One of our favorite vacation pastimes is thrifting. We visited several great shops: Dare Challenge, CHKD Thrift, Hotline Pink, and Something Old Something New—all located in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, or Kitty Hawk. Nothing too rare was found this time, but we still came home with a few unique treasures. We also visited Annabelle’s Antiques in Ocracoke, a charming shop housed in an old home and run by a local historian. He spoke with the distinctive “Hoi Toide” accent, a unique dialect native to the island and surrounding region.
We also love stopping by local bookstores whenever we travel. There are seven indie bookstores on the Outer Banks, and we made it to three—though one was closed (sadly!). Buxton Books is located in a charming old house, and I grabbed a tote featuring a map of all seven shops. Apparently, if you visit five stores and get a bookmark stamped at each one, you can earn a free tote! Challenge accepted… next time. (#obxbooks) Island Bookstore in Kitty Hawk had a great selection, and I picked up a novel set on nearby Roanoke Island that I can’t wait to review. Pictured below: Books to be Red on Ocracoke Island
We also visited three iconic lighthouses:
Bodie Island Lighthouse (pronounced “body”): This historic lighthouse has a unique rule—only one person is allowed on each set of stairs at a time. As you climb, you’re instructed to shout “Clear!” when you reach the top of a flight so the next person knows it’s safe to begin. Hearing the echoes bounce off the old walls made for a surprisingly funny experience.
Ocracoke Lighthouse: Not open for climbing, but beautiful to see.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (not pictured): Under renovation but still a sight to behold.
Coming up in Part 3: Our ferry adventure to Ocracoke, beach driving, bites and bakeries, and a few wild surprises…