From wild roaming horses to sunken shipwrecks. The Outer Banks is one of those classic summer bucket list destinations that you absolutely need to experience at least once.
The Outer Banks is filled to the brim with fun and exciting things to do. You could comfortably spend a week exploring the island for sure. But with the best itinerary in place, you can easily hit all of the island’s highlights in a span of 3 to 4 days.
Ready to explore the OBX? Here’s my ultimate 4-day Outer Banks Itinerary with highlights of the best attractions and activities that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Planning a trip to the OBX? Here’s your perfect 4-day Outer Banks Itinerary.
Fun Facts about the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks are a string of barrier islands that are located just off the east coast of North Carolina, a divide between the Atlantic Ocean and the mainland.
It’s best known for its wide sandy beaches, fresh seafood, wild horses, shipwrecks, and historic lighthouses. It’s also home to the tallest lighthouse in the United States. The Cape Hatteras Light Station which sits at 210 feet high.
The OBX also has a reputation for having some of the coolest shipwrecks along the East Coast, earning it the nickname “The Graveyard of the Atlantic”.
Due to the many storms and shifting of inlets, there are roughly 3000 shipwrecks along the coastline of the Outer Banks, some dating as far back as 1607.
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4-day Outer Banks Itinerary
Day 1: Corolla and Duck Town
Day 2: Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head
Day 3: Oregon Inlet and Cape Hatteras
Day 4: Ocracoke Island
Best time to visit the Outer Banks
If you’re looking for the perfect beach vacay, you’ll want to visit around September to November. The weather is still really nice in the low 80s. It’s less crowded, and the hotels and beach house rentals are a lot cheaper due to autumn approaching.
We happened to visit during the summertime, the second week of July. The weather was amazing, the high 90s every day.
I would definitely say there was quite the crowd around however, I never felt like anywhere we went was overly crowded or too busy. If anything, the longest line we did end up waiting in was at the Surfin’ Spoon Frozen Yogurt. It was totally worth it tho!
Where to stay in the Outer Banks
From boutique hotels and inns to beach homes and condos, there’s no shortage of lodging when it comes to choosing somewhere to stay in the Outer Banks.
You’ll find that beach home rentals and cottages are the most popular lodging options along the OBX, with most of them lining the island’s oceanfront.
Next, you have the hotels and motels, there are very few hotels that are actually located on the oceanfront. Most of them are situated between the towns of Kitty Hawk and Nags Head.
And lastly, you have the campgrounds that include tents and cabins to RV trailers and motor homes. If you’re looking to sleep under the stars then camping is certainly the best choice for you.
We chose to camp in our newly converted camper at the campgrounds in Oregon Inlet. This turned out to be really cool as the campground was located right in the inlet and behind the sand dunes to the beach.
Oregon Inlet Campgrounds
Oregon Inlet Campground is a beautiful spot to pitch your tent and relax for a few days. Located south of Nags Head, Oregon Inlet Campground is one of four campgrounds within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The campground has a 3-loop road offering 107 campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes.
There are shower and toilet facilities on each loop, and all campsites are provided with a grill and picnic table. Water and electric hookups are available for some sites, most of these are located on Loop C and half of Loop B.
We had the best time camping on the Outer Banks in our camper van. The campground had many sandy trails that led over the dunes to the beach. The sunsets here were incredible, there isn’t any housing or development along this side of the island, which is nice and the beach was always empty.
With an off-road vehicle permit, you can drive out onto the beach. I didn’t find this end of the beach ideal for swimming as there was lots of seaweed, but its the perfect place to park your 4×4 and go fishing.
Getting There
Airports near the Outer Banks, NC
There are plenty of ways to get to the Outer Banks, with most people either driving or flying. We live in rural Virginia so the best way for us to travel was to road trip.
The whole drive took us about 4 hours in total, with a few stops along the way. If you live further away, then obviously flying will be the best option for you. The best airports to fly into are Raleigh and Norfolk.
These are probably the two largest and closest to the Outer Banks, with Norfolk being only 80 miles to Kitty Hawk and Raleigh about 210 miles.
Map of the Outer Banks
To get a better idea of the island, here is a map of the Outer Banks and surrounding towns nearby.
Day One: Corolla & Duck Town
Your ultimate Outer Banks Itinerary starts in the beautiful towns of Corolla and Duck. Corolla is located in the northernmost part of the Outer Banks. Just north of Duck Town.
This is the ideal place to start without having to backtrack, especially if you plan to stay in towns like Hatteras, Nags Head, or Kitty Hawk. The drive alone can take up to 58mins especially if you’re coming from the most northern end of the OBX.
Admire the wild horses of Corolla
If you only get to experience one thing in Corolla, let it be the wild horses. People from all over come to Corolla to admire the wild mustangs that freely roam the beaches of the island.
