If you’re looking for the best beach vacation area in Outer Banks, North Carolina for families, look no further! Today I’m sharing a full recap of our Outer Banks family vacation with photos and recommendations on must-see spots, kid-friendly things to do, and the best places to eat!
Happy Monday everyone! Today’s my last day off before heading back to work tomorrow, and while I dread having to catch up on 8,000 e-mails I feel super refreshed after our vacation last week! We had an absolutely amazing time at The Outer Banks,North Carolina and I can’t wait to visit again soon!
Today I’m sharing a full recap of our Outer Banks Family Vacation with lots of beautiful photos and highlights of where we visited, what we ate, and what we did! In case you’ve never visited The Outer Banks, I’m also sharing my top recommendations of what to see and do. Let’s dive right into the fun!
Outer Banks Family Vacation with Photos + Must-See Spots
Beach Fun in Salvo, NC
The kiddos absolutely loved playing in the waves and building sandcastles while the hubs fished and I soaked in all the amazing beauty around us. From the peaceful sound of waves crashing all around, to the soft sand between my toes and the warm sunshine above, I simply couldn’t get enough. The Outer Banks is my absolute favorite place!
If you’ve never been to The Outer Banks in North Carolina, you’re seriously missing out. There are so many beautiful beach spots, with super friendly island communities and less hustle and bustle from your mainstream beach spots you might find in other nearby states. In case you want to know our favorite beach spots, check out this post from our trip last year, where I share the most beautiful, quiet spots!
Can you spot the crabbie?
Best Places to Eat
Delicious Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cone at Hatteras Harbor Marina
Mermaid Quesadilla from Buxton Munch and Company– This was absolutely delicious! My husband also had the fish tacos and they were amazing. Highly, highly recommend this place!
Grilled Mahi-Mahi Fish Bites with Sweet Potato Fries from Atlantic Coast Cafe– These were really good and I couldn’t get enough of the sweet potato fries! I’ve heard that their smoothies and frozen coffees are amazing also!
After eating dinner up in Nags Head one evening, we made it a point to stop at Duck Doughnuts since I’ve heard so many people rave about it! Needless to say it did not disappoint and was worth the extra calories on my indulgence day! Yum!
Fun, Must-See Spots
Ocracoke Island and Lighthouse
One of our favorite things to do when visiting the Outer Banks is to take the ferry over to Ocracoke. It’s such a neat, historical little town and we adore it! While there, we always visit the lighthouse for a great family photo. Of course neither of our kids wanted to participate (one looking at ground, one making superhero faces lol but still a great photo nonetheless).
Ocracoke Pony Pen
Before leaving the island, we stopped by the Ocracoke Pony Pen where you can observe all of the wild ponies. There was also a beautiful walking trail with an outlook over the pasture that made for great photo-ops.
Hatteras Harbor Marina & Shops
At the end of the island before accessing the ferry, a visit to the shops and the Harbor Marina was a must! There’s tons of cute little shops, and plenty of cold drinks and snacks to quinch your thirst and appetite! We sat on the back side while enjoying ice creams and really loved looking at all of the boats.
Fun chair outside of Duck Doughnuts in Nags Head, NC made for the perfect photo for the kids!
Breathtaking Views
Last but certainly not least, I couldn’t help but share a few favorite sunrise/sunset photos of mine! I always enjoy waking up early and staying up late just to look at how beautiful the sky gets.
Looking for more tips on what to do at the Outer Banks? Check out this post on Our Favorite Spots to Visit!
So there you have it! As you can see by all the beautiful photos, we had an amazing time on our Outer Banks Family Vacation and I’m already wishing we were back at the OBX. Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever visited the Outer Banks, or if you have any questions on what to do or where to stay.
Hope you have a great week ahead! Thanks for stopping by! -Cara
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Looks like you guys had a blast!
I bet the boys enjoyed it so much.
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
They did! I literally had to drag them away from the waves lol
Just. Stunning. What an amazing trip. The boys look like they are totally in their element. Love seeing them playing in the waves. Those sunsets are phenomenal too. Wow! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed yourselves and got some quality family time!
Thanks Jennifer! It was absolutely wonderful! The older I get the more I truly appreciate every vacation we have each year together! 🙂
Looks like such a fun trip! Love that photo of the shells! And the food all looks delicious!
Thanks Laura! It was a great trip!
What a great family vacation! I love all the smiles and fun beach days. Getting away as a family is always my favorite and so refreshing and much needed. Hope your week back to work hasn’t been too bad. Beautifully Candid
Thanks Sierra! It was wonderful and thankfully work hasn’t been too horrible to catch back up with! 🙂
Oh my goodness this looks like a blast! I’m an NC girl but sadly I’ve never been to OBX. I’m dying to go though, especially now! Those photos are amazing! Looks like the kids had a great time and omg the food (those donuts!!). I’m putting the Outer Banks top of my list now!
I definitely recommend a visit to the OBX, Mallory! It’s such a beautiful place and so peaceful! 🙂
Oh that looks like so much fun! I love vacations that include water–I have a special place in my heart for lighthouses!
