OBX Autumn: Itinerary for the Second Weekend in November

Friday, November 13

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. 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.

9:00 AM - Scenic Drive Through Pea Island! Head south on NC 12 toward Hatteras Island. The drive takes you across the Oregon Inlet Bridge and through Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, where tundra swans, snow geese, and ducks begin arriving for the winter in November. Bring your binoculars!

10:00 AM - Stop By the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station! Make your first stop at the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe to learn about the U.S. Life-Saving Service, the little-known organization that eventually became part of the Coast Guard, and the daring water rescues that changed the course of history. Built in 1874, it's one of North Carolina's seven original life-saving stations. Please note: Chicamacomico is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, which is why we've made it a Friday stop. Admission is good for the entire week.

12:00 PM - Lunch on Hatteras Island! Grab lunch at one of the quaint, locally owned eateries in Avon or Buxton as you make your way down the island.

1:00 PM - Explore the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the British Cemetery! Head to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. Take a look at this memorable structure, which was famously relocated to its current spot in 1999. The lighthouse is closed for climbing throughout 2026 while it undergoes restoration, but the grounds are open and the historic lightkeepers' quarters are on site. Keep an eye out for the ghost cat that lives by the lighthouse!

While you're in Buxton, stop by the Hatteras Island British Cemetery, where you'll find the resting places of two unidentified British sailors who washed ashore in Buxton during the turbulent times of World War II. Their silent presence serves as a testament to the profound impact of history on this remote and cherished stretch of the Outer Banks.

2:30 PM (Optional) - Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum! If you have time, continue south to Hatteras Village and visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which tells the story of the shipwrecks and maritime history off our coast. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Head back north as the sun sets over the Pamlico Sound for one of the prettiest drives on the East Coast.

6:00 PM - Pizza Night! On the way back to your vacation rental, stop by one of the awesome pizza places on the Outer Banks and pick up a pie to take back to your vacation home. Enjoy a relaxing evening of pizza, board games, and your favorite film. Most of our homes offer spacious living areas with lots of room for family movie night. Rest up after your long day and get ready for another day of exploring the best of the Outer Banks!

Saturday, November 14

9:00 AM - Shop Local at a Holiday Market! Get started on that Christmas shopping early! The Town of Nags Head typically kicks off its Dowdy Park Holiday Farmers Markets in mid-November, with homemade goods, handcrafted gifts, and fresh local treats from vendors across the Outer Banks. Check the Town of Nags Head website to confirm this year's dates before you go.

10:30 AM - Wright Brothers National Memorial! Next, make a stop at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Come 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 November!

12:30 PM - Lunch in Kill Devil Hills! There are so many great restaurants in Kill Devil Hills to enjoy a delicious meal. Head over to Mama Kwan's for a fantastic lunch of fresh seafood, or Country Deli for fresh meats and cheeses and a laid-back atmosphere.

2:00 PM - OBXscape Rooms! After lunch, head up to Kitty Hawk for a new family tradition that's sure to have everyone talking! OBXscape Rooms offers escape rooms with multiple themes. From escaping the pyramids to saving the future, your whole family is going to love working together to escape.

4:00 PM - Sunset at Jockey's Ridge! Head south to Jockey's Ridge State Park, where you can run around on the dunes, have some fun in the sand, and watch the sun set over the Roanoke Sound. Before or after, head across the street to Jockey's Ridge Crossing to get some more holiday shopping in!

5:30 PM - Dinner in Nags Head! Grab dinner while you're on this end of the Outer Banks. There are plenty of amazing options in Nags Head, including Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe and Tortuga's Lie. Or head back up to the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills for an amazing selection of beer and seafood, starters, and options for the whole family, including gluten-free and vegetarian choices.

Sunday, November 15

9:00 AM - Honor Veterans Week in Downtown Manteo! Sunday is the final day of Outer Banks Veterans Week, an annual celebration of veterans and their families through the arts, organized by Dare Arts. Start your morning in downtown Manteo with a visit to the Dare County Veterans Memorial on Queen Elizabeth Avenue, then stroll the waterfront and boardwalk. Check the Dare Arts Veterans Week Directory for ceremonies, events, and special offers for veterans and active-duty military from Corolla to Hatteras Village.

12:00 PM - Lunch in Downtown Manteo! Head to one of Manteo's favorite dining spots for a delicious lunch. Whether you're looking for something light on the water or a full seafood feast, you'll find something to satisfy your entire family. Make your way to Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar for something south of the border, or Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop for a French Dip or a Reuben. Striper's Bar & Grille and Lost Colony Tavern are perfect for a traditional sit-down meal, while Darrell's will get you set up with all the Southern fixings.

1:30 PM - Explore the Elizabethan Gardens! Check out the Elizabethan Gardens on the north end of Roanoke Island. Even in the fall, there are plenty of beautiful plants to see as you walk around this gorgeous waterfront garden, and a variety of flowers bloom in November. See what's in bloom, take lots of pictures, and enjoy the fresh air! The Gardens keep shorter hours after the time change, and last tickets are sold one hour before closing, so plan to arrive early in the afternoon. Coming back later in the month? WinterLights opens on November 20, when more than a million lights transform the Gardens on select nights through December 29.

4:30 PM - Seafood Dinner at Home! Pick up some fresh local seafood from a local seafood market (call ahead, since some keep shorter Sunday hours in the off-season) and head back to your cozy vacation rental for a relaxing dinner. Enjoy some time together under the stars and the comfortable, crisp weather of November on the Outer Banks. Check out our stargazing guide to get the most out of the night sky, and consider booking one of our rentals with a warm, bubbly hot tub for even more relaxation!

7:00 PM - Enjoy a Bonfire on the Beach! There are few things better than sitting around a bonfire on the beach on a cool autumn night. Listen to the sounds of the ocean and cook up some s'mores for an unforgettable night of family fun. Rules and permits vary by town, so check our bonfire guide before you light up. For an even more relaxing evening, let Outer Banks Beach Fires do the legwork. When you book a Beach Fire Package, they'll build and tear down your beach fire for the night. All you have to do is show up and enjoy! Be sure to check out their assortment of upgrades, including a S'mores Package, tables, coolers, speakers, and additional tiki torches. As a Seaside Vacations guest, simply mention Club Seaside when you book to get 10% off your Beach Fire Package!

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