These beautiful creatures are descendants of other horses that were brought over in the early 1500s by Spanish explorers.
As of today, the horses are protected by the Wild Horse Fund, a non-profit organization that makes sure the horses are well protected so visitors and locals can enjoy their company for many years to come.
You will spot many wild horse tours in Corolla taking people down to the beach however, you don’t need to book a tour to see the horses.
If you have a 4×4, you can actually drive along the beach and see them for free. A 4×4 is necessary as they only allow 4-wheel drives on the beach, and you will also need a permit.
If you don’t happen to have a 4×4, you can walk to see them. I’ll say it is quite the walk, as they are located a lot further down from the main beach.
The best time to see wild horses on Corolla is anytime during the day. A warm day with minimal wind is probably best.
Please note that feeding or being within 50 feet of wild horses is illegal and is considered extremely dangerous as they are wild animals.
Lunch and shopping in Duck
Then pop into Duck Town for some lunch and a bit of shopping. NC Coast Bar & Grill makes some incredible lunches, they are all about fresh local produce & seafood, which is amazing.
Be sure to try their Carolina crab dip and their Mother Earth fish & chips. Oh, and to top it off, you’ll probably want to try their oysters as well.
You’ll also want to hit up Duck Donuts. It’s a local donut shop that serves up the most delicious made-to-order donuts. Just be sure to go in the morning or before lunch, as they are only open from 7 am – 1 pm.
Historic Corolla
To end your afternoon, head on over to explore Historic Corolla Park and the Currituck lighthouse, one of 4 lighthouses located on the Outer Banks.
Corolla Park is free to enter, it’s a great way to discover the history and cultural heritage of Corolla. The park’s main attraction is the Whalehead Club, an old architectural museum built back in 1920.
Day 2: Kitty Hawk / Nags Head
Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head, I would say, are the most popular towns on the island.
If you plan to rent a beach house, this would be the spot as there are plenty of fun activities, attractions, and restaurants close by.
Visit the Wright Brothers Memorial
To kick off day 2, head on over to the world-famous Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. A museum dedicated to Wilbur and Orville Wright, the first two men to successfully achieve airplane flight.
Pop into the visitors center and learn about the Wright brother’s story and how they spent many years working on the science of aviation.
Don’t miss the first flight boulder and flight line. The very spot where Orville and Wilbur first took flight, and the many landing spots.
And lastly, take a stroll down to the Wright Brothers Monument, a historic memorial that commemorates the brother’s successful achievement in flight.
Fishing off Jeannette’s Pier
For lunch, head back into Nags Head to the Fish Heads Bar & Grill on the Outer Banks Pier. Craving a fresh burger? Then check out the local Nags Head cafe! Then head on down to Jennette’s Pier for a spot of fishing and beach time.
Here, you can rent fishing rods, supplies, and bait and try your luck at catching some local sea bass. All-day fishing costs $14 for adults and $7 for kids.
The Outer Banks is known to have some of the best beaches along the East Coast. Enjoy an afternoon of paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, or simply relax along the shoreline and soak up the sun.
The best Outer Banks beaches
– Kitty Hawk
– Nags Head
– Coquina Beach
– Southern Shores
– Corolla
– Ocracoke Island
Kite Flying at Jockey Ridge State Park
Grab a kite from Kitty Hawk Kites and head on down to Jockey’s Ridge State Park. A stunning nature park featuring the tallest sand dunes in the Outer Banks.
There are two things you shouldn’t miss in the Outer Banks, and that’s the wild horses in Corolla and Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
Jockey’s Ridge is the perfect location for kite flying, hang gliding, sightseeing, and sunset viewing.
From the top of the dunes, you can see all the way to the beach, and on the other is a beautiful view of Roanoke Sound. Jockeys’ Ridge at sunset is absolutely breathtaking and the best way to end the day.
Entry to the park is free. It’s open from 8 am to 9 pm and is dog-friendly for those traveling on vacation with their pets.
Fun Fact! If you happen to find shining objects in the dunes, these are actually glass-like tubes from lightning hitting the sand during thunderstorms.
Day 3: Oregon Inlet & Cape Hatteras
Day three is all about enjoying nature. Take a stroll along the beach and explore the Outer Banks marshlands.
There’s no development between Bodie Island and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, so today would be a perfect day to pack a picnic and enjoy it on the beach.
Check out the old abandoned Life-Saving Station
If you are into abandoned buildings like me and you’re up for a little bit of exploring, then I highly recommend checking out the old Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station.
It was built in 1874 and is one of seven original lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks.
The station was in use from the late 1800s up until 1988, when it was permanently closed as it was too hard to maintain with the shifting of the sand dunes.
This beautiful old station is on the National Register of Historic Places and can be spotted just as you drive over the Bonner Bridge towards Hatteras Island.
