U.S. News Insider Tip: If your kids need a break from the rough ocean, head to the western side of the island for a quiet day on the Currituck Sound. The water is wamer, the waves are perfect for activities like swimming or paddleboarding and the water reaches depths of about 2 feet (if that). – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

The beaches in Outer Banks stretch for more than 100 miles along the barrier islands that frame the eastern coast of North Carolina. These sands are known for their cleanliness and their family friendliness. Each beach has something different to offer travelers, but take note that only some keep lifeguards on staff (and staffing varies by time of year).

The most popular attraction on Nags Head (aside from the ocean) is Jockey's Ridge State Park, home to the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast. Climb to the top and tap into your adventurous side by taking hang gliding lessons or piloting a Wright Brothers 1902 glider replica with Kitty Hawk Kites. If you're looking for a slightly tamer day, relive your childhood and simply fly a kite (just remember to bring your own). For nature enthusiasts, the park also has several trails you can wander through. Keep an eye out for fulgurites: glass tubes formed when lightning hits the sand.

Recent travelers said a visit to the park is a great experience for the whole family, and they report that the top of the dunes provide stunning panoramic views of the coast. To avoid the brunt of the midday heat, reviewers recommend visiting in the morning or just before the park closes. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you've got a truck or SUV, purchase a permit to drive on the beach. Not only is it a fun experience, but also you won't need to lug all your gear from your accommodations to the beach. Don't forget to let sufficient air out of your tires before you drive on the sand. - Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches for more than 70 miles long and tempts visitors with its well-kept sands, picturesque lighthouses and rolling waves. While many visitors come to soak up the sun along the Atlantic's shoreline, you should devote some time to the seashore's other attractions, most notably the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

If you flew to Outer Banks, you have the Wright Brothers to thank. In the early 1900s, Orville and Wilbur moved here from Ohio for the area's steady winds to pursue their aviation dreams. After several years of experimentation, the first flight was born in Kill Devil Hills on December 17, 1903. Today, a 60-foot monument in the shape of an airplane tail marks this significant flight. To get a glimpse into the brothers' lives, travelers can visit their restored hangar and home as well as the Wright Brothers Visitor Center, which houses exhibits detailing the men's lives in Outer Banks and the failures they endured along the way to that historic first flight.

Recent travelers said this is a must-visit site and highly recommend taking a guided ranger tour, which reviewers described as informative and fun. 

Before 1875, ships sailing by the North Carolina coast faced a 40-mile "blind spot" between Bodie Island and Virginia's Cape Henry. Then, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla was created. To this day, the lighthouse still functions and orients incoming boats. If you have visited other lighthouses, you may notice something a bit different about this one – the exterior was never painted and still maintains its original exposed brick (approximately 1 million of them, in fact). Today, you can get your heart pumping and climb the 220 steps for gorgeous views of the area from the top, which recent visitors highly recommend for the outstanding photo-ops. Afterward, pick up nautical-themed souvenirs at the gift shop (located in a small house that was probably part of the keeper's residence). If you're visiting during the school year, keep in mind that the lighthouse often hosts school groups on the weekdays, which can crowd the site.

To reach the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, take Route 12 north toward Duck and Corolla. The lighthouse is open from early spring through Thanksgiving weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Climbing the lighthouse is a $12 fee for visitors ages 4 and older. The lighthouse also closes during inclement weather for safety reasons. Visit the lighthouse's website for more information.

If you want to see what animals you're sharing the water with when you're splashing around on the Outer Banks beaches, head to Roanoke to the North Carolina Aquarium. Its main feature is the Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. Models of remains of the USS Monitor make up the home for giant turtles and sharks in the 285,000-gallon tank found in the Ironclad Sanctuary exhibit. Throughout the rest of the aquarium, you'll find a variety of other marine critters, including alligators, otters, frogs and plenty of fish. If the kids are itching for a hands-on experience, head to the Sea Turtle Rescue exhibit, where they can touch turtles while learning about efforts to protect these creatures.

Some recent visitors said the aquarium is small but still worth a visit, thanks to its interesting exhibits and animals. Keep in mind that the aquarium sees the most crowds on rainy days and during the summer. Once inside, visitors have access to all of the aquarium's exhibits, a gift shop, a cafe and restrooms, plus interactive experiences like animal feedings, animal encounters and educational talks with the property's divers. Shark dives, behind-the-scenes experiences and day camps are also available for an additional fee.

This thrice-built, black-and-white lighthouse sits south of Nags Head on Bodie Island. The first version fell due to poor construction, the second was destroyed during the Civil War and the latest iteration received a facelift in 2013. It still functions as a working lighthouse today and can be seen as far as 19 miles from shore. Past visitors said this lighthouse is one of the best in the area and recommended a stop by the lower level's small museum and gift shop. They were also pleased with the historical information provided by the rangers.

You can tour this 156-foot-tall lighthouse for a small fee ($10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 11 and younger). Hours vary by season. If you're planning to make the climb to the top of the lighthouse, wear the appropriate footwear: You'll have to traverse 200 steps (the equivalent of a 10-story building) with only one handrail to guide you.

If a fishing outing is on your must-do list while vacationing in the Outer Banks, Jennette's Pier is the place to go. Located in Nags Head at milepost 16.5, the pier stretches 1,000 feet offshore into the Atlantic Ocean and offers some of the best fishing conditions on the East Coast. Enthusiasts have been known to catch massive trout, skate, dogfish and more. Not much of a fisherman? Jennette's Pier is still worth a visit for the panoramic ocean views and wide public beach area. There is also a small aquarium on-site where travelers can see an array of fish.

