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Nags Head is one of the most iconic towns on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, known for its long stretches of sandy beach, rolling dunes, and a rich tradition of seaside vacationing that dates back more than a century.
This laid-back coastal town offers a mix of natural beauty and family-friendly attractions. Highlights include Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the tallest living sand dunes on the East Coast and a popular spot for hang gliding, kite flying, and sunset views. Nags Head also features a historic fishing pier, scenic bike paths, and easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound for water-based adventures like kayaking, paddleboarding, and surf fishing.
Vacationing in Nags Head
Nags Head is filled with vacation rental homes, many located right on the oceanfront or tucked along the soundside with spectacular views. The town blends classic beach charm with modern amenities, offering a great variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, climbing dunes, or exploring local landmarks, Nags Head is a perfect blend of natural wonder and coastal comfort for your Outer Banks getaway.
Nags Head, North Carolina, is one of the most iconic destinations on the Outer Banks, known for its wide sandy beaches, towering dunes, and classic coastal charm. Located just south of Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head blends the beauty of the natural environment with a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere that appeals to visitors of all ages. For those discovering the Outer Banks for the first time, Nags Head offers a well-rounded introduction to the region's landscapes, traditions, amenities, and recreational opportunities.
Visitors have a range of accommodations to choose from, with vacation rental homes being the most popular. These rentals line both oceanfront and soundside neighborhoods, providing easy beach access and plenty of space for groups and families. Many come with decks, private pools, and views of the water. Travelers staying for a shorter duration can find traditional hotels and motels near the beach, as well as small inns and cottages that provide a more intimate, relaxed setting. A National Park Service campground is also available for those seeking a more rustic experience.
The beaches of Nags Head are a major draw, offering wide stretches of shoreline ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Public beach accesses with parking, showers, and dune-straddling walkways make it easy to enjoy a full day by the ocean. Surfing, body boarding, and surf fishing are popular activities, and seasonal lifeguard stations help ensure safety for beachgoers.
Beyond the beach, Nags Head is home to some of the most striking natural scenery on the Outer Banks. The area features expansive sand dunes, maritime forests, and soundside marshes that provide plenty of opportunities for exploration. Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, or watching the sunset over the sound at Jockey's Ridge State Park. Sandy trails and scenic overlooks make it easy to connect with the area's coastal ecosystems.
Recreation is a key part of any visit to Nags Head. The calm waters of the Roanoke Sound are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. For those seeking more excitement, activities like jet skiing and parasailing are available. Fishing remains a local favorite - whether from the surf, sound, or a nearby pier - and charter boats offer access to deep-sea and inshore fishing.
Nags Head also offers opportunities for biking and walking along multi-use paths that run parallel to the beach road, providing a scenic and convenient way to explore. Families often enjoy spending time together at mini golf courses, arcades, or taking nature tours. On rainy days, indoor attractions like local museums or amusement venues offer a chance to learn about the area's culture and environment.
Dining and shopping in Nags Head reflect its coastal roots. Local shops sell beach gear, handmade crafts, and souvenirs, while restaurants range from casual seafood spots to fine dining establishments with sound or ocean views. Many eateries use fresh, locally sourced ingredients, giving visitors a taste of the Outer Banks' culinary identity.
Nags Head's central location makes it a great base for exploring nearby destinations. Visitors can head north to explore Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk or travel south toward quieter areas like Hatteras Island. Attractions, nature preserves, and historic sites are all within easy driving distance.
What makes Nags Head special is its ability to offer something for every kind of traveler. Whether you're looking for a week of relaxation, an active family vacation, or an outdoor adventure, this coastal town delivers. With its combination of natural beauty, welcoming accommodations, and classic Outer Banks charm, Nags Head provides an unforgettable experience for first-time visitors and longtime fans alike.
July 17, 2025
Surfing For Autism is an Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness event that uses the beauty of the Outer Banks to provide children with an amazing experience and an opportunity to ride the waves.
July 25, 2025
Spectators and active watersports fans alike are welcome to head out to the beach near Jennette’s Pier to catch a spectacular on-the-water show by some of the best skimboarders on the East Coast.
July 28, 2025
Come meet a rescued, gentled Banker horse and learn more about the wild horses, the rescue farm, and what the Corolla Wild Horse Fund does to keep the horses safe and thriving.
August 1, 2025
Celebrate summer with Kitty Hawk Kites and support the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition at the annual OBX Watermelon Festival. This beloved local celebration that’s held at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head features a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages, and is the perfect way to toast the peak of the summer season on the Outer Banks.
August 14, 2025
Get ready for a pirate invasion on the Outer Banks, courtesy of the two-day Outer Banks Pirate Festival. This festival that will be held next to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the central Outer Banks town of Nags Head promises plenty of swashbuckling good times and activities, and will be a memorable event for young and old salty visitors alike.
