Our Top Picks

Grocery Stores

Publix on First Street

Food Lion on Third Street

Harris Teeter off of 8th Street

Best Coffee Shops

Three great local shops to try! Front Porch Cafe (milepost 6), Morning View (milepost 10 ¾) and Ashley’s Espresso Parlour (milepost 5.5)

Best Sunday Brunch

Fancier (but not too fancy) – Salt Box Cafe in Colington and Laid back – Chili Peppers milepost 5.5 on the bypass

Best Daily Breakfast

Beachside Bistro – breakfast on the beach just off 3rd St. (attached to Sea Ranch Resort).

Restaurants

Goombay’s – off 1st St. on beach road

Blue Moon Beach Grill – Mahi Mahi BLT

Kill Devil Grill – Check the specials board, everything is delicious

Mama Kwan’s – Yummy fish tacos

The Black Pelican – Great for large groups and looks out at the ocean

Coastal Provisions – upscale seafood market and wine bar

The Outer Banks Brewing Station – corn hole and backyard playground for the kids with service outside during the summer

Chili Peppers Coastal Grill – close and never disappoints

Art’s Place – Year round locals favorite

Salt Box Cafe – off the tourist radar and amazing

Bonzer Shack – laid back beach grill with outside games and tables

Sal’s New York Pizza – dine-in, delivery, and pick up until late – also has small arcade

Sanya Japanese restaurant

Bad Bean Baja Grill – Tex-Mex

Greentails – local seafood, limited hours so check they are open before you go

Date Night Restaurants

TRIO Wine Beer & Cheese

JK’s Restaurant – Steaks, ribs and seafood

Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar

Aqua Restaurant

Best Seafood

Welcome to the beach! Most of the good restaurants out here will have at least a few specialty fish items. Some favorites: Blue Moon, Coastal Provisions, I Got Your Crabs

Best Bar to Watch the Waves

Fish Heads – on Outer Banks fishing pier in South Nags Head, a bit farther but a personal favorite, Open April to November

Best Delivery Options

Slice Pizzeria

Country Deli (will deliver to a beach access!)

Pok’s Art – Asian Fusion

Frozen Desserts

So many good places to go! Our personal favorites:

Kill Devil Custard

Booty Treats

The Spot

Surfin Spoon

Donuts

For amazing donuts go to Duck Donuts. Be prepared to wait during peak season. But absolutely delicious.

Fresh Local Seafood to cook at home

O’Neals in Wanchese and Billy’s Seafood in Colington

Best Little Beach Shop

Stop N Shop on the beach road off Ocean Bay Blvd across from KDH LifeSaving Station. Boars Head Deli, fishing tackle, beach supplies, wine and beer, and Exxon gas. A little bit of everything.

Farmers Markets

Nags Head – Dowdy Park the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from June to September 9 – 1

Manteo – Downtown waterfront Saturdays 8am – 12noon May to October

Wanchese – most legit farmers market around, Saturday 8-12 and Wednesday 10-1 May to November

Fun Activities

Playgrounds for the youngsters

Hayman Park – West side of the bypass on Hayman Street

Dowdy Park – off Bonnett Street in Nags Head

Rec Center Park – behind Outer Banks Brew Station – turn at the tennis courts

Barnes Street Park – West of the bypass on Barnes St.

BONUS: Backyard of the Outer Banks Brewing Station – has food and drinks for everyone too!

Skateparks for the bigger kids

Behind the YMCA on Bonnett Street

Aviation Skate Park – Also has a playground for younger kids.

Kitty Hawk Skate Park – off Kitty Hawk Rd nestled in the woods

In the Woods

Nags Head Woods – Fun trails of varying lengths, head West on Ocean Acres Dr. Great place to go if the beach is too windy, but bring bug spray. Roanoke Trail leads to a quiet beach on the sound.

Disc Golf Course – Off of Veterans Drive behind the football stadium of the high school. At football field bare right onto gravel road to parking area of disc golf course.

Indoor fun for the family

Aquarium – in Manteo. Great for a day off the beach but can be very busy on rainy days in the summer. Don’t miss the STAR center (Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation)

Jumpmasters Trampoline Park – in Manteo.

YMCA – Offers daily or weekly passes for out of town guests. Discounted prices for YMCA members

Best places to watch sunset

Close by: Hayman Street & Bay Drive sound side public pier or 3rd street gazebo off Bay Drive

A little further South: Top of Jockey’s Ridge

Best place to watch sunrise

Front porch of the Dancing Dolphin!

Any beach access

First Friday

If you are visiting on a First Friday from April to December, don’t miss the family friendly street festival in Manteo’s historic downtown from 6-8pm

Buying booze

For a better selection of wine and beer, go to Chip’s Beer and Wine at Milepost 6. For convenience, try a drive thru Brew Thru (milepost 5.5 is the closest). Only ABC Liquors sell Liquor.

Fishing Piers

Avalon Pier – Milepost 6. Closest, has arcade and rentals.

Nags Head Pier – Milepost 11.5. Restaurant and bar on the pier in addition to tackle shop

Jeannette’s Pier – Milepost 16.5. Big and modern, family friendly and part of the NC Aquarium

Outer Banks Pier – Milepost 18.5. Tackle shop and home to our favorite beachside bar and restaurant, Fish Heads.

Local Love

Beach etiquette – be loved by locals!

Please be considerate of the beautiful beaches, don’t leave trash, cigarette butts or beach equipment behind.

Don’t play on the sand dunes, they protect our sand bar and nesting sea turtles.

Please keep your distance from wild animals (wild horses, sea turtles, seals, dolphins, etc.) Take lots of pictures!

Report all nesting turtles, turtle crawls, stranded/dead turtles or other marine animals or hatching events on the Outer Banks to the N.E.S.T Hotline 252-441-8622

Historic landmarks

Don’t forget to check out the Wright Brothers’ Memorial and Historic Lighthouses!