30+ Best Things to Do in Nags Head & The Outer Banks

Curious about the best things to do in Nags Head NC or even the best things to do in the Outer Banks? This quintessential beach town is one of the most popular Outer Banks communities because it's filled with lots of fun things to do including gorgeous beaches, fun family activities, quirky attractions, and lots of ways to enjoy the water. Here you'll find all the top Nags Head attractions plus some of the activities you can't miss in the Outer Banks.

Planning a trip? Also, read my Top 20 Moments from our Nags Head and Outer Banks Vacation Highlights.

Top Things to Do in Nags Head NC

Look no further for the top things to do in Nags Head NC and the Outer Banks. Located south of Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head is beloved by generations of vacationers and visitors. Nags Head is just one town in the Outer Bank (OBX) which is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland along the North Carolina coast. This fun Outer Banks community is one of the most recognizable in the Outer Banks and has everything you'd want in a beach town, from gorgeous beaches, fascinating sand dunes, fun donut shops, mini golf, fishing access, lighthouses, shopping including an outlet mall, excellent seafood restaurants, hang gliding and even a great historical sight - The Wright Brothers National Memorial. This guide covers the area just around Nags Head plus touches on all of the top things to do in the Outer Banks including seeing wild horses on the beach, Ocracoke Island, and visiting the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Nags Head is an easy and popular place to stay on the outer banks because it has easy access to the mainland by bridge, plenty of amenities, restaurants, and even some fun and quirky attractions. Parts of the Outer Banks can get a bit remote and even tricky to travel to, so this is a great place to stay if you like to do a few more things on your vacation than go to the beach and cook at home. There are lots of large beach houses and rentals, so it's a great place for a family-friendly vacation.

My family recently stayed in Nags Head for a week and enjoyed exploring the town. Make sure to read my Top 20 Favorite Moments from Nags Head and the Outer Banks to see a glimpse into what a family vacation looks like on the Outer Banks. We also visited a few years ago, and you can see that trip with my Outer Banks Highlights.

30+ Top Things to Do in Nags Head NC

Relax on the Nags Head Beaches

Nags Head has 12 miles of coastline and pristine seashore with over 30 public access points. The sand is golden and soft and the beaches push into gorgeous tall sand dunes. They even have frequent lifeguard stands during summer. The Atlantic coastline and outer banks beaches are gorgeous and a perfect spot for families to hang out and play.

Whether you want to relax on the beach with a drink, play in the sand, or play in the waves, the beaches have something for everyone. You can even find some seashells on the coast. Plus, dolphins are frequently spotted just off the coastline.

This is the perfect and most popular thing to do in Nags Head by far!

Pro Tip: The waves on these beaches can be a little more intense than beaches to the south, so make sure your kids wear life vests if they aren't great swimmers yet.

Surf, Boogie Board, or Body Surf

Due to a more active wave off the coast, Nags Head and the Outer Banks can be great places to surf, boogie board, or body surf. My entire family, including my 4-year-old twins, got in on the boogie-boarding action during our trip and it was such a fun addition to the beach trip. The waves roll in just right for boogie boarding.

You can also learn to surf here with surf lessons or rent or bring your own surfboard. Try Farm Dog Surf School for a fabulous Outer Banks experience.

Jennette's Pier

Jennette's Pier is another great addition to the best things to do in Nags Head NC. There are several fishing piers in the area, but Jennettes' Pier is the newest, most modern, and has a family-friendly atmosphere. The pier is known for having bountiful fish and extends 1000 feet out in the ocean. You can walk the pier, fish, or take the kids to enjoy some fun indoor and outdoor educational exhibits on fishing maps and weather.

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Jockey's Ridge State Park is on the top of the list of best things to do in Nags Head and the Outer Banks AND is one of the most visited state parks in North Carolina. The 427-acre park is home to the tallest sand dune system on the East Coast and also happens to be an amazing place to hang glide.

The sand dune is fascinating to explore and the park offers picnic spots, sandboarding, kite surfing lessons and hang gliding.

There is a boardwalk over the early parts of the dune if you just want to see it easily without climbing over the huge dunes. It's also a great place to watch the sunset.

Hang gliding School

One of the most popular things to do in Nags Head is learn how to hang glide. Due to the steady winds and soft sand, Jockey's Ridge is actually one of the best places to learn to hang glide and Nags Head is home to the largest hang gliding school in the world, Kitty Hawk Kites.

They say that almost anyone with a desire to fly can learn, so this really is a magical experience to have while at the beach. The beginner lessons are taught nearly daily in the summer

Fly a Kite

If hang gliding is a little too adventurous for you, you can still enjoy the beach breezes by flying a kite. Whether you do it at Jockey's Ridge, or at the beach, flying a kite is a classic Outer Banks and Nags Head NC experience.

Kitty Hawk Kites has the coolest kite store you will ever see or pick up these easy-to-fly ones before you go.

Watch Sunrise & Sunset

Watching the sunrise AND sunset is another one at the top of the list of things to do in Nags Head and the Outer Banks. Due to the narrow island landscape, Nags Head is one of those special places where sunrises AND sunsets are pretty magical. You can watch a sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and then look out over the sound for a gorgeous sunset.

