A Girl Time Escape to the Outer Banks
Local Flavors
There is an abundance of colorful — and flavorful — restaurants to try along with specialty shops throughout the Outer Banks region. Fresh fish, of course, is famous along the coast, but make sure you explore and find your own favorite island coffee shops, bakeries, and eateries. Whatever your style and tastes, you will be sure to find something to satisfy your cravings for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time.
Shopping
You can't have girl time without lots of shopping opportunities. The Outer Banks boasts wine and spice shops, outlet and antique malls, bookshops, and gift boutiques of all varieties. Our local stores offer plenty of opportunities to find something unique for yourself and everyone on your shopping list.
Iconic History
If you enjoy learning about colorful local history, the Outer Banks will make your head swim with facts and trivia. For instance, did you know that the first English child born in the New World was Virginia Dare, on August 18, 1857? She was also one of the many people who mysteriously vanished with the rest of the lost colony of Roanoke. Check out other historical landmarks, museums and battle reenactments from the Revolutionary War and Civil War while you're here. And remember to stop by the gift shops and bring home your own piece of history.
Dose of Drama
Make plans to visit Roanoke Island, where you can see the popular Lost Colony production at the Waterside Theatre. This two-hour outdoor drama boasts a cast and crew of more than 200. Watch a brilliant reenactment of the still-unsolved disappearance of the 115 men, women, and children who came to the island in 1587 to start a colony. Backstage tours are available to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the cast of characters.
Local Lighthouses
No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without a visit to one or more of the beautiful lighthouses that dot the shoreline. Bodie Island Lighthouse is open for visitors to climb to the top, as is Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in North America. Here are our suggestions for a self-guided lighthouse tour.
Beautiful Beaches
It just wouldn't be an Outer Banks vacation without plenty of time lounging on the sunny shores of our miles of coastline. White sands and blue seas stretch down the east coast of the island, but there are more than 100 miles of beautiful beaches to choose from.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Lovers of natural beauty will enjoy the Elizabethan Gardens beside Waterside Theatre on Roanoke. The 10.5-acre public garden is a subsidiary of the Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc. The gardens contain more than 500 plant species, including camellias, historic herbs, lilies, and a wide variety of native species. The gardens change with the season, but you can always see the rose sent by Queen Elizabeth II from the royal rose garden in 1976 as well as the ancient live oak from 1585 when the colonists set foot on the Outer Banks for the first time.
Watersports
The adrenaline junkies in your group will be drawn to try their hand at riding the waves on a surfboard or jet ski. Kill Devil Hills was rated No. 6 on the list of "Best Surf Towns in the U.S." by Surfer magazine, and you can find one of CNN Travel's "World's 50 Best Surf Spots" at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse beach. Gently rolling waves and bright blue horizons beckon kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders to explore the waters of the Outer Banks. Or you could just relax on the beach and watch all the action on the waves.
Pack Your Bags!
Whether you plan a memorable girls' week, a female family reunion, or simply gather the women and sneak away from the fellas for a while, you'll love spending time in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!
