Short on time but still want to experience the best of the Outer Banks? This 3-day Outer Banks itinerary is designed for weekend trips and short stays, combining iconic landmarks, coastal wildlife, historic towns, and local dining. Arrive Thursday evening, wake up Friday refreshed, and enjoy three unforgettable days exploring the OBX from south to north.
3-Day Outer Banks Itinerary
Day 1: Hatteras Island & Manteo
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
- Lunch in Downtown Manteo
- Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Day 2: Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
- Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Outer Banks Fishing Pier
- Dinner at Fishheads
Day 3: Corolla & Duck
- Historic Corolla & Currituck Beach Lighthouse
- Corolla Wild Horse Tour
- Explore Duck
Day 1: Hatteras Island & Manteo
Morning: Sunrise & Coffee at Your Rental
Start your day with coffee and breakfast at your Outer Banks vacation rental. Watch the sunrise over the Atlantic or enjoy the sound of the waves as the island comes to life.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
If you're looking for a more remote, untouched beach experience, you will love starting your day at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This section of the coastline is America's first nationally designated shoreline and is the perfect place to splash in the early morning waves, go beachcombing after a storm, or simply enjoy the relaxing sights and sounds of the ocean. No trip to the Outer Banks is complete with a stop by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Take a look at the Bodie Island Lighthouse or the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse while you're down here!
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
And when you're done with the beach, why not drive on over to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island for an exciting morning of wildlife exploration? Spend some time outside looking at the sound or embracing your inner child in the Fossil Pit. Head inside when you’re ready and read about the cultural history of the Outer Banks as connected to wildlife and the wetlands before visiting the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center and watch a video about the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Have some fun at the Touch Tank and explore the unbelievable history of the U.S.S. Monitor before taking a breather and relaxing in front of the massive tank with sharks and other fish.
Lunch in Downtown Manteo
Enjoy a quiet lunch in downtown Manteo at one of the wonderful restaurants. Stop by Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop or the Lost Colony Tavern for a delicious taste of fresh, local seafood and some wonderful Outer Banks favorites like The Virginia Dare Burger or the English Breakfast Burger!
Shopping
Spend the afternoon exploring the Manteo Waterfront! Stop by one of the shops or make your way over to the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse where you can explore the beautiful wetlands and marshes. Enjoy the fresh air on the waterfront and enjoy a relaxing stroll while you take in the bustling downtown!
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Add some mystery to your short-stay vacation with a trip to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Come walk in the footsteps of the Indigenous Americans who lived here before and the English settlers who attempted (several times) to colonize the area. Enjoy multiple walking trails through historic locations with placards full of information to bring what you're seeing into context. Be sure to find the monument dedicated to the Freedman's Colony that was located here, as well, and commemorate this relatively unknown stop on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom! Check out the Visitor's Center for fun educational activities and lots of games and exhibits that the kids will love. Take a picture of the historic Waterside Theatre, and if you're here during the summer, stay for a showing of The Lost Colony!
Dinner of Choice
Enjoy dinner at one of the great local restaurants in Manteo or Nags Head on the way back to your vacation rental! There are plenty of amazing seafood options to choose from. Then get rested up for another day of adventures tomorrow!
Day 2: Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Breakfast
Let yourself sleep in a little bit this morning or head out to one of our local restaurants and enjoy a delicious breakfast at an OBX local favorite like Lighthouse Bagels or Sam & Omie's.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Whether this is your first time to the Outer Banks or your 50th, you've got to make sure you get to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Come celebrate more than a century of flight with several miles of walking trails and brilliant views of the surrounding area. Take a tour of several carefully curated exhibits and experience first-hand the winds that helped propel the Wright Brothers into history!
Hang Gliding at Jockey's Ridge State Park - When you're ready for an adventure, make your way down to Jockey's Ridge State Park! Explore the hiking trails in the dunes and near the soundside where you'll be able to see many different types of birds, reptiles, and amphibians and if you're lucky, maybe even a deer or a fox. Book a hang gliding lesson with Kitty Hawk Kites for the experience of a lifetime soaring over the dunes. Bring a picnic lunch with you to the park and enjoy a relaxing mid-day meal of sunshine and the sounds of wildlife around you!
