Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Outer Banks

   As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.

   120 minutes here

2. Bodie Island Lighthouse

   In terms of structure, Bodie is a twin to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse at the far northern end of the Outer Banks. The Bodie Island Light Station has a distinct paint job: horizontal black and white stripes. That helped mariners back in the day know which lighthouse they were looking at - and it also helps us take really great photos! One of the most awesome things to do here or at any lighthouse is to climb it. There’s a season for climbing, but lucky for us, it coincides with visitor season. The view from the top is epic, to say the least.

   60 minutes here

3. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

   As well as being the tallest brick lighthouse in the country, the Cape Hatteras Light Station is painted with a memorable, black and white candystripe design. If available, it's fun to climb the lighthouse. Also see where the building was relocated from and tidelines keep rising. You may even recognize the lighthouse as a location often first-battered by hurricanes threatening to make landfall along the coastline. Also in the area, be sure to check out the towns of Hatteras and Buxton, and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is worth a few fascinating hours.

   60 minutes here

4. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

   The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a stretch of approximately 70 miles south of Nag's Head. Much of it is natural, and sometimes a little wild, but it's a beautiful drive to explore. Though we will enjoy some longer sections of zero development, there are seven small towns heading that way including Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton and Hatteras Village. We have a couple of very cool lighthouses at Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras itself. Driving this way is a great day out, with lots of space on open beaches and it's definitely less crowded feeling than the towns to the north. If you enjoy beachcombing for shells - that's the way to go.

   60 minutes here

5. Corolla

   This is the end of the road driving as far north as we can on the North Carolina Outer Banks. Beyond seeing where the pavement meets the sand, there are several cool things to see including the Currituck Lighthouse and associated historic buildings like the lightkeeper's residence. From a more gilded time - the Whalebone Club was once a somewhat decadent seeming duck hunting lodge. And the protected waters of the Currituck Sound are well worth enjoying - the Whalebone Club is a good place to do that.

   60 minutes here

6. Duck

   Of the towns north of Kitty Hawk, Duck enjoys a true town center-feeling unlike the others. It's well worth exploring and taking some time to walk the waterfront boardwalk - that extends into the water in many places.

   60 minutes here

7. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

   Way back in the 1580s, an English colony was established at the north end of Roanoke Island. It only lasted a few years before the colonists disappeared without a trace, and to this day, we really don't 100% know what became of them. You can visit the site where their fort stood, learn about their lives and disappearance, then watch The Lost Colony, the longest-running outdoor drama in America, which tells a dramatic interpretation of the events surrounding the mystery of the failed colony.

   60 minutes here

8. Jennette's Pier

   There are 3 excellent piers that jut out into the Atlantic Ocean along the Outer Banks. Jennette's might be the most famous and is located at Nag's Head. Having been rebuilt 3 times - the last time in concrete - the pier is lovely for a short stroll, or for a slightly higher activity level - a popular place to fish from. Fishing equipment and bait are available right at the pier. You'll also find a small aquarium at the location too. For a taste of local flavor, opposite the Pier is Sam and Omie's - a tavern/diner that is an OBX favorite for its decor, food and tradition. It started out as the place the fishermen would take their breakfast before heading off to work.

   60 minutes here

9. Jockey's Ridge State Park

   Sand dunes and their specialized environment are unexpectedly fascinating, and Jockey's Ridge has 2 places to explore. The Visitor Center is accessed right from the Croatan Highway and features a boardwork through the low dunes - but you should also get your toes into the sand. Also be sure to visit the Jockey's Ridge Sound Access location. This gives you the best of both worlds - explore the dune environment, but also access some lovely sound-side beach areas where you can cool off. If you go a little further, you'll find you might have more space all to yourself.

   60 minutes here

10. Roanoke Island

    there are many other things to enjoy on Roanoke Island, which is on the sound-side of Nag's Head. Manteo is quite the lovely waterside town with a charming, historic feeling and loads of galleries, stores and dining options to explore. Enjoy the boardwalk too - you'll see that the town becomes like a magnet for folks who want a relaxing end to their day. Further along the island is the highly experiential North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island - an excellent outing at any time, but a fantastic option on a rainy day. Other great experiences to seek out on the island include the historically restored Island Farm, the gorgeous Elizabeth Gardens over by Fort Raleigh, and calling in to the National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center to plan your own little adventure. And finally - there's the Mothervine, a plant you may have never imagined. You'll be tempted to make this 5 minute detour as we tour - no spoilers.

    60 minutes here

11. Rodanthe

    Located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Rodanthe is most recognizable of the 3 intermingled towns, including Waves and Salvo, and Avon further to the south. It's a uniquely beautiful drive just to get there. We'll cross some very long and impressive bridges on the way and don't be surprised if the beach sand is trying to reclaim the road. The area is popular for regular surfers and kiter-boarders, and the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is a celebration of the brave souls who risk hazardous seas to save those on ships in distress.

    60 minutes here

12. Wright Brothers National Memorial

    On December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, the Wright Brothers successfully launched four powered flights that day, making history as they proved mankind could break the bonds of gravity and fly. You can stand on that very ground at the memorial - or even better, you can walk the exact flightpath from the day that changed the world forever. The memorial and visitor experience is a not-to-be-missed highlight for your visit to the Outer Banks.

    60 minutes here · Admission not included

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 8 travelers per booking

Operated by

GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide)

Know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
• Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
• Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
• Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
• Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
• Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
• Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Photos

Traveler reviews

47 verified traveler reviews for Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.