A Cape Hatteras vacation is one that is destined to change the way you look at vacations forevermore, especially when you experience like a local. We live here and we know the off the beaten path adventures, the hidden beaches that are pristine, unspoiled, and far from the crowds and we eat at the restaurants where prices are lower, lines are shorter, and the vibe is one of friendship and fun. You may be staying in our comfortable and relaxing Lighthouse Views retreats as a tourist, but this guide to experiencing our area like a Cape Hatteras local will make you feel at home even as you are miles away from your own front door.
Life’s a Beach
When you live on Cape Hatteras, every day is a beach adventure just waiting to be explored, but in the summer months, the main beaches are often a little too crowded for our tastes. Fortunately, there are hidden coves and private sanctuaries that give us our toes in the sand moments we crave as well as some added privacy, as the tourists haven’t discovered the spots we are about to share with you below.
Frisco Beach
The waters of Frisco Beach are warmer than some of the other beaches, extending our swimming season a little later into the year while offering a stretch of sand that is pristine and unspoiled. Located at the southern end of Cape Hatteras, this is the beach we go to when we want some time alone and we can often be found surfing, kiteboarding, even sailboarding on lazy summer days.
Salvo Day Use Area
This beach area is a little further out, located just 21 miles north of Hatteras, and its distance lends it a rural charm. Offering picnic tables and grills, it is a popular spot for family picnics and for sea turtles nesting, offering sawgrass, sea oats, and a secluded feel that will make you happy. Surf fishing is another activity you can participate in while hanging out at Salvo Beach, and your catch of the day can become the meal du jour when you bring it home for dinner.
When in Doubt, Fish
There are certain activities that just make you feel as if you have discovered the secrets of the universe and fishing is one of those activities, especially on Cape Hatteras. Surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, we are actually one of the top fishing destinations in the nation and the spots listed below will help you catch your limit while avoiding the crowds.
Pamlico Sound
Pamlico Sound is a large lagoon, one of the largest on the East Coast, offering some of the best fishing spots on Hatteras. Surrounded by tall grasses, shrubs, and mature trees, it is quite possible to sit with pole in hand for hours and the only living things you will encounter will be sea life and the wildlife that live in the area, including the wild horses that are roam the beaches of Cape Hatteras and are descendants of the first horses that the Spanish abandoned centuries ago.
Hatteras Inlet
Hatteras Inlet is actually one of the most popular fishing spots in the nation, but there are a couple of areas where the water is deep and only the locals are aware of their exact location. Found at the southern tip of the inlet, these deep holes are where the larger fish swim and live and when you catch the big one you retain the bragging rights for years to come; especially when you have the pictures as proof that the big one didn’t get away.
Rodanthe Fishing Pier
Fishing licenses are needed for fishing from the shores of Cape Hatteras and can be purchased online, but if you fish from the piers you don’t need to purchase one. There are two fishing piers in the area, and the Rodanthe Pier, is where we go when we want to spend a mindless day drowning worms. This pier is a simple wooden structure that juts out into the waters making it popular with the Cape Hatteras locals as the tourists haven’t really gotten to know much about its existence. Built to survive hurricanes and offering the Pier House which sells fishing gear, has its own game room, and offers a small market and hot dog eatery, the fish you can catch from this spot include sea mullet, bluefish, trout, and mackerel.
If You Can’t Stop Thinking About It, Buy It
Yes, you are aiming to live like the locals during your North Carolina journey, but let’s not get crazy here, you are still going to want to load your suitcases with as many souvenirs as you can get your hands on and the shops of Cape Hatteras are filled with treasures, including many of the ones we shop at will offer some excellent deals.
Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn, 57762 North Carolina Highway 2 in Hatteras
We have to buy gifts too and when we want something special, our cars take us in the direction of Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn. Offering the finest examples of local crafts as well as handmade items, and beautiful and colorful yarn so you can make your own gifts, the store isn’t a large one, but we dare you to try and get out of there in less than an hour.
Farmers Daughter Hatteras, 58848 Marina Way in Hatteras
Is there anything more fun than buying a new outfit, one so unusual and colorful that you just KNOW it was meant for you? Whether you need something specific or you just have some spare time on your hands that you want to fill with shopping therapy, head over to the Farmer’s Daughter and explore all the beauty that lies within. Also offering coolers, beach bags, and a wonderful selection of jewelry, shoes, and something extra, your shopping experiences wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Farmer’s Daughter.
