June 01, 2018

Plan a summer full of ‘firsts’ with this Outer Banks Bucket List

By Outer Banks Visitors Bureau

Outer Banks Visitors Bureau/for PhillyVoice

An aerial view of the islands.

Looking for somewhere new to visit this summer? Look no further than the Outer Banks of North Carolina – aka the OBX. This 200-mile string of barrier islands is not your typical tourist destination. You’re not going to find many big box stores and chain restaurants – instead, you’ll discover miles of uncrowded beaches, comfortable lodging options that feel like “home” and a diverse offering of restaurants, shops and things to do during your getaway. Chances are, you’ll have to try something new…and you’re going to love every second of it.

The OBX have been inspiring people to try new things for hundreds of years. In fact, some of history’s greatest accomplishments and “firsts” took place here. Not only is the area home to our country’s first National Seashore, it’s also the site of man’s first powered flight and the English’s first attempted colonization in the New World. The area’s national and state parks share these stories and many more.

The spirit of freedom and sense of adventure you’ll find throughout the OBX is one you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re ready to step outside of the ordinary and discover the endless possibilities that await you in this bustling area, plan your trip today and let The OBX Bucket List be your guide once you arrive. This list of activities will provide even the most seasoned visitors with new ideas, satisfying moments and endless opportunities to discover more about themselves.

The OBX Bucket List:

1. Climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
2. Drive America’s First Beach, 4x4 or HWY 12
3. Visit the Wright Brother’s Memorial
4. Eat local seafood
5. Watch a Lost Colony performance
6. Reel in a fish
7. Go shelling or sea glass hunting
8. Catch a sunrise by the ocean
9. Pull up a crab pot or shrimping net
10. Play a round of golf or mini-golf
11. Go Ghost Crab hunting at night
12. Sample local Kill Devil Rum
13. Pitch a tent at one of our NPS campsites
14. Grab binoculars and birdwatch at Pea Island Wildlife Refuge
15. Watch an episode of Wicked Tuna: OBX
16. Try a new watersport, like surfing

17. Visit N.E.S.T. sea turtle exhibit at Roanoke Island Aquarium
18. Fly a kite
19. Make or buy beach art from funky beachfinds or in a local studio
20. Read a novel (extra points if it’s about the OBX or from an OBX author)
21. Take your pet to the water
22. Tag along on a tour of the Alligator River and see a black bear
23. Hear Red Wolves howling
24. Set foot on the Elizabeth II ship replica at Roanoke Island Festival Park
25. Get an aerial view of the islands in an airplane, helicopter, or biplane
26. Spend a week in a vacation rental home
27. Awe at a sunset over the sound
28. Attend an apparatus Drill at Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
29. Step back in time to a living history site at Island Farm
30. Get lost in the lush greenery at Elizabethan Gardens
31. Watch Nights in Rodanthe and look for the famous house
32. Take a selfie with three lighthouses: Roanoke Island, Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras
33. Hop on a ferry for the day
34. Enjoy a family style seafood boil
35. Sled or run down Jockey’s Ridge sand dunes
36. Learn about our 2,000+ shipwrecks at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
37. Spend happy hour on a pier or a waterside restaurant
38. Shop boutique stores along Duck Boardwalk, Tanger Outlet Mall or other numerous shops
39. Hike or bike alongside the marshes
40. Relax with a facial or body massage
41. Recycle bottles, cans and bags to keep the beaches clean
42. Sample ALL flavors of fudge & salt-water taffy
43. Rent a jet ski or jet pack for a few hours
44. Ride a horse alongside the shore

45. Go phone free for one day
46. Visit Shelly Island & Cape Point
47. Do yoga by the water
48. Attend a local event, music festival or artist showcase
49. Talk like a pirate
50. Build a sandcastle
51. Grill out
52. Make an OBX music playlist
53. Charter a sailboat
54. Explore a new town or village (we have 15)
55. Teach someone else a new skill (ex. how to fish, crab, tie a boat knot)

56. Chill out on a hammock

Whether it’s a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a trip with friends, the OBX will leave you with memories that last a life time. Start planning your trip now!

Outer Banks Visitors Bureau