A weeklong Cape Hatteras vacation in the Outer Banks is a dream come true for most travelers, offering natural beauty, a serenity that comes from the sea, and the most beautiful beaches in the nation. And when you choose Cape Hatteras for your destination and our Lighthouse View retreats for your accommodations, you will discover that your dreams didn’t even come close to the reality. Life moves at a slower pace in Cape Hatteras, giving visitors time to savor all they are seeing and this guide to your seven-day journey to our island home will ensure that you don’t miss out on anything important.
Day 1: Tour of Lighthouses
There is magic in seeing a lighthouse for the first time; it’s an experience that much of the world never gets to enjoy. During your visit to Cape Hatteras, you will learn there are five lighthouses in the Outer Banks, including our very own Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Located at 46379 Lighthouse Road in Buxton, it opened for business in 1870 and is known as the tallest brick lighthouse in the US, standing guard over what is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Currently in the midst of restoration efforts, tours are not expected to be open until the summer of 2026, but it is still worth seeing. The other four lighthouses in the Outer Banks are located in Corolla, on Bodie Island, Roanoke Island, and Ocracoke Island, with the Bodie Island lighthouse open for self-guided tours in the warmer months.
Day 2: It’s Beach Time
Of course, you are going to want to spend at least one day of your stay hanging out at the beach, and our Lighthouse View retreats, sitting right on sandy shores, will allow you to do so without having to venture far from home. Build sandcastles at shore’s edge, work on your tan to make the folks back home nervous or learn a new sport by taking surf lessons at the Cape Hatteras surf school. Cape Hatteras is known for its consistently good waves, making it a popular destination for surfers.
Day 3: Plan a Day Trip to See the Wild Horses
Can you consider that you have really been here if you don’t see the wild horses for which the Outer Banks are famous? Corolla is perhaps the best place to see them roaming free, with Wild Horse Adventure Tours taking you to where they live and play. Rumored to be descendants of wild horses perhaps lost at sea in Spanish shipwrecks in the 1500s, they are majestic and beautiful and worth the trip.
Day 4: Take a Walk on the Wild Side
All wild things deserve to be safe and protected, and the Pea Island National Refuge is located on the north end of Cape Hatteras, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the wildlife that inhabits our island paradise without too much effort. Be prepared that this refuge is ONLY for the wildlife, and there are no restaurants or human homes, but there are trails that will take you through the beautiful countryside. Make sure you stop in the Pea Island National Wildlife Center for restrooms and information about the wildlife you can expect to see, and don’t forget to keep your camera at the ready!
Day 5: A Taste of Cape Hatteras
Dining out on vacation is one of life’s greatest pleasures and we can assure you that during your stay on Cape Hatteras your meals will be memorable ones. Start your day out with breakfast at the newly opened Mirros Café in Buxton, serving a hearty and innovative morning meal, and if you like it as much as we think you will, coming back at lunch is always a good idea. Dinner at the Harbor House Seafood Market in Hatteras offers an authentic Outer Banks dining experience as well as offering a raw counter so you can take some fresh seafood back to your Lighthouse View retreat to enjoy at a later time.
Day 6: Adventures on the Water
Perhaps the most peaceful experience you can enjoy on Cape Hatteras is a kayak adventure in Pamlico Sound, where the waters are calm and shallow and you have the chance to see not just the creatures that inhabit the water but the graceful blue heron flying through the sky or egrets wading in the shallow waters of the Sound. Diamondback terrapin turtles and a variety of crabs, nutrias, and fish can be spotted here.
Day 7: Explore the Comforts of Your Lighthouse View Escape
There’s a lot to be said for spending a day lazing about at home, and our Cape Hatteras retreats offer plenty to keep you entertained, including a community pool (if the beach isn’t enough for you!), state of the art televisions, and sofas so soft, we see a nap in your future! Reserve your favorite escape for your Cape Hatteras vacation with us today.
