Best Outer Banks Towns for Families
Choose one of the best Outer Banks town for families, and create the perfect summer getaway for you and your kids!
From wild horses to historic lighthouses, the Outer Banks of North Carolina truly have something for every interest.
This amazing mixture of history, adventure, and a laidback beach feel keeps more than 5 million people coming back to this island chain year after year.
If you’ve never been to the Outer Banks—or if you’re looking to try a new home base for next year’s beach vacation—it’s hard to know what makes one of the island towns different from the next.
Below, you’ll find descriptions of each of our favorite, kid-friendly towns in the Outer Banks, along with suggestions on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in each.
The Camping Kiddos heading to the beach in Rodanthe, NC
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Why Should You Visit the Outer Banks with Kids?
While the hit Netflix show, Outer Banks, has clued a new generation into the incredible Outer Banks, the island chain has long been a family vacation destination.
(Fun fact: the Outer Banks show isn’t filmed anywhere in North Carolina! It’s actually filmed in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.)
So, while you might be able to get your tweens and teens excited about the idea of being a Pogue for a summer, there’s much, much more to the Outer Banks than the show.
I promise, you’ll win them over as soon as they arrive, even if they can’t find John B!
Growing up, I loved visiting the Outer Banks with my parents and sister: there was something about getting taffy in Duck, seeing the wild horses in Corolla, and climbing ALL of the lighthouses that made the place magical.
I’ve now had the opportunity to explore OBX with my own kids, and they had just as much fun exploring and learning as I did.
In short, your kids will love the Outer Banks because there’s never a shortage of things to do.
If you want to spend your entire vacation lounging on the beach, you can.
Or, if you want to do something different every day, that’s easily done, too!
NOTE: I strongly recommend purchasing the Outer Banks tour on the GuideAlong app while you’re in OBX.
For less than the cost of dinner, you’ll get hours of commentary as you drive to various areas in the Outer Banks.
We love the GuideAlong tours as they are GPS-based, meaning that the tour audio automatically starts whenever we hit one of the viewpoints, trailheads, or interest areas.
You’ll learn about each island’s history, geology, wildlife, and more.
It’s just like having a live guide in the car with you for a much more reasonable price.
7 Best Outer Banks Towns for Families
Corolla, North Carolina
What to Do in Corolla
Best known for its wild horses, Corolla is one of the northern most islands in the Outer Banks.
Take a wildlife tour to see the famed horses of Corolla and learn about how their ancestors came to call this place home hundreds of years ago.
If your kids are really into horses, there’s also a Wild Horse Museum to explore!
The beaches here are some of the widest and flattest in the Outer Banks, which makes them great for family days relaxing by the Atlantic.
You can also drive onto the beach in several places (a rarity on this part of the East Coast!), which is a unique experience that every family should try at least once.
You can’t go to the Outer Banks without exploring a lighthouse or two, and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse is a great place to start. Getting to the top is a bit nerve wracking, but the views are worth the trouble.
Wild horses walking on the beach in Corolla
Where to Stay in Corolla
The Hampton Inn and Suites Corolla puts your family steps from the beach in this beautiful hotel.
Splurge on one of the oceanfront rooms where you’ll be able to listen to the sound of the surf as you drink your morning coffee.
As with any beach vacation, you’ll need to do laundry—and the Hampton Inn and Suites has an onsite coin laundry for guests.
Kids will love the indoor and outdoor pools, while parents will enjoy relaxing in the hot tub.
Where to Eat in Corolla
The Chicken Coop Country Diner is laid back and perfect for families who want a great meal without any fuss.
The restaurant serves up meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the real start of the show is their fried chicken.
Get it with waffles for breakfast or with a heaping scoop of mac and cheese for lunch and dinner.
For waterfront dining in Corolla, try the Upside Restaurant on a large pond near the Sound.
Your kids can enjoy the sunsets on the back deck while you tuck into salads, local seafood, and a piece of Key Lime Pie.
Duck, North Carolina
What to Do in Duck
Duck is a bit different than many of the other towns on this list as the main shopping area is located on the Currituck Sound instead of on the Atlantic side of the island.
The best thing to do in Duck is to walk along the boardwalk, checking out the souvenir shops while you snack on some saltwater taffy.
On the other side of the island is, of course, miles of beautiful beaches to explore once you’re done shopping.
Marsh at the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk | source
Where to Stay in Duck
Barrier Island Station has the amenities of a beach house rental, while keeping all of the convenience of a larger resort.
We love to stay in places that allow us to cook in our rooms, and all of the kitchens at Barrier Island Station have a fully stocked kitchen!
You can choose from 1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartments, which is great for families of all sizes.
