50 Outer Banks Travel Tips! {Ultimate OBX Guide}

I loved my trip to the Outer Banks and know you’ll love these best Outer Banks Travel Tips!

So are you looking for the best Outer Banks Travel Tips to help you plan your ultimate beach getaway??  If sandy beaches and ocean breezes are calling your name, the Outer Banks are just what you need!  You’ll love this HUGE list of little-known budget North Carolina Outer Banks Travel Tips + where to eat, stay & play around the OBX.

This Outer Banks Travel Guide includes the hottest spots you can’t afford to miss, plus the hidden gems you’ll love stumbling upon!

I’ve included tips for the top beaches and historical sites.  Plus simple tricks to help you save money on airfare, rental cars and even beach supplies.  Then don’t miss it… I’ve included my favorite hacks to save BIG on your accommodations, too!

Here’s everything you need to know to make your next beach vacation AMAZING…

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Outer Banks Travel Tips

How To Visit The Outer Banks On A Budget:

So you’re planning a trip to the Outer Banks?  To visit the beach on a budget, you’ll need to do a little planning.  My first tip is to start stashing extra cash away now for your  ‘Outer Banks Trip Fund’.  Need to increase your travel fund cash stash?  You can make extra money on the side in your free time!  Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…

Easy Side Hustles to Save Money for Vacation

How to Get Cheap Flights to North Carolina:

Wondering how to get cheap flights?  My favorite trick is to load up on free mileage points and airline gift cards, then use them to dramatically cut the cost on airfare!  I’ve scored so many free flights this way!  Are you ready to start earning your free airlines miles and gift cards?  Here’s what you need to do…

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Where to Stay in the Outer Banks:

Instead of hotels, I recommend staying at a VRBO at the Outer Banks to save BIG on your trip.  They have so many vacation rentals listed by owner all along the beach, and they’re such a great way to find nice lodging that is way less expensive than the hotels.  I’ve personally stayed at multiple VRBO’s, and loved every one.  Not only were they significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came fully stocked with beach towels, beach chairs, boogie boards, and kitchens.  These amenities alone saved us SO much money!

Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO?  These little known hacks will save you SO much money!  Check this out…

How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

Lynn writes: “We always rent a house when visiting the Outer Banks”

Robin writes: “We like to stay in Avon….more isolated down there and not much, if any, commercialization.”

Amber writes: “We always rent a beach house at OBX. My favorite place to just relax!!!”

Gwen writes: “We always stay in Nags Head”

Wendy writes: “Not all rental houses include linens in the off season. Check the fine print… we booked the week before Memorial Day and saved a few hundred dollars bringing some of our own linens. We stayed in Rodanthe. Quiet and not overly commercialized. Highly recommend.”

How to Save BIG on Food and Beach Supplies:

Before you head out to your hotel or rental, be sure to stock up on Food and Beach Supplies at a Walmart before you get to the Outer Banks.  Picking up a few of your essentials at Walmart will be is an easy way to save BIG!  Grab some full-size sunscreen, food and snacks for your room, and any beach gear you need {like buckets and shovels for the kids, etc}.  Want to sweeten the deal even more?  Use your Free Walmart Gift Cards!  Check this out…

How to Get Free Walmart Gift Cards

My Favorite Outer Banks Things To Do:

Visit Corolla:  Corolla was quiet, laid back and had beautiful beaches.  Most importantly, we had the beaches practically to ourselves!

Enjoy A Beach Picnic:  An easy way to save money on your beach vacation to the Outer Banks is to buy your groceries at the local grocery store or Walmart, and enjoy a picnic at the beach!  Trust me, everything seems to taste so good when you’re at the beach.  An added bonus of your beach picnic, you’ll be able to stay at the beach even longer!

Skip The Beach Chairs on Windy Days: The Wright Brothers actually chose the Outer Banks for their first flight because of the wind.  However, spending a day at the beach can be a little uncomfortable if the wind is really blowing.  I have experienced both a windy day and a calm day at the Corolla beach first hand!  The calm day was much better!!  So I suggest you plan your beach days for calmer, sunny days when the wind isn’t blowing too strong.  Your non-sandblasted legs will thank you!  🙂

Bring a Kite:  The Outer Banks often have ideal conditions for flying your kite.  Plus kite flying can be a great backup activity if it’s too windy at the beach for suntanning and swimming.

Explore The Lighthouses:  The Outer Banks is also a great place to explore historic lighthouses.  You can visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse.

Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial:  On our trip to the Outer Banks, we made a point of visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial right after visiting the Museum of Flight in Washington D.C..  That way our boys were able to see the Wright Brother’s first airplane at the Museum of Flight, and the place where the first flight took place.  What an amazing learning opportunity and a fascinating way to experience history up close!

More Things to Do in OBX:

Now keep reading for all the very best Outer Banks travel tips and things to do shared by your frugal friends…

Danita writes: “Visit the Dunes.”

Courtney writes: “We love OBX – our favorite places are the beaches, piers, and Old Gray House Gifts.”