Some parts of the island are so narrow, you can easily see both from your beach house. We got these views just from our front and back deck!

Putt Putt Golf

Putt Putt golfing is another top thing to do in Nags Head NC and the Outer Banks and there are several courses located right in Nags Head.

Mutiny Bay is a pirate-themed course, with an 18-hole putt, pirate ship, and ponds.

Jurassic Putt has an adorable retro dinosaur theme with huge prehistoric animals like this one. Both are fabulous, fun family activities for any beach trip.

Parasail

Looking for some adventure? Add Parasiaing to your list of best things to do in Nags Head. The sails take passengers from 600-1200 feet in the air, for an unforgettable adventure. It's a great way to experience flying in the Outer Banks without a lot of training.

Nags Head Parasialing

Nags Head Dolphin Tours

If you didn't get a close enough glace of dolphins from the beach, take a dolphin tour! Dolphin tours are also at the top of the list of things to do in Nags Head NC. The popular group tours visit the Roanoke Sound and the trip lasts about 2 hours.

Dolphin Tour Companies

Playgrounds

There are several fun playgrounds around Nags Head, but a favorite is Whalebone Park, with a nautical-themed playground, shaded picnic area, bocce courts, and volleyball courts. This park is another one of the top of best things to do in Nags Head, especially if you have kids.

There's also another small pirate ship-themed playground near the parking lot of The Farmer's Daughter surf shop.

Shopping

Add shopping to the list of best things to do in Nags Head. This small strip of beach is home to all sorts of charming surf shops plus an entire outlet mall - Outlets Nags Head- with a great variety of shops. There are also lots of fun local shops to support including surf shops and gift shops.

For art, consider stopping at the Seaside Art Gallery with 12 rooms of art, it's the oldest art gallery in the Outer Banks.

Get Ice Cream

Getting ice cream is another must-add to the list of top things to do in Nags Head NC. Is it even a beach trip without an ice cream stop? It's such a fun bonding activity for all different kinds of families.

Booty Treats Ice Cream & Shave Ice is one of the most popular places to get ice cream in Nags Head, but you might have to wait.

Other great shops are Coastal Creamery and Cookies and Cream.

Get Steam Pots

Another classic Nags Head activity is getting steam pots. The Outer Banks are known for selling huge "pots" of seafood to steam and take home with you for dinner. Nags Head has a few great options for these, and we loved Austin Seafood Company.

If you have a large family that loves seafood, add this to your list of top things to do in Nags Head.

Dine at Dives

I'm sharing an entire post with specific restaurants to try in Nags Head soon, but I have to add that dining at Dives is one of the top Nags Head things to do. The island has nicer restaurants, but it's also home to some really cool dive spots that are such an EXPERIENCE.

One spot to try is oceanfront dining at Fish Heads, which is literally on Nags Head Fishing Pier over the ocean. Such a cool place to eat! It's a total dive and so fun.

The other great spot to try for an amazing dive experience is Tortugua's Lie, which was actually featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. They have fun games for the kids to play out back while you wait for a table as well.

Get Duck Donuts

Another fabulous one to add to your list of top things to do in Nags Head is eat at Duck Donuts. This restaurant chain is an Outer Banks institution and makes fresh donuts right in front of you and lets you pick your favorite toppings. They are so good!

Other Top Things to Do in Nags Head NC

Fishing Charter - Add taking a fishing charter to your list of top things to do in Nags Head NC. The waters around Nags Head are known for being great for fishing and it's popular to take a boat out to try your luck.
Sailing - The constant breeze makes Nags Head and the Outer Banks a great place to sail. There are sailing charters available.
Paddle Boarding - Rent paddle boards and go exploring either in the ocean or on the sound.
First Flight Adventure Park - A huge ropes course with 50 obstacles and 14 zip lines. This is a physically demanding but fun activity for adventure seekers in Nags Head.
Farmer's Market - A Farmer's Market is held weekly at Dowdy Park. It's Thursdays from 9-1. Dowdy Park also hosts free yoga and other fun community events.
Outer Banks Fishing Pier - Another popular spot for fishing enthusiasts that is 600 feet long. It's also home to Fish Heads Bar.
Go Kart Racing - Full Throttle Speedway is where to go for go-karts and racing in Nags Head.
Nags Head Woods Preserve - A nature trail that's great for a break from the beach. It's one of the largest remaining maritime woods.

Top Things to Do in Outer Banks

If you are willing to travel out of Nags Head, there are so many other top things to do in the Outer Banks on your vacation. Visiting the lighthouses, The Wright Brother's Memorial, and seeing wild horses is a must for any Nags Head or Outer Banks trip. Plus, here are some other favorite Outer Banks attractions.

Visit the Lighthouses

The Outer Banks is famous for the lighthouse, making visiting them a top thing to do in the Outer Banks. There are 6 lighthouses in the Outer Banks including the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Lighthouse. There is also a lighthouse on Cape Lookout National Seashore called the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. You can climb four of the six lighthouses, Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest Outer Banks lighthouse and the tallest brick lighthouse in the US, making it a cool spot to visit but it is a bit of a drive from Nags Head. Here's where you buy tickets and plan your visit.