The apartments also all come with their own washer and dryer—you know you’re going to need them after your kids have gone to the beach.
Elsewhere on the resort is a large outdoor pool with plenty of seating, as well as an indoor pool for rainy days.
You can also grill out at the dedicated outdoor kitchen, play in the gameroom, or meet up with new friends at the tennis courts.
Where to Eat in Duck
You can’t go to Duck and not go to the original Duck Donuts!
These custom made treats are served up warm and gooey to order.
My kids and I recently tried them for the first time, and they’ve been begging to go back again.
Take your box of doughnuts to one of the picnic tables outside of the shop, and have your snack with a view of the water.
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Let’s go get another Junior Ranger badge!
What to Do in Kitty Hawk
Kitty Hawk is known as the birth place of flight as this is where the first (extremely short!) flight took place in 1903.
Walk in the footsteps of Wilbur and Orville Wright, the brothers who took up the challenge of getting humanity off the ground, at the Wright Brothers National Monument.
This NPS site is wonderful for the entire family—don’t miss the engaging ranger tours of the old air field and the brothers’ misadventures, free with admission.
My kids did the Junior Ranger program so they could add another badge to their collections; this is another free program that helps kids better understand the site.
Don’t forget to walk to the top of the monument at the other end of the grassy field. The paths are steep but paved if you’re pushing a stroller.
PIN ME!
The views at the top are magnificent. You’ll be able to see all the way to the ocean and the sound!
Where to Stay in Kitty Hawk
The Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk has everything you’d need for an OBX vacation: big, clean rooms, a great location, and a beautiful beach with a few feet of the entrance.
This large hotel has its own private beach and pier, so your family can swim, boogie board, or fish easily.
Grab one of the oceanfront rooms for spectacular views from the attached balconies!
If you’re looking for a similar feel without the top price tag, opt for a partial oceanview room, which also comes with a small balcony.
The property also has 2 pools, one of which is indoors. This is a great option for any rainy days on your vacation!
Where to Eat in Kitty Hawk
Hot dogs and hamburgers are classic kid comfort food, and Spanky’s Grill in Kitty Hawk has both.
Customize yours with cheese, onions, and other toppings, and finish off the meal with tater tots, crinkle fries or hush puppies.
It’s quick, easy, and delicious food that the entire family will enjoy.
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
The Camping Kiddos sledding at Jockeys Ridge State Park
What to Do in Kill Devil Hills
You’re expecting sand dunes to be at the beach, but these aren’t like any normal sand dunes you’ve seen!
More like the incredible dunes we discovered during our 1 day at White Sands National Park than what’s typically at the beach, the massive hills at Jockey’s Ridge State Park will amaze your kids.
Bring along a saucer sled for the best results, or try your luck at a smooth, large piece of cardboard.
Not quite ready to take hang gliding lessons!
There aren’t any dedicated trails or spaces in the dunes, so it’s up to each visitor to find the perfect sledding area through a bit of trial and error.
If you want something a bit more exhilarating, you can sign up for the hang gliding classes that are held for teens and adults in the park.
Where to Stay in Kill Devil Hills
The John Yancey Inn is a great location for your family if you’d like to base your stay in Kill Devil Hills.
While the hotel is clean, but basic in the rooms, the location is where it really shines.
You’ll be right on the beach—and there’s a pool, which, if your kids are like mine, will be where they spend most of their time.
The inn also has an on-site playground, perfect for getting those last wiggles out before bedtime.
You’ll also get free breakfast for the family each morning, which helps to bring overall food costs down.
Where to Eat in Kill Devil Hills
The Jolly Roger Restaurant and Bar has been a staple of Kill Devil Hill cuisine since 1972.
Originally a gas station, the property has been expanded (and, thanks to Hurricane Isabella) partially rebuilt over the years.
Inside, your kids will love all of the pirate-themed decor and trinkets that are literally hanging from every square inch of space.
While the decor might be whimsical, the restaurant staff is serious about their food, all of which is made from scratch daily.
There’s a great mixture of local seafood dishes, salads, and Italian food here, so everyone can get their favorites.
Manteo, North Carolina
What to Do in Manteo
Manteo is located on Roanoke Island, which is just west of Nags Head.
This quaint little village is now home to some adorable shops and restaurants, but it is also famous for its place in American history.
Here, the doomed colonists at Fort Raleigh disappeared, leaving only the word “Croatan” carved into a tree as a clue to their whereabouts.
Explore the incredible story of these colonists at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and walk in the footprint of the original fort.
Also, at this site, you must see the wonderfully done The Lost Colony, a long-running play that tells the story of those colonists in the early 1500s.
