18 Best Things To Do In Nags Head, North Carolina

Just off the North Carolina coast, there's a trio of sliver-thin barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. Nags Head is perched on the southern end of the northernmost of the three islands, sandwiched between the towns of Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills to the north, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a 70-mile stretch of protected shoreline, to the south. The tiny beach town, which is home to fewer than 3,000 full-time residents, makes an ideal base camp for Outer Banks visitors, as it's a 10-minute drive from historic Roanoke Island (home to the infamous—and mysterious—"Lost Colony") and the closest of the northern Outer Banks towns to the freewheeling, laid-back Hatteras Island just south.

With its easy access, gorgeous beaches, the largest natural sand dunes on the eastern shore, and kid-friendly attractions, it's no wonder that Nags Head has long been a go-to destination for family beach vacations. The Outer Banks are also one of the more affordable vacation destinations in the South. Many families enjoy visiting during summer vacation, but late spring and early fall are a good time to go for less expensive lodging and fewer crowds.

People first began coming to the barrier island town in 1830, when it was established as North Carolina's first tourist colony by a planter who wanted to get his family away from the malaria that was so prevalent in his home fields. And they've been coming ever since, seeking time in the sun and sand under their toes. Read on to find out what makes Nags Head such a primo vacation destination, from good eats to dreamy beach house rentals, and everything in between.

Outdoor Activities

Sun Bathe On Nags Head Beach

One of the main attractions of the island town is, of course, its nearly 12 miles of sandy shores. With more than 30 public beach access points (12 of which have lifeguards), there's plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy Nags Head's natural beauty. Plus, the beaches are dog-friendly (as long as they're leashed), and stocked coolers are always welcome (just leave the glass at home).

Climb The Dunes At Jockey's Ridge State Park

Home to the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States, Jockey's Ridge State Park offers its visitors a veritable playground that's one of Nags Head regulars' favorite points of interest. Families can build sand castles, fly kites, or climb to the top of the dunes for a stunning sunset show, while thrill-seekers can go sand-boarding or hang gliding (permits from and/or registration with the park office are required).

ncparks.gov, 300 W. Carolista Drive, Nags Head, NC 27959

See The Bodie Island Lighthouse

Climb the 200 steps to the top of this circa-1872 lighthouse on Cape Hatteras National Seashore for a stunning bird's-eye view of tall pines, freshwater marshland, and the Atlantic. You can also take a peek inside the historic keepers' quarters, as they now serve as a ranger office and visitor center.

nps.gov, 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road, Nags Head, NC 27959

Go Horse Back Riding On The Beach

In summer, stop at Outer Banks Horseback Riding and book a family-friendly trip along the sandy shore. Those 6 and older are allowed to ride their gentle steeds solo, and a short lesson is included. A guide leads groups out three afternoons a week, with a professional photographer along in case you want to purchase a snapshot of a memorable moment.

virginiabeachhorseback.com, Bodie Island Light House Road & NC-12, Nags Head, NC 27959

Fish From Jennette's Pier

Anglers won't want to miss a chance to fish from this 1,000-foot-long concrete pier that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. And you don't even have to bring your own rod: Visitors or first-timers can rent rods and buy bait right on the pier. As for what to do when it's raining, a LEED-certified aquarium and education center with interactive science exhibits is fun rain or shine.

www.ncaquariums.com/jennettes-pier, 7223 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, N.C. 27959

Book A Kayak Or Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour

Experience the beauty of Nags Head by water. Book a kayak or paddleboard tour with Outer Banks Kayak Adventures for a morning or moonlight paddle through the marshes of the Roanoke Sound and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The outfitter also offers rentals and will deliver for free to Nags Head if you want to explore the area's waterways on your own.

obxadventure.com, 101 W Airstrip Rd #264, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Snorkel Around A Shipwreck

The USS Huron ran aground 250 yards off the beach in 1877, tragically killing 98 people. There the steamer has remained and become a home for marine life. Snorkelers and divers can check out the wreck (usually marked with buoys in summer), though taking artifacts from this historic site is forbidden.

Bladen Street Beach Access, The Beach Road, MP 11.5, Nags Head, NC 27959

Where To Shop

Admire Art At Seaside Gallery

Seaside Art Gallery is one of the largest private galleries in the Southeast and definitely worth a stop. This family-run gallery opened in 1961, the same year that once-wild Nags Head officially became a town. The gallery exhibits artists from North Carolina and around the world. An Outer Banks-themed painting could be just what you need for your beach house.

seasideart.com, 2716 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Find Something Beautiful

Seagreen Gallery is a favorite spot for finding objects repurposed from antiques, farm tools, barn wood, license plates, antique bottles, and more. If you're looking for an interesting art piece made from a porthole or a clock made from a hubcap, this is the place for you.

seagreengallery.com, 2404 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Make Sand Art

Life on a Sandbar carries fun items like jewelry and nail polish that changes colors in the sun. But it's also the place to make sand art decorated with sea shells and get a hair wrap or temporary tattoo—just what you need to keep your restless kids entertained.

lifeonasandbar.com, Jockeys Ridge Crossing MP 12.5, 3933 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959

Pick Up The Perfect Gift

Gulf Stream Gifts is stocked with beautiful beachy jewelry and home decor. Find the shell-encased photo frame you've been looking for or pick up a coastal-themed picture book for the grandkids.

