June 01, 2018
Content sponsored by
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.
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!
