted trails, and trick or treating, oh my! Enjoy scary good fun this Halloween on the Outer Banks! Whether you’re local or just in town for spooky season, these are the can’t miss events you need to attend this Halloween!

Which Craft Surf Gathering

Byrd Street | Kitty Hawk

This surf contest celebrating unique and experimental surf craft is held on the first Saturday morning of October. All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. After party is held at Swells’a Brewing. Event information and updates can be found on their Instagram page.

WANCHESE WOODS HAUNTED TRAIL

18766 US Hwy 64 | East Lake

Get scared in Wanchese Woods! Featuring bone chilling scares, sensory overload, and more! This trail is not for the faint of heart. Wanchese Woods updates information here. Tickets are $20 and cash only.

DARE TO SCARE 5K + SWEET TREAT FUN RUN

The Dare County Center | Manteo

The annual Dare to Scare 5K + Sweet Treat Fun run is usually held on the last Saturday of the month of October. This event benefits the Annual Dare County Center Toy Drive that serves over 400 local youth residents. Registration is open from now until race day. For more information, visit the Dare Center website or call 252-475-9270.

A NIGHT OF 1587 PUMPKINS

The Elizabethan Gardens | Manteo

Have fun with the family at The Elizabethan Gardens! A Night of 1587 Pumpkins features 2 days of free pumpkin carvings, then a third night of trick-or-treating and contests! Contests include costume contests, scream contests, and pumpkin carving contests. Glow sticks, hot chocolate, apple cider and s’more packs will be for sale.

TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT AT FFES

First Flight Elementary School

Have fun at Trick Or Treat Night, a family friendly fundraising event! Hosted by the First Flight Elementary PTO, this event includes Halloween activities like trick-or-treating, face painting, games, and more! Money raised from this event will be used to help existing school programs and create new learning opportunities for students. Follow the FFES PTO for more information on event details.

TRUNK OR TREAT AT BEACH KLUB

Koru Beach Klub | Avon

Have fun at Trunk Or Treat at Koru Beach Club and enjoy safe trick or treating for the whole family! Volunteers will have their cars decorated by theme and give out candy and more to trick or treaters! This event is free for all and begins at 5:00 PM. Find out more information on Koru Beach Klub’s facebook page for event details.

Thanksgiving on the OBX can start a new family tradition! The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to reflect and be thankful for everything you have. Why not reflect on your favorite little sandbar? Starting a new family tradition of giving thanks on the Outer Banks is something that everyone can agree on. There are plenty of reasons to spend a week on the Outer Banks during the summer, but here are our top reasons to spend your Thanksgiving on the OBX this Fall.

A CHANCE TO RELAX + SPEND TIME TOGETHER

The holiday season can be stressful. Figuring out who is cooking what and where everyone is meeting can be a task of its own. By spending time together in one of our amazing vacation rentals, Thanksgiving coordination is a walk in the park. One spacious house, one well-equipped kitchen, hundreds of laughs, and zero stress? That sounds like the perfect Thanksgiving set-up to us! Plus, what’s better than a vacation to the Outer Banks in the middle of Fall?

PLENTY OF SPACE FOR YOUR CREW

During the holidays, preparing and accommodating guests can be a hassle. Let us handle that for you. With homes that can sleep up to 40 guests and sister homes that accommodate 18 people per home, there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy quality family time together on the OBX.

EXPERIENCING THE STILL OF THE OFF-SEASON

If you ask any local, they’ll tell you that the shoulder and off seasons on the Outer Banks are the best time to visit. Traffic is minimal, the crowds are gone, and the beaches are empty. While it does get a little too chilly to have a proper beach day, long strolls on the beach and shell-seeking are the norm during this time of year. Walk off all that Thanksgiving turkey on the beach and enjoy the quiet, stillness of the usually bustling Outer Banks.

FUN ACTIVITIES

Black Friday shopping is always fun especially when you’re doing it at local boutiques. Shopping locally is a much less hectic experience than trying to fight off crowds at the mall, that’s for sure. Plus, fun family-friendly events like Winterlights at The Elizabethan Gardens and Hangin’ With Santa are happening Thanksgiving weekend; two activities you don’t want to miss out on.

TOP OF THE LINE KITCHENS

If you’ve got a master chef in the family, we’ve got the perfect homes for you. Many of our kitchens have top-of-the-line amenities and enough space to cook a gourmet Thanksgiving meal. The cooking enthusiast in your group will have a field day with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and ample meal prep space! Plus, with spacious dining room tables, everyone has a place to sit down, chow down, and catch up with one another.