Buxton Village Books, 47918 North Carolina Highway 12 in Buxton
There is nothing more luxurious than losing yourself in the magic on the pages of a good book and although there are many reasons eBooks are popular with readers, there are some times that only a real book will do and when that happens during your Cape Hatteras vacation, a visit to Buxton Village Books will help you find exactly the one you won’t be able to put down. Shelves and shelves of new and used books are housed inside a civil war era building and as you browse the aisles you will be walking in the footsteps of history. If you are married to your eBook, however, never fear, Buxton Village Books also sells eBooks and by shopping local you are contributing to the economy as well.
Events we Love
Another way to feel like a Cape Hatteras local is to be sure and attend local events and below we have listed some of our favorite ones. Guaranteed to be crowded with locals, only a few tourists attend and most of those are our Lighthouse View guests that are privy to our local secrets.
Hatteras Island Oyster Roast, Ogden’s Dock, February 15 & 16
Locally harvested oysters are the star of this show and as much as we love the Taste of the Beach event that happens in April, this wonderful oyster roast best reflects the personality of Cape Hatteras. This is where we devour local seafood with our neighbors, catching up on the gossip in between bites of chowder, cornbread, and those savory oysters. Also offering a bake sale, this taste of Cape Hatteras will be sweet and filled with activities that will bring you happy memories.
Ocrafolk Festival, Ocracoke, June 6-8
This next festival involves a bit of a journey and a ferry ride, but the Ocrafolk Festival is a beautiful and fun representation of our culture, making it worth the extra effort. Offering a variety of musical performances, activities, and, of course, a taste of the food that makes this area shine, this festival is the one we wait for all year round and we invite you to explore all it has to offer.
The Hatteras Village Christmas Parade, Dates TBD
Rounding out the year with a small town Christmas parade that has big time appeal, Christmas on Cape Hatteras is an event that the locals enjoy celebrating together, and the Hatteras Village Christmas Parade is generally the kickoff to the season. This parade has been held nearly every year since 1991 and usually has around 30 entries that include floats, classic cars, and marching bands playing your favorite Christmas music; you know, the songs that you can’t help but to sing along with?
A Walk Through History
Southerners take pride in their history and this part of the world has played its part in history in many ways, with the landmarks listed below offering the perfect examples.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, 46379 Lighthouse Avenue in Buxton
Built in 1870, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the nation, standing just over 200 feet tall. Closed for renovations through 2026, it is still a great spot for taking family photos.
Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1000 N Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills
While not technically on Cape Hatteras, this aviation memorial is important enough to make the journey to Kill Devil Hills, paying homage to the brothers who gave the world the ability to fly.
First We Eat
Remember the crepe you ate on the street corner in Paris? Those tacos you devoured in New Mexico? The barbecue in Texas? Of course, you remember them all, as the foods we eat on vacation are an integral part of the experience and the restaurants you visit during your Cape Hatteras adventures will be added to your list of food memories that will never be forgotten. This list of restaurants the locals frequents will add sparkle to your North Carolina getaway.
Fatty’s Eatery, 46618 North Carolina Highway 12 in Buxton
A good Southern breakfast isn’t fancy, but it sure is filling and the food at Fatty’s Eatery in Buxton fits the bill. This is where we go when we want an “auffle waffle” (a breakfast sandwich with waffles used as the bread) and their special desserts, homemade fresh each day remind us that life is short and we should always eat dessert first. The tourists haven’t found this spot as of yet, but it may still be busy when you visit because we locals can’t get enough of the food they serve! Fatty’s is also a great place for lunch and dinner, so be sure to stop in for at least one meal during your stay.
Buxton Munch Co, Osprey Shopping Center in Buxton
As you spend your days hiking, beaching, and exploring all that Cape Hatteras has to offer, but when the lunch bell rings, you are going to want to take a break from your fun and head over to the Buxton Munch Co for a hearty lunch. This wonderful spot has been feeding us for over 25 years, but be warned, there are a few house rules you will need to follow if you want to fill up on crabcakes, sandwiches or even shrimp tacos. The rules are be nice, be happy, be patient, be mellow and we would like to add one more, be hungry because their portions are large ones!
Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill, 58646 North Carolina Highway 12 in Hatteras
Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill is a seasonal eatery offering stunning views as a side to their seafood meals. Created with ingredients that are locally sourced, parents can feel good about their children eating here and everyone will want to eat their way through their very large menu; try the she crab soup and fall in love and don’t forget to save room for dessert. Their dessert menu changes on a daily basis and every dessert is worth sampling!
Where the Cape Hatteras Locals Relax and Stay
Although we have been known to take staycations in our Lighthouse View North Carolina retreats, our properties are known for being the ones that travelers from all over the world choose to make their own during their stay on Cape Hatteras. Reserve your favorite escape today!
