The Outer Banks are renowned for our gorgeous beaches, wide expanses of shoreline, and moderate temperatures. This 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands extends off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia, making for a popular tourist destination all year round. Planning a vacation here? You’re in luck: there are so many things to see and do here that you’ll never be at a loss for what to do. Here are five things you MUST do while vacationing here on the Outer Banks.

1. Relax on the beach of course! Witnessing the beautiful natural beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is always breathtaking as you realize you can drive for a half hour down the highway flanked by sand dunes, wildlife and sea oats. The Outer Banks area is special because it juts out into the Atlantic to form a trademark landscape that is the culmination of two ocean currents: the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current. These make for the perfect outdoor recreation opportunities of hang gliding, kiteboarding, wind surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding. If you prefer to be a bit more laid back, you can do some bird watching, hiking, sunbathing, shell collecting, and horseback riding.
2. Visit the Wright Brothers Memorial. Located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, this national park will teach you everything you want to know about Wilbur and Orville Wright and their fateful success on December 17, 1903. Take an interpretive program, check out the replicas of the 1902 and 1903 gliders, view portraits of famous fellow aviators, walk the grounds to view reproductions of the 1903 camp buildings, and even stand in the very same spot where the brothers took their first flight.
3. Climb a lighthouse. The Outer Banks is famous for its beautiful lighthouses that act as beacons of hope for those at sea. There are three main ones you should check out. First, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, donning its signature black and white candy-cane stripes, is arguably the most famous and photographed lighthouse on the planet. Its powerful light spans 20 miles out into the sea, and it holds the distinction of the world’s tallest brick lighthouse at more than 208 feet tall. Can you climb the 257 steps to the top? Second, check out Bodie Island Lighthouse near Nags Head and Whalebone Junction. This distinctive black and white structure has 214 steps up to the top of the 156 foot lighthouse. Third, the Currituck Beach Light Station, a towering red-brick lighthouse located in historic Corolla Village, has 220 steps in all.
4. Watch the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. Punctuated by epic battles and Indian dances, this impressive stage production offers up a little of everything: music, laughter, dance and romance. It runs from May 29 to August 22, and is located at 1409 National Park Drive in Manteo, NC.
5. Climb, Zip and Play at First Flight Adventure Park. This is the Outer Banks’ only aerial adventure park and will give the whole family a thrill. Located in Nags Head, First Flight is a thrill-seeking adventure park for people of all ages where you can test your mental and physical limits on 48 different obstacles up to 50 feet in the air. Book your adventure now!