Let's Go Fishing
Spend the afternoon at the Outer Banks Fishing Pier where you can enjoy some license-free fishing from the pier as well as a fully-stocked tackle shop for all your fishing needs! Experience the thrill of being an Outer Banker and see what you can catch. This historic pier has been an important part of fishing on the Outer Banks for over 50 years!
Dinner at the Pier
And when you're ready for dinner, you don't even have to leave the pier! Head on over to Fishheads Bar & Grill! Enjoy locally-sourced seafood and a wide selection of craft beers while you enjoy a delicious dinner and fun afternoon of music with a view of the water.
Day 3: Corolla & Duck
Morning Checkout & Farewell Sunrise
Time to enjoy the last morning of oceanside sunrises and coffee with a side of ocean breezes! Check-out time is 10:00 AM (unless you purchased late check-out), so be sure to look around and make sure you aren’t forgetting anything. Finish up the pre-departure checklist and get ready to head out. But don’t fret! There’s still plenty of time in the day to enjoy a few last-minute animal adventures before heading back home!
Historic Corolla & Currituck Lighthouse
Enjoy an early morning excursion in Corolla in Historic Corolla Park! Visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, a gorgeous brick structure unlike anything else you've seen before. Walk around the Whalehead Club for a bit and take in the beauty of the sound while enjoying the exquisite architecture of the Whalehead Club itself. If you've got time, take a tour and immerse yourself in what life would have been like in the 1920s!
Corolla Wild Horse Tour
While you’re here, head a few miles north and be sure to get a glimpse of the famous Corolla Wild Horses by taking a Corolla Wild Horse Tour! These tours run about 2 hours and give you the opportunity to explore the 4x4 in an open-air jeep. Listen to the sound of the ocean waves and search for the descendants of the Spanish Mustangs that call these wild beaches home!
Explore Duck
Grab some lunch at one of the fantastic restaurants in Corolla or Duck before heading home. Enjoy that last little bit of fresh, local seafood at Uncle Ike’s Sandbar & Grill in Corolla or the Red Sky Cafe in Duck! Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon strolling the Duck Town Park & Boardwalk where you'll find plenty of things to do to keep everyone in the family entertained. Stay through the evening for an amazing sunset on the sound and relish in the beauty of the Outer Banks before heading back home!
Plan Your Next Outer Banks Getaway
A short stay is all it takes to fall in love with the Outer Banks. Whether you’re planning a weekend retreat, off-season escape, or extended vacation, explore our available rentals and start planning your next beach getaway today.
Book your stay today in one of our cozy vacation rentals and explore all the best and brightest that the Outer Banks has to offer. Give our wonderful Guest Services Team a call today at (866) 884-0267 or take a look at our available rentals to get started planning your next unforgettable adventure to the Outer Banks. There so much to do and see. With amazing food and drinks, exciting excursions, and plenty of sand for everyone to relax, there's something for everyone here on the Outer Banks.
And don't forget about our layaway plan, which makes booking your dream vacation easier than ever. So don't wait. We're booking Outer Banks vacation rentals year round and we're excited to help you create memories to last a lifetime. We're here to help make your OBX vacation fun, exciting, and hassle-free. Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments.
FIND THE PERFECT VACATION HOME BY CATEGORY:
- Dog-Friendly Rentals
- Oceanfront Rentals
- Rentals with a Private Pool
- New to Seaside
- Group Travel and Event Homes
- Any Day Stays
Or by City:
Explore our website and give us a call to help kick-start your unforgettable Outer Banks vacation today. Be sure to follow us on BlueSky, Tumblr, Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok to stay up to date on all of our specials, new & featured homes, and tips & tricks for making the most of your next Outer Banks vacation.
We’ll see you at the beach.
About the Author: Lauren is an Outer Banks local, mom, history professor, and travel enthusiast. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with her nose in a book or cuddling with her cats.
