The Outer Banks, a 200 mile long collection of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, filled with both beauty and history. It was here in 1903 that the Wright brothers took their first flight. The event that changed transportation forever happened at Kill Devil Hills. The Wright Brothers National Monument commemorates the event and there is an airfield nearby called the First Flight Airport. Other historic areas of note include Roanoke Island, where the first person of English descent was born on American soil, and also where the Roanoke Colony vanished without a trace in 1587. A popular outdoor drama is performed to commemorate the event.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, named after the nickname given to the often dangerous waters off the Outer banks, contains information about many shipwrecks that have happened there along with general maritime history.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores. Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers campgrounds, over 70 miles of beaches, and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, while Cape Lookout offers two historic villages, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and Shackleford’s wild horses. The Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is located near the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The refuge offers a safe haven for migratory birds, waterfowl, sea turtles, red wolves, alligators, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, manatees, woodpeckers, and other endangered and threatened species. Overall there are over 365 bird species, 25 mammal species and 24 reptile species living in the refuge, which spans over 790 acres and has over 2 million visitors a year.

The Outer Banks also offers a wide variety of water, land, and sport activities including hang gliding, scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing, kite surfing, sailing, crabbing, kayaking, canoeing, parasailing, horseback riding, bird watching and more. The area also offers 3 18-hole championship golf courses.

Since it is a popular tourist destination, there is no shortage of hotels in the Outer Banks. Accommodations include Days Inn (rates start at $168 per night), Travelodge (rates start at $109 per night), Holiday Inn Express (rates start at $152 per night), Best Western (rates start at $156 per night), Hilton Garden Inn, (rates start at $245 per night), Comfort Inn (rates start at $176 per night), and the Ramada (rates start at $149 per night).