The Outer Banks
Our family travels regularly to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a beautiful stretch of barrier islands. We typically stay on Hatteras Island, which is a little less built up than the northern reaches around Duck, Corolla, Nag's Head, Kitty Hawk.
Regardless, we love exploring the islands' restaurants, galleries, beaches, historical sites, and shops. Our special happy place is Ocracoke, the island just south of Hatteras, which is a 13-mile stretch of national seashore with a tiny village at the southern end.
Kitty Hawk + Nag's Head + Manteo
Duck Donuts: getting its name from the original location in Duck, NC, Duck Donuts fries up one base donut and lets you top it however you like. They have multiple locations along the islands.
Elizabeth II: recreation 16th century ship you can tour, moored at Roanoke Island Festival Park
Front Porch Cafe: local coffee roaster with shops in Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, and Nag's Head
Jockey's Ridge State Park: the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast
Kitty Hawk Kites: long-time kite and outdoor adventure store with multiple locations around the Outer Banks. Our favorite is the large one in Nag's Head across from Jockey's Ridge
The Lost Colony: an outdoor theatre show that's been running since 1937. Big spectacle, lots of fun.
North Carolina Aquarium: aquarium with all sorts of interactive exhibits on Roanoke Island
Ortega'z Southwestern Grill: great spot for lunch in Manteo
Outer Banks Brewing Station: wind-powered brewery and restaurant in Kill Devil Hills
Wright Brothers National Memorial: national park, museum, and memorial on the site of the Dayton brothers' historic 1903 powered flight
Hatteras Island Food & Drink
Buxton Munch: great spot for fish tacos in a Buxton strip mall
The Dancing Turtle: community coffee shop in Hatteras close to the marinas
Diamond Shoals: long-running spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, in Buxton, known for their Hatteras clam chowder
Dinky's Waterfront Restaurant: solid sound-side spot in Hatteras right on the water. Great drinks, friendly service and menu, especially the seafood options
Duck Donuts: there's another station of this build-your-own donut shop in Avon
Frisco Sandwich Co.: family-run sandwich spot in Frisco
Gingerbread House Bakery: once a bakery, but now mainly a pizza place in Frisco. (Notable as the first place I ever "reviewed" on Breakfast With Nick!)
Hatteras Village fish fry: a long-running tradition, held every Saturday Memorial Day to Labor Day from 5-7 p.m. at the Hatteras Village volunteer fire station. Line up early for this fundraiser that benefits the fire station and other local non-profits.
Hatteras Sno-Balls: small family-run stand in Hatteras serving ice cream, slushies, and the Sno-Ball, which combines both!
Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill: must-visit dinner spot with great seafood in Hatteras village
Ketch 55: popular Avon spot with lots of seafood options
Oceana's Bistro: colorful Avon bistro great for food and drinks
Orange Blossom Bakery: bakery popular with locals and tourists. Breakfast sandwiches, donuts - but known especially for their apple uglies - giant, misshapen apple fritters
Pangea Tavern: friendly tavern with great food and a solid beer selection (including a lot of NC beers) in Avon
Risky Business: our preferred local spot for seafood
Scotch Bonnet: fudge maker and gift shop in Frisco, once featured on the Food Network
Stu's Donuts: initially operating out of Ketch 55, Stu's is now a truck in Avon serving donuts and breakfast
Uglie Mugs: much-loved coffee shop and art studio in Avon
Hatteras Island Attractions
Buxton Village Books: small, locally owned bookstore in Buxton
Cape Hatteras Light Station: iconic black-and-white striped lighthouse that's stood since 1870. Famous for being moved nearly a mile in-shore in 1999. You can tour the lighthouse, surrounding grounds, visitors center, and a couple of the remaining buildings, which are dedicated as museums. Keep an eye on the calendar of ranger programs, including tours, history lessons, and bird-watching tours.
Frisco Go Karts and Mini Golf: a small arcade, mini golf course, two go karts tracks
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum: free museum at the very end of Hatteras Island, dedicated to the history of shipping and shipwrecks off the barrier islands
Hatteras Marina: it's fun to watch the fishing boats come in late afternoon at the marinas, where you can also watch them cleaning fish. And you can book your own fishing excursions!
