North Carolina's Coast: More Than Two Decades of Family Adventures

Over the last 20 years, we've explored North Carolina's beautiful coastline more times than I can count. From wild horses in Corolla to quiet island retreats in Ocracoke, each stretch of coast has its own vibe. We've explored both the Outer Banks (OBX) – from Corolla in the north to Ocracoke in the south – and other coastal towns beyond the OBX. Topsail, the closest beach to us, at 2 hours away, became a regular, quick getaway. Between all these spots, we covered North Carolina's coast end to end. Here's what we've discovered over the years.

The Outer Banks

The Outer Banks (OBX) is a string of barrier islands off North Carolina's coast. These narrow islands separate the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland sounds – calm bodies of water on the western side. The OBX stretches over 100 miles and includes towns like Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, and Ocracoke. It's known for wild horses, historic lighthouses, the Wright Brothers' first flight, and miles of beautiful beaches.

One thing we've noticed over the years of visits is how the coastline is changing. The ocean is gradually coming closer to the land through erosion and rising sea levels. Some beaches have gotten narrower, and you can see the effects on homes and structures near the shore. It's a reminder that these beautiful barrier islands are constantly shifting and changing – part of their natural cycle, but also something to be aware of when planning coastal trips.

Manteo: Gardens and B&B Charm

This was the first town we ever visited when we went to OBX. Manteo has a distinct feel compared to the beach towns – it's more historic and charming. We stayed at The Elizabethan Inn, a bed and breakfast that was really comfortable. We visited the Elizabethan Gardens, which were beautiful and peaceful, and just enjoyed walking around the waterfront area. It's a nice change of pace from the busier beach spots.

Corolla: Wild Horses and Lighthouses

Corolla sits at the northern tip of the Outer Banks, and it's where we saw the famous wild horses. We booked a tour with Backcountry Safari Tours, and it was totally worth it. Riding in their 4x4 vehicle along the beach, spotting these beautiful horses roaming free – it's something you don't see every day. The horses are descendants of Spanish mustangs, and seeing them in their natural habitat was pretty special.

We also visited the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. It's a climb to the top, but the views of the coastline are amazing.

The sound side of Corolla, along Currituck Sound, offers a different perspective from the ocean beaches. A sound is the calm water between the barrier islands and the mainland – no waves, just peaceful water perfect for watching sunsets. It's a nice contrast to the Atlantic Ocean side.

Nags Head: Wright Brothers and Sand Dunes

The highlight was definitely visiting Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – we went all the way to the top. It's quite a climb, but worth it for the views.

We also wandered around Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk, the neighboring town. It's a nice area to explore with shops and restaurants, and it connects seamlessly with Nags Head.

We also checked out the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which is pretty cool if you're into history. And we spent time hiking on the sand dunes at Jockey's Ridge State Park. It's a unique landscape you don't see just anywhere.

Ocracoke Island: Ferry Ride and National Seashore

Cars Lined Up for the Ferry Ride to Ocracoke Island

Ocracoke might be my favorite. Getting there is an adventure – we took the ferry from Swan Quarter, and our car went right on the ferry. The ferry ride itself is part of the experience.

Once, we stayed at Captain's Landing, and I highly recommend it. Once we visited in March, so the island was relatively quiet. We drove around the island, saw the lighthouse, and just enjoyed the slower pace.

What makes Ocracoke different from other OBX towns is that most of it is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This means miles of undeveloped beaches and protected open land – no commercial development or crowds. The village itself is small and charming, with just enough to keep things comfortable without losing that remote island feel. There are no big hotels or chain restaurants, just local businesses. Ocracoke has a special feel to it – it's remote, peaceful, and just different from the mainland beaches.

Beyond the Outer Banks: Other NC Coastal Towns

Topsail: Simple Beach Days

Topsail is the closest beach to us – just around 2 hours from our house. It's not part of the Outer Banks. While the OBX is up north along the barrier islands, Topsail sits further south along the coast near Jacksonville and Wilmington. It's a more accessible option for a quick beach getaway without the longer drive to the Outer Banks. We've made several day trips here over the years. It's a quiet beach where we just enjoy the sand and sun without crowds.

Atlantic Beach: Fort Macon

Atlantic Beach is my least favorite of the coastal towns we've visited – I find it too touristy. The main attraction we visited was Fort Macon State Park. It's a well-preserved Civil War fort, and it's interesting to walk through and learn about the history. Plus, the beach at the park is really nice.

Carolina Beach: Aquarium Adventures

At Carolina Beach, we stayed at the Hilton right on the beach, which was perfect for easy beach access. We also drove through Surf City, the adjacent town, but didn't spend much time there.

There's a donut place called Britt's Donuts right by the beach that serves warm donuts – definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area.

The big highlight here was visiting the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. If you're traveling with kids, this is a must-do. It's educational but fun at the same time.

Wilmington: Downtown Charm and Great Food

Wilmington is one of my favorite spots, and we've done it both as day trips and overnight stays. One time we stayed downtown, which was really nice. We've also visited Wrightsville Beach many times for day trips, though it tends to get pretty crowded.

We always head downtown and walk along the boardwalk (riverwalk). The historic district is beautiful, and there are so many good restaurants. Over the years, we've eaten at Elijah's, The Pilot House, and River 128 Restaurant – all delicious. One time, we even took a carriage ride through downtown, which was a fun way to see the historic area.

We also took the ferry to visit the USS North Carolina Battleship, which is a really cool experience if you're into history and military ships.

Southport: Coastal Town Vibes

Southport is a charming little coastal town. We stayed at the Hampton Inn, which is close to the beach. The downtown area is small but really cute – perfect for strolling around, checking out the shops, and grabbing a bite to eat. It's got that laid-back coastal town feel.

Swansboro: Island Ferry Adventure

Swansboro was memorable because we took a ferry to Hammocks Beach State Park. Once you get to the island, it's pretty remote and beautiful – perfect for walking around, enjoying the beach, and just unplugging for a bit.

Final Thoughts

North Carolina's coast has so much variety. Whether you want wild horses, historic sites, family-friendly aquariums, great food, or just quiet beach time, there's a spot for it. We keep coming back because each place offers something different. If you're planning a North Carolina coastal trip, you really can't go wrong with any of these spots.