beltwayandbeyondThe Outer Banks of North Carolina is a popular vacation destination. You’d be hard-pressed to find a parking lot in the DC area without at least one OBX or KDH bumper sticker. After many visits to other east coast beaches, we had visions of packed beaches, bumper to bumper traffic, and noisy boardwalks but were willing to take our chances after not having seen the ocean in over a year. We were pleasantly surprised to find empty beaches, beautiful drives, and quiet coastal view for miles. Beat the crowds and hurricane season by visiting OBX in mid-May!
With over 100 miles of shoreline along North Carolina’s coast, you have your choice of seaside towns and islands to choose from--each with its own personality and offerings. We chose to stay in Waves, a small village in the northern part of Hatteras Island. Our RV campground was ideally situated with views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound.
The Outer Banks is packed with history and lighthouses. Scattered up and down the islands, each of the five lighthouses is worth a visit! No trip to OBX would be complete without an iconic lighthouse photo.
Beaches along the Outer Banks are second to none. In fact, over 70 miles of the Outer Banks is a national seashore! Cape Hatteras National Seashore includes miles of undeveloped (read: no noisy boardwalks!) and protected beaches. From spotting wild horses to bird watching to wind surfing, there is plenty to do along these quiet shores.
We love ferries and the Outer Banks Ferry System delivers! This (free!) system of ferries shuttles people and their cars between the various islands. We took the Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry and spent the afternoon exploring the shops, restaurants, and breweries on Ocracoke Island. The highlight of our excursion was a sunset sail on Captain Rob’s schooner. This adorable little island is not to be missed!
Manteo is the quintessential seaside town with a little something for everyone. Visitors can tour the Outer Banks’ only in-shore lighthouse, take a stroll along the waterfront, tour the Elizabethan gardens, or dine at one of several delicious downtown restaurants.
Nothing beats waking up to a gorgeous sunrise…unless it’s ending the day with a breathtaking sunset. Cape Hatteras allows visitors the opportunity to experience sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean and sunsets over the Pamlico Sound.