Tips for Visiting the Old Life-Saving Station
Parking – As you come over the bridge, you’ll want to take the first exit on the left. This will take you to a small car park located just underneath the bridge. There is a small cove next to the parking lot, which is also pretty cool to see.
Getting to the station – Now don’t do what I did, which was cut through the shrubby. There was actually a lot of broken glass & metal debris.
If you head to the cove first, you’ll see a wide sand trail that leads you past the life-saving station and takes you all the way to the beach.
Best time to visit – The best time to visit is in the late afternoon during the summer. We visited around mid-morning and by this time, it was already pretty hot. Walking up the hot sand dunes in sandals wasn’t fun.
Unless you’re wearing covered shoes or the hot sand doesn’t bother you too much, then I would suggest visiting in the afternoon when the sand has cooled down.
Plus, the station looks absolutely amazing at sunset, which makes for the best photo op.
Check out “Ocean Pursuit” shipwreck
As mentioned above, the Outer Banks is notoriously known for its shipwrecks. You can actually visit a few of these shipwrecks either by walking, swimming, scuba diving, or kayaking.
The newest shipwreck to the OBX is the “Ocean Pursuit,” a fishing boat that became lodged on the shore in early 2020 at Coquina Beach.
The fishing vessel actually got stuck in shallow waters along the northern end of the channel. The crew were safely rescued and were airlifted off the sinking boat.
As of today, the ship is slowly sinking deeper and deeper into the sand. This was so cool to see, as I’ve never seen a shipwreck being swallowed up by a beach.
You can visit the beached vessel on the south end of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore at ramp 4. Right next to the Oregon Inlet campground. See the previous map above.
Explore Hatteras Island
Take a drive out to Hatteras Island and experience its slower and simpler pace of living.
The most popular activities to do on the island are surfing, charter fishing, or exploring miles of undisturbed shorefronts.
Many of the island’s top attractions are nature-oriented, from paddle boarding and kiteboarding to deep-sea fishing and lush woodland trails.
If you enjoy shopping, museums, and delicious restaurants, Hatteras has all these plus more.
Top things to see & do on Hatteras Island
– Climb the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
– Stroll along Hatteras National Seashore
– Walk the Buxton Woods Trail
– Visit the graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
Visit the Bodie Lighthouse at sunset
End your day exploring the Inlet, then head on over to the Bodie Island Lighthouse for sunset.
The Bodie Lighthouse (pronounced “body’) is a definite must-see when visiting the Outer Banks.
This beautiful brick lighthouse is one of the very few remaining lighthouses left in the US that lights up. On a clear night, you can see the light flashing from 19 miles away.
It was first built in 1847 but later abandoned due to a poor foundation. It was later restored in 1859 with a better foundation in place. In 1861, the lighthouse was once again destroyed by Confederate troops during the Civil War.
As of today, the lighthouse is fully restored. Visitors can now climb the 214 refurbished steps that spiral all the way to the top.
The lighthouse is located just south of Nags Head, right across the road from Coquina Beach.
It’s free to visit the lighthouse and surrounding grounds. However, if you wish to climb the lighthouse, it is $10.00 for a ticket and $5.00 for seniors and kids under 11.
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Day 4: Ocracoke Island
To end your last day in the Outer Banks, why not take the ferry out to Ocracoke Island.
Ocracoke Island is located at the southernmost point of the Outer Banks. It’s a small undeveloped seaside village with just a small population of 706 people.
The island is most famous for its shelling and interesting history of pirates.
The infamous pirate Blackbeard frequently visited Ocracoke back in the 1700s and would spend most of his nights at his camp throwing wild pirate parties.
Catch the ferry to Ocracoke Island for a beach day
To get to Ocracoke, you’ll want to catch the ferry from the Hatteras Island Ferry Terminal.
The ride to Ocracoke is free and normally takes about 60 minutes. These directions will get you to the right ferry terminal.
See here for all ferry schedules and other information.
Explore some of Ocracoke’s top highlights.
– Ocracoke Lighthouse
– Ocracoke Beach
– Springer’s Point
– Pony Pen
And that’s a wrap on your 4-day Outer Banks vacation. You could easily spend a week or more exploring the islands. This 4-day Outer Banks Itinerary definitely hits the top spots if you happen to be short on time.
I had an absolute blast exploring the Outer Banks! This was actually my first time visiting the area, and I can confidently say that this is now one of my favorite beach vacation spots in the United States.☺️
If you’re already planning a trip to the OBX, I would love to know what’s on your agenda. Leave them in the comments below!
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog.
You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own, and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
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Caleen Loving
My husband is in a motorized scooter but can walk short distance. I realize he wont be able to travel on the sand but are any places ADA accessible ?
Ashlea Paige
Hi Caleen, Places like the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head Woods Trail and the boardwalk in the town of Duck are all ADA accessible. Hope this helps.
