Last Updated on August 21, 2024 by Tori’s VA
An Outer Banks Weekend Getaway is the perfect trip when you’re looking for some relaxation between work weeks. The little beach towns along the North Carolina coast are just waiting for you to visit! While a week or more here can be wonderful, a weekend or long weekend is ideal for someone working a busy job. Step away from the office for a few days and enjoy the Outer Banks.
Looking for other weekend trips in the US? Maybe nearby Myrtle Beach, SC? Be sure to check out all of my weekend guides to help you plan your perfect vacation!
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How to Get to the Outer Banks for a Weekend Getaway
Driving to the Outer Banks
Getting to the Outer Banks is easy, as North Carolina is pretty centrally located on the East Coast. If you’re within driving distance, hop in the car and get to the coast.
What is the closest airport to the Outer Banks?
For those flying in, book a flight to Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the closest airport to the Outer Banks. Rent a car and then you’ll be at the Outer Banks in an hour and a half.
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How Long to Stay in the Outer Banks
Let’s be honest, you can stay and relax at the Outer Banks all summer long, but you probably don’t have that kind of time. Try to fit in at least three full days here, to relax on the beach and see all of the best sights!
When to Visit for an Outer Banks Weekend Getaway
The Outer Banks is a beautiful destination year round, but the best time to visit for a weekend is in May. June, July and August are other great options, but will be very busy with visitors and will be harder to find a place that rents just for the weekend. Most of the rentals are week long during the summer. Alternatively, September is the prime hurricane season, so you might experience much more rain, and potentially large storms if you visit this month.
But honestly? The Outer Banks are a super cool place to visit during the off season too. It’s quiet and so relaxing here, and everything is still open and accessible during the Fall, Winter and Spring. You just might not be hopping in the water. So come any time of the year, whenever you can take a long weekend.
Where to Stay for an Outer Banks Weekend Getaway
First you’ll have to decide which town along the Outer Banks that you want to stay in. There are benefits of each place, but I personally love and recommend Corolla. Located at the northernmost point, this small town is quaint and the best spot for relaxation and doing some of the more unique things in the area! There’s touristy beach activities and shops all along the middle of the Outer Banks, from Duck to Nags Head, but you can do that kind of stuff anywhere. Pick Corolla instead to see the wild horses, climb a lighthouse and get a lot more beach to yourself.
If you decide to stay in Corolla for your Outer Banks weekend getaway you’ll have a few options. First, and definitely the best option, is to rent a house, condo or townhome through Brindley Beach Vacation Rentals. They offer the best prices and service in the area and have a massive selection of homes all along the Outer Banks. While full week rentals are most common, and the easiest to find, they do offer some rentals for long weekends in the off season. It is important to note that they only book short stays 30 days out.
If you will be visiting for a weekend during the summer months, then you’ll have to book a room at a hotel. I recommend Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks/Corolla as it is the closest hotel to some of the best things to do in the area. It is also located right on the beach with pools and beautiful views!
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What to do During your Outer Banks Weekend Getaway
Wild Horse Tour
My favorite part of a weekend trip to the Outer Banks is seeing the beautiful wild horses that live nearby. There’s many tour companies to choose from, but the best and oldest company around is Corolla Outback Adventures. I could tell you how they have been doing this since 1962, so they know the land like the back of their hand and have seen all the horses from the day they were born. Or, I could tell you how their guides are incredibly knowledgeable and kind and are so much fun for kids and adults to spend the morning with. They teach you SO much about these incredible animals.
And while all of that is totally true, that’s not the best part! Corolla Outback Adventures owns a huge piece of reserved land that the horses spend much of their time on. This means that only people on a tour with Corolla Outback Adventures will get to see this area and all of the beautiful horses hanging out here.
Sometimes it can be hard to find the horses, as they are indeed wild. They roam and do their own thing. So some tours you might only see one or two from a distance. But here, on their private land, you are basically guaranteed to see a ton of horses and you can get out of the truck and see them closer. (A safe distance for you and the horses though!)
This tour is so much fun for all ages and is an absolute must-do when you are in the area. Book an early morning tour to get the best chances of seeing lots of horses! You may even see some of the sweet babies like we did!
Visit the Beach
Spend a day (or three) at the beach while you’re visiting for the weekend! There are many different beach accesses all throughout the Outer Banks. But if you stay in Corolla like I recommend, then you’ll want to rent your beach chair and umbrella through Corolla Light Beach Rentals. Not only will they set up your chair and umbrella and have it waiting for you each morning, they offer so many other cool options! Rent a cooler full of ice, tents, towels, and they even have games like spike ball, can jam and corn hole! What?! You’ll be set for the perfect beach day.
Want a break from the sand? Rent a kayak through Corolla Light Beach Rentals and head out on the water for a few hours. You can see even more of the coastline, and may even spot some of the horses!
Corolla Grass Course
Okay, so mini golf is a beach vacation staple for most families, but have you ever tried a grass course? It’s just like mini golf but with real grass like you would see on a golf course. The holes are longer than a normal mini golf course, and make it much more realistic!
It’s a fun activity for kids, adults, pro golfers and terrible golfers. Grab your family and head to the Corolla Grass Course!
Visit the Brew Thru
A store that exclusively sells beer and you don’t even have to get out of your car? Yes please! While this is a super convenient and unique place, it also is a famous spot to visit in the Outer Banks! They have several locations and you HAVE to buy a shirt from there too. Wear it back home and you are sure to get comments from other Brew Thru fans!
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Another fun thing to do during your weekend getaway in the Outer Banks is to climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla. For $12 per person, climb the historic lighthouse for a great workout and incredible views over the Outer Banks.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
The Outer Banks is home to the world’s first successful flight! It was here that Wilbur and Orville Wright built and flew the very first airplane. So, on your way to or from Corolla, stop by the Wright Brothers National Memorial in the town of Kill Devil Hills. The memorial is open from 9am to 5pm every day and will cost $10 per adult; children enter for free.
The visitors center and museum here is great and super educational. Then, head outside and walk the path where the historic first flight took off back in 1903.
Where to Eat in the Outer Banks
For breakfast, stop by Lighthouse Bagels and Deli on your way to the beach. They offer coffee, pastries and breakfast sandwiches that you can enjoy there or take straight to the beach. But whatever you do, be sure to grab a cinnamon roll!
Close to the beach, check out Corolla Village Barbecue for lunch. They’re got delicious meats by the pound and a variety of southern style sides.
Head to Timbuck II for some afternoon shopping at this cute little spot. You must buy some peanut butter chocolate covered peanuts from Try My Nuts while you’re here; they’re my guilty pleasure. Then, pop into Wild Goose Wine Bar for the best selection of wine in town. They also serve food boards to snack on before dinner.
Finally, finish off the day at Oceanfront Grille, for the best dinner views in town. They are known especially for one thing, their freshly made crab cakes, so you must order them. But, be sure to book a reservation as they don’t have a ton of tables, and do book up!
You definitely won’t want to return to work next week after this relaxing Outer Banks weekend getaway. But don’t worry, you’ll definitely come back!