GREAT DINING

If you’re not much of a cook, don’t worry. The Outer Banks is home to so many amazing local restaurants that are serving Thanksgiving meals. Choose from great buffets, ordering off menu, or even getting a caterer to come to your rental home to serve up something tasty. The options for your Thanksgiving meal are limitless and always effortless.

MEALS WITH A VIEW

Whether you decide to dine out or have a meal at the house, you’re sure to have a stunning view of the OBX. Many of our rental homes are either soundside or oceanside; providing a picture-perfect view. Since our fall and winters are normally so mild, if you’re preparing a meal at home you may even be able to dine right on the beach or soundfront!

GREAT RATES + SPECIALS

Since Thanksgiving falls during the off-season, many of our homes have low rates! You can book a spacious, luxury home for a fraction of the summer price! Plus, you can save with our Hometown Hero discount if you’re a first responder, part of the military, educator, nurse, or civil servant. Spending your Thanksgiving on the OBX is fun, financially friendly, and you’re sure to create memories (and hopefully traditions) that will last a lifetime. To book your Thanksgiving getaway, visit our website or call us at (800) 458-3830 and one of our amazing vacation specialists will be there to help you!

If you’ve ever been to the Outer Banks, chances are you’ve visited the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo. The NC Aquarium features the S.T.A.R Center. This acronym stands for Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation. The OBX is home to a variety of sea turtles and super important to them.

THE OUTER BANKS IS A SEA TURTLE HUB

The Outer Banks is one of the most northernmost ranges for sea turtle nesting according to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T). The sea turtles visit the OBX to lay their eggs from early to mid-summer. The eggs normally hatch around 50-80 days after they’re laid. The five species of sea turtles that are most likely to visit the Outer Banks are loggerhead, green, Kemp’s Ridley, hawksbill, and leatherback.

SEA TURTLES CAN BECOME EASILY HURT

Sea turtles call the Outer Banks home during the summer months, but they also become endangered during this time. Boat propellers, nets, and debris can cause serious harm to sea turtles. In the winter months, the weather change and the sharp drop in temperatures can cause sea turtles to get frost bite on their shells and become cold stunned. This is where the S.T.A.R Center and N.E.S.T comes in. They check the beaches for nests and turtles in distress. Should N.E.S.T volunteers come across and sick or injured sea turtle, they contact the Aquarium and they are transported to the S.T.A.R center for evaluation, rehabilitation, and sometimes even surgery.

RETURNING THE TURTLES TO THE SEA

Once the sea turtles have been rehabilitated and are healthy again, they are returned to the sea! The S.T.A.R center along with N.E.S.T and the NC Aquarium hold sea turtle releases so they can return home safely.

HELPING THE SEA TURTLES

There are so many actions that can be taken in order to help the quality of life for sea turtles and get involved! N.E.S.T has a volunteer application you can fill out. (You can find the application and more information here.) If you’re from out of town and are unable to become a volunteer, you can still do your part. Make sure you pick up your trash and dispose of it properly when you’re on the beach. The main diet of sea turtles are jellyfish. When single use plastic bags or helium balloons get blown into the ocean, sea turtles easily mistake these for jellyfish, causing them to eat them and become sick or even die. We’ve written a blog on how to keep the OBX clean, that in turn, will also help keep sea turtles, safe, happy, and healthy!

Fall on the Outer Banks is a local favorite! With so much to do, great weather, and less crowds, this is the perfect season to plan a date with your significant other! We’ve come up with some of the best date ideas to truly experience Fall on the OBX with your sweetheart.

1 // Explore Downtown Manteo

With such great weather, exploring downtown Manteo with the person you love is a perfect date! Walk around and explore all of the local shops. Enjoy the scenery of the waterfront, and even adventure over to Festival Park to learn more about Roanoke Island’s history. Take the drive to visit the Elizabethan Gardens to see the beautiful flowers and landscaping and enjoy the great weather.

2 // Check Out A New Restaurant

Fall on the Outer Banks means less traffic and crowds! This gives you and your sweetheart the opportunity to try out a new restaurant you’ve been dying to eat at with little to no wait!

3 // Climb Lighthouses

The great Fall weather on the Outer Banks is a great reason to climb the lighthouses! In the summer, it’s usually too hot to climb all of those steps. Since Fall brings beautiful, cool weather, what could be a better date than climbing to the top of the Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island, or Currituck Beach lighthouse with your sweetheart?

