20 Outer Banks Travel Tips for the Perfect Getaway!

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

Looking for the best Outer Banks Travel Tips to plan your perfect beach getaway??

Check out these best North Carolina Outer Banks Travel Tips, and let’s start planning that trip of yours!

You’re going to love this Outer Banks Travel Guide for the hottest spots you can’t afford to miss, plus the hidden gems you’ll love! Let the beach vacation begin!

Here’s what you need to know before you go..

Outer Banks Travel Tips

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…

Top Survey Sites to Make Money Online

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…

Best Travel Credit Cards! {How to Get FREE Flights and Hotel Nights}

How to Get Free Travel Gift Cards for Cheap Flights to North Carolina

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

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 Walmart. A Walmart is located right at the intersection of the N Croatan Highway and Ocean Boulevard. 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!

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

Danita said: “Visit the Dunes.”

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

Cathy said: “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.”

More Frugal Outer Banks Travel Tips:

Wendy said: “Visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.”

Lisa said: “I live here. The lighthouse in Corolla and definitely the wild horses.”

Evelyn said: “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 said: “Ducks Donuts, made to order… And all the lighthouses, the Wright Brothers museum… awesome place… We ate at the Black Pelican, it was good.”

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Claudia said: “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!”

Dina said: “4 wheel drive the beach!”

And finally… Paula said: “I love calling NC home!”

How to Travel for Free or Cheap {Budget Travel Hacks}

What to Pack for the Outer Banks:

Best Baby Travel Gear

Traveling with Baby? Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials! I’ve taken my babies on the long flights and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!

Suitcases

Now that you’ve read through all of these incredible Outer Banks Travel Tips… are you ready to get packing for your beach vacation? Make sure you’ve got some good sturdy luggage with wheels to take along! Fun and unique prints on luggage are always great, because it always seems like every suitcase at the airport or hotel is black, right? Someone will be a lot less likely to walk off with your luggage when it’s got a unique color or print!

Large Travel Purse

Every great trip starts with a large purse, right? I have one large purse I save just for trips, and it’s perfect for storing my Kindle, Maps, Snacks, and even my Camera! I never leave on a trip without it, and am always grateful for that extra space!

Don’t board your plane without these 11 Carry On Must Haves! They’re a lifesaver on long flights!

Bring along an Underwater Camera to capture the incredible fish when snorkeling!

Don’t be caught without these 12 Beach Bag Essentials

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

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