Not all beach vacations need to break the bank. The Outer Banks is a great spot to enjoy a fun and immersive trip on a budget. From low-cost activities to budget-friendly bites, there are many inexpensive things to do on the Outer Banks to help you stretch your dollar. Get ready to see how you can explore more while spending less on your next affordable vacation.
Outer Banks Budget Guide
Places to Explore
National & state parks/sites: If you’re craving free history, visit America’s tallest active sand dune system at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, check out America’s first national seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, or head over to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to learn about the first English colonies. Also, on eight select days per year, you can enjoy free admission at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Lighthouses: Enjoy a free visit to the grounds of one or all of the OBX lighthouses and life saving stations, including Bodie Island Lighthouse, Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, and more!
Nature observation: Take advantage of free entry at Buxton Woods Reserve, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Nags Head Woods Preserve, and/or Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to discover OBX parks and wildlife, like birds and black bears. The Aquarium on Roanoke Island and the Elizabethan Gardens are other great places to do some low-cost exploring.
Piers: The Outer Banks is home to numerous low-cost and no-cost piers where you can fish, go for a stroll, grab a bite, and even catch live music. If you're looking to fish, any pier fees include the necessary fishing permits, which is a time-saver since fishing elsewhere requires permit acquisition in advance.
Museums that don’t cost a dime: The OBX is loaded with history and culture that can be discovered for free at several historic sites & museums on the Outer Banks, including the Graveyard of the Atlantic, Dare County Regional Airport Museum, and Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. For a small fee, try Outerlore, a self-guided walking tour filled with legend.
Things to Do
Beach days: There are many ways to stretch your dollar on the Outer Banks beaches. Aside from enjoying a beach day, free and fun activities include sea shell collecting, kite flying, beachcombing, doing beach yoga or meditation, snorkeling, going for a beach walk, watching surfers at Jennette’s Pier, and sandcastle building. For those who are into sports, find a spot to play beach volleyball, frisbee, soccer, and more!
Move it: There are lots of ways to get moving without hurting your wallet on the Outer Banks. Free opportunities include playing pickleball and dancing to the Summer Concert Series at Dowdy Park, biking, hitting a disc golf course, visiting the playground and splash pad at Meekins Field Park, and hiking. There are also many public boat ramps and marinas for boat-lovers to take advantage of kayaking, canoeing, and more on some of the OBX paddle trails.
Go window shopping: Explore local markets, like the Soundside Summer Market, or stroll through First Friday in Manteo, to get a glimpse of the Outer Banks culture. To see more local art, make sure to check out the can’t-miss Outer Banks Art Trail or shops like Sea Green Gallery.
Look up: Whether you’re nature journaling, taking pictures, or just yearning to see something remarkable in the sky, the OBX is a great place for stargazing, bird watching, cloud admiring, and chasing the sun in one of 7 of the best Outer Banks sunset spots.
Take part in voluntourism: There are many volunteer opportunities to help you love it like a local on the Outer Banks. This includes beach cleanups, dune restoration, and picking up litter, which could even help you find debris to make art from if you’re feeling crafty.
Budget-Friendly Bites
To beat the crowds and avoid breaking the bank, head to restaurants between around 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. In addition to getting early bird deals, there are many specials available throughout the OBX, including Monday kids eat free at 3 Tequilas, Thursday half priced burgers at Mulligan’s, the $6.99 daily blue plate special at the Black Pelican, and Tuesday dollar taco nights at a number of the local Mexican joints. Some inexpensive restaurants include Jolly Roger, where you can find a $5.99 breakfast special, Capt’n Frank’s, with prices as low as $3.19, and O'Neal's, where a fried shrimp basket can be had for under $10.
Free Parking
Beach and sound accesses: While not every beach and sound access has parking, those that do offer it for free. If you have accessibility needs, be sure to check out the Accessibility Guide.
Locations: Most locations on the Outer Banks offer free parking to their visitors. This includes Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Duck Soundside Boardwalk, pier areas, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, lighthouse grounds, Dowdy Park, and other similar destinations.
Parking tips: For a better chance at securing a parking spot, arrive before 10 a.m. at any of the beach lots. Look for official public beach access signs to help ensure that you’re parking in the correct location. To prevent towing, avoid parking in driveways and other prohibited areas.
Booking on a Budget
Now that you know where to go, what to do, where to eat, and how to take advantage of free parking, the only thing that’s left is finding the perfect place to stay. The OBX offers many affordable accommodations, and with such a wide range of nostalgic hotels/motels, cozy campgrounds, charming inns, quaint vacation rentals, and classic cottage courts, there is something for every traveler. Rentals offer even lower rates in the fall and early spring, and if you enjoy camping, that's another great way to save. However you choose to stay, make use of our booking agent for easy booking, and be sure to check out our special offers and packages for even more deals.
The Outer Banks is the perfect destination to experience a memorable getaway without spending a fortune. Here, there’s no shortage of affordable fun, and with a little planning, you can visit the Outer Banks without breaking the bank. Your OBX adventure awaits.
