So going on vacation is always an amazing time. You get to live in the moment and experience new places, food, and people. Get out of your comfort zone! Enjoy fun adventures while seeing the sights and capturing the ocean breezes, historic charm and endless beauty of the Outer Banks! The warm sand between your toes and the rolling waves are memories that you're going to want to take back with you enjoy all year long.
But let's be honest: one of the best parts of vacation is the souvenirs you bring back with you. Whether it's a gift for a family member, an early present for a loved one, or something to remind you of all the fun you hand, picking out souvenirs is always an unforgettable gift that keeps on giving long after you've gone back home! We've gathered a list of unique souvenirs and keepsakes to get during your stay that capture the essence of the Outer Banks! And if you're looking for more ways to experience the Outer Banks at home, check out our blog on ways to experience the Outer Banks at home for fun ways to bring the OBX to you, wherever you are!
1. Driftwood Art & Handmade Coastal Decor
Driftwood is a great way to capture the free and easy spirit of life on the Outer Banks. While you may be fortunate enough to find some on the beach yourself, many local artists find unique ways to turn these natural materials into spectacular, coastal-inspired works of art. KDH Cooperative Gallery and OBX Driftwood are great choices for finding wall art, mirrors, and frames made from materials collected right on the beach while Nags Head Hammocks, in addition to actual hammocks, also usually has some beautiful macrame driftwood art on the floor. If you're looking for something a little less polished, Sea Green Gallery in Nags Head also has a wide range of art and home decor inspired by the beach and carefully crated using driftwood, shells, and other unique nautical treasures.
DIY Tip: If you’d like to create your own driftwood or shell decoration, collect pieces from the beach to take home! Arrange them in a shadow box, or glue shells onto a picture frame to create a custom piece that holds photos from your trip.
2. Outer Banks Lighthouse Miniatures
The lighthouses of the Outer Banks are iconic, and taking home a lighthouse miniature is a perfect way to commemorate your time here. Kitty Hawk Kites or Shipwreck in Nags Head and Farmer's Daughter in Corolla offer a variety of high-quality replicas of local lighthouses, like Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras, each with unique detailing. These miniatures are perfect for a mantel or shelf display, reminding you of your OBX experience daily. Also be sure to check out Wings! With several stores across the beach, you'll readily be able to find miniatures, statues, and more!
DIY Tip: For a more personalized approach, why not paint your own lighthouse scene on a small canvas or seashell? Even kids can get involved by painting a simple lighthouse outline or a seascape with safe, non-toxic paints.
3. Locally Crafted Jewelry with Sea Glass and Shells
Nothing says “beach vibes” like jewelry crafted from locally sourced sea glass sand, cork, and shells. Shops like Cloud Nine in Nags Head and Silver Bonsai Gallery in Manteo offer a stunning collection of beach-inspired jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Be on the lookout for pieces with OBX sea glass and shell accents. Whether they bring coastal colors or sensory experiences to your daily attire, jewelry from the Outer Banks is perfect for gifting, keeping, or simply just making every moment special!
DIY Tip: Kids can string together shells and beads on a necklace to make their own OBX-inspired jewelry. Pick up a small bag of beads, shells, and string from a local craft store like Island Art Supplies, Walmart, or Target, or even from the beach itself, to craft a handmade memory that you can enjoy all year long.
4. Outer Banks Home Goods and Decor
Sometimes, the best souvenirs are the ones that you can use and celebrate year-round! Consider home goods like kitchen towels, mugs, and fun signs or statues that bring a little bit of that beachy atmosphere to your home! Head to The Cotton Gin in Corolla, Duck or Nags Head or The Island Attic in Duck or Avon to find some incredibly tasteful decor to add a little bit of that sandy sparkle to your home! These items can add a coastal touch to your home decor while reminding you of your OBX getaway. You can also check out our blog Outer Banks Art for Your Home for even more interior decor ideas that double as souvenirs.
DIY Tip: For a budget-friendly and fun family activity, gather sand, shells, and small rocks from your favorite beach spots. Fill a glass bottle or mason jar with layers of sand and small shells to create a beach memory jar—an easy, customizable piece of OBX you can display at home.
5. Shells, Sand Dollars, and Beach Treasures
Sometimes, the best souvenirs are the ones that don't even cost a buck! Keep an eye out for shells, small pieces of driftwood, sand dollars, and egg casings for unforgettable beach pieces that you can carry with you wherever you roam. Places like the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge are amazing places to go beachcombing. You can also check out local souvenir shops and places like Shipwreck in Nags Head for local, ethically sourced shells that are perfect for home decor or your next art project!
