Trip plans

Outer Banks Itineraries

Skip the spreadsheet — pick an itinerary that matches your trip length and interests, then customize the stops based on where you're staying.

Highway 12 winding through Outer Banks dunes at sunrise

1 day

One perfect day on the Outer Banks

Best if you're driving through or on a day trip from Norfolk or the Chesapeake area. Focus on the north beaches and stay off Highway 12 during rush windows.

Morning

•Sunrise on the beach at Coquina or Jennette's Pier
•Breakfast at Sam & Omie's (Nags Head) or Duck Donuts
•Climb Big Kill Devil Hill at the Wright Brothers Memorial

Midday

•Lunch in Manteo waterfront
•Walk Roanoke Island — Elizabethan Gardens or Festival Park

Afternoon & evening

•Beach time in Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills
•Sunset at Bodie Island Lighthouse boardwalk
•Dinner in Duck or Kitty Hawk

3 days

Three-day weekend

The classic Outer Banks long weekend — north beaches, first flight, and one big south-of-Oregon-Inlet excursion.

Day 1 — Settle in on the north beaches

•Beach morning in Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills
•Wright Brothers National Memorial
•Sunset dinner in Duck

Day 2 — Head south

•Drive Highway 12 to Bodie Island Lighthouse
•Cross Oregon Inlet Bridge; stop at Pea Island Wildlife Refuge
•Climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
•Dinner and sunset back on the north beaches

Day 3 — Water & wild horses

•Kayak Kitty Hawk Woods or a wild-horse 4x4 tour in Corolla
•Lunch in Corolla; climb Currituck Lighthouse
•Beach afternoon before heading home

5 days

Five-day family trip

Paces well for families with kids under 12. Mixes beach days, one big adventure, an indoor rainy-day option, and one full sightseeing day.

Day 1

•Arrive, grocery run, sunset beach walk

Day 2

•Full beach day near the rental
•Ice cream in the evening

Day 3

•Wright Brothers in the morning
•NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island in the afternoon

Day 4

•Wild horse 4x4 tour in Corolla
•Currituck Lighthouse & Whalehead
•Dinner in Duck

Day 5

•Helicopter tour or Jennette's Pier fishing
•Beach afternoon
•Sunset seafood dinner

7 days

Seven-day explorer

The whole coastline, top to bottom, including an overnight (or long day trip) to Ocracoke.

Day 1

•Arrive; north beach evening

Day 2

•Corolla + wild horse tour + Currituck Lighthouse

Day 3

•Wright Brothers + Manteo/Roanoke Island

Day 4

•Bodie Island Lighthouse, Pea Island refuge, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Day 5

•Ferry to Ocracoke; beach day and village walk

Day 6

•Return north; helicopter tour or kayaking

Day 7

•Final beach morning; sunset dinner before travel day

Add the aerial view

Slot a 20–30 minute helicopter tour into any itinerary — it's the fastest way to see how the whole coastline fits together.

Book a helicopter tour