The Outer Banks has been my home for nearly 25 years, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I’m Amy — gardener, beachcomber, voluntourist, jewelry maker — and spring here is perfection. The weather’s ideal for getting outside and enjoying everything beautiful and wild that stretches across these 100 miles of remote shoreline.
OBX never ceases to amaze me. Sunsets that stop you in your tracks (I have the standout spots to see them, don’t worry). Wildlife refuges teeming with red wolves and bald eagles. And history, like the Freedman’s Colony and Island Farm, that gives this place a soul.
Come visit — you’ll leave with sand in your shoes and OBX in your heart.
Amy Wood
Administrative Assistant at Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Have you heard? North Carolina is getting a MICHELIN Guide!
Hot off the press: A MICHELIN Guide to North Carolina is in the works! Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh and many more places across the state will soon have their notable restaurants judged on a global scale. Keep an eye out for updates, and start tasting your way through the culinary hotspots and hidden gems found from the mountains to the coast. Next time you make a reservation at your favorite spot, it might just have a star.
Enjoy a peaceful escape and patio hangs in Hickory
Henry Fork River Park’s scenic trails, lush green spaces and paddling access to the river make it a perfect option for quiet outdoor recreation in the Hickory area — think fishing, picnicking and wildlife-watching. But if your idea of being outdoorsy means sipping something crisp on a patio, then make your way downtown for stops at Boca, Hickory Wine Shoppe, City Walk Brewing or No Entry. From there, you’ll have to contemplate the hardest decision of the day: Will it be beer, wine or a hand-crafted cocktail?
Spring in Banner Elk calls for wildflowers and wine
But if you can’t make it this spring, this charming mountain town has year-round offerings just as enticing (cool retreats in summer, one of the most unique fall festivals in NC and snow sports galore in winter).
All across the Tar Heel State, you’ll find natural wonders to spark your sense of adventure — places that take your breath away and give you pause. As we take in these incredible landscapes, we’re reminded of the importance of enjoying them responsibly so they can be experienced for years to come. Celebrate Earth Day by Joining the Movement and becoming an Outdoor NC steward. You’ll be entered for a chance to win a grand prize trip to Blowing Rock, where adventure and wonder go hand in hand.
Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina 150 Fayetteville St., Ste. 1200, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
