Things to Do in
the Outer Banks
From wild horses on 4×4 beaches to world-class seafood, historic lighthouses to open-ocean water sports — your complete guide to OBX.
Endless Adventure on One Barrier Island
Planning a visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina? Whether you're here for a long weekend or all summer, on land, sea, or air — OBX offers more than almost any coastal destination on the East Coast. From the wild, undeveloped 4×4 beaches of Corolla to the historic shores of Ocracoke, there's a side of the Outer Banks for every kind of traveller.
Our LuxStay USA estates sit right in the heart of it all — on Corolla's private 4×4 beach, minutes from the wild horses, a short drive from the lighthouses, and a stone's throw from the best seafood restaurants in the state. This is your insider guide to making the most of your time here.
The Wild Horses of Corolla
Descendants of Conquistador Horses
The Corolla wild horses are believed to be descendants of Spanish Mustangs brought to the New World by 16th-century conquistadors — making them some of the oldest horses in North America. Today, roughly 120 horses roam freely along the 4×4 beach north of Corolla, protected by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. You can spot them on the beach at dawn, grazing in the dunes, or trotting past your vacation home.
- Wild horse tours depart daily from Corolla — 4×4 beach access required
- Best sightings: dawn and dusk when horses move closer to the water
- Guided tours keep a safe distance from the herd per law
- Our LuxStay estates on Corolla 4×4 beach have frequent horse sightings
- Corolla Wild Horse Fund offers educational tours and adoption programmes
The 4×4 Beach — 11 Miles of Untouched Coastline
Where the Road Ends and the Wild Begins
Just south of the Virginia border lies an eleven-mile stretch with no paved roads, no shops, and no restaurants — accessible only by four-wheel-drive. The 4×4 beach is the most private, undeveloped stretch of coastline on the entire East Coast. Drive on the sand, park at the water's edge, and have a beach completely to yourself. Our Three Authors estates sit right here.
- Deflate tyres to 20–25 PSI before driving on the sand
- Access via the end of NC-12 in Corolla — look for the sand ramp
- Licensed shuttle services available if you don't have 4WD
- Camping on the 4×4 beach is permitted in designated areas
- Virginia border visible from the northernmost point
Visit All Five Lighthouses
The Outer Banks is home to five of the most celebrated lighthouses in America. Starting in Corolla and heading south to Ocracoke, each lighthouse has its own history, character, and views. Make a day trip of all five — or spend an afternoon on just one.
162 feet tall. The only unpainted red-brick lighthouse in OBX. Climb 214 steps for panoramic views of the 4×4 beach, maritime forest, and Currituck Sound. First-order Fresnel light visible 18 nautical miles offshore.
156 feet tall, with distinctive black-and-white horizontal bands. Located at the entrance to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The current lighthouse is the third to stand on this spot — its predecessors were destroyed.
198 feet — the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. Its famous black-and-white spiral pattern is one of the most recognised in the world. Moved half a mile inland in 1999 to save it from the encroaching sea.
Built in 1823 — the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. At 75 feet, it's the shortest on OBX but arguably the most charming. Ocracoke island itself is accessible only by ferry, making this a full-day adventure.
169 feet tall with the unique black-and-white diamond pattern. Located on Cape Lookout National Seashore — accessible by ferry from Beaufort or Harkers Island. The wild horses of Shackleford Banks are visible from the top.
Start at Currituck in Corolla and drive south to Ocracoke — the full lighthouse trail takes 2 days. Pair with our OBX estates for the perfect home base.
Book Your OBX Estate →Water Sports & Ocean Adventures
With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Currituck Sound on the other, the Outer Banks offers some of the best water sports on the East Coast — for all skill levels. Whether you're a first-time paddler or an experienced surfer, there's an experience waiting on the water.
From First Paddle to Open-Ocean Thrills
The Currituck Sound is perfect for beginners — flat, calm, and shallow. Head to the Atlantic side for surf breaks, parasailing launches, and the famous Jetovator experience. Local instructors are some of the most experienced on the coast and genuinely love introducing visitors to the water.
- Kayaking & paddleboarding on Currituck Sound — rentals in Duck & Corolla
- Surfing lessons at Nags Head — beginner-friendly breaks year-round
- Parasailing launches from multiple OBX locations
- Jetovator & flyboard — OBX's most thrilling water experience
- Kiteboarding on the sound — flat water, consistent wind, ideal conditions
- Jet ski rentals, banana boat rides, wakeboarding & tubing
OBX is one of the East Coast's premier fishing destinations. Offshore charters target marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi. Inshore charters target red drum, flounder, and speckled trout from the sound. Half-day and full-day options available.
Sound-side sunset cruises from Duck and Manteo offer some of the most spectacular golden-hour views in the state. Dolphin watching tours run daily from multiple OBX marinas — sightings are nearly guaranteed in summer.
Paddle through the marshes of Currituck Sound on guided eco tours — spotting egrets, osprey, and blue herons. Several outfitters offer self-guided kayak trails and sunset paddleboard yoga sessions on the sound.
Where Flight Was Born
The First Flight. Right Here.
On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright completed the world's first powered, sustained, and controlled flight on the sand dunes of Kill Devil Hills — right here on the Outer Banks. The Wright Brothers National Memorial commemorates that moment with a museum, scale model of the 1903 Flyer, and the preserved flight path markers on the dunes. It's one of the most significant historical sites in American history.
