The Outer Banks is a long string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina separating the Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound from the Atlantic Ocean.  The Outer Banks is a major tourist destination best known for its moderate climate, miles of open beachfront, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, the Wright brothers, shipwrecks and The Lost Colony.

The barrier islands, from North to South, are Bodie Island, Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island.  The northern part of the Outer Banks is usually considered part of the mainland.  Tourists general stay in one of three main areas, the Northern Beaches, Roanoke, or Hatteras.

The main cities within the Northern beaches include Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head (and Corolla, though its not technically a city).  The main cities on Roanoke Island are Manteo and Wanchese.  The main cities on Hatteras Island are Rodanthe, Avon and Hatteras Village.

The Northern Beaches are the center of everything loaded with accommodations, restaurants, beaches, sites and tourist activities.  Some of the major attractions include the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the wild horse tours and the Corolla and Bodie Island lighthouses.

Roanoke Island is between the Dare County mainland and the barrier islands, with lots of history and activities.  Some of the major attractions include The Village of Wanchese, Roanoke Island Festival Park with a reproduction of the Elizabeth II, the North Carolina Aquarium, Fort Raleigh National Historical Site and The Lost Colony outdoor drama.

Hatteras Island is further south, more remote and less touristy.  Major attractions include the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, Chicamacomico, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.  While the northern areas have more to do, Hatteras and points south attract a quieter crowd.

These are the “facts.”  What follows are insights based on personal experience.  Like most reviews, this is skewed by personal preferences, so it’s not meant to be objective.  It’s also not “thorough” as it does not include every possible restaurant, hotel, or attraction.  But unlike most of what you’ll read online, this is untainted by advertising and is not sponsored by proprietors, associations or chambers of commerce.

The first major decision you’ll need to make is whether you’re going to stay in a house or a hotel.  Houses far out number hotels and are probably a more typical experience.  Families / friends (i.e., large groups) will rent a house, split the rent, and reduce eating out expenses by eating in a lot.  If you’re going to rent a house, book the house first, then the airplane ticket.  Airfare is cheaper midweek to midweek since most homes rent weekend to weekend.  Be aware that 90% of the homes are not on the beach, so it’s not atypical to walk or drive to the beach if you rent a home.

Regarding hotels, the Hampton Inn and Suites in Corolla is great.  The Northern Beaches are a lot less touristy than the main drag of beaches from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head.  Those hotels are older and tend to attract a wilder crowd.  The Hampton Inn is newer, has bigger rooms, a pool, breakfast and beach access.  If you stay there, get a flashlight from the front desk and go check out the ghost crabs at night.  The staff is exceptional.

There is also a little diner next door called the Pine Island Dinner.  Generally speaking, restaurants in the Outer Banks are not that good and way over priced.  This little diner is moderately priced, comparatively, and the food is simple and tasty.  It’s very handy if you stay at the Hampton Inn.

Also recommended are the ribs at the Corolla Brew Pub and the bagels at Lighthouse Bagels, both on Corolla’s main drag.  If you’re renting a house and need to stock up on groceries, the new Harris Teeter is bigger and cleaner than the older and much smaller Food Lion.

When it comes to attractions in Corolla, don’t miss walking up the Currituck Lighthouse and seeing the wild horses.  These horses descended from wild Spanish Mustangs that were left for dead 500 years ago.  They roam the furthest reaches of the Northern Beaches.  You can rent a jeep and look on your own or take a tour.  If you take a tour, Wild Horse Adventure Tours is among the best – you can even drive your own jeep if you like.

Duck is a cute little village with various shops, but two things you want to do here for sure is parasail (Sunrise Sports for example) and eat Duck Donuts.  Don’t ask, just get them and enjoy.  Parasailing can also be done on your way to Roanoke Island, but this area is a little less crowded.  If you’re looking for souvenirs, visit any one of the “it will feel like hundreds” Wings stores you’ll see all over the Outer Banks.  If you’re looking for something a little more unique, each of the volunteer firehouses sell their own T-shirts right there in the firehouse as a way to raise funds (e.g., Corolla, Duck).  T-shirts from a Brew Thru store are also unique.

When you get to the Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head don’t miss the Wright Brothers National Memorial.  A little further down the coast is the Bodie Lighthouse, another lighthouse you need to climb to appreciate.

When you get to Roanoke Island skip Big Al’s Diner and Poor Richards, highly overrated.  Regarding attractions, Roanoke Festival is interesting with a museum of the area and a replica of Elizabeth II including a little village of the times.  There is not much to see of Fort Raleigh, but you should really go see The Lost Colony outdoor drama.  It tells the story of the explorers who mysteriously disappeared there hundreds of years ago, a story you probably heard in history class but forgot.  The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is worth snapping a picture of while in Manteo.  Finally, take time to visit the North Carolina Aquarium.

When you get to Hatteras Island, which by the way is a long, long drive, your ultimate destination is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in the world.  Stretch those muscles before climbing.  Be sure to check out the museum onsite.  The Graveyard of the Atlantic museum is small so don’t expect much, but you’ll be reminded of the area’s Naval history.  If you fly in and out of Norfolk, VA, take some time to visit the Naval Museum and the U.S.S Wisconsin for an even more awesome display of the area’s naval roots.

Of course, where ever you stay, leave lots of time for hanging out on the beach.  Rent an umbrella, a boogie board, set up and stay awhile.  That’s the real “must do” when visiting the Outer Banks.  For all its history, for all its attractions, Mother Nature is the real prize here.  Soak up the Sun and don’t forget the suntan lotion.