4 // Attend the Seafood Festival

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is the perfect date idea. Enjoy great seafood from restaurants all over the Outer Banks. With so many food choices, different beers, live music, and more, a seafood festival date is sure to be unforgettable.

5 // Plan A Weekend Getaway

A Fall weekend getaway to the beach is the ultimate date. Homes that feature partial stays are open and in full swing! You can book the perfect home for a fraction of the price! To see all of the amazing homes Resort Realty offers for weekend getaways, check out our website and call us at 800-458-3830 to book!

Thanksgiving is around the corner and while this holiday is about giving thanks for everything we have in our lives, our family, and our friends; no Thanksgiving is complete without great food! Here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes for you to try this year; from our family to yours!

SWEET POTATO CRUNCH CASSEROLE

1 // lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ baking sheet

2 // Mix the sweet potato, sugar, salt, eggs, cinnamon, milk, vanilla, and melted butter in a large bowl

3 // Pour the mixture in the baking dish and distribute evenly

4 // Top with the topping mixture and bake at 350 for 35 – 45 minutes or until center is set.

CREAMY POTATO CASSEROLE

1 // Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

2 // Mix hash browns, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, sour cream, pepper, and butter in a bowl. Spread into a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ pan.

3 // Top with crushed corn flakes and dot with cubed butter

4 // Bake uncovered for 45 minutes

THE BEST TURKEY EVER

1 // Preheat Oven to 325 degrees

2 // Combine salt, thyme, sage, paprika, pepper, and ground mustard in a bowl.

3 // Remove turkey from its packaging and remove the neck and the bag containing the gizzards and heart.

4 // Dry off the skin of the bird and inside the cavity with paper towels.

5 // Lift the skin over the turkey breast and slide your hand under the skin; separating it from the breast meat. Do this on both sides.

6 // Insert 3 pats of putter under the skin on one side of the turkey breast and spread them around evenly. Repeat on both sides.

7 // Sprrnkle the dry rub all over the turkey. Use your hands to rub into the skin. If you have any left over rub you can sprinkle it inside the cavity.

8 // Place the onion halves and garlic cloves inside the turkey’s cavity.

9 // Transfer the turkey to your roasting pan

10 // Cover the breast of the turkey with a piece of aluminum foil; make sure the foil is large enough to fit over the whole breast.

11 // Place the turkey in the ocean and let roast for 2 hours. Remove the foil from the turkey after 2 hours and then increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Let cook for another hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees and the skin is crispy and golden.

12 // Remove the turkey from the oven, let cool briefly, then carve and enjoy!

BACON WRAPPED STUFFING

1 // Preheat oven to 350º F

2 // In a large mixing bowl, combine stuffing mix, egg, and milk. Mix throughly.

3 // Add the onion, garlic, parsley, apple, and pecans. Continue to mix

4 // Add torn sausage, curry powder, and lemon zest. Mix to combine

5 // Arrange the bacon strips on a baking sheet. Take a small mound of stuffing and form a little log. Place the mound in the center of each bacon strip, then wrap the bacon around the stuffing.

6 // Bake for 45 minutes or until bacon is crispy and stuffing is browned and cooked through.

CRESCENT ROLL APPLE DUMPLINGS

1 // Preheat oven to 350º degrees F.

2 // Wash, peel, and cut apples into 8 equal slices.

3 // Unwrap the crescent roll and separate the triangles.

4 // Place a piece of apple on each triangle of dough and Rolle into a croissant.

5 // Butter a 13″ x 9″ baking dish

6 // In a separate bowl, combine the butter, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla and mix until you get a smooth liquid. Pour over the rolls.

7 // Pour Mountain Dew between rolls, not over

8 // Bake for 35 – 45 minutes until they become golden brown

9 // Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Last year to get you in the Halloween spirit, we told you 5 ghost tales of the Outer Banks. This year, we’re bringing you 5 more! Learn about some of the spookiest tales of the Outer Banks. Who knows, maybe on your next vacation you’ll encounter one of these spooky sightings.

THE HAUNTED WHALEHEAD PORTRAIT

The Whalehead Club in Corolla was built by Edward and Mar-Louise LeBel Knight. The home provided work opportunities for Corolla residents. Today, the Whalehead Club offers tours of the beautiful estate. In the dining room, you’ll find a portrait of Mr. Edward Knight holding a cigar. Many visitors say they can smell the cigar when on the tour. Some people have even noticed a smoky haze surrounding the portrait.

