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How Did the Outer Banks Get Its Name?

It's hard to imagine a time where the letters "OBX" didn't plaster every sign, t-shirt and bumper sticker you encountered during your summer vacation but the Outer Banks of North Carolina has not always been known as such to visitors or locals. So how did this barrier island become known as the Outer Banks? And what about the other towns? Kitty Hawk? Nags Head? Where did these names come from? Keep reading for more.

Five rectangle photos of the Outer Banks beaches in the fall Outer Banks Autumn

Swimming in the ocean isn't the only thing great about the Outer Banks! We've got weekend itineraries for November and December to help you get the most out of your Outer Banks autumn & winter stay. This itinerary is for Veterans Day Weekend on the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Slang Banner

Keep reading for a down and dirty explanation of that eccentric Outer Banks dialect, common pronunciations, and Outer Banks slang terms. Read up on the history of the Brogue accent and figure out how OBX natives say "Corolla," and you'll be sounding like a local in no time!

Historic Roanoke Island

Whether you come to the Outer Banks to eat all the seafood you can get your hands on, visit local attractions, or simply get away from it all, part of what makes this place so appealing is that it's made up of several islands that each offer their own appeal and unique history.

About the Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Most people have heard of Cape Hatteras, but what about the Cape Hatteras National Seashore? Keep reading for more about what the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is, how it originated, and what this protected area of the Outer Banks means for your next vacation!

It's hard to believe that it's March already, be here we are! And March is Women's History Month, the month when the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and other government agencies come together to celebrate the role that women have played in American history. And when you've got a place as rich in history as the Outer Banks, you know that there are sure to be countless women who have played an essential role in making the Outer Banks the thriving, beautiful community that it is today. Keep reading as we take the time to honor the important contributions of some amazing women to the history of the Outer Banks and the country!

Keep reading to learn more about the long legacy of Black success on and around the Outer Banks including key historic sites such as The Freedman's Colony, The Pea Island Cookhouse Museum, the Hotel De Afrique on Hatteras Island, and the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School, which recently hosted the one and only Ruby Bridges while she was in town for a book signing of her book I Am Ruby Bridges.

Outer Banks Movies and TV Shows w/red popcorn container

Take a look at our list of some of the major movies and shows that take place on the Outer Banks and get ready for an epic OBX-themed family movie night.

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