{"id":46783,"date":"2014-04-08T11:40:05","date_gmt":"2014-04-08T15:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=46783"},"modified":"2025-09-02T00:13:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T04:13:05","slug":"outer-banks-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/46783\/outer-banks-things-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"The Outer Banks: By Land and Sea"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the dunes roll up on either side of the road and sand begins to spill onto the shoulder, you’ve arrived. With the Atlantic to the east and the Pamlico Sound to the west, the ride down Highway 12 is reason enough to take a trip to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. But it’s certainly not the only reason. The Outer Banks, or OBX, is a place like no other\u2014a chain of islands where active lifestyles come with laid back attitudes, where people stop to watch the sunset and take pride in a rich maritime heritage.<\/p>\n

\"OBX

The Outer Banks community springs fully to life in the summer, with a rush of vacationers and seasonal residents, festivals, and concerts. But visit off-season (be warned: many local businesses close for a couple months after the holidays), and you may feel like you’ve stepped into a well-kept secret. It’s the best way to get close to what the Outer Banks is all about: local flavor and incredible nature.<\/p>\n

The Must Do’s<\/h2>\n

\"Cape

A “birder’s paradise,” Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge<\/a> is a haven for 365 species of nesting, resting, and wintering migratory birds. Encompassing nearly 6,000 acres of land and 25,700 acres of water, the refuge\u2019s well managed trails and undisturbed marshes are ideal for a leisurely walk or kayak.<\/p>\n

\"Pea

Daily life on the Outer Banks centers around the water. So take time to relax and refresh at the beach, then rejuvenate with water sports\u2014beginners welcome. The entire region is a kayaker’s dream. Among the many launch options<\/a> is the Pamlico Sound. Go with a guide to confidently navigate the waterways and learn a thing or two about birds along the way. While you’re at, get out there and surf, windsurf<\/a>, and kiteboard<\/a>. Try stand-up paddle boarding<\/a> (SUP) and maybe even get your downward dog on in the Sound. Rentals<\/a> are available for the experienced and unequipped.<\/p>\n

This is the home of watermen (and women)\u2014fishermen, clammers, crabbers, and oystermen. Rent a rod and cast out right on the beach<\/a> or pier, or charter a boat with much or as little help as you need. Captain Rick Caton of Custom Sound Charters<\/a> will show you how to work a shrimp net and a crab. For clamming, Captain Rudy Gray of The Hook Up Charter<\/a> is your man. Both are based in Hatteras Village and also offer fishing. There’s no shame in sitting back and observing, either. Settle in on the Hatteras shores, where fly fishers and 4WD cars dot the beach. Head to the docks between 4-5 p.m. to watch the charters return with the day\u2019s catch.<\/p>\n

The Rainy Day Do’s
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Frisco

The Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center<\/a> gives visitors insight into the local indigenous people and natural history, with native artifacts from Hatteras Island and beyond. Take a stroll through maritime forest on the museum\u2019s nature trails, and try to visit for a workshop or special event, like the Journey Home festival planned for the last weekend of April.<\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t surf, it\u2019s easy to appreciate the art of the board\u2014and find handmade clothes for watching the waves\u2014at Buxton\u2019s Natural Art Surf Shop<\/a>. \u201cShop small\u201d and stock up on ghost stories and local history books at Buxton Books. In Avon, find out-of-the-ordinary pottery, textiles, and more at from owner Antoinette Gaskins Mattingly and other regional artists Kinnakeet Clay Studio and Showroom<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Eats<\/h2>\n

\"UglieMuglie\"

It\u2019s not all about location at Dinky\u2019s Waterfront Restaurant<\/a>, where lively locals hang by the bar and dig into steamed basics and creative seafood specialties. That said, Dinky\u2019s perch above the water and panoramic views don\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n

Cafe Pamlico Restaurant<\/a> at the Inn at Pamlico Sound offers fine dining with a local, sustainable slant\u2014featuring produce and herbs from the chef\u2019s garden. An always-changing menu with tasty, generous dishes, three-course breakfasts, and pre-fixe dinner specials (ask about Wine Dinner Wednesdays) make this tranquil restaurant a must. Sit at the petite bar or go on a concert night if you\u2019re looking for something more lively.<\/p>\n

\"Buxton

Proof that gems like to hang out in the most unassuming of spots, Buxton Munch Co.<\/a> sits quietly among a strip of shops called Osprey Shopping Center. This funky, colorful cafe is a reflection of owner Marcie and chef Oscar\u2019s taste for local, healthy, affordable food. Proving that you don\u2019t need fried for flavor, the tasty make-your-own fish taco platter features an abundance of fresh rock-fish (available simply grilled or blackened). Other house specialties include the tomato basil soup and crabby pattie sandwich. Enjoy them with a local brew like Foothills Brewing Carolina Strawberry cream ale.<\/p>\n

