While summer in the Outer Banks is undeniably spectacular, the off-season showcases the area beautifully. Cooler temperatures and smaller crowds mean you and yours can take your time and relish every offering. From fresh fare and natural beauty to historic sites and unique culture, the Outer Banks is one of the great family trips in the US. Discover why OBX makes the perfect coastal backdrop for an off-season family getaway. 

 

Off-Season Vacation Rentals Offer the Comforts of Home

Sure, there’s no place like home. But there’s also no place like the Outer Banks, where vacation rentals up and down the 100-mile shoreline offer the perfect Twiddyhome away from home. Whether you’re visiting with the kids or the whole extended family, there’s room for everyone to gather under one roof comfortably. Management companies make it easy to find a home that fits your needs.

Twiddy Rentals has over 1,000 vacation rentals to choose from, including oceanfront properties, pet-friendly homes, and even homes with elevators.

Brindley Beach Rentals brings 35 years of experience helping families find the right home to make your vacation perfect, whether planning a simple beach holiday or a luxury celebration

 

No Waiting for Fab Food and Drinks

Seafood lovers will be in hog heaven here, where countless restaurants serve up treats like sweet crabs and fresh oysters year-round. You can also nab your own with some fantastic off-season fishing or a visit to a local merchant. 

Not into seafood? Outdoor farm-to-table spots with a view also abound, as well as some tantalizing Tex-Mex options and eateries serving up beloved classics like pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and other handhelds. And for the plant-based eaters, there are vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants as well.

While you can get a craft cocktail at many places, you also want to stock up on your favorite libations and mixers for your family retreat. Be sure to hit up the drive-thru drink store Brew Thru, where employees will hand you a menu, take your order, and load your purchases into the vehicle for you. 

 

Exciting Off-Season Things to Do

Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation and historic sites, or you simply want to revel in the area’s natural beauty, you’re in luck. The Outer Banks offers all these things — and because it’s the off-season, you may even save a buck or two. 

Paragliding, hang gliding, paddleboarding, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding are all right there waiting for you to enjoy. Self-guided walking tours, like the immersive Outerlore, are ideal for DIYers and combine historical insight with serene vistas. 

Another relaxing way to take in the sights? A scenic drive, of which there are several. The breathtaking, nearly 2.8 mile-long Basnight Bridge is a top choice. Towering 90 feet above the Oregon Inlet, the bridge connects visitors to Hatteras Island by way of the NC-12 highway. 

Speaking of which, the iconic, 148-mile-long highway links the peninsulas and islands of the northern Outer Banks and makes for a delightful drive wherever you pick it up. You can travel north to Corolla or head south through Nags Head and visit the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. 

Then you can continue through Cape Hatteras National Seashore — which offers miles of pristine coastline — and ferry over to Ocracoke for a totally different vibe. And because it’s the off-season, you can explore the area without sitting in traffic or fighting the crowds!

Ready to get away and make unforgettable family memories? Pack your bags and get ready to explore everything the Outer Banks has to offer in the off-season.