The summer crowds are gone, and with wide open beaches, the off-season is a great time to visit the OBX and search the shore for ocean treasures and oddities.
Sand
Well, obviously you’ll see lots of sand, but did you know that most of these tiny particles travel a long way to get here? They’re transported by rivers all the way from the mountains. The sand here on the Outer Banks is made up mostly of quartz, feldspar, and shells. It’s shifted around by waves and ocean currents, constantly changing the shoreline.
September 28th is National North Carolina Day! How well do you know the Tarheel State? Test your knowledge below.
Summer and ice cream go hand in hand, especially at the beach! The Outer Banks is home to lots of spots to grab dessert after dinner or for lunch (you’re on vacation, treat yourself). These are just a few of our favorites, where any day can be National Ice Cream Day.
Surfin’ Spoon 
After months of daydreaming about your Outer Banks vacation, and who knows how many hours in the car battling traffic, of course all you want to do once you hit the OBX is lounge on the beach or settle in poolside. But the Outer Banks has so much to offer, and with only one week to explore it all, day one should be filled with adventure! Here are a few activities to start your OBX vacation off on the right foot.
Learn
Yes, learning on vacation can be fun! 
Enter our 2021 Photo Contest!
Do you have memorable photos from your 2021 Outer Banks vacation that you would like to share? Would you also like a free mini Outer Banks vacation? It’s easy-all you have to do is enter our 2021 OBX Photo Contest to be eligible to win!
How to Enter and Vote: 
In honor of National Pet Day on April 11th, (let's be honest-if you have a pet, you probably consider every day National Pet Day!) we've come up with a few pawsitively great ways to make the most out of a visit to the OBX with your furry friend! 
Our favorite time of the year has arrived: vacation planning time! It’s officially National Plan for Vacation Day, and we can’t think of a better vacation to plan than one that includes, sand, fun, and SUN! The Outer Banks offers the perfect retreat for your family getaway. 
As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that shouldn’t change while you’re on vacation! The Outer Banks offers some pretty amazing dining options, and in honor of National Bagel Day on January 15th, we’re featuring a few of our favorite local spots to grab a delicious pre-beach meal to fuel your Outer Banks vacation. 
Anyone who has visited the Outer Banks has heard legends of its dramatic history. From shipwrecks and pirates to mysterious disappearances, there is no shortage of chilling tales to be told. Think you've got the guts? Test your knowledge and take this spooky quiz! 
It’s official! Fall is here, which means back to school, or in many cases, back to remote learning.
Need a field trip? While the relaxing and picturesque beaches are usually the appeal of the OBX, there more to these barrier islands than just sun, sand, and waves. Get out of the house and head to the Outer Banks to learn about and explore the beautiful natural areas that make this area truly magical and offer a little bit of that autumn allure.
Nags Head Woods Preserve