Typical American beach towns got into the tourism groove in the 1940s and ’50s, but Nags Head is anything but typical. Located in the heart of North Carolina’s barrier islands known as the Outer Banks (or OBX), Nags Head has been a popular resort area since the 1830s, drawing visitors with its colossal sand dunes and long, sandy beaches. Those pioneering vacationers’ oceanfront cottages are now among the many national historic landmarks in Nags Head, where old traditions live side by side with an impressive concentration of watersports and recreation, including the world’s largest hang-gliding school.

The Outer Banks area is served primarily by Norfolk International Airport (ORF), approximately two hours from Nags Head. Alternatively, Raleigh/Durham International (RDU) is a 3.5-hour drive, but often has more flight options. If you’re arriving on a Saturday during the summer, as many tourists do, beware of major traffic delays getting into OBX from the north. Alternate routes from the south may add mileage, but can potentially save time. Car travel is a must for arriving into Nags Head, and for navigating the miles-long sandbars that comprise the town and neighboring Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk. Locally, biking is a great option for getting around; there are several rentals along the beach.

Given its location along the Gulf Stream, Nags Head experiences a humid subtropical climate, in that there is little variance in precipitation from season to season. Summers are hot and humid, with extremities reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, though cooling sea breezes can offer some welcome relief. Winters in Nags Head are very mild, with temperatures seldom dropping below the 40s, and typically bottoming out around 50 degrees. It should be noted that the entire Outer Banks region is susceptible to hurricanes from June through November, so any visits planned during that time should be made with caution, paying close attention to local weather forecasts.

Nags Head Woods Preserve

Open from dawn till dusk with family-friendly (and pet-friendly) trails, Nags Head Woods is a living ecosystem just west of the sunny beach strip. Featuring 1,400 acres of maritime forest, marshes, and wetlands, the entire area is protected by the bank of sand dunes along its eastern border, allowing rare plants to thrive despite the nearby salty air.

Jockey’s Ridge

Situated in a vast 426-acre park with two self-guided trails, Jockey’s Ridge is arguably the most famous natural attraction in OBX. This is the mother of all sand dunes — the largest on the East Coast. Climbing it in time for sunset is a rite of passage, and hang-gliding off the top of it is how the sport got its start.

Jennette’s Pier

There are a half-dozen piers up and down the OBX, but Jennette’s is the longest at 1,000 feet, and one of the most popular. Built in 1939 as a concrete structure, it had taken beatings over decades of hurricanes, but eventually reopened as a state-of-the-art facility and educational center in 2011.