I took my children when they were 5 and 8, and they were mesmerized with the actors, music, sets, and projections used throughout the performance.
Taking the Manteo ghost walking tour is another great way to spend the evening in this quaint village.
Ready to explore Fort Raleigh!
Where to Stay in Manteo
To make the most of your time in Manteo—and to truly get a feel for this coastal community—we recommend staying in the heart of the commercial district.
The Tranquil House Inn is the perfect location, thanks to its waterfront views and smaller size.
The rooms are great for families as they come with 2 large beds and a private bathroom.
Plus, you’re only steps away from restaurants and boutiques in Manteo.
Where to Eat in Manteo
You can’t go to Manteo and not eat some seafood!
Darrell’s Restaurant on Highway 64 has been a Manteo staple since 1960—and the number of locals you’ll find eating here is a testament to the food.
The decor isn’t ostentatious, and the silverware comes wrapped in paper, but that’s part of the charm.
We enjoyed some delicious fried and blackened seafood dishes while visiting, and my picky son even loved the kids’ shrimp basket.
Rodanthe, North Carolina
What to Do in Rodanthe
Located about halfway down the Outer Banks Island chain, Rodanthe is a great home base for your OBX vacation.
Part of the charm of Rodanthe is that it is small and very laidback, the epitome of a beach town.
Head to the miles of beaches here. They’re unlikely to be crowded since the only people using them are the campers at the 5 local campgrounds and the people renting houses on Rodanthe.
You can also add some adventure to your stay with a jet ski rental!
Rodanthe has several watersports rental huts, including one directly across Outer Banks Scenic Highway from the Cape Hatteras/ Outer Banks KOA.
Where to Stay in Rodanthe
If you’re camping or would like a cabin near the beach, we recommend reading our Cape Hatteras/ Outer Banks KOA campground review.
This large campground is packed with amenities that will keep your family excited—and there’s direct beach access, too.
You can tent camp, or bring your RV here. There are also standard and deluxe cabins, yurts, and vacation condo rentals.
So, you’re pretty much covered no matter how you’d like to stay during your Rodanthe vacation!
Where to Eat in Rodanthe
The Dairy Queen is located right across Highway 12 from the KOA, and it is BUSY at night.
Grab one of the chain’s iconic dip cones, milkshakes, or ice cream creations for a perfectly sweet ending to your day.
Beads and Beans on the northern end of Rodanthe is the cutest little breakfast and coffee shop, serving up freshly made baked goods alongside hot cups of joe.
I’ll also note that there are several pizza houses in Rodanthe, but, as I have the only 6 year old in existence who hates pizza, we’ve never tried any of those. Maybe on a future trip!
Ocracoke, North Carolina
What to Do in Ocracoke
Getting to Ocracoke is an adventure unto itself, as all visitors must take the 45 minute ferry to and from the island.
The Camping Kiddos with some new books from Books to Be Red
Once on the island, I’d recommend walking through the commercial/downtown area that’s easily accessible from the ferry port.
You can also jump on and off of the island’s free shuttle service—just look for the 8 seater golf carts that cruise around every 20 minutes or so.
In the commercial area are dozens of souvenir shops and clothing boutiques, as well as Books to Be Red, a little independent bookstore that is adorable.
Don’t forget to visit the Ocracoke Lighthouse, one of the 4 remaining lighthouses in the Outer Banks along with the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and the Bodie Lighthouse.
See more of what you can do in just 1 day in Ocracoke with our complete guide.
Where to Stay in Ocracoke
If you’re bringing your camper with you to the island on the vehicle ferry, you’re likely headed to the Ocracoke Campground.
This campground is right on the beach with many of the sites backing directly up to the sand.
The downside is that it’s essentially boondocking as none of the sites have water, electric, or sewer hook-ups.
There are restrooms in each of the 3 loops of the campground, however.
Where to Eat in Ocracoke
Jason’s Restaurant is on Irvin Garrish Highway on the very edge of Ocracoke’s commercial district, but this distance from the day visitor ferry port means you get to eat among the locals.
The unassuming building is basic on the inside and out, though the colorful local artwork and photography goes a long way to brighten up the walls.
My family and I sampled a wide variety of menu items, all of which were fresh and made to order.
The Caesar salad comes with a homemade version of the dressing that’s much lighter than usual—it honestly tasted like a great mixture between the creamier Caesar dressing and an Italian vinaigrette.
Other stand outs were the Uncle Bunkle chicken sandwich which was a bit like a deconstructed chicken cordon bleu topped with grilled onions, and the crab cake sandwich.
To get to Jason’s, take the free shuttle to the end and get out at the last stop. Jason’s will be across the street.
Explore elsewhere in North Carolina with these outdoor adventures!
