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North Carolina, United States

Nags Head

Base here two days: dunes at sunset, Wright Brothers and Roanoke Island history, and seafood on the beach road. This guide pulls together 3 sights, 2 activities and 2 outdoor spots from our curated routes.

Plan Nags Head with friendsBrowse 10 places
Nags Head, North Carolina, United States
Places
10

3 See · 2 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Outer Banks Beach Road

Best season
May – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

28°C / 82°F avg high

Coolest month
January

10°C / 51°F avg high

Wettest month
August

about 158 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Nags Head

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Nags Head across Kill Devil Hills, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Roanoke Island.

  • Wright Brothers National Memorial in Nags HeadPhoto: Quill Burke · Google
    See

    Wright Brothers National Memorial

    Site of the first powered flights, with markers and a granite monument on Kill Devil Hill.

    • Kill Devil Hills
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags HeadPhoto: Pete · CC BY-SA 2.0
    See

    Bodie Island Lighthouse

    Black-and-white banded tower with a marsh boardwalk; climbs in season.

    • Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon
  • Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Nags HeadPhoto: Christy Geiger · Google
    See

    Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

    Site of the 1587 Lost Colony; outdoor drama 'The Lost Colony' plays summer nights.

    • Roanoke Island
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Summer evening

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Nags Head across Nags Head and South Nags Head.

  • Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding in Nags HeadPhoto: Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School · Google
    Do

    Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding

    Beginner hang gliding lessons on the dunes of Jockey's Ridge.

    Tip Book a day or two ahead; morning lessons have calmer wind.

    • Nags Head
    • $$$
    • 3 hr
    • Morning
  • Jennette's Pier in Nags HeadPhoto: Bruze Lee · Google
    Do

    Jennette's Pier

    Concrete ocean pier with fishing, exhibits and views over the surf.

    • South Nags Head
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Sunrise

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Nags Head. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags HeadPhoto: Pytheas at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Jockey's Ridge State Park

    Tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast; prime for sunset and kite flying.

    Tip Sand is hot in summer midday; go late afternoon.

    • Nags Head
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset
  • Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in Nags HeadPhoto: Vbofficial · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

    Refuge ponds with herons, egrets and winter waterfowl along NC 12.

    • Hatteras Island
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Early morning

Eat

2 places to eat across South Nags Head and Nags Head Causeway, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Sam & Omie's in Nags HeadPhoto: Bill Norris · Google
    Eat

    Sam & Omie's

    Fishing-shack restaurant since 1937 serving seafood and breakfast.

    • South Nags Head
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Breakfast
  • Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe in Nags HeadPhoto: Andrei Paval · Google
    Eat

    Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe

    Seafood house on the Nags Head-Manteo causeway with sound views from every seat and NC-caught fish.

    Tip No reservations; arrive near 4:30pm opening for a sunset table.

    • Nags Head Causeway
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Kill Devil Hills for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Outer Banks Brewing Station in Nags HeadPhoto: Outer Banks Brewing Station · Google
    Drink

    Outer Banks Brewing Station

    Wind-powered brewpub with house beers and live music.

    • Kill Devil Hills
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

How to fit Nags Head into a trip

Nags Head is stop 2 of 3 on our Outer Banks Beach Road route. Follow it as-is or lift Nags Head into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Nags Head month by month

Average daily highs run from 10°C / 51°F in January to 28°C / 82°F in July. August is the wettest month, with about 158 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Nags Head weather and the best time to visit →

Near Nags Head

8 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Nags Head questions, answered

How many days do you need in Nags Head?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Nags Head. On our Outer Banks Beach Road route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Nags Head best known for?

Base here two days: dunes at sunset, Wright Brothers and Roanoke Island history, and seafood on the beach road. Standouts on our list: Wright Brothers National Memorial (Site of the first powered flights, with markers and a granite monument on Kill Devil Hill); Bodie Island Lighthouse (Black-and-white banded tower with a marsh boardwalk; climbs in season); Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Site of the 1587 Lost Colony; outdoor drama 'The Lost Colony' plays summer nights).

When is the best time to visit Nags Head?

Our Outer Banks Beach Road route is best May – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (28°C / 82°F), the coolest in January (10°C / 51°F) and the most rain in August (about 158 mm).

What are the best things to do in Nags Head?

Start with Jockey's Ridge State Park, Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jennette's Pier and Bodie Island Lighthouse. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 3 sights, 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Nags Head?

Our picks: Sam & Omie's (South Nags Head); Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe (Nags Head Causeway). No reservations; arrive near 4:30pm opening for a sunset table (Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe).

What is near Nags Head?

The closest destinations in our guides are Corolla (about 51 km / 31 mi), Ocracoke (about 99 km / 62 mi) and Williamsburg (about 175 km / 109 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Nags Head with your crew

Open the Outer Banks Beach Road route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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