- Wright Brothers National Memorial — Kill Devil Hills, free with NPS pass
- Kitty Hawk monument marks where the brothers lived and worked
- Biplane aero tours from First Flight Airport — fly over OBX exactly as they did
- Helicopter tours also available for aerial photography
- Museum includes replica 1903 Flyer and interactive flight exhibits
America's oldest unsolved mystery. The 1587 Roanoke Colony vanished without a trace — and the Waterside Theatre in Manteo has been performing the outdoor drama "The Lost Colony" every summer since 1937. One of America's longest-running outdoor dramas.
The Whalehead Club — a stunning 1925 Art Nouveau mansion — sits next to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in historic Corolla village. Tour the restored estate, explore the grounds, and visit the OBX Center for Wildlife Education next door.
One of three North Carolina aquariums — home to sharks, sea turtles, river otters, and hundreds of native fish species. SCUBA dive experiences available for certified divers. A must for families with children.
World-Class Seafood
Fresh Oysters. Blue Crab. Day-Boat Tuna.
The Outer Banks holds its own against any coastal dining destination in America. Fresh oysters, blue crab, flounder, tuna, shrimp — pulled from local waters that morning and on your plate by lunch. The warm southern hospitality and locally-sourced ethos make OBX seafood genuinely exceptional. From casual waterfront shacks to white-tablecloth dining with ocean views, there's a flavour for every mood.
- Blue Point Restaurant, Duck — waterfront dining, acclaimed wine list
- Owen's Restaurant, Nags Head — OBX institution since 1946
- Pescados, Corolla — seafood & fresh catches closest to our estates
- Awful Arthur's, Kill Devil Hills — raw oyster bar with ocean views
- Fisherman's Wharf, Wanchese — buy directly from local fishermen
- Fresh local shrimp, blue crab & soft-shell crab in season (May–Oct)
Sand Dunes, Marshes & Maritime Forests
Beyond the beach, the Outer Banks is one of the most ecologically diverse coastal environments in the country — sand dunes 80 feet high, maritime forests, freshwater ponds, and protected national seashore stretching for miles.
Jockey's Ridge — Tallest Dunes in the East
Jockey's Ridge State Park is the most visited state park in North Carolina — and for good reason. The tallest active sand dune system on the East Coast, at up to 80 feet high, offers views all the way across the barrier island from ocean to sound. Hang gliding lessons are offered here daily. Sunset from the top of the dunes is one of the most photographed moments in OBX.
- Hang gliding lessons — Jockey's Ridge is the most popular learn-to-fly site in the US
- Sunset hiking trail to the summit — 45-minute walk, free entry
- Kite flying — consistent coastal wind makes this a premier kite spot
- Sandboarding — bring a board and ride the dunes
- Nature trail through maritime shrub and seasonal pond
The 4×4 beach area contains rare maritime forest — live oaks, yaupon holly, and wax myrtle, shaped by the coastal wind into natural sculptures. Walking trails wind through the forest between the sound and the ocean. No crowds, no noise, just wildlife.
The Outer Banks sits on the Atlantic Flyway — one of the major North American bird migration routes. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge hosts hundreds of species. Expect osprey, pelicans, egrets, herons, and in winter, tundra swans by the thousands.
OBX offers both Atlantic sunrise and Currituck Sound sunset — from the same address. The 4×4 beach at dawn is one of the most dramatic photography settings on the East Coast, and the sound views at dusk are equally spectacular.
Duck Waterfront, Corolla & Beyond
Shopping Along the Sound
Duck is one of our favourite OBX villages — a waterfront row of locally owned boutiques, galleries, and speciality shops lined along the Currituck Sound. Browse jewellery inspired by the ocean, artwork from local painters, handmade pottery, and OBX souvenirs with actual character. The setting alone — boardwalks over the water, live music on weekends — makes it worth the trip even if you don't buy a thing.
- Duck Village Waterfront — boutiques, galleries, restaurants on the sound
- Corolla Light Town Center — shops and dining in Corolla
- Whalehead Beach surf shops — boards, gear, and local apparel
- Outer Banks Olive Oil Company — specialty oils, vinegars, and tastings
- Salt Box Market — local produce, fresh seafood, artisan provisions
- Nags Head gallery district — original art, photography, and sculpture
Twelve Months of Adventure
Wild horses at dawn. Sand dunes at sunset. World-class waves. Freshest seafood you've ever tasted. One of the most extraordinary coastlines in America.
OBX Is Open Year-Round
Every season on the Outer Banks offers something different. Summer is peak — warm water, full activity calendars, long evenings. But fall and spring bring fewer crowds, lower prices, and often the best weather of the year.
Peak season. Warmest water (78–82°F), all activities operating, full restaurant hours. Book 6–12 months in advance for properties. Best for families and beach weeks.
The local favourite. Mild weather, uncrowded beaches, excellent fishing and surfing. Wild horses frequently spotted. Lower rates than summer. Often the most beautiful time to visit.
Wildflowers in bloom, warming temperatures, no crowds. Great for birding (peak migration), hiking Jockey's Ridge, and exploring the lighthouses without the summer lines.
Quiet and beautiful. Tundra swans arrive by the thousands at Pea Island. Wild horses are most visible (less vegetation). Lowest rates of the year. Ideal for groups who want the full compound to themselves.
Experience OBX from a Private Oceanfront Estate
The Fitzgerald · The Hemingway · The Mark Twain · Corolla 4×4 Beach