OBX Autumn: Itinerary for the First Weekend in November!

Friday, November 6:

8:00 AM - Breakfast in Your Vacation Rental! Enjoy a calm, quiet breakfast in your beautiful vacation rental before the day's adventures. Many of our vacation rental properties offer multiple refrigerators and/or dishwashers, so breakfast prep and cleanup can be a breeze! Take your cup of coffee out onto the beach or find pleasure in a peaceful morning stroll by the ocean before the fun of the day begins!

10:00 AM - Wright Brothers National Memorial! Start your weekend at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Explore the exhibits and the monument that celebrate the "12 seconds that changed the world." This was the time of year that Orville and Wilbur were preparing their flying machine for flight, so take a walk around the grounds and enjoy the brisk, refreshing winds of the Outer Banks in early November! Keep an eye out on Sunday, too: the marathon course runs right past the memorial.

12:30 PM - Lunch in Kitty Hawk! Head up the road into Kitty Hawk for lunch. The Black Pelican is always a classic, with a wide variety of food options from pizzas to seafood. For an ocean view with your meal, head over to the newly renovated Rundown Cafe on the Beach Road. There's a little bit of something for everyone in Kitty Hawk.

2:30 PM - NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island! After lunch, make your way to Manteo for some unforgettable underwater fun! The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island celebrates the unique geography and diverse ecosystem of the Outer Banks, and 2026 marks a big milestone: the aquarium first opened its doors in 1976 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Spend the afternoon learning about the local ecology, searching for shark teeth, and relaxing in front of the Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit.

Running in the marathon? Friday is a great day to stop by the sports and fitness expo for packet pickup.

5:00 PM - Sunset and Dinner in Manteo! Catch the sunset over Shallowbag Bay from the Manteo waterfront, then grab dinner downtown. Lost Colony Tavern and Ortega'z are both just steps from the action.

6:00 PM - First Friday in Downtown Manteo! Stay downtown for First Friday from 6–8 PM. Stroll the waterfront, pop into the galleries and shops, and enjoy the music and community spirit of one of the Outer Banks' favorite monthly traditions. It's the perfect way to kick off the weekend.

Saturday, November 7:

8:00 AM - Breakfast at Stack 'Em High! Start your day with a yummy breakfast of pancakes, waffles, fruit, or eggs at Stack 'Em High Pancakes & So Forth! With two locations, one in Kitty Hawk and another in Kill Devil Hills, there's no reason not to head out and let someone else handle breakfast. Stack 'Em High is an Outer Banks staple and a great place for singles, couples, and groups. View full menu.

Morning - Cheer On the Marathon Weekend Family Races! Saturday is family day at Outer Banks Marathon Weekend, with the 5K, 8K, and Color Fun Run. Sign up, or grab a coffee and cheer from the sidelines. Check the event page for this year's start times and locations. (Note: strollers and pets aren't allowed on the course.)

12:00 PM - Lunch in Kitty Hawk! Refuel before heading over the bridge. If burgers are your thing, check out Art's Place for a local favorite, or enjoy a sit-down dining experience with a great atmosphere and even better service at Vilai's Thai Kitchen.

1:30 PM - Take a Tour at Buffalo City Distillery! Cross the Wright Memorial Bridge to Point Harbor and stop in for one of the coolest distillery tours this side of Alligator River. Learn about the moonshining history of the Outer Banks in what was once known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, Buffalo City. Learn how the distillery makes its delicious spirits with grains from local farms and enjoy a tasting of their products. Take home your souvenir shot glass for future drinking adventures, and be sure to pick up a bottle or two to take home with you! Their East Lake Whiskey makes a perfect Hot Toddy once the weather starts getting cold.

Seaside Vacations guests can receive a 35% discount on Buffalo City Distillery's Taste of History Tour. To redeem this promotional offer, guests must call the distillery directly and reference this offer as part of Club Seaside. *Please note: During the off-season, tours are offered on Saturdays only and are limited to 12 people per tour. Please call ahead to book your spot and confirm the tour time.

4:15 PM - Sunset at Jockey's Ridge! Head south to Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, home to the tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast. The cool sand makes for an easy climb in November, and the sunset over the Roanoke Sound is one of the best views on the Outer Banks. Before or after, pop across the street to Jockey's Ridge Crossing to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

6:00 PM - Cozy Night In! After a full day, head back to your rental for dinner, a crackling fire pit, or a soak in the hot tub. If you're running tomorrow, it's an early night!

Sunday, November 8:

Marathon Sunday heads-up: The TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon and Southern Fried Half Marathon run Sunday morning from Kitty Hawk to the finish line in downtown Manteo. Expect lane closures on US 158 from Kill Devil Hills south to Whalebone Junction and on US 64 onto Roanoke Island until about midday. If you're not cheering at the finish line, today is the perfect day to head north!

8:00 AM - Breakfast at Home or On The Go! If you're already in your rental, enjoy a quiet morning breakfast in your pajamas. If you'd rather let someone else cook, grab a delicious breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee from Lighthouse Bagels or First Light. And for something unique, try Corolla Breakfast & Lunch Bowls for some tasty breakfast surprises. (Many Corolla spots shift to off-season hours in November, so call ahead.)

10:00 AM - Climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse! Spend the morning in Corolla, and be sure to check out the lighthouse and the museum gift shop! Since 1875, this lighthouse has kept mariners from danger, night and day. The Keepers' Dwelling has housed more than two dozen families as their duties of "Lighthouse Keeper" were carried out. Today, on-site keepers and staff continue the tradition: cleaning the lens, maintaining the structure and grounds, and most importantly, sharing it with you. Climb all 220 steps for a gorgeous view of the Currituck Sound, the Atlantic, and the northern Outer Banks. The lighthouse is open for climbing daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (weather permitting) through November 30. Admission is $13 per person, and climbers must be at least 4 years old.

12:00 PM - Shopping and Lunch! After your climb, head on down to the TimBuck II Shopping Village for lunch and some early holiday shopping. Enjoy pizza from Giant Slice before exploring the wide variety of specialty stores and unique boutiques.

2:30 PM - Stroll the Duck Boardwalk! By now the marathon roads have reopened, so take your time heading south. Stop in the Town of Duck and walk the soundside boardwalk, browse the shops, and watch for herons and egrets along the water. It's a peaceful way to soak up the last afternoon of your weekend.

5:00 PM - One Last Sunset! Wrap up your weekend with a beach walk at sunset and a relaxing dinner at your rental. You've earned it, especially if you ran 26.2 miles this morning!

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