This East Coast Escape In North Carolina Is Packed With Beaches, Seafood, And Scenic Parks

If you're looking for a vacation on America's East Coast, the thin barrier islands that fringe much of North Carolina's Atlantic shoreline are an ideal place to look. Much of this stretch of the Southeastern seaboard lies within the jurisdiction of Dare County, home to household names like Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, some of North Carolina's most popular tourism destinations. Dare County is practically synonymous with the Outer Banks, as much of the OBX lies within the county's 110 miles of coastline. But not only is it one of North Carolina's biggest tourism draws, Dare County also holds its own among U.S. travel destinations thanks to beaches and parks, trails, fishing, seafood, vacation rentals, nature preserves, and historic sites. It's also the home of the first national seashore in the U.S., all features that make Dare County an ideal family-friendly vacation destination, solo escape, or romantic getaway. 

Dare County starts just south of the northernmost communities of the Outer Banks, in the town of Duck, the newest city in the Outer Banks. It continues south down the coast, encompassing towns and unincorporated communities, to Hatteras Village. One of the best ways to explore Dare County is to take a road trip along historic N.C. 12, a scenic highway that traverses some of the most iconic Outer Banks destinations. Those traveling in from further afield are best serviced by Dare County's closest commercial airports: Virginia's Norfolk International Airport (ORF), about 80 miles north of Duck, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), about 210 miles west of Nags Head. Peak season in Dare County is from mid-June to late August, when the weather is warm for beach days and the average year-round population of 37,000 blooms to 300,000 at its height. Yet off-season can be a great time to travel to Dare County, for fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and wind-based sports.

Dare County's soundside beaches tend to have calmer, warmer waters and boast better sunsets, while its oceanside beaches are typically categorized by bigger waves and winds. One of the most destination-worthy beaches in Dare County is the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where protected sea grass, sand dunes, and wildlife thrive along Hatteras Island. A handful of entrances with small parking areas provide public access. Duck's beaches don't offer public access, but they do provide peaceful, pet-friendly stretches of coastline to visitors staying in Duck's many waterfront vacation rentals. However, the town does offer Duck Town Park, a public, 11-acre area of green space, forest, swamp, and waterfront views overlooking the Currituck Sound. An extensive boardwalk runs to it and along the sound, flanked by shops and restaurants, the perfect spot to catch a sunset or a stroll.

Central Dare County offers more public beach access. Kill Devil Hills boasts wide beaches with numerous access points and public parking, as well as Avalon Pier, popular for fishing. It's also central to numerous restaurants, hotels, and vacation rentals. Here, you'll also find Nags Head Woods, a rare, preserved maritime forest with a short, scenic loop trail. Kitty Hawk's narrower beaches are typically less crowded, with easy access to attractions like the Wright Brothers National Memorial. 

Nearby, Jockeys Ridge State Park in Nags Head is the East Coast's largest natural sand dune, threaded with trails, flanked by soundside wetlands and natural habitats, and home to a small museum and visitor's center, and host to sports from hang gliding to hiking. Nags Head is also home to scenic Jennette's Pier, offering great fishing and even an aquarium for a small entrance fee. Ten miles south of Nags Head lies relaxing Coquina Beach, a secluded Dare County stretch of shimmering shell beach with amenities like bathrooms and showers. 

For more traditional parks with playgrounds and picnic areas, head to Whalebone Park across the street from Jennette's Pier, featuring a nautical-themed playground and ample space for recreation. Dowdy Park is Dare County's destination for basketball and pickleball plus a playground and free Wi-Fi, while Harvey Public Soundside Park offers waterfront picnic tables and grills.

It's practically mandatory to eat seafood when visiting the Outer Banks. Luckily, it's not difficult to find a good place for fresh local catches or a good clam chowder. Notable seafood hotspots in Dare County include Duck's waterfront fine-dining spot. The Blue Point, which serves North Carolina Southern-coastal dishes, and Tortuga's Lie in Nag's Head, a Caribbean-inspired seafood shack-style spot featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." More under-the-radar hidden gems include The Saltbox Café, tucked in a cottage in quiet Colington, and Kitty Hawk's I Got Your Crabs Oyster Bar, serving a plethora of local seafood and clever merchandise.

Dare County was named after Virginia Dare, the first child born to English settlers on the American continent, in 1587. Dare was part of the infamous Roanoke Island Colony, England's first attempted permanent New World settlement that mysteriously disappeared. Today, Roanoke Island is located in Dare County and incorporates its history into its modern lore, embracing its enduring nickname, the Lost Colony. On Roanoke Island sits the quiet, charming community of Manteo, the Dare County seat, home of the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Elizabethan Gardens, and one of the N.C. Aquariums. The Outer Banks Trail Center is also a small park and trailhead for public cycling, with the Manteo Cyclery rental and repair shop located nearby. Manteo also features a number of noteworthy seafood spots, like Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar, known best for fresh and raw seafood, and Darrell's Seafood Restaurant, praised for its fresh fried fish and oysters.