Whether you’re visiting Corolla for the first time or 30th, these six essential activities make The Northern Outer Banks getaway an adventure for any age.
outer banks
Your Guide to the Outer Banks
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.
Where to Discover the Outer Banks’ Wild Side
Leave the beach gear at home and put on your walking (or water!) shoes. From accessible greenways to trails through preserves and guided wildlife tours, here’s where to experience and celebrate the Outer Banks’ precious maritime ecosystem.
Love the Outer Banks Like a Local
From stellar surf to amazing attractions marking pivotal points in history, there’s lots to love about these beaches and towns. Here are a local’s top tips for visiting them like they’re home.
Textiles & Tides
After working for home decor businesses in big cities, an artist started her own design company, inspired by the colorful simplicity of life on Hatteras Island.
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.
5 Ways to Explore Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Less than 20 miles from the bustle of the Outer Banks, you can take a walk on the wild side in Dare County’s mainland.
Preserving the Outer Banks’ Life-Saving Stations
Tucked away amid the towering lighthouses that dot North Carolina’s coast are life-saving stations once manned by brave surfmen who risked their lives to rescue mariners in peril. One Outer Banks resident has dedicated his life to making sure those surfmen are not forgotten.
Washed Ashore
Shark teeth, ancient ship wrecks, deadly jellyfish, and … spaceship debris? Keep an eye out when roaming our beaches — you never know what surprises are lying at the water’s edge.