Recent visitors wholeheartedly recommended spending a day at Jennette's Pier, whether or not you plan to fish. Many reported spotting stingrays, jellyfish and dolphins from the lookout spots, which was well worth the small entrance fee ($2 for adults and $1 for kids). Travelers seeking a totally free experience can take in views of the pier from the beach below. Some recommended visiting at sunset for the best ocean views.

Located in Manteo, the Roanoke Island Festival Park takes visitors back in time to the 1500s and the settlement of Roanoke. Inside the park, you can board the replica Elizabeth II ship, where kids will love swabbing the deck and playing games with costumed sailors; visit American Indian Town, where exhibits detail how coastal Algonquins lived in the late 16th century; and tour the Settlement Site to see how the early colony looked – all the while interacting with re-enactors wearing period dress. The park also offers a history museum, a docu-drama and a performance series.

Recent visitors said that the staff is knowledgeable and informative about Native American and early American history and that the park is great for families. Others were especially impressed with the ship, saying it's a great way to learn what life was like for these early explorers.

If you need a break from the waves or need something to do on a rainy day, shopping in the Outer Banks is a great option.

Favorite souvenir shops in OBX include Kitty Hawk Kites, Parrot Bay and Gray's. As the name implies, Kitty Hawk Kites sells a variety of kites, ranging from small kites for kids to power kites and supplies for experienced fliers. All three stores have dozens of Outer Banks souvenirs to choose from, plus beach-themed home goods, accessories like sunglasses and jewelry, and beach must-haves like lip balm with SPF. Plus, these stores sell goods from brands like Pura Vida, 4Ocean, Tommy Bahama, Bogg, Scout, OluKai and much more. For kitschy souvenirs (think: colorful shirts, postcards, boogie boards, outrageous shot glasses and more), visit a Super Wings.

On the northern tip of Roanoke Island lies Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The 355-acre national park commemorates the location where English colonists first settled in the United States in the late 1500s. Fort Raleigh houses a visitor center with original artifacts and informative exhibits, as well as the beautifully manicured Elizabethan Gardens. It is also the site of "The Lost Colony" outdoor stage production, a famed summertime play that tells the story of the original 117 English colonists who invaded the area (then inhabited by Native American tribes) and later disappeared without a trace. The play debuted in 1937 and is the longest-running outdoor symphonic drama in the United States.

Recent travelers said Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is a fun place to visit and serves as a great opportunity to learn more about American history. Some recommended allowing at least a couple of hours if you'd like to explore the on-site walking trails in addition to the indoor exhibits and other notable spots. Travelers also had high praise for "The Lost Colony," noting the excellent storytelling, intricate costume design and peaceful outdoor setting. Visitors of all ages enjoyed the park.

This 10.5-acre public garden, located less than 3 miles north of the North Carolina Aquarium, offers a peaceful sanctuary with more than 500 different species of plants, including collections of hydrangeas, camellias, historic herbs and native coastal species. The camellia collection is a highlight, boasting more than 85 varieties. Another treasure of the gardens is a particular rose, found in the rose garden, which was sent by Queen Elizabeth II from the royal rose garden at Windsor Castle in 1976. Don't miss the ancient live oak on the property, estimated to have been living in 1585 when the first colonists landed in the area.

Most visitors raved about the grounds and beautiful landscaping, though some think the admission price is a bit too high. The gardens are open from March from January (closed February) with hours that vary by season. Admission costs $12 for adults and $8 for ages 6 to 17. Tickets for children ages 3 to 5 cost $4, while kids younger than 2 years old can enter for free. Dogs are welcome for an admission price of $3 each. Visit the garden's website for more details.

Thanks to the Outer Banks' cooperative weather, golfers can easily swing a club year-round. Several 18-hole golf courses offer challenging layouts, paired with ocean breezes and scenic views.  

Nags Head Golf Links, a particular favorite among past visitors, is an 18-hole Scottish-style championship course. Though visitors say it's a challenging course, they also praise its beautiful views, particularly at sunset. The clubhouse is home to the Player's Grille, with a bar and restaurant (and more photo-worthy views), plus a golf shop. Clinics and lessons are also offered.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit this site at sunset for great photo opportunities and to see the sky bathed in brilliant hues. A photo on the park's bridge is a must. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Covering 39 acres overlooking the Currituck Sound, Whalehead in Historic Corolla is a 1920s-era mansion turned museum and event venue. Visitors can tour the grounds to see some of the best restored art nouveau architecture and period decor in the country, plus learn about the history of the Outer Banks area and the Knight family who built the massive property. Interesting artifacts in the museum include original Tiffany light fixtures, a restored Steinway piano and an antique grandmother clock. Whalehead is also said to be haunted after a series of spooky occurrences, including an elevator that would travel to the basement without being called, stories of a ghostly little girl wandering the halls and strong smells of cigar smoke in a nonsmoking room.

Located in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site commemorates the brave rescuers who saved countless shipwrecked crews off the Outer Banks coast in the 17th and 18th centuries. Built in 1874 (and renovated over time due to hurricane damage), it was the first lifesaving station in North Carolina and helped lay the groundwork for the modern-day U.S. Coast Guard. Most notably, Chicamacomico played a role in rescuing 42 stranded soldiers after their ship was torpedoed during World War I. The site was retired in 1954 and today serves as one of the few remaining lifesaving stations on the East Coast. Travelers can explore multiple well-preserved buildings, as well as an on-site museum about the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service.

Recent travelers had endless praise for this attraction, emphasizing its detailed exhibits and fascinating artifacts (including antique lifesaving equipment and items salvaged from shipwrecks). Many reported the staff was helpful, knowledgeable and able to answer any questions about the property. Almost all visitors highly recommended stopping into this hidden gem while in Outer Banks.