A Simply Wonderful Life, the Travel Page: THE OUTER BANKS

This post is a little longer than I usually write, simply because there is so much to love about North Carolina’s Outer Banks. I fell in love with the Outer Banks (OBX) when I was just a kid. Family friends kept a boat at the Oregon Inlet marina and I was smitten on my very first visit.

Located on the east coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks stretches out approximately 200 miles to the south, offering pristine beaches, interesting historical sites, ancient lighthouses, fun shopping and great dining options, all accompanied by intriguing myths and legends. There truly is something for everyone there.

Beach in Hatteras Village

Love wildlife? The OBX is home to wild horses, sea turtles and ghost crabs, to just name a few.

Interested in history? You can check out the lost colony of Roanoke, visit the spot where the Wright Brothers took their famous first flight or explore the island that was once Blackbeard the Pirate’s hideout.

View Atop Wright Brothers Memorial

Want to shop? There are too many shops to count in the Outer Banks. One of my favorites is called Wings, an OBX chain. They are a great source for affordable hats, tee, beach gear and salt water taffy (an OBX staple). If you prefer your shopping a little more upscale, you’ll find lots of boutiques and art galleries along the way, as well.

No mater what kind of lodging you seek, you will find it somewhere in the region. Everything from campsites to small cottages to luxury hotels are available, almost all with easy beach access. I recently rented a spacious two-bedroom apartment in Hatteras Village. Looking out the living room window, we had a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. On the opposite side, the kitchen window provided a panoramic view of the Pamlico Sound.

The Atlantic Ocean From Our Apartment

Even though our visit took place right as restaurants were starting to re-open from Covid shutdown and dine-in was limited, we were able to find amazing food. The apartment had a full kitchen and we took groceries with us, but we also indulged in some wonderful curbside pick-up meals. We enjoyed pizza from Gingerbread House Bakery & Pizza in Frisco, an assortment of amazing entrees from Eduardo’s Taco Stand on Ocracoke, yummy pastries from Orange Blossom Bakery & Café in Buxton, and delicious ice cream from the Happy Belly, located just a few yards from our lodging. On our last night there, we were able to enjoy eating on the deck at Oceanas Bistro in Avon. Every meal was a delight.

When you visit the beaches of the Outer Banks, you’ll want to take some beach equipment with you. During our visit, I didn’t see any beach-side rentals for chairs and umbrellas like you might see in other locales. I suggest you take some sort of tent or umbrella, along with some chairs. I like this beach tent, which offers not only shade but a safe hiding place for your belongings.

I am just as in love with the Outer Banks as a grandmother as I was as a child. I suggest you pack up your family or your friends or your significant other and go have a summer vacation that will result in a lifetime of precious memories.

P.S. If you go, I highly suggest that you go ghost crab hunting. It’s a fun, educational, free activity for the kids. The object is not to actually catch the little critters but rather just spot and watch them. To find ghost crabs, walk on the beach just after sunset. Take a flashlight and shine it out just in front of where you walk. They only come out at night when the beaches are dark and quiet. When they see your flashlight, they freeze for a moment, then scatter away as fast as they can. We saw dozens within just a few minutes of being on the beach.