Outer Banks Towns

Where to stay, eat, and base your trip along the Outer Banks

Outer Banks Beach Towns

The northern Outer Banks beach towns run in a nearly continuous strip: Kitty Hawk (northernmost of the three, quieter), Kill Devil Hills (the historic site of the Wright brothers' first flight, with the area's densest concentration of shops and restaurants), and Nags Head (home to Jockey's Ridge State Park and the Nags Head fishing pier). Further south, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are quieter, more remote, and reachable only via a longer drive and, for Ocracoke, a ferry.

3 listings found

Beach TownKitty Hawk

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

The first town south of the Wright Memorial Bridge, and the quietest of the three core beach towns.

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Beach TownNags Head

Nags Head, North Carolina

The Outer Banks' original resort town, home to the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast.

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Outer Banks Towns FAQ

What's the difference between Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head?

They form a nearly continuous strip on the northern Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk is the quietest and northernmost; Kill Devil Hills has the densest concentration of shops and restaurants and is the historic site of the Wright brothers' first flight; Nags Head is home to Jockey's Ridge State Park and the fishing pier.

How do I get to Ocracoke Island?

By ferry — Ocracoke is not connected by bridge and is reached via a North Carolina Department of Transportation ferry, either from Hatteras Island (free, shorter route) or from the mainland (Cedar Island or Swan Quarter, longer routes).