Water Sports: From sailing to kayaking, to jet skiing and surfing, you can participate in almost any water sport you desire in the Outer Banks! There are places where you can sign up for surfing or sailing lessons, and also places where you can rent jet skis and kayaks.
For all water sports, you’ll want a solid bathing suit and probably a rash guard for chillier waters. Water shoes, goggles, and waterproof, reef-safe sunscreen are perfect for spending a day in the ocean.
Museum Tour: For the more relaxed, or rainy days, there are over 15 museums or galleries that are fun for people of all ages to explore around the Outer Banks! The most popular is the Wright Brothers National Memorial, there are many museums around that will teach you the history of the land, and show you interesting and fun artifacts.
Museum tours often involve lots of walking, so make sure you have a good pair of sneakers or comfortable sandals to wear. Sunglasses and sun hats are great for visiting the outdoor lighthouse exhibits. Comfortable clothing like athletic shorts and t-shirts are perfect, and you may want to bring a light sweater just in case. If you are visiting the museums on rainy days, bring your rain jacket and rain boots.
Camping: There are so many beautiful places to camp in the Outer Banks. Staying at the campsites is usually much cheaper than renting a beach house, or getting a hotel or Airbnb for the night, plus you get to sleep practically on the beach! If you’re visiting the Outer Banks, consider getting a campsite to experience some gorgeous camping.
Summer is the best time to camp in the Outer Banks, as it can get pretty chilly otherwise. The evenings during the summer, with that ocean breeze, tend to get a little cold as well. Comfortable clothing like sweatpants, a sweatshirt, or even a jacket will be perfect for camping. I like having shoes that are easy to remove for lounging around the campsite, like moccasins or flip flops. Do not forget the bug spray! Those mosquitos can get nasty at dusk.
Hiking: Even with all the other fun things around, don’t forget that the Outer Banks has some spectacular hiking trails! There are many, many hiking trails that are open year-round, and allow you to walk through the beach dunes, and marshes and get some beautiful views.
For hiking in the Outer Banks, you’ll want some quality hiking shoes or close-toed sandals. A very thin base layer shirt is great for summer and spring hikes, or layers for winter hikes. Moisture-wicking hiking shorts or pants are always great, and you’ll always want to have on sunscreen and bring a sun hat and sunglasses. Many hikes are nestled in the coastal forest, which has many bugs, so make sure you have bug spray.