Amanda writes: “Jennette’s Pier, if you have kids that want to fish you can sign up for a class and then fish until midnight for no additional charge (can even leave and go back), Pea Island is a nice walk, we’ve went clamming in the sound with a guide.”

Kira writes: “Go see the Wright Brothers Memorial.  And of course, the beach.”

Cathy writes: “I love the Outer Banks.  Avon, and that area is much slower more relaxed if you want to just ‘be”.  Love it down there with the drive on beaches.  Duck and Kill Devil Hills areas are more commercialized.”

Tonya writes: “Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a must!  Take a kite with you!”

Shannon writes: “Visit the Seagreen Gallery”

Nancy writes: “Diamond Shoals in Hatteras is awesome! Love the Buxton area and Ocracoke.”

Wendy writes: “Visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.”

Lisa writes: “I live here. Visit the lighthouse in Corolla and definitely see the wild horses.”

Evelyn writes: “Currituck lighthouse, jeep ride to see wild horses on beach.  Drive your 4 wheel on the beach, go down the coasts to Cape Lookout and Hatteras, eat at the Black Pelican featured on Diners and Dives.”

Beth writes: “Visit all the lighthouses and the Wright Brothers museum… awesome place.”

Amber writes: “Currituck Beach Lighthouse is great place to see the sunset!!!”

Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla

Kelly writes: “Climb up in the lighthouses! Corolla and Hatteras!”

Claudia writes: “The Hatteras lighthouse, Bodie Island lighthouse, and the Corolla lighthouse in Duck!  Take the ferry somewhere and enjoy!! Oh and go and see the Lost Colony… fantastic! Hatteras and Nags Head are close enough to the Outer Banks to do whatever you want, too!”

Donna writes: “Dolphin tours and Wild Horse Adventure Tours in Corolla are awesome.”

Gwen writes: “Take a day trip to Ocracoke Island.”

Dianne writes: “Favorite walk is in Duck. Boardwalk. Ahhh. So pretty”

Teresa writes: “Most of the things to do in Hatteras revolve around water sports. You can do surfing, kiteboarding or kayaking lessons. If you head up the beach to Manteo there is a trampoline park (JumpMasters) and an aquarium that the kids would love.”

Juliana writes: “Visit the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge”

Amber writes: “Go on a dolphin cruise!!  If you have 4 wheel drive definitely go see the wild horses in Corolla.”

Nora writes: “Cedar Island is a little slice of heaven! It’s considered the gateway to the outer banks! Horse back riding on the beach to see the local wild ponies is a must plus you pretty much have the whole beach to your self. It has a ferry that goes to Oka croak multiple times a day!”

Wendy writes: “We just got back from the obx! Fabulous family vaca!! Wright bros museum was great, and if you have a veteran with you, they & three people get in free! Pleasant discovery at the gate!”

Nora writes: “Cedar Island is a little slice of heaven! It’s considered the gateway to the outer banks! Horse back riding on the beach to see the local wild ponies is a must plus you pretty much have the whole beach to your self. It has a ferry that goes to Oka croak multiple times a day!”

Where to Eat in the Outer Banks:

Nancy writes: “Diamond Shoals in Hatteras is awesome!”

Laurie writes: “Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe in Buxton NC. Breakfast, lunch, and apple uglies! They are huge and fantastic.”

Beth writes: “We ate at the Black Pelican, it was good.

Allison writes: “Duck Donuts – just incredible!!”

Lana writes: “Kill Devils Frozen Custard and Beach Fries”

Wendy writes: “The Froggy Dog in Avon”

Tonya writes: “Sam and Omies Seafood Restaurant in Nags Head”

Gwen writes: “We love Barefoot Bernies Tropical Grill in Kitty Hawk”

Ellen writes: “Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar in Kill Devil Hills”

Lynn writes: “So many food choices! Tortuga’s Lie, Mama Kwans, Island Sno Ball Company, and Miller’s”

Karen writes: “Goombays Grille and Booty Treats Ice Cream in Kill Devil Hills”

Shannon writes: “The OBX is a family favorite! We spend many days there each year. Check out the following…you won’t be disappointed!  The Surfin Spoon, Booty Treats, Duck Donuts, The Blue Moon Grill, Bernies, Dare Devil’s Pizzeria, The Yellow Submarine, Bob’s Grill, and Chili Peppers.”

Connie writes: “Henry’s is great for breakfast. American Pie for ice cream. Capt’n Franks, once, for lunch. Your own kitchen for dinner.”

Robin writes: “If we eat out we go to Diamond Shoals, but I take most of our meals pre-made and frozen to give me more time on the beach!”

More Ways To Save Money On Your OBX Vacation:

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What to Pack for the Outer Banks:

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Be sure to also leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!

Want a frugal souvenir idea?  Here’s a fun and frugal way to capture some of your favorite beach memories…

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So… have YOU ever been to the Outer Banks before?

What are some of your favorite Outer Banks Travel Tips for places to see, things to do, etc? Leave a comment & share!