They’re so pretty! I’ve visited 3 of them on the OBX, but would love to visit them all one day!
I am loving all of these pictures. It looks like your boys had so much fun. I would have freaked out though when I saw those crabs lol I’ve never been to Outerbanks I will add this to my bucket list.
Thank-you, it was a great trip! And yes! Haha the big one was a little feisty! When you go out to the beach in the evenings there are always tons of little ones running around, it’s kind of cool to watch.
What a fun trip! I’ve always heard such great things about the Outerbanks. Those donuts look delicious and enjoying all kinds of tasty food is always one of my vacation highlights. Glad you all had such a wonderful time!
Thank-you, it’s mine too! I always love trying out local restuarants and finding hidden gems! 🙂
looks like such fun vacation and those donuts!!!
It was wonderful and the doughnuts were delicious!!
Looks like y’all had a great time! I just love the OBX!
It was the best! Glad to hear you love the area too!
This looked like a blast!! You have the sweetest family!!
Aw thank-you! It was a great trip!
Love the outerbanks. Looks like yall had a great time
We did! I’m wishing we were back there right about now! haha
Aw! Looks like y’all had so much fun! Such sweet pics.
Thank-you! It was an amazing trip! 🙂
Love living along the coast of NC! Absolutely love it. Glad you had a great time in OBX, it’s one of our favorite places, too. Next time you’ll have to come check out the Crystal Coast or as some call it, the Southern Outer Banks (SOBX). Beaufort, Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle are great places to stay and explore. Happy Summer!
Yes, I’d love to check out those spots as well! There’s yet to be a spot on the OBX I haven’t loved! 😉
How wonderful! The food looks amazing – ice cream on vacation is a must! No wonder you are feeling refreshed after that trip – sounds fabulous!
It was so relaxing and fun at the same time! 🙂
Y’all look like y’all had an amazing vacation! Those donuts look super yummy, too! I also love that you got to explore an area with wild ponies. That is pretty cool!
It really was! We were supposed to have a ride with them on the beach, but it ended up getting canceled due to the weather, but I’m definitely doing that next year!
Oh my goodness all that food looks amazing!! Fabulous family trip, so good for the soul <3
Green Fashionista
Definitely time well spent! I’m ready to go back haha! 🙂
I hate to say this but i am totally envious of all the food you guys ate! Major foodporn!
https://theoraclejournal.net
Haha, I know give me all the seafood right?! Lol and the doughnuts I’m missing those too!
So glad you had a refreshing time. It all looks so lovely & relaxing.
& your boys – so cute. I just smile every time too with your little man in his glasses. Those are just adorable on him!!!
Aw thank-you! They’re little rascals! 🙂
Have always heard of this area but have never been – even though I’m a Southern Family Travel Journalist. It’s on the bucket list. Thanks for this!
Definitely recommend a visit! It’s such a beautiful place! 🙂
Looks like a lovely time, yum to all the food!
It was great, girl! 🙂
Gorgeous! So glad you loved it and it was refreshing and good for the soul. Food looks awesome too.
We head to Ocracoke next Wednesday for a few days – we’ve never been there. Then we go on down to Emerald Isle with my family, where we have been. I’m really excited to visit Oracoke!
Ah hope you’re having a great time! It’s such a neat little place! 🙂
What fun, I was so excited to read this!! Looks fabulous and so do you all! Love your Daisy suit and OTS with the flower in your ear! Beautiful family memories made!
Thanks Andrea! It was such a wonderful trip with the family! Nothing like relaxing on the beach with the ocean breeze! Hope you’re having a great summer so far! 🙂
Beautiful photos. It is wonderful that you document these memories on your blog.
Thank-you! It will be nice to look back on one day! 🙂
I love NC and the Outer Banks! We saw wild horses running on the beach when we were there, it was incredible. And I love exploring lighthouses.
Oh my gosh how amazing! Was that in Corolla? And the lighthouses are gorgeous!
So glad you had a great time on your much-deserved vacation!! We’ve never been to OBX but now I want to go!
Thanks so much! Ya’ll definitely need to drive down one day. It will be well worth it, I promise! 🙂
I loved seeing all of your pictures on instagram! Looks like you had the best time!
Thanks! We really did have an amazing trip and I’m so thankful for it! 🙂
What a beautiful place!! Everything look amazing. Not to mention those doughnuts! ?? Looks like you guys had lots of fun!
It really is so beautiful..and yes those doughnuts were amazing! haha
What gorgeous pictures-it looks amazing! Glad you guys had a good trip!
Thanks Mackensey! Always a good time with family at the ocean! 🙂
Sounds like it was an amazing family vacation! So glad you got to relax and reenergize!
– Claudia
http://www.justalittleblush.com/
It was! Much needed and much appreciated! 😉
What a fantastic trip!! I loved seeing bits and pieces on IG!! Those sunrises and sunsets look so relaxing. I’d love to be there this morning! So glad you all had such a great time!
Thank-you! It’s definitely a great place to go to relax and enjoy the beauty! 🙂