OBX Autumn: Itinerary for the Third Weekend in November

Friday, November 17

8:00 AM - Breakfast at Stack'Em High! Start off a day of sightseeing and exploring the best of the Outer Banks with a yummy breakfast of pancakes, waffles, fruit, or eggs at Stack'Em High Pancakes & So Forth! With 2 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.

10:00 AM - Wright Brothers National Memorial! Since you're already in the area, now is the best time to make a stop at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Come explore the exhibits and the monument to celebrate the "12 seconds that changed the world." This was the time of year that Orville and Wilbur were trying to get their flying machine up in the air, so come take a walk around the grounds and enjoy the brisk, refreshing winds of the Outer Banks in December!

12:00 PM - Lunch in Kill Devil Hills! There are so many great restaurants in Kill Devil Hills to enjoy a delicious meal. Head on over to Mama Kwans for a fantastic lunch of fresh seafood or Country Deli for fresh meats and cheeses and a laid-back atmosphere.

2:00 PM - Afternoon at Jockey's Ridge & Jennette's Pier! As we're making our way down the island, the next stop is Jockey's Ridge State Park where you can run around on the dunes, have some fun in the sand, or head on across the street to Jockey's Ridge Crossing to get some holiday shopping in! If you're more of the fishing type, head on over to Jennette's Pier where you can try your hand at catching dinner for tonight, play some arcade games, or simply enjoy the fresh air and aquarium exhibits.

5:00 PM - Dinner in KDH or Nags Head! While you're out an about, why not go ahead and get dinner in Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head? Head a few miles north to Kill Devil Hills where The Colington Cafe and The Saltbox Cafe await with delicious seafood and amazing seasonal options. (Consider making a reservation ahead of time to ensure you get a table). Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar is also a local's favorite with amazing seafood and welcoming pub atmosphere. And don't forget to grab a sweatshirt from the gift shop on the way out. There are also plenty of amazing options for dinner in Nags Head, including Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe or Tortuga's Lie. 

Saturday, November 18

8:00 AM - Easy Breakfast at a Local Favorite! For a tasty sit-down family breakfast, stop by Henry’s Restaurant at 3396 N. Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills between 7AM and 1PM. Open year-round, Henry’s has a menu selection that will satisfy even the pickiest palate. Try “The Captain” which offers 2 eggs cooked to your preference, grits or home fries, toast or biscuits, and your choice of protein (like country ham, pork chop, ham, sausage, and bacon!) You can also order breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, hot cakes and more! View full menu. Check out other recommended breakfast options here.

10:00 AM - First Flight Holiday Market! Stop by the Wright Brothers National Memorial right next door and then head on over to Aviation Park (just a few steps away) and enjoy some fun, friendly shopping at the First Flight Holiday Market! Explore the goods from more than 60 different vendors, including food trucks and various artisans. Grab some lunch while you’re here and pick up those last-minute Christmas presents for the people you love.

12:00 PM - Lunch in Nags Head or Hatteras Island! For lunch, grab something quick on Nags Head as you make your way down to Hatteras Island or stop on the island for some delicious fare. Check out our blog on Rodanthe for some suggestions of great eateries, including some delicious seafood or a classic pizza place that's an island staple!

2:00 PM - Explore the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse & Hatteras Village! Take some time out of your day to visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Outer Banks. Tour the grounds, learn more about the lighthouse's move from its spot near the ocean in 1999, and be sure to keep an eye out for the ghost cat as it meanders the grounds looking for the light keeper. The head on over to Hatteras Village where you can get some fishing gear, do some shopping, and grab dinner before driving back to Manteo for the Winterlights!

7:00 PM - Winterlights at Elizabethan Gardens! The Annual Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens is the biggest light display on the Outer Banks! Kids and adults of all ages will love wandering through this enchanted winter wonderland of dazzling lights and holiday decorations. Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for ages 6-17, and $8 for children 2 to 5. Infants under 2 get in free!  Dogs can come, too, for $6. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. The final tickets of the night are sold at 8:15 PM and since this display is outside, it is subject to weather cancellations. Even if you’ve been in the past, this is a display that you should see year after year! Click here for more information.

Sunday, November 19

8:00 AM - Breakfast in your Vacation Rental! Enjoy a calm, quiet breakfast in your beautiful vacation rental before heading down to Manteo. 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 - Visit the Wall That Heals! Take some time this morning for something a little more solemn, a visit to The Wall that Heals. A traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that tours the country—The Wall That Heals will be on display in Dare County from November 16, 2023 through November 19, 2023 at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. This is a free exhibit hosted by the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council.

2:00 PM - Harvest Fest at Trio Restaurant & Market! Head to OBX Trio where they will be hosting Harvest Fest in the upstairs mezzanine. They will have will have tasting stations set up in our mezzanine where you will have the chance to try an inspired selection of wines, bubbly, craft beers, cheeses and gourmet items that fit perfectly into holiday meals and entertaining

5:00 PM - Dinner in Manteo! There are plenty of delicious places to stop by for dinner in and around Manteo! Check out The Hungry Pelican for delicious sandwiches to satisfy everyone's cravings or Bluewater Grill and Raw Bar for fresh, local seafood, wonderful drinks, and an amazing atmosphere. Other options are Stripers Bar and Grille, Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar, and Darrell's.

7:00 PM - Songs from the Road Band at the Pioneer Theater! Spend some time in the historic Pioneer Theater listening to this North Carolina born and bred, award-winning bluegrass group. Songs from the Road Band is an Asheville, North Carolina based bluegrass supergroup featuring Mark Schimick (mandolin), Charles Humphrey, III (bass), Same Wharton (guitar), James Schlender (fiddle), and Gabe Epstein (banjo). The band takes flight with virtuosic picking, singing, and grammy award winning songwriting. Several of their most recent singles have gone to the top of the Bluegrass Today Grassicana chart. They have 6 studio albums available at all music outlets.