GG
Love your breakdown!! Planning our trip now and found it very helpful! Quick question…did you stay at one place for the four days or did you move to a different lodging each day? Any help with best place to stay is greatly appreciated! TIA!
Ashlea Paige
Hi there, on our first trip to the OBX we stayed at the Oregon Inlet Campground for the entire four days. We loved it here, it wasn’t crowded and it was still quite central to explore either end of the islands. On our second trip we stayed two nights at Oregon Inlet Campground then stayed two nights at Frisco campground in Hatteras. If its your fist time to the OBX then I recommend staying somewhere more central that way you can explore either end easily, if camping isn’t your thing there are a bunch of beach homes along the oceanfront you can rent, see here this the most popular option, I would also book now as they tend to book out very quickly.
Kathy
The Ocean Pursuits ship wreck is gone. The state removed it.
Ashlea Paige
Oh bummer, thanks for letting me know. I’ll update my post accordingly.
Kathy
We loved your recommendations and followed your plan step by step. Thank you so much! You made our trip planning easy!!
Ashlea Paige
Oh this has made my day! Thank you so much Kathy, I’m so happy you found my guide helpful. I hope you had a fantastic time in the OBX 😀
Anonymous
John September 11, 2023
Loved your info. Never been to OBX but wife and 2 friends are driving down from the northeast going first week in October 2023. Stayin for 7 days in house in Corolla. We are renting bicycles. Been trying to research what to do and where to eat. Your itinerary provided much need info. Will continue to research but OBX sounds great.
Ashlea Paige
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you found it helpful. OBX is a beautiful place, enjoy your time in Corolla.
Linda
Are these locations pet friendly?
Ashlea Paige
Hi Linda, Yes many of these locations are pet friendly. Some may have rules and regulations in place, but for the most part yes.
Jim
Grat info thanks. Heading for 6 days in June. Where would you suggest staying (town) if we were to do this itinerary? Thinking of a cabin in hatteras. Should i stay more central?
Ashlea Paige
Hi Jim! It Depends on what you have planned. Hatteras is a great spot if your plans are to relax and not venture out too far. If you plan to explore places like Duck & Corolla, then I would suggest staying a little more central as Hatteras is quite far out. (unless you dont mind the drive every day) Hatteras to Duck/Corolla is about 2 hours. We really liked the tail end of Nags Head and Oregon Inlet as it wasn’t as busy as the center but still close enough to explore either end. Hope this helps!
Bob & Jean
Ashles,from a fellow world adventurer, thanks so much for you sharing your experiences . It was so helpful in planning our adventure
Ashlea Paige
You’re very welcome! I’m happy you found it helpful. Enjoy your time in the Outer Banks!
KHALED
Thank you very much for this thoughtful article.
Can you please give me more ideas for 1 week stay and
where is the best place to stay with 13 and 10 years old kids.
Best regards
Khaled
Ashlea Paige
You’re welcome, Khaled! The best places to stay with kids are Duck, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head. There are a ton of family-friendly resorts & rental homes on the beachfront in these areas. Check out OBX activities For more ideas on things to do.
Kathy Elliott
Ashlea,
I’m going to be staying for 7 days in Nag’s Head in mid-October. Is there a way to change this to a six day stay? I can go at a slower pace as I’m traveling alone and a young senior.
In addition to your great recommendations, I would be interested in the kayak experience and if there are any wildlife/sealife excursions; half-day site seeing boats, etc., that would be super.
Thank you so very much.
Ashlea Paige
Hi Kathy, for sure. My guide is only for 4 days, but you can certainly stretch this out and include more day excursions & activities, such as wild horse tours, deep sea fishing etc. Viator has a ton of fun kayak adventures at affordable prices as well.
Alison Matthews
Thank you! This is great information for our 4 day stay we have booked at the OBX for June 2023!
Ashlea Paige
You’re so welcome! I hope you have a great time 😀
doug
did you spend all your nights at the same spot?or can you stay in the same place all 4 days? how far is driving each day//
Ashlea Paige
Hi Doug, the first time we visited, we stayed in the same camping spot for all 4 days at Oregon Inlet and found it easy to hit all the highlights as it wasn’t too far to drive from either end.
If you stay in the middle, I would say no more than 30 mins to 1 hour of driving per day. Towns like Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head are very close to each other, about 15 mins apart. Oregon Inlet to Hatteras is about one hour. Hope this helps.
Valerie
Thank you, you’ve given so much detail! This is next on my visit list!
Ashlea Paige
Thanks Valerie! I’m happy you found it so helpful. Enjoy your travels. ☺️
Monalisa Pal
Thanks for the beautiful Post.. was looking for a detailed blog post and your blog helped me to plan out Outer Bank❤️❤️
Ashlea Paige
Thank you so much for your kind words! Im happy you found this post helpful, I hope you enjoy your time in the OBX 😀