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Congratulations! You've booked your Outer Banks vacation! We're so excited to host you and can't wait for you to come experience all of the wonder that comes with staying on the Outer Banks. Keep reading for our list of must-see things during your stay so that you can start planning your itinerary and figuring out exactly how you want to spend your vacation. Get excited! We'll see you at the beach.

Wright Brothers Memorial

If you’ve ever been driving down US Hwy 158, noticed a remarkable granite structure towering among the dunes and thought to yourself, “Wow, that’s incredible,” you’re not alone. Most visitors to the Outer Banks know that it is an area rich in some of our nation’s greatest history… from Blackbeard roaming the open seas to the disappearance of the first English-born child on Roanoke Island, a trip to the Outer Banks is a visit back in time. One historic landmark that you don’t want to miss when you visit is the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Located in Kill Devil Hills, the Wright Brothers National Memorial stands as a testament to America’s scientific discovery and technological advancement in the world of modern aviation. Find out more: Experience the Wright Brothers Memorial

Jockey’s Ridge

For visitors to the Outer Banks who have traveled along Highway 158 through Nags Head, Jockey’s Ridge—the massive mound of sand that sits along the sound side of the island—is virtually impossible to miss. Towering 100 feet tall and extending across an area of more than 420 acres, Jockey’s Ridge State Park has been a popular destination for tourists and Outer Banks locals for decades. Find out more: Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Lighthouses

From the tallest brick lighthouse on the continent to a replica of a lighthouse lost to the sound, each of the five magnificent lighthouses on the Outer Banks are so unique and beautiful that we felt they deserved their own list. Serving as both as an educational landmark and connection to our coast’s unparalleled maritime history, a visit to the OBX isn’t complete until you visit one or more of The 5 Lighthouses of the Outer Banks. Find out more: The 5 Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

Outer Banks Wild Horses

One of the pulls of the Outer Banks is the abundance of wildlife that call this area home. From sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks to crabs, birds, and even the occasional seal, you never know what animal you might encounter while touring these unique barrier islands. One wild animal you might not expect to see however are wild horses. You may have heard about the Outer Banks wild mustangs that roam the beach in realty ads, magazines and even popular films but if you’ve never driven up the winding highway to Corolla, you’ve probably never seen them for yourself and believe me, you’re missing out. If you’ve been wondering "What’s with the Outer Banks wild horses?" ...We’ve got the answers. Find out more about them and how to visit them here: Outer Banks Wild Horses.

Winged Horse Statues

Why not go on a search to see how many of the Winged Horses statues you can find during your stay? These beautiful pieces of art were erected during the 2003 Centennial of Flight celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in Kill Devil Hills. 99 horses were installed during the Winged Horse Extravaganza and many of them are still standing outside of shops, schools, restaurants, and many different other places on the Outer Banks. The statues are shaped like horses with wings and are decorated in elaborate styles, with everything from lighthouses to glitter adorning these beautiful fixtures. There’s no official record of which horses are still standing and where they are located, but it’s hard to miss these fun, vibrant art pieces up and down the island. Take the family out and try to find as many as you can!

The Lost Colony

It's back! The Lost Colony was first staged in 1937 and is the nation's longest-running outdoor symphonic drama. Filled with intense battles, beautiful Indian dances, and tears of both joy and sadness, this production tells the story of 117 English men, women, and children from our history. This is a huge production with over 120 actors, designers, technicians, and volunteers who all came together in the Spring to begin preparing for this summer's incredible season. Come to The Lost Colony and find yourself engulfed in this drama, not only through its compelling story but sit right in the middle of the action with the show taking place on three sides of you! Not only that, the stage is over 3 times larger than most Broadway stages in New York City! Talk about an experience! No visit to the Outer Banks is complete without a visit to this unforgettable performance.

Now that you've got an idea of things to see, check out our Travel Tips and Things to Do to get even more excited for your Outer Banks vacation!

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