Line 4 · Beach

Outer Banks with kids

North Carolina

Best timeJun–Aug
Getting thereDrive or fly, depending on your ZIP
Good forBeach, History & culture

A week in a beach house, wild horses in Corolla, the Wright Brothers memorial and climbing lighthouses.

Houses rent Saturday to Saturday in summer.

Price it for your family from your ZIP →

What it costs

Example for 2 adults and 2 kids, 5 days, including lodging, food and activities. Gas or flights depend on where you live, so price it from your ZIP for the full total.

Where you stayEstimated total*
Budget (1★)$1,840
Mid-range (3★)$2,720
Luxury (5★)$5,420

*Planning estimate from typical recent prices, before travel, with an 8% buffer. Holiday weeks and school breaks cost more.

Best time to go

  1. JanOff
  2. FebOff
  3. MarOff
  4. AprOff
  5. MayGood
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepGood
  10. OctGood
  11. NovOff
  12. DecOff

Top attractions in North Carolina

  1. Wright Brothers National MemorialFirst flight site
  2. Jockey's Ridge State ParkTallest dune on the East Coast
  3. Cape Hatteras LighthouseClimb 257 steps
  4. Bodie Island LighthouseMarsh boardwalk
  5. Currituck Beach LighthouseCorolla
  6. Corolla wild horsesSpanish mustangs
  7. NC Aquarium on Roanoke IslandSharks
  8. The Lost ColonyOutdoor drama since 1937
  9. Elizabethan GardensManteo
  10. Pea Island National Wildlife RefugeBirding

Where to eat in North Carolina

  1. Duck Donuts$Made to order
  2. Sam & Omie's$$Since 1937
  3. Tortugas' Lie$$Seafood and sushi
  4. Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar$$Steamed seafood
  5. Kill Devil Grill$$Diner car
  6. Owens' Restaurant$$$Since 1946
  7. Jimmy's Seafood Buffet$$All-you-can-eat crab legs
  8. Sugar Creek Seafood$$Soundside

Things to do

  1. Wild horse tour by 4x4Corolla beaches
  2. Hang gliding lessonJockey's Ridge
  3. Climb Cape Hatteras LighthouseSummer
  4. See The Lost ColonySummer evenings
  5. Kayak the soundCalm water
  6. Fly a kite on the dunesJockey's Ridge
  7. Fish from Jennette's PierNags Head
  8. Free ferry to OcracokeFrom Hatteras
  9. CrabbingSoundside docks
  10. Surf lessonsSeveral schools

Places change. Tap any name to check it on Google Maps before you go.

More stops on The Beach Line