Summer + road trip + beach = perfection. It's as simple as that. According to that math, that makes the Outer Banks Scenic Byway down the North Carolina Coast the ultimate summer road trip. You could just hop in the car and head for the shore on a whim, or you could do a little advance planning to dig up some of the hidden gems and awesome things to see and do along the way. Learn about the incredible (and totally unexpected) history and culture of the Outer Banks, get inspired, and start preparing for the trip of a lifetime!
6845 Major Dr, Cumming, Georgia United States
Georgetown, South Carolina, United States
4027 Petersburg Rd, Appling, Georgia 30802-3325 USA
You may be on a road trip, but stop off and pay tribute to the very first controlled, powered and sustained flight in the world's first airplane. The Wright Brothers, who owned a bicycle shop in Ohio, came to Kill Devil Hills on the North Carolina coast to test their flying machine. The Kill Devil Hills provided the steady winds and wide open space that was required to test the machine, and in December of 1903, the brothers made their first flights, eventually flying 852 feet down the beach. Flight advanced rapidly from that first test, and by the 1930s, the Wright brothers had their own monument built atop a hill near where they flew. There's a visitor center with a little museum that provides background on the science and history of flight that's worth checking out as well.
John's Drive-In is a lunch joint that's as classic as they come. Serving up burgers, chili dogs, fries, and onion rings, along with shrimp, crab, and other beach staples, the atmosphere is totally old-school: you won't find any frills here, just solid American fare and a great atmosphere. You can also stop by for a milkshake, sundae, or float if you're looking for a quick snack.
Tip: If you bring your dog, they'll serve them a "puppy cup" of vanilla ice cream. Aww!
You can't visit the beach without climbing at least one lighthouse, and you won't find a more quintessential one than the Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head. It stands 165 feet tall and is painted in a classic black-and-white stripe pattern, which makes it incredibly photogenic from afar. It's one of the few tall brick tower lighthouses left, having been built in 1872, and it still has its original first-order Fresnel lens. You can climb the 214 stairs that spiral to the top for a panoramic view of the coast, and the old lightkeeper's cabin is now a visitor center that has lots of information about the history of the lighthouse and the Outer Banks.
Tip: Locals pronounce it "Body", rather than "Bow-dee"!
Take advantage of North Carolina's cuisine and enjoy some down-home Southern comfort food at Grits Grill. This classic little diner serves up breakfast and lunch staples that are just as delicious as they are decadent. Fill up on gourmet grits, seafood omelets, scrapple (a North Carolina favorite), sausage gravy, and more at the counter or in a booth. The friendly service will make you feel right at home!
A trip to the shore can be jam-packed with fun activities and beachside camping, or a laid-back cruise from beach to beach... or something in between. Either way, the Outer Banks has fun for every kind of vacationer, and a little research can go a long way in crafting an itinerary that's perfect, down to the last stop. Plus, planning is the best way to get excited and inspired for a summer trip that's still a few months off!