gulfstreamgifts.com, 2512 S. Virginia Dare Trail, MP 10.5 Beach Road, Nags Head, NC 27959

Where To Eat

Stop In Old Nags Head Café

Family-owned and operated out of a converted old-school grocery, the more than 30-year-old café serves up breakfast and lunch in a casual, wood-paneled dining room that feels just right for family dinner. Plus, it's perched right across the street from historic Cottage Row, so you can check out the Unpainted Aristocracy while you eat.

nagsheadcafe.com, 3948 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Hear Live Music At Blue Moon Beach Grill

"Once in a blue moon, you get to taste life on a sandbar," say the folks at this laidback spot, which serves up a boatload of seafood offerings alongside a long list of cocktails and nostalgic beach décor (think buoy garland and surfboards everywhere). Summertime brings nightly music on the back lawn.

bluemoonbeachgrill.com, 102 E. Dove St., Nags Head, NC 27959

Enjoy Conch Fritters At Tortugas' Lie

Discover a little piece of the Caribbean at this dive-y Nags Head staple, where they dish out everything from conch fritters to sushi. Head out back for a game of beach volleyball while you wait.

tortugaslie.com, MP 11 Beach Road, 3014 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Catch The Sunset At Miller's Waterfront

Miller's Waterfront Restaurant lies on the Roanoke Sound, where you can catch the beautiful sunsets. You can also enjoy today's fresh catch on the extensive seafood menu. The second-story Waterfront Sunset Bar & Grill offers steamers and delicious snacks, tacos, and sandwiches.

millerswaterfront.com, MP 16, 6916 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959

Where To Drink

Fish Heads Bar & Grill

For those seeking out a little nightlife, it's hard to beat this salty spot on the end of the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, which offers live music, a long list of brews, and karaoke on Fridays. And if you're not a night owl, swing by between 4 and 6 p.m. for 20-cent steamed shrimp.

fishheadsobx.com, 8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road, Nags Head, NC 27959

Lucky 12 Tavern

When a place sells its signature drinks in a souvenir cup, you know it's a good time. In addition to floater-topped piña coladas and cocktails made with locally made rums from Outer Banks Distillery, Lucky 12 also offers 20 beers on tap and 90 more in bottles or cans. And they serve pizza until midnight too.

lucky12tavern.com, 3308 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959  

Outer Banks Brewing Station

While it's not technically in Nags Head, this brewpub in neighboring Kill Devil Hills is worth a stop: Their handcrafted beers are made on-site in a wind-powered brewery. Plus, they serve wine and cocktails for those who aren't riding the craft brew train.

obbrewing.com, 600 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Where To Stay

As with most beach towns, Nags Head is an easy place to spend a weeklong vacation, as it feels like a true retreat for rest and relaxation, a dreamy destination for whiling away the hours with no real agenda. However, if you're the type that likes to be on the go constantly, an extended weekend getaway is plenty of time to take in the natural beauty of the island town and check out the major attractions.

For an old-school Nags Head experience, rent an oceanfront cottage along historic Cottage Row, the so-called "Unpainted Aristocracy" of late 19th- and early 20th-century cottages that served as summer escapes for wealthy planters. Whether you're staying for a week or popping in for a long weekend, there are plenty of beautiful places to call home base while you're in Nags Head. Here, we've rounded up the best Nags Head hotels and rentals on the market.

Enjoy The View At Surf Side

At the Surf Side Hotel, all of the rooms are decorated in easygoing nautical style and have a private balcony (some even have two). The hotel grounds include indoor and outdoor pools. If you're looking for space to spread out, the adjacent condos are two stories and have two or three bedrooms, full kitchens, and outdoor grills and showers.

surfsideobx.com, 6701 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Stay At Historic First Colony Inn

Just a block short of being beachfront (the beach is only a four-minute walk away via private access), the circa-1932 First Colony Inn feels like a historic beach house, so you get to enjoy all of that nostalgic charm, plus the delights of staying in a boutique beach hotel, like a pool, beach chairs, and a daily afternoon social with wine and cheese.

firstcolonyinn.com, 6715 South Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959

Take It Easy At Oasis Suites Hotel

While it's not beachfront, there's no shortage of gorgeous water views from this 17-suite boutique hotel, which is surrounded by marsh and the Roanoke Sound. Guests can fish or crab off the hotel's docks or have a picnic on the lawn. The hotel offers a service where they'll stock your suites' fully outfitted kitchens before you arrive.

oasissuites.com, 7721 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959 

Try An Old-School Rental On Cottage Row

There's no shortage of Nags Head beach rentals to choose from, but do yourself a favor and embrace the old-school experience with a vacation rental on historic Cottage Row. These cedar-shingled cottages were built in the 1920s and '30s; with bright, airy interiors, wide porches, and an abundance of rooms (some comfortably sleep 15), they are the perfect place to spend a low-key week with family and friends. Plus, the oceanfront location is impossible to beat.

Sleep Among The Treetops At Treefrog Tower

This loft among the trees is ideal for a pair of outdoors adventurers looking for a more active Nags Head experience. Tucked into the pine forest that borders Jockey's Ridge State Park, this boho stay is a dynamite base camp for those who want to explore hiking trails or try kayaking on the sound that's just 500 feet away.

From exploring Nags Head's gorgeous beaches and waterways to eating fresh seafood on the pier, there's so much to discover in this Outer Banks gem. But don't say we didn't warn you: Visit once, and you'll want to stay forever.