The Outer Banks: Beyond the Beach

The Outer Banks’ sun and sand continue to lure vacationers to its beaches. Lynn Topel

A survey conducted by online travel deals site TravelZoo of its 15 million members found that 57 percent of respondents were looking into a beach vacation this year “combined with touring and dining.” This is good news for beach-adjacent attractions that may often get overlooked. As one hits the beach this summer, it may be worth extricating oneself from that engrossing beach read to explore nearby historical and cultural sights that may be a fun diversion for aquaphiles and landlubbers alike.

The Outer Banks

The Outer Banks (or OBX, as it is often abbreviated) is a popular destination for vacationers. With over a million visitors every year, the local economy relies heavily on its tourism industry. The beaches are clean and family-friendly, and its long shoreline means that there are many access points to the ocean. However, there’s more to the OBX than water activities. The sights below are in the Northern Beaches area and are worth checking out.

Kitty Hawk

One might think an unassuming visitors center would be a sight for sore eyes only if a restroom is badly needed. However, behind the Aycock Brown Welcome Center in Kitty Hawk, stands the Monument to a Century of Flight. It commemorates the first 100 years of aviation history, from the time the Wright Brothers launched their successful flight in 1903 to forays into outer space up until 2003. The pylons are arranged in an orbital pattern, marking each milestone within the timeframe. It’s a good stop, free of charge, and this year, it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Kill Devil Hills

Wilbur and Orville Wright are credited with making the first successful flight, which took place from the sand dune in the background where the memorial now stands. Lynn Topel

Though the Wright brothers famously placed Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on the map, the first successful test flight actually took place in Kill Devil Hills. The Wright Brothers National Memorial marks the sand dune where the brothers would laboriously climb up, carrying their kites and gliders to make numerous flight runs until they found the right design, engine, and wingspan to make it work. Because of the site’s extensive grounds, it’s best to catch a guided tour. Visitors aged 16 and older pay $10 per ticket, which is good for seven days. This year’s 45th annual Wright Kite Festival is happening July 14–15, offering a truly fun OBX activity.

Still in the Kill Devil Hills area and just 2.7 miles south of the Wright Brothers National Memorial is the Nags Head Woods Preserve. Its claim to fame is that it’s one of the largest maritime forests on this side of America, and it was designated as a Natural National Landmark in 1974. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a “maritime forest is a forest that is on the coast and is influenced by sea-spray.” The well-marked trails could lead you to marshes, wetlands, and fishing docks. Watch out for mosquitoes, and be enthralled by the colorful dragonflies that flit in and out of sight. Admission is free and worth the change of pace.

Nags Head

A plaque on the grounds claims that “Jockey Ridge State Park has the tallest natural sand dunes on the eastern coast of the United States, fluctuating between 80 and 100 feet above sea level.” Lynn Topel

For a one-of-a-kind trek, step into Jockey Ridge State Park, where the sandy landscape will make you think that you’ve landed on an oasis in a Middle Eastern desert. Your calf muscles will get a real workout climbing those sand dunes, but the view from the top is worth it. Sandboarding is allowed (use a flattened box that can be recycled afterward) and is a fun reward for soldiering up the shifting sands. For those participating in the National Park Service’s Passport to the National Parks program, this site is worth two stamps, and best of all, admission is free.

If you’ve still got the energy, drive some 14 miles south from the sand dunes, and you'll quickly spot the Bodie Island Light Station with its signature back-and-white horizontal pattern. During the latter part of 2022, it celebrated 150 years of illuminating part of the seashore that is often called the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” You must purchase tickets online in order to climb the light station, or you may choose to roam the grounds for free. Note: Its more popular OBX counterpart, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, isn’t open for climbers this season as it’s undergoing renovations.

Dawn at Bodie Island Lighthouse along North Carolina's Outer Banks.
anthony heflin/Shutterstock

A Local Sweet Treat

Once you’ve worked up an appetite after all the walks and climbs, grab a customizable, fresh-from-the-oven donut treat from Duck Donuts. Named after the town of Duck, where the first store is located, it offers tempting creations such as bacon-topped doughnuts and ones with shredded coconut on lemon icing. As its mascot, Ollie, would say, come in for a “DUCKadent dozen.”

These great places to visit are all within a 37-mile stretch of the Outer Banks, which explains why the OBX is such a popular vacation spot. The sun and sand experience isn’t limited to the beach and is such an integral part of what makes the Outer Banks unique. It’s worth brushing the sand off the beach chair for a bit of exploration.