\"Apple

Tip:<\/strong> If your stomach is growling on the road from Norfolk, stop at Weeping Radish Farm Brewery<\/a> in Grandy for a solid lineup of brewed-on-site beer, hearty options like their famous ruben, sweet potato liverwurst, and housemade sausage. Weeping Radish works with local produce and gets whole animals from local farms, which the German master butcher Frank breaks down.<\/p>\n

The Digs<\/h2>\n

\"Inn

You\u2019ll also find it hard to stray far from the Inn at Pamlico Sound<\/a>. With beautifully furnished rooms, an excellent restaurant, and small touches like complimentary drinks and fruit and a movie lounge, the boutique hotel makes it easy to get comfortable. A small pool overlooks the sound, where you can dock the Inn\u2019s kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. A few bikes are also at your disposal for when you\u2019re ready to venture down the road to rougher seas. Rates, from $135, and packages<\/a> are available for those interested in a adventures by water or horseback (or picnic).<\/p>\n

\"camping

The Local Tip<\/h2>\n

\"buxton

Popular trails include Lookout Loop\u2014a short walk with a vista of Jennette’s Wedge\u2014and North Trail\u2014which winds past wetlands, carrying you along hardwood ridge forests. You can access the reserve via two unpaved roads: Old Doctor’s Road for access from Buxton (for Lookout Loop), and Water Association Road for access from Frisco (for North Trail).<\/p>\n

How to Get There and Around<\/h2>\n

\"Biking

A free ferry<\/a> takes passengers and cars from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke. It docks across the island from town, so you’ll want to come with a bike or car. The Cedar Island ($1 for pedestrians; $15 for standard vehicles) docks in Ocracoke Village. In town, Ocracoke’s narrow streets are best wandered by foot, bike, or golf carts (rent a bike at the can\u2019t-miss-it Slushie Stand; for cart rental, check out Ocracoke Island Golf Carts<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Photos: Zach Frailey,<\/a><\/em> Timothy Carroll<\/a><\/em>, outerbanks.org, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Jaclyn Einis, Inn at Pamlico Sound <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When the dunes roll up on either side of the road and sand begins to spill onto the shoulder, you’ve arrived. With the Atlantic to the east and the Pamlico Sound to the west, the ride down Highway 12 is reason enough to take a trip to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. But it’s certainly not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":50014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[316,1508,850,831,772,759,785,761,750,817,749,786,854,758,787,776,777,791,790,1267,769,792,788,1057,1002,781,1606,843,778,956,774,794,780,849,798,799,748,782],"tags":[238,31,21,381,293,145,212,1611,110,133,282],"class_list":{"0":"post-46783","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-weekend-getaways","8":"category-amtrak-getaways","9":"category-antiques-shopping-2","10":"category-architecture-culture-2","11":"category-bakery-food-drink","12":"category-bar-activity-2","13":"category-beaches-adventure-activity-2","14":"category-beer-activity-2","15":"category-bike-2","16":"category-biking-adventure-activity-2","17":"category-boat-2","18":"category-boating-adventure-activity-2","19":"category-boutiques-shopping-2","20":"category-cafe-activity-2","21":"category-camping-adventure-activity-2","22":"category-farms-food-drink","23":"category-fine-dining","24":"category-fishing-adventure-activity-2","25":"category-hiking-adventure-activity-2","26":"category-hiking-getaways","27":"category-historic-sites-culture","28":"category-horseback-riding-adventure-activity-2","29":"category-kayaking-adventure-activity-2","30":"category-museums-culture-2","31":"category-north-carolina","32":"category-outdoor-dining","33":"category-outer-banks","34":"category-photography-culture-2","35":"category-picnic-food-drink","36":"category-plane-2","37":"category-restaurants-food-drink","38":"category-sailing-adventure-activity-2","39":"category-seafood-food-drink","40":"category-shopping-2","41":"category-stand-up-paddle-boarding","42":"category-surfing-adventure-activity-2","43":"category-train-2","44":"category-wine-food-drink","45":"tag-adventure","46":"tag-bar","47":"tag-beach","48":"tag-biking","49":"tag-budget-friendly","50":"tag-dining","51":"tag-hiking","52":"tag-hiking-getaways-2","53":"tag-historical-sites","54":"tag-outdoors","55":"tag-romantic"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":50014,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/16541255929_0122a80529_h-e1425591013145-300x157.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46783\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}