One of the great tragedies of my seriously privileged life, is that I have always lived in a landlocked state. Okay, I’m mostly joking. To be sure, I’m extraordinary blessed so I won’t actually complain, but I do frequently dream about living on the ocean. (Like, A LOT…!) To sit on my back deck every morning, drinking coffee, and listening to the ocean waves crash to the shore would be absolutely divine! Sigh…
Thankfully, we at least live close enough to the East Coast that we typically take one or two beach trips a year. We recently just returned from North Carolina’s Outer Banks (or OBX, as it’s frequently called), which is a chain of barrier islands off the coast. This location is gorgeous and also holds a special place in our hearts, as Kendall and I got married in the sand at Kill Devil Hills, NC, many years ago.
If you’ve never been to the Outer Banks, you’re definitely going to want to put it on your list. I’m deeply in love with the ocean, and this place has gorgeous beaches with varying shades of turquoise and blue waves (not clear like the gulf, but still quite beautiful). That alone has me sold, but if you like some entertainment when you travel, there’s a plethora of boutiques and shops, and more tasty restaurants than your waistband can handle. My absolute favorite place to eat is (still) a tasty joint called Pigman’s Bar-B-Que. It has the best pulled-pork sandwich that I’ve ever had in my life. Kendall’s preference is any place that serves seafood, and there’s certainly no shortage of those.
In addition to stores, restaurants, and family activities (like putt-putt and the aquarium), the Outer Banks also offers extensive sightseeing opportunities. There are five (yes; FIVE) lighthouses along this stretch of the coast. These are my personal favorite things to see – after the ocean, of course. There’s also the Wright Brothers National Memorial, The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, The Lost Colony outdoor drama, and wild horses to see on Ocracoke Island. Or, if you like a little adventure, you can always go surfing, hang-gliding, kite surfing, or off-roading (on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore). And these are just to name a few. Honestly, I’ve never taken the time to experience most of these things since I can never seem to drag myself away from the beach. Though, I think it’s safe to count me out on the hang-gliding or any form of surfing. (I like my body in one piece, thanks very much.) As for the others, I figure if I keep going back enough times, I’ll eventually check out some of them.
So, if you happen to be planning a beach trip in the near future, you might want to look into visiting one of the many outstanding locations that the Outer Banks has to offer. I’ve stayed in Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Rodanthe many times over in the past 18 years. All of which are fabulous! If you want to be near the restaurants and shops, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills might be your jam. If you crave a bit more seclusion and a laid-back environment, check out Rodanthe. Be sure to click the icon above for some travel inspo and locations you won’t want to miss. And if you’re into camping, definitely check out this post for the absolute BEST place to stay. Truly, I don’t think you can go wrong when you go to the Outer Banks.
PS: When you visit, don’t forget about the sound. It’s great for kayaking, fishing, crabbing, and especially kite boarding (judging by the sheer number of enthusiasts you see). It also offers gorgeous views of the sunset!
PPS: During this recent trip, I requested that we make a short detour to visit the exact beach we got married on just for kicks. Mostly for the nostalgia, and also for a selfie with Kendall and Olivia. My, how time flies…
🙂
