Across this chain of barrier islands, outdoor outfitters, passionate restaurateurs, boutique shops, and independent producers shape the local flavor that makes these beach communities worth the trip any time of year.
nags head
Painting a Sense of Place
With warm memories and an abiding respect for her coastal home, a Dare County artist captures the Outer Banks spirit in colorful brushstrokes.
Beach Trip Trivia
From kite-flying to shelling to surfing, how much do you know about the ways to play on the North Carolina coast?
Daybreak on the Coast
Dawn on North Carolina’s beaches sharpens the senses: Colors look brighter, crashing waves sound louder, and the potential for the day ahead seems infinite.
A Locals’ Guide to Whalebone Junction
Where to play, grab a bite, and cast a line in the area around South Nags Head.
The Bodie Island Light Shines On
The resilience of our lighthouses — and that of the people who kept them — is perhaps best exemplified by the life and times of this lighthouse in South Nags Head.
History Next Door
North Carolina’s historic neighborhoods have withstood the test of time to give us a glimpse of the past.
Jockey’s Ridge
There is no more recognizable natural feature on the Outer Banks than the largest living sand dune on the East Coast — but this coastal icon was almost lost to development in the 1970s.
Off the Hook in Nags Head
At an Outer Banks seafood market and restaurant, old-school and new-school flavors both get a seat at the table.
