Outer Banks voted #1 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the USA by U.S. News & World Report®!

Outer Banks beaches are lauded for their consistent yet manageable waves and verdant landscapes. And you can count on OBX to deliver great summer weather. Plan on renting a cottage or condo – this will give you more space without being too far from the beach.

History drips from the Outer Banks: Here, aviators Orville and Wilbur Wright took their famous first flight (at Kill Devil Hills), the pirate Blackbeard fought his last battle (at Ocracoke) and the mysterious Lost Colony disappeared (where is anyone’s guess). But this chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina – affectionately dubbed OBX – isn’t just for history buffs. Fishing, windsurfing and wildlife watching attract adventurous types, not to mention the 3,000 shipwrecks you can explore by scuba diving. Families gravitate toward the beaches, mini-golf courses and the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island.

Each island has its own charm: The old lighthouses, rugged dunes and secluded beaches in the south couple with vacation rentals, water sports and kitschy beach shops, such as the Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop, in the north, all to form a unique seaside destination. If you come to the Outer Banks expecting action, you’ll be disappointed. OBX is ideal for those looking to skip the overly touristy attractions and head straight for the unspoiled beaches. You won’t find big nightlife, but you will find an abundance of natural beauty. Beaches are more populated during the summer months, but with so many destinations spread out along the barrier islands, you likely won’t experience big crowds.

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