The Outer Banks are no longer out of mind. The chain of barrier islands off North Carolina ‘s Atlantic coast is definitely on the greater travel radar as an awesome destination for surfers, paddlers, fishermen, and beach bums just wanting to soak up some sun. The reason being? The vast 200-mile chain is all within reasonable driving reach with a distinctly laid-back vibe. If you know where to go, you can get away from the crowds.

Getting There Accessing the Outer Banks, or OBX for short, is fairly simple. The Norfolk International Airport is just 82 miles to the north and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 190 miles west. If you’re regionally located, we recommend an old fashioned road trip.

Authentic Asheville Where to Stay Dust off the trusty camp stove and throw your tent in the back of your truck. There are four different campgrounds on Cape Hatteras National Seashore and each of them provides the unique opportunity to leave your creature comforts at home and live outside for a few days. If you skip camping, you’ve got everything from budget motels with a vintage vibe to more modern luxury homes, some of which are big enough to house a couple of families.

Cheap and Deep: Experience the Outer Banks On a Budget, Even in the Summer

Read article

Golden Retriever Retrieving, Harkers Island, N.C. Shutterstock - Bruce Flye Where to Eat You’re on the coast so steer yourself in the direction of fresh seafood. You can’t go wrong with Owens Restaurant, which has been serving up delicious crabcakes for over 70 years. If you’re visiting during the summer and want to avoid lines, pick up some to-go food from Steamers. Where to Drink Drink a beer at the first wind-powered brewery in the United States by paying a visit to the Outer Banks Brewing Station which is located in Kill Devil Hills. Also worth checking out is the Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company. It’s got a lineup of locally named, delicious beers such as the Corolla Hop and Swan Beach Honey Pale Ale.

Authentic Asheville What to Do The list of outdoor activities is almost endless. If you want to go surfing but didn’t bring your own board, head on down to the Rodanthe Surf Shop. You can rent a board for just the day or keep it for the week. Like a lot of coastal areas, you can also go standup paddling, explore on a beach cruiser (there are a handful of lighthouses on the OBX), float around on a kayak, poke around town for a few hours, or just sit by the beach. If you want to do something unique to the OBX, though, head on over to Jockey’s Ridge State Park and sign up for a hang-gliding lesson in the dunes with Kitty Hawk Kites.

Students learn to fly at the Hang Gliding School located in the sand dunes of Jockey’s RIdge State Park, Kitty Hawk, N.C. Shutterstock - karenfoleyphotography

4 Awesome Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

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Dive Shipwrecks in the Outer Banks

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Fat Biking the Outer Banks

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Erin McGrady and Caroline Whatley are based in Asheville, North Carolina, but are currently traveling the country in their van. You can follow along with their adventures at Authentic Asheville.

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The Outer Banks are no longer out of mind. The chain of barrier islands off North Carolina ‘s Atlantic coast is definitely on the greater travel radar as an awesome destination for surfers, paddlers, fishermen, and beach bums just wanting to soak up some sun. The reason being? The vast 200-mile chain is all within reasonable driving reach with a distinctly laid-back vibe. If you know where to go, you can get away from the crowds.

Getting There

Accessing the Outer Banks, or OBX for short, is fairly simple. The Norfolk International Airport is just 82 miles to the north and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 190 miles west. If you’re regionally located, we recommend an old fashioned road trip.

Where to Stay

Dust off the trusty camp stove and throw your tent in the back of your truck. There are four different campgrounds on Cape Hatteras National Seashore and each of them provides the unique opportunity to leave your creature comforts at home and live outside for a few days. If you skip camping, you’ve got everything from budget motels with a vintage vibe to more modern luxury homes, some of which are big enough to house a couple of families.

Cheap and Deep: Experience the Outer Banks On a Budget, Even in the Summer

Read article

Where to Eat

You’re on the coast so steer yourself in the direction of fresh seafood. You can’t go wrong with Owens Restaurant, which has been serving up delicious crabcakes for over 70 years. If you’re visiting during the summer and want to avoid lines, pick up some to-go food from Steamers.

Cheap and Deep: Experience the Outer Banks On a Budget, Even in the Summer

Read article

Cheap and Deep: Experience the Outer Banks On a Budget, Even in the Summer

Where to Drink

Drink a beer at the first wind-powered brewery in the United States by paying a visit to the Outer Banks Brewing Station which is located in Kill Devil Hills. Also worth checking out is the Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company. It’s got a lineup of locally named, delicious beers such as the Corolla Hop and Swan Beach Honey Pale Ale.

What to Do

The list of outdoor activities is almost endless. If you want to go surfing but didn’t bring your own board, head on down to the Rodanthe Surf Shop. You can rent a board for just the day or keep it for the week. Like a lot of coastal areas, you can also go standup paddling, explore on a beach cruiser (there are a handful of lighthouses on the OBX), float around on a kayak, poke around town for a few hours, or just sit by the beach. If you want to do something unique to the OBX, though, head on over to Jockey’s Ridge State Park and sign up for a hang-gliding lesson in the dunes with Kitty Hawk Kites.

4 Awesome Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Read article

Dive Shipwrecks in the Outer Banks

Read article

Fat Biking the Outer Banks

Read article

Erin McGrady and Caroline Whatley are based in Asheville, North Carolina, but are currently traveling the country in their van. You can follow along with their adventures at Authentic Asheville.

4 Awesome Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Read article

4 Awesome Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Dive Shipwrecks in the Outer Banks

Read article

Dive Shipwrecks in the Outer Banks

Fat Biking the Outer Banks

Read article

Fat Biking the Outer Banks

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

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					The Best Value Golf Courses in America					



					Top Campervan-friendly Ski Resorts and Best Rental Outfitters					



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