CARROL A. DEERING GHOST SHIP

In 1921, the Carroll A. Deering a schooner, ran aground on Diamond Shoals; a cluster of shifting underwater sandbars. Before the ship became distressed, Captain Jacobson who was manning the Cape Lookout Lighthouse noticed the grew of the ship was acting suspicious. The Coast Guard came across the ship 2 days later and oddly, the crew, their personal belongings, and lifeboats were all missing. Even stranger? A table had been set with food and silverware as if the crew was about to sit down for dinner. Speculation continues today with theories that range from piracy to paranormal Bermuda Triangle activity, but no one knows exactly what happened to the crew.

THE CURRITUCK LIGHTHOUSE NORTH ROOM

The Currituck Lighthouse has been in service since 1875. Sadie Johnson was the daughter of the lightkeeper that ran the Currituck Lighthouse. The Johnson family was the first family to live in the light keeper’s quarters and young Sadie stayed in the north room of the house. Sadie would always play in the sand near the waters’ edge, but one day she didn’t return home. Her body washed ashore the next day and looked to be an accidental drowning…until other deaths began occurring. A friend of the light keeper’s wife stayed in the north room of the house. She ended up dying from a mysterious illness days later. The lightkeeper’s wife was quarantined in the North bedroom after contracting tuberculosis and subsequently died in that room as well. To this day, no one has spent an entire night in the North bedroom of the Currituck Lighthouse.

GREY MAN OF HATTERAS

If there is a hurricane approaching the shores of Cape Hatteras, you’ll likely see the Grey Man. The Grey Man is a shadowy figure that appears when the first storm winds come to the coast. Some people say the Grey Man is a ghost of a sailor from Hatteras who died at sea in a hurricane. It’s said that he comes back to warn those of the danger of a hurricane since his life was taken in a storm. No one has ever gotten close enough to him to hear him speak or see details in his appearance.

BODIE ISLAND HAUNTINGS

The Bodie Island Lighthouse located in South Nags head has a historic past on the Outer Banks. In 1872, the lighthouse was remodeled in 1872 after being destroyed by Confederate soldiers in 1861. The Lighthouse itself hasn’t shown any signs of being haunted despite its past. However, the gatekeeper’s cottage, which is now the gift shop has had a history of hauntings. Every afternoon after 4:00 PM, a knocking is heard from behind the bricked-over fireplace…as if someone is trapped inside.

Home to hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, Kitty Hawk is a popular town on the Outer Banks. Full of history, folklore, and more, learn about one of the most northern most towns on the Outer Banks with these 5 Fast Facts.

KITTY HAWK GOT ITS NAME FROM NATIVES

Before European explorers discovered the Outer Banks and its’ surrounding areas, it’s estimated that Native Americans occupied the area of Kitty Hawk for many years before. Algonquin speaking tribes called this area home. The natives gave the town the name of Chickenhauk originally. Chickenhauk eventually evolved into the modern day name of Kitty Hawk.

TOURISM DIDN’T REALLY START UP UNTIL THE 1930S

The Wright Memorial Bridge gives a sense of excitement to visitors. It’s a sign of the start of an Outer Banks vacation! However, without the construction of the bridge in the 1930s, tourism on the OBX wouldn’t be what it is today. The original bridge was built of wood and connected the northern beaches with the mainland of Currituck. One more bridge was constructed in 1966 and could withstand winds of up to 55 miles an hour. The current and final bridge was opened in 1995.

THE KITTY HAWK WEATHER STATION BROADCASTED THE FIRST FLIGHT

In the 1900s, the Wright Brothers came to the Outer Banks to test and build the first man powered flying machine. On December 17th, 1903, the first successful flight was accomplished by the brothers. The telegraph that would change the world was sent from the Kitty Hawk Weather Station.

KITTY HAWK OWNS 462 ACRES OF WOODS RESERVE

Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve features over 1,822 acres of dense woods, wild life, and more. The Town of Kitty Hawk and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve partnered to reserve this section of Kitty Hawk Woods to protect the wildlife and environment. Thanks to these efforts, visitors and locals alike can visit the woods and view different wild life, blooming flowers, and more!

KITTY HAWK IS HOME TO THE BLACK PELICAN, A LIFESAVING STATION TURNED RESTAURANT

The Kitty Hawk Lifesaving Station #6 was one of 7 station located on the NC Coast. Constructed in 1874, the crew of the Kitty Hawk Lifesaving station #6 relied on the help of a friendly black pelican who would warn them of bad weather and distressed vessels. In 1993, station #6 began new life as the popular restaurant, The Black Pelican, which is an OBX staple.