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Outer Banks
Travel guide

Outer Banks

Wild barrier-island beaches

🗓️ Best time: May–September💰 Mid-Range · ~$150/day📍 United States
🏨 Find hotels ✈️ Search flights 🎫 Tours & activities

About Outer Banks

A string of windswept North Carolina barrier islands — miles of undeveloped beach, wild horses, the tallest US lighthouse, giant dunes, and the site of the first flight.

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⭐ Things to do in Outer Banks

Cape Hatteras LighthouseWright Brothers MemorialJockey's Ridge dunesCorolla wild horsesOcracoke Island ferryOcracoke villagePea Island bird refugeBodie Island Light

🍽️ Where to eat in Outer Banks

Real, top-rated restaurants — tap to see hours, reviews and menus.

Watermen's Bar and Grill
$$
Watermen's Bar and Grill
★ 4.3 (525) · Bars · Music Venues
 Lisa's Pizzeria
$
Lisa's Pizzeria
★ 4 (337) · Pizza · Italian
 Waves Market & Deli
$
Waves Market & Deli
★ 4.6 (315) · Grocery · Delis
 The Dough Shack
The Dough Shack
★ 4.1 (141) · Pizza · Donuts
 Taqueria Las Ahumaderas
$
Taqueria Las Ahumaderas
★ 4.6 (110) · Food Trucks · Mexican
 Mirro's Cafe
Mirro's Cafe
★ 4.2 (93) · Cafes · Seafood
 Neptunes Kitchen And Dive Bar
Neptunes Kitchen And Dive Bar
★ 3.5 (82) · Seafood · Dive Bars
 Hoy Lechon
Hoy Lechon
★ 4.7 (12) · Food Trucks · Barbeque
 Shiny Tiny Walk Up
Shiny Tiny Walk Up
★ 5 (7) · Burgers · Salad
 Tina's Poolside Cafe
Tina's Poolside Cafe
★ 5 (1) · Breakfast & Brunch

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✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

A car (and a ferry for Ocracoke) is essential.

💡 Local tip

Take the free ferry to remote Ocracoke Island for the wildest, quietest beaches.

🛡️ Safety

Generally safe — exercise normal travel awareness.

🌙 Nightlife

Low-key beach bars and seafood decks.

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