DIY Tip: Collect small shells, pieces of sea glass, or even sand from the beach and glue them to a plain photo frame as the perfect protector for your favorite family photo! And use the larger shells to make candles with melted wax or use as part of a wind chime for the ultimate sound of the sea in your backyard.
6. Classic OBX Apparel
Whether you're looking for hats, shirts, hoodies, or tote bags, there are plenty of amazing local shops that offer awesome OBX-themed apparel to help you bring those OBX vibes back with you wherever you call home. Head to Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Clothing Company, Parrot Bay, or Island Dyes for a wide array of fun, beachy gifts that you'll be able to enjoy every day. Items like these make for a stylish, wearable souvenir and are the perfect gift for friends and family members who weren't able to make it down this time! And if you're looking for the ultimate OBX sweatshirt, you're going to love Wings! With several stores across the beach, you're always going to find the perfect souvenir here.
DIY Tip: Design your own OBX shirts with fabric markers or tie-dye kits! Purchase plain white tees and let each family member decorate theirs with a favorite quote, lighthouse, or seashell design for a totally unique, wearable memory.
7. Christmas/Holiday Ornaments
For a delightfully festive reminder of your time on the Outer Banks, pick up a holiday ornament that captures the spirit of your beach fun! Many local shops like The Christmas Mouse in Nags Head and The Christmas Shop in Manteo are great choices for ornaments themed around coastal Christmases—think sand dollars painted like Santa, miniature lighthouses adorned with holly, and starfish decorated as snowflakes. Consider pairing them with an Outer Banks vacation, and you've got the perfect Christmas gift that everyone will be talking about for years to come!
DIY Tip: Create your own OBX Christmas ornaments with shells, small pieces of driftwood, or even mini sand dollars collected from the beach. Paint them with festive colors or add glitter, then loop a ribbon through the top to hang them on the tree. It’s a fun, easy way to personalize your holiday décor with the whole family while keeping your OBX memories alive each season.
8. Fudge or Taffy
This may be a bit of a throwback, but there are few things more welcoming and nostalgic than the thought of grabbing some taffy or fresh-made fudge as part of your souvenir collection at the beach. Check out The Fudgery or Forbes Candies in Nags Head for delectable treats or make your way down to Scotch Bonnet Fudge & Gifts for a sample of rich, creamy fudge made right on sight! These shops offer a variety of homemade flavors from classic chocolate to salted caramel or peanut butter swirl. Be sure to look for saltwater taffy and sea salt caramels, bringing a deliciously sweet bite to your vacation memories!
DIY Tip: While it may not taste like the fudge you get from shops, you can also make your own fudge at home with chocolate, condensed milk, and butter! Consider grabbing some cute beach-themed molds and experiment with candies in the shape of seashells or beach balls for some extra fun!
Where to Find More Unique Souvenirs
Don’t forget to stop by the charming seasonal markets in the Outer Banks, where you can find an array of handcrafted goods, artwork, and more. First Flight Market and Dowdy Park Farmer's Market are amazing options during the summer, while their holiday versions bring a festive theme to your Outer Banks vacation. These local markets are fantastic places to browse, sample, and find treasures that tell the story of the Outer Banks.
Book That Next Vacation Now
Bringing home souvenirs from the Outer Banks is more than just collecting items; it’s about preserving memories, capturing the coastal spirit, and keeping the essence of the beach with you long after you leave. Whether you purchase a keepsake from one of the area’s many talented artisans or create a DIY memory with your family, each souvenir holds a special place in your OBX journey.
But you know what's better than a souvenir? Another vacation! Book your stay today in one of our cozy vacation rentals and explore all the best and brightest that the Outer Banks has to offer. Give our wonderful Guest Services Team a call today at (866) 884-0267 or take a look at our available rentals to get started planning your next historic adventure to the Outer Banks.
And don't forget about our layaway plan, which makes booking your dream vacation easier than ever. So don't wait. We're booking Outer Banks vacation rentals year round and we're excited to help you create memories to last a lifetime. We're here to help make your OBX vacation fun, exciting, and hassle-free. Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments.
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About the Author: Lauren is an Outer Banks local, mom, trained historian, and travel enthusiast. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with her nose in a book or cuddling with her cats.
