Free Things to Do in the OBX

Things you can do anywhere along the Outer Banks

Watch the sunrise and the sunset! There are many locations on the Outer Banks where you can witness a beautiful sunrise or sunset! Check out our favorites here.

Relax by the beach and soak up all of the sunshine! The Outer Banks has numerous public beach access points, offering free parking for a hassle-free day by the ocean.

Have a seashell hunt! Give points for different types and sizes and see who wins!

On a clear night, take your family and spend some time stargazing identifying the constellations, planets and stars. Check to see if there are any extra special happening going on; such as meteor showers, blood moons, Northern Lights. We recommend Night Sky as a helpful stargazer app!

Explore the 5 Outer Banks Lighthouses! From Corolla to Ocracoke Island, there are five different lighthouses, each distinctly different from the others.

Visit a Farmer’s Market! It’s a great way to spend a sunny morning with your family and supporting local businesses. There’s an OBX farmer’s market nearby, no matter which Outer Banks town you stay in.

Duck

🌳 Duck Town Boardwalk is one of the best spots to catch a sunset. The almost mile long boardwalk features restaurants, shops and attractions throughout the village of Duck. 

☀️ The Town of Duck offers a host of events throughout the summer. From weekly concerts, meeting a rescued Banker horse, to morning yoga classes, check out their schedule here. 

🚲 If you can bring your own bike, Duck is a great place to ride them around on neighborhood roads or on the sidewalk.

Nags Head

🌳 Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve and Jockey’s Ridge

Nags Head offers two unique trails to explore the outdoors at! Jockey’s Ridge State Park offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Albemarle Sound atop the tallest sand dune on the East Coast. Local Tip: bring a boogie-board so that you can ride down the dunes! Or, sign up for a hang gliding lesson with Kitty Hawk Kites! If you’re looking for more adventure, hike through Nags Head Woods, one of the largest maritime forests on the East Coast.

🛝Dowdy Park 

Dowdy Park offers 5 acres of recreation for all ages. With an Amphitheater, basketball court, Bocce Ball Court, a Fitness Trail, a Pickleball Court, playground and restrooms. They also have a Farmer’s Market June-August on each Thursday with local goodies.

🎣 Catch of the day 

Head to a marina, Pirate’s Cove or Oregon Inlet, around 4pm and watch fisherman bring in their fresh catch of the day! You can eat dinner at Blue Water Grill or Sea Chef, and admire the marina views. 

🐟 Jennette’s Pier 

Inside of Jennette’s Pier, there are Roanoke Island Aquarium exhibits that are free. Pay a small fee to walk on the 1,000 foot long pier and enjoy stunning ocean views and see what everyone is catching.