Seaworthy Gallery: one of many galleries that dot the villages of Hatteras Island
Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke Island is one of our happy places. The island is 13 miles long, 12 of which are national seashore, with a small village at the southern end around Silver Lake harbor. It's reachable only by ferry and by small aircraft. If you visit, your best bet is to park your car and rent a golf cart for exploring.
You can also read The 20 Best Things To Do on Ocracoke Island!
The Beach: visit one of the quieter beaches north of the village. Ocracoke is routinely voted one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the country.
1718 Brewing: newer brewery on the northern edge of Ocracoke Village. Two levels of indoor/outdoor spaces, great beer, creative food in-house from Plum Pointe Kitchen.
Back Porch Restaurant: upscale dinner-only spot
Books To Be Red: beloved small bookshop on the island. Say hello to Leslie!
British Cemetery: small cemetery dedicated to a group of British sailors who passed off the coast during WWII
The Castle Bed & Breakfast: funky historic house converted into sprawling B&B
Dajio: meaning "Doug and Judy on Ocracoke," Dajio is a creative spot for brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks
Deja Brew Coffee Shack: cute little shack in the community square, serving excellent cold brew
Eduardo's Taco Stand: everything is great on Eduardo's menu. Say hello to him and order the Seafood Hot Mess, the best breakfast burrito I've ever tried.
The Flying Melon: favorite local spot open for dinner serving Creole and Southern fare
Jason's: lo-fi spot for great seafood and pizza
Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar: colorful little coffee shop
Ocracoke Coffee Co.: where Ocracoke gathers each morning. Coffee, pastries, smoothies. Big patio. Catch up on local gossip.
Ocracoke Lighthouse: iconic little white lighthouse. Not open for climbing currently, but worth seeing from the outside. The National Park Service is currently renovated it and the adjacent buildings so they'll soon be open!
Ocracoke Oyster Co.: THE place to go for oysters on the island
SmacNally's Raw Bar & Grill: ignore the goofy name; SmacNally's is a fun spot for seafood and drinks on the waterfront
Springer's Point: hike to the highest point of the island through dense (and mosquito-heavy, FYI) woods to get to beach with great views of the inlet. The view shows you Teach's Hole, where Blackbeard the pirate is thought to have made his base.
Village Craftsmen: back road shop with an excellent selection of ceramics, glasswork, books, decor, and much more. The owner comes from the Howard family, long-time residents of Ocracoke.
Zillie's Island Pantry: wine and beer bar where you can sip on the deck or grab bottles to go
Read our Outer Banks itineraries
The 20 Best Things To Do on Ocracoke Island
We put together our list of favorite Ocracoke activities, from outdoor fun to dining to shops and in-between.
July 2024
2019 Outer Banks Adventures
The yearly adventures, with highlights of a fishing trip and our first moonlight climb of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
June 2019
An Ode to the Outer Banks in October
Our first discovery of the Outer Banks in the fall, when the islands are quieter, cooler, but no less beautiful.
October 2018
Out & About the Outer Banks
The annual family trip, with beach-time, food, and fun, including our first moonlight climb of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
June 2017
Outer Banks Adventures
All the favorite fun, from exploring restaurants to beach time, to going clamming, riding the ferry, and an overnight to Ocracoke Island.
June 2016
Eating on the Outer Banks
A look at our favorite restaurants, coffee shop, seafood shops, and home-cooked meals on the OBX.
June 2015
Dining on the Outer Banks
A look at our favorite restaurants, from bakeries to donuts, beer to seafood.
June 2014
Eating Our Way Around the Outer Banks
I promise, we really do more than just eat on the OBX. But we like to showcase the meals we cook and the restaurants we visit.
June 2013
Seafood on the Outer Banks
A post focused around the seafood we discover, from scallops and shrimp at home to delightful meals out.
June 2012
The Outer Banks: A Vacation in Food
A quick look at the seafood we like to cook on OBX, from seafood linguine to crab cakes to the Hatteras Village fish fry.
June 2011
