20 Best Things to Do in Nags Head, NC

Nag Heads, North Carolina, is most famous for its largest dunes located on the eastern shore. This town has been a tourist favorite because of overflowing attractions perfect for women over 50 like you. 

If you’re looking for a fun-filled vacation spot, look no further than Nags Head, North Carolina! This charming coastal town has tons of activities and attractions to keep you entertained. Continue reading this blog to find out some of the best things to do in Nags Head! 

Best Things to Do in Nags Head, NC

Regardless of whether you’ll be staying for a few days to weeks in Nags Head, we can guarantee you won’t run out of adventures to try out. We have listed the best things you should not miss when visiting this town. 

1. Visiting Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is famous in Nags Head, with several outdoor adventures you can try. It’s also the tallest dune system in the East of the United States. If you’re traveling with kids who enjoy surfboarding, they will definitely enjoy sandboarding here too! However, sandboarding is allowed only from October to March if you wish to visit here.

For travelers who don’t like sandboarding, you can always try kite flying and hang gliding for a more thrilling adventure. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm, and there’s no admission fee if you simply want to stroll along the park. 

2. Angling at the Nags Head Fishing Pier

If you love angling, be sure to include the Nags Head Fishing Pier as one of the places to go. It’s included in the list of longest and oldest-standing piers you can find on the Outer Banks. Whether you’re fishing as a sport, for your lunch, or simply for fun, this tourist spot is certainly the place to be. 

When visiting this place, head to The Pier House Restaurant or Capt. Andy’s Oceanfront Tiki Bar and Grill, offering the freshest seafood while letting you enjoy the beautiful ocean views. 

3. Hitting the Beach and Renting the Jetski 

Home to diverse beaches with different water sports adventures, Nags Head provides you with several beach options to unwind and chill with your family. This town offers some of the cleanest beaches located on the Outer Banks. 

Several activities range from sunbathing, dipping in the ocean, to getting excited while riding a jetski. Enjoying a day at the beach is indeed a perfect family vacation, either through sightseeing or racing with the waves. 

4. Visiting the OBX Bowling Center

Another fun way to spend time with your entire family is going to the OBX Bowling Center, located at Milepost 10. It’s the perfect location even for your younger kids to join in the fun. Children will certainly enjoy bowling, playing billiards, or trying out different arcade games like air hockey, skee ball, or Deal or No Deal. 

Visiting the OBX Bowling Center from Fridays to Sundays allows you to enjoy brilliant disco bowling under their spectacular neon lights. A snack bar offers beer, soft drinks, hot dogs, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and other fried food. Discounted group rates are also available upon request when traveling in large families. 

5. Sightseeing at Bodie Island Lighthouse

South of Highway 12 is Bodie Island Lighthouse, one of the United States’ well-maintained lighthouses. 

Appreciate the beauty of this lighthouse by climbing up. Doing this also allows you to witness amazing views of Pamlico Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and Bodie Island. Bodie Island Lighthouse starts to open on April’s third Friday until Columbus Day or early October. 

If you desire to climb, climbing hours are from 9 am to 4:30 pm every day. You also need to pay a climbing ticket of $8 if you’re an adult and $4 if you’re a senior, 11-year-old or lower, or disabled. Tickets are first-come, first-served, and you can only purchase them at the site itself on the day when you wish to climb. However, there is no fee if you’re only visiting to check out the lighthouse and its surroundings. 

6. Appreciating Art at the Seaside Art Gallery

If you wish to unwind while appreciating art at Nags Head, visit the Seaside Art Gallery, complete with 13 rooms filled with fine art and treasures. This art gallery was opened in 1961 by the Smith Family to display beautifully handcrafted art pieces ideal for art collectors and lovers. 

Inside this gallery are 2000 original artworks made by a mixture of world-renowned and local artists. You will also find some masterpieces from Rembrandt and Picasso. Other crafts you’ll find in Seaside Art Gallery are the following:

• Fine art prints
• Porcelains
• Coastal paintings
• Sculpture 
• Mexican silver jewelry
• Pottery
• Disney and Warner Brothers’ animation art
• Hummel figurines

Seaside Art Gallery also has a unique estate jewelry collection, and it hosts art shows annually, such as artist demonstration shows and the International Miniature Art Show. 

7. Nature Walking at Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is 1400 acres of land, with dunes, marshes, ponds, and wetlands. Hiking trails open daily, ideal for travelers who love a good nature adventure. One good thing about this ecological preserve is that it’s free! 

Of course, Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve should be a part of your bucket list, with its diverse ecosystems and convenient location – only a few yards away from US 158 Bypass. This location makes it accessible to any tourist or local visitor on the Outer Banks!

8. Seafood Dining at Fish Head’s Bar and Grill

After visiting the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, experience oceanfront seafood dining at Fish Head’s Bar and Grill! Enjoy affordable and fresh local seafood while hearing waves crashing or live musicians jamming. 