Some of the lighthouses are more complicated to travel to, but the closest and easiest one to visit while staying in Nags Head is the Bodie Island Lighthouse.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse is special because it's one you can climb. It's 200 steps, which is the equivalent of a 10-story building. You must make a day of reservation to climb it though and there are some age and weight restrictions.

The view from the top is gorgeous and totally worth the time and effort.

There is also a pretty boardwalk short hike with trails to the marshes in the area, which is great for kids. Visiting a lighthouse is such a quintessential Outer Banks and Nags Head experience, and this is the easiest way to do it.

See Wild Beach Horses

Another quintessential Outer Banks and Nags Head thing to do is see wild horses on the beach. The horses are near Corolla and Currituck Outer Banks, which is fairly remote and hard to get to because you need a 4x4 vehicle to drive on the sandy beaches. You can go exploring on your own, if you have one, or take a tour from Nags Head or other Outer Banks communities to see them. They know where to find them and have big 4x4 vehicles that will not get stuck in the sand.

You can also go all the way to Hatteras Island where you can go horseback riding on the beach.

North Carolina Aquarium

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is very near Manteo and is a wonderful place to take the kids to learn more about the ocean or get a break from the beach and water. One of the highlights is a sea turtle rehabilitation center with information about sea turtles and a stingray petting tank.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Visiting the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the top things to do in the Outer Banks and things to do in Nags Head. This 70-mile stretch of seashore along the Outer Banks stretches from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island and is home to the country's first national seashore.

You can drive along Highway 12 and see all sorts of gorgeous, natural beaches with public pull-offs and access points. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse this drive is a truly unique experience for the Outer Banks.

Wright Brother's National Memorial

Visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial is another one on the top of most list of things to do in the Outer Banks. It's in Kill Devil Hills. This fascinating memorial and museum walks you through how the Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur Wright) successfully flew for the first time with their newly designed airplanes.

The exhibit is located right where they successfully piloted the first four flights and the museum takes you through the entire process they went to get to that point. If you like history or flying, at all, this is a must-visit spot in the Outer Banks.

Visit Ocracoke Island

Another wonderful thing to do in the Outer Banks or thing to do in Nags Head is take the trip to the utterly charming Ocracoke Island. It's a small island that's only 16 miles long and you have to either take a private plane or ferry to get to it. It's naturally beautiful and has charming local shops and restaurants. Visit beaches, eat seafood, or visit local shops to make a perfect day trip.

Since you have to take a ferry to get there, it does require a bit of planning though. Check ferry information and times before you go.

Lost Colony

The Lost Colony at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is an outdoor drama telling the story of the colony that disappeared that would have been the first in America. Between 1584 and 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I made three attempts at settlement in what is present-day Manteo, only for the colony to disappear while its governor was gone to England. There are pretty costumes and a pretty outdoor setting. It's a great way to learn a lesser-known story of American history. The show runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path thing to add to your list of things to do in the Outer Banks while visiting Nags Head? Try visiting the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge with a huge collection of wildlife including alligators, bears, deer, red wolves, and otters. The refuge is 152,000 acres and you can explore by foot, bike, or kayak.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

This free museum- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, near Hatteras, tells the story of the many shipwrecks that occurred off the coast of the Outer Banks in the past 500 years including the notable sinking of the USS Monitor during the Civil War.

Nags Head FAQ

What is Nags Head NC known for?

Nags Heads is known for being one of the more developed towns to visit in the Outer Banks. It's a great combination of natural beaches, plus still having things to do for family vacations. It's also known for being home to Jockey's Ridge State Park which is home to the largest sand dunes on the Eastern shores.

Is Nags Head a nice beach?

Yes! Nags Head is a gorgeous, more natural beach lined with beach houses and large sand dunes. The sand is golden, soft, and easy to play in. The water is clear and goes from being calm to having great surfing waves.

Is Nags Head NC worth visiting?

Yes, Nags Head is a great home base for visiting and exploring the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks are worth visiting to see the gorgeous beaches, protected seashore, lighthouses, Wright Brother's Memorial, Jockey's Ridge Sand Dunes, and the Corolla wild horses on the beach. It's an interesting combination of a beach town, history, nature, and state parks.

Nags Head and the Outer Banks are a Fabulous Vacation Destination

There are so many things to do in Nags Head NC and the Outer Banks! This barrier island community makes a great family vacation destination due to its fun island vibe, huge beach houses for rent, and access to great seafood and fun family activities. Whether you want to shop or explore nature, this spot has something for everyone.

Plus you can't beat the one-of-a-kind experiences like seeing wild horses, climbing lighthouses, seeing huge sand dunes, or even visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

This fascinating thin strip of land has a unique vibe and is worth taking the time to explore! I hope this guide helps you plan your trip. Keep reading below for more information and photos to plan your family trip.

More Nags Head & Outer Banks Travel Information

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