August 27, 2025
Known as one of the most highly anticipated surf contests on the Outer Banks as well as the East Coast, the WRV Outer Banks Pro Surf Contest is a thrill for participants and spectators alike, thanks to a stellar location in the town of Nags Head, and a world of talented riders competing for the title of OBX champ.
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Rustic waterfront pub at a fishing pier with a large deck for seafood eats, draft beer & live music. Fish Heads Bar and Grill is THE tiki bar of the Outer Banks. Located at Mile Post 18.5 in Nags Head, we offer a view that is second to none! Check us out!
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is the home of the largest and most modern charter boat fishing fleet on the eastern seaboard. A full service marina in Nags Head NC, Oregon Inlet offers a comprehensive charter boat fishing experience for the "old salt" or the vacationing fisherman. Give us a call at (877) 359-8447
We offer one of a kind SALT COAST OUTFITTERS brand name tees, long sleeves, performance gear, Yeti tumblers, caps, eyeglasses, and more! Browse the fullest collection of coastal lifestyle clothing on the beach. Featuring a sizable selection of brand names such as Wicked Tuna, Columbia, Avid, Sunbum, Yeti Coolers, Icemule Coolers, Dude Shoes, Salt Life, Performance Fishing Clothing, Eyewear, Fishing tackle, Surfboards and more!
Enjoy Waterfront Dining at Basnight's Lone Cedar Café where we specialize in fresh and local Outer Banks seafood. If you’re craving the freshest fish, clams, crab, shrimp and oysters from local North Carolina waters, you’ll find them at the Lone Cedar Café. Since it first opened in 1996, Basnight’s has been the restaurant where all the movers and shakers in the state would eat when they visted the barrier islands. Owned by Outer Banks native and former state Sen. Marc Basnight and his family, the restaurant, located on the Nags Head-Manteo causeway, is busy nearly all year long. But its lineage is not the reason it’s become so popular. Lone Cedar can boast that it serves only fresh local seafood caught by local fishermen, as well as the freshest North Carolina produce available.
Experience more adventure, fun, and style with Kitty Hawk Surf Company. As the trusted Outer Banks retailer for all top surf and lifestyle brands, including, Hurley, Billabong, RVCA, The North Face, Patagonia, Salt Life, Salty Crew, Volcom, O’Neill, Roxy, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Hobie, Catch Surf, Under Armour, Reef, Rainbow and more, you will always find the latest fashions and trends available in store. Our unmatched quality and service makes us a favorite for locals and visitors alike, and our easy to shop layout allows you to find your next purchase a breeze.
Stop by Nags Head's Ben Franklin at Mile Post 10 on the Bypass where you will find everything you need for the beach! From Clothing, T-shirts and Swimwear to Boards, Chairs, Umbrellas and Tackle. You'll find it all…and of course, we have the best selection of Souvenirs anywhere on the Outer Banks. Enjoy your vacation! Independently owned by a member of one of the Outer Banks’ oldest families, the Ben Franklin store is stocked with just about everything a visitor would need to go to the beach. Ben Franklin stores were once part of a five-and-dime retail empire, with about 2,500 locations across the country in its heyday. As decades passed and the times and customers began to change, many closed their doors, leading to fewer than 150 of these nostalgic shops. Nags Head Ben Franklin, however, has withstood the test of time and adapted to the needs of its customers to provide a memorable shopping experience on the Outer Banks. Debbie Terry Tolson, manager of the Ben Franklin location in Nags Head, recalls working with former owner Tommie Daniels. Daniels’ father, Moncie Daniels, started the business in downtown Manteo in the early 1900s. The Daniels family has been a longstanding fixture in the Outer Banks business community—Moncie even sold gas to the Wright brothers in 1903. Tommie, with an excellent business mind, saw the opportunity the new Bypass presented and, in 1977, he opened the Nags Head location of Ben Franklin. He was one of the first businesses on the Bypass,” Tolson says.In addition to a new location, the Ben Franklin store saw a new group of customers. “People would come from all around because Tommie had a little bit of everything—it was more like a five and 10 then,” Tolson explains. “As he went to the beach, he began to get more tourists, so he started catering more and more to visitors.” Today, the 21,000-square-foot souvenir shop quickly catches the attention of anyone driving by thanks to the ocean-themed mural that decorates the façade of the building, painted by local artist Rob Snyder. This Ben Franklin location has become the must-stop shop for both first-time visitors to the area and generations of families who escape to the Outer Banks annually. Tolson credits the great prices and friendly customer service to the success of the location, which keeps families returning.“People come in all the time and tell me, ‘my grandmother or my grandfather used to bring me here and now I’m bringing my children,’” she shares. “One of my favorite parts about working here is seeing the people come back year after year.”