If you decide to dine here, remember to order the following specials on their menu:

• Fish tacos
• Conch fritters
• Homemade tuna salad
• Grilled fish sandwiches
• Homemade crab cake sandwiches

9. Enjoying Kitty Hawk Watersports

If you’re in it for another fun-filled day with your family, visit Kitty Hawk Watersports, offering a wide selection of kid-friendly water sports activities. Even as a woman over 50, you will certainly enjoy this tourist attraction in Nags Head. 

Try riding the water bumper boats. Remember that you may get soaked while in the boat, so you must have a set of extra clothes ready. Kitty Hawk Watersports is open daily until 5 pm in the summer months. There are other activities you can try at Kitty Hawk Watersports, including:

• Take beginner to advanced lessons in kiteboarding
• Rent jet skis and windsurfing equipment
• Try sailing lessons
• Book guided kayak ecotours
• Tour Alligator River

10. Putt-putt Golfing

Outer Banks has many places to try putt-putt golfing. Two are in Nags Head: Jurassic Putt and Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf. They are most crowded at night, so we recommend visiting during lunchtime until before dinner. Both golf courses have a fee of $8 per game. 

Mutiny Bay

Mutiny Bay, a pirate-themed golf course, is an 18-hole course that includes a miniature pirate ship in the large pond. It’s accessible even for disabled people and kids with baby strollers. 

Jurassic Putt

Jurassic Putt, one of the oldest golf courses, is dinosaur-themed and ideal for kids who love prehistoric animals.

11. Inshore Head Boat Fishing at Miss Oregon Inlet

If you are traveling in large groups and want to try out something that allows all of you to do it together without waiting, check Miss Oregon Inlet. This tourist destination offers inshore head boat fishing and other twilight cruises.

The Miss Oregon Inlet Vessel can accommodate 49 people. You can also see beautiful wildlife – from pelicans, sea turtles, porpoises, and more. It costs $48 for ages seven and up and $38 for kids younger than 6. 

12. Checking Out Jennette’s Pier 

Jennette’s Pier is North Carolina’s longest public pier, and it’s the only pier made using cement pilings. Fishing here lets you land different fish – from pig fishes, blues, flounders to dolphins. There are also house shops available to purchase tackle, refreshments, and souvenir gifts. 

Keep in mind Jennette’s Pier costs $1 for children and $2 for adults simply walking on the pier. If you wish to fish, the fee is $6 for children and $12 for adults. 

13. Shopping at Tanger Outlet Mall

A vacation is not complete without buying souvenirs. The Tanger Outlet Mall consists of different brands sold at affordable prices, perfect for anyone on a budget, such as Banana Republic, Gap, Nine West, Polo Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and luxurious ones. Shopping at an outlet mall is a great way to end a day after relaxing at the beach. 

14. Dare County Arts Council

The Dare County Arts Council is a precious arts and craft gallery featuring emerging and well-known artists and their artworks. This gallery is open to everyone, and different featured arts are regularly rotating. Every week, art workshops are held, including a Kids Art party for children to create their own masterpiece. 

15. Stopping at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Shopping Center

The shopping center is across the street where Jockey Ridge State Park is located, and it’s home to eight unique souvenir shops. These shops include Kitty Hawk Kites, Natural Life, Life is Good, Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, Kitty Hawk Surf Company and Hammocks, Life on a Sandbar, and The Fudgery. 

Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Shopping Center also features various festivals, including Sunset Festival hosted every summer weeknight, Outer Banks Watermelon Festival, and the Pirate Festival.

16. Seeing Dolphins at Nags Head Dolphins Tour

Dolphin tours are popular across Nags Head. Ride pontoon boats and get a chance to be up-close and personal with Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins. However, you cannot touch the dolphins, and the captains will remind you before starting. Dolphin tours are priced at $29 for adults, $15 for children 12 and below, and $1 for infants. 

17. Touring with Outer Banks Adventures

Outer Bank Adventures is an ideal travel agency that offers eco-tours, airboat rides, SUP tours, different water sports lessons, and more. With Outer Banks Adventures, you can enjoy touring during the sunset or sunrise, take a photography outing, historical book tours, and family fun adventures. 

18. Kite Flying 

Another Outer Banks trip staple is visiting any Kitty Hawk Kite retail location, purchasing one kite, and flying it at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Kite flying is a cost-friendly activity, ideal for adults and young kids!

Buying kites would normally cost you around $20 to $40. If you are a seasoned kite flier, there are kites sold at over $500. You don’t need to pay any entrance fee when entering Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

19. Pizza Tasting at Nags Head Pizza Company

Nags Head Pizza Company offers some of the freshest pizzas in town. All ingredients are locally sourced and prepped on the same day, guaranteeing freshly-served pizza that will certainly not disappoint. At the same time, you’re at it, experience dining with amazing views of the ocean water! 

20. Visiting YMCA

The Nags Head’s local YMCA offers a wide range of activities perfect for families. There are health and wellness facilities, family, and aquatics sports, and you’ll never run out of things to do! YMCA also features a waterpark equipped with swimming pools with water cannons, water slides, water toys, and even a diving board. 

Visit Nags Head Today

The best things to do in Nags Head can go on and on, so what are you waiting for? Enjoy a fun-filled vacation with your family by heading on to one of North Carolina’s most entertaining towns today!

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