The towns of the northern Outer Banks overlap each other so much it can be hard to tell you are in Nags Head, six miles south of Kitty Hawk. One of the oldest and most popular resorts in the region, Nags Head also offers the widest range of visitor facilities. Good places to spend a night or two include a beachfront roadside classic at Milepost 16.5: the historic Sea Foam Motel ($65–150; 252/441-7320), at 7111 S. Dare Trail, one of the last surviving 1940s motels on the Outer Banks. The pine-paneled walls, vivid tiles, and slamming screen doors will take you back to a simpler time. Nearby, the even more atmospheric First Colony Inn ($75–200; 252/441-2343), along US-158 at milepost 16, was moved from its valuable oceanfront location to the middle of the island and completely renovated in 1988, and now offers oodles of old-fashioned charm along with a delicious breakfast and afternoon tea.
One more long-standing local landmark, Sam & Omie’s (252/441-7366), near the east end of US-64 at milepost 16.5, has featured inexpensive but well-prepared family fare, three meals a day, for over 50 years.
The Outer Banks
