"Sandy Strips of Land" Cape Hatteras National Seashore by HasTowelWillTravel

The Outer Banks are one of the more famous destinations for touring North Carolina, especially if you're an ocean and beach person. The banks consist of a long strip of narrow barrier islands which protect an inner waterway from the Atlantic ocean. These barriers are just sand, with some native scrub planted along the way (some is natural, some is to help control erosion). However, despite the relatively austere landscape, there is a lot of things to do at the Outer Banks (or OBX, as it's abbreviated on car bumpers and tee shirts).

I spent a weekend here with my parents, mostly taking in the history of the banks, which includes the tallest lighthouse in North America, the remnants of the pirate Blackbeard's hideouts, and the site of the first flight by the Wright brothers.

• Pros:sand, history, and the Atlantic ocean
• Cons:Very touristy at times, can be crowded (especially on weekends), long drives to get there/around