What to Do in the Outer Banks in April

OBX In Bloom

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April is here and spring is officially in the air. With the weather warming up, the average high temperature in April is around 69° which is perfect for getting outside. The average low on the Outer Banks in April is 52°, so bring a jacket because the evenings are still chilly. The warmer temperatures mean beautiful seasonal flowers are emerging all around the Outer Banks…and so are we! It’s a time when the area truly begins coming alive. There are so many fun things to do on the Outer Banks in April. If you’d like to jump in the ocean during your spring break on the OBX, it’s definitely possible, but keep in mind the average ocean temperature in April is around 60°.

Elizabethan Gardens The Lost Colony Wine Festival Taste of the Beach Marathons Wild Horse Tours Pet-Friendly Beach Day Make a Unique OBX Vacation Souvenir
pink tree Elizabethan gardens

See the Elizabethan Gardens in Bloom

Perhaps one of our favorite springtime activities is seeing the Elizabethan Gardens in bloom. No need to wait until fall for that color tour! April brings the brilliance of Carolina Yellow Jessamines, gorgeous pink Azaleas, and more.

Flowers are not the only colorful sight to behold. The Elizabethan Gardens invites you to discover butterflies up close as they take their first flight at their Butterfly Release event happening on specific dates in April. 

wine

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival

Eat, drink, and be merry while supporting The Lost Colony, the nation’s longest-running outdoor symphonic drama, which first premiered in 1937. The 6th Annual Grand Tasting takes place in Manteo, in the SoundStage Theatre, which features gorgeous views of the Roanoke Sound. Admission to the festival includes wine tasting, craft beers, and fare from ten local restaurants. In addition, there is a silent auction, regional art show, and live music. All proceeds from The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival benefit The Lost Colony production.

food board

Find Your Inner Foodie At Taste of the Beach 

Who else has ever felt that OBX has so much amazing food but there is never enough time to taste it all? Even us year-round residents regularly feel this sentiment. That is why we love Taste of the Beach. Presented by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association, this annual culinary event showcases food and drinks from over 50 OBX restaurants, including some of our favorites like Red Sky Cafe and NC Coast. The food festival includes wine tastings, cooking classes, brewery tours, cook-offs, culinary samplings, special multi-course menus, and much more. We’re looking forward to the Annual Outer Banks Chowder Cookoff happening in the backyard at the Outer Banks Brewing Station on April 13th. Rain or shine, Taste of Beach takes place from April 12th to 14th, 2024. Purchase your tickets here.

Stretch Your Legs with a Marathon

The sun is out, and we’re ready to stretch our legs! Spring brings many opportunities for runners, including two unique marathons. Don’t forget to dress in your best pirate garb for this themed race! — On Sunday, April 21, 2024, is the Flying Pirate Half Marathon in Kill Devil Hills. If you prefer to run a shorter race, the First Flight 5K and fun run take place the day before, on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Then, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, and Sunday, April 28, 2024, Blackbeard’s Half-Marathon and Scallywag 5K/10K takes place on Ocracoke Island.

what to do in april - wild horses

Foaling Season on the Outer Banks

Spring marks foaling season on the Outer Banks, a time when Corolla’s wild horses welcome offspring into the world. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund regularly announces the birth of new foals to the herd. This momentous event reminds us of how extraordinarily lucky the Outer Banks is to have these animals on our shores. To see and learn more about the wild horses, we recommend taking a Wild Horse Adventure Tour, where you may even get to see a foal roaming amongst its herd on the 4×4! And if you so choose to continue supporting these incredible creatures, please consider donating to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, whose efforts keep the herd thriving.

what to do in april - dog

Beach Bummin’

And of course, no OBX trip would be complete without a few beach days! April is a perfect time to hit the seashore. With fewer crowds and milder temperatures in the high sixties, there’s plenty of warm sand to sink your feet into. And for all the families with furry friends, April is one of the best months to visit the Outer Banks. Because of fewer people and mild weather, there is no time restriction on when dogs can go to the beach. Check out our guide to bringing your dog to the beach and our pet-friendly rentals.

Looking for more pet friendly things to do on the Outer Banks with your dog? The Outer Banks SPCA hosts their annual Bark in the Park benefit at Jockey’s Ridge State Park on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Vendors, fun activities, beer, and live music will be happening from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Be sure your dog is ready to participate in the Great American Bark-Off contest. The best bark wins a prize!

Grill Room Paint Your Pot Party

Make a One-of-a-Kind OBX Vacation Souvenir

Looking for a fun vacation experience that includes a unique souvenir? Mike Dianna’s Grill Room in Corolla is collaborating with Local Color on a Paint Your Pot party. Mike Dianna’s Grill Room will provide snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, pots, paints, brushes, and guidance from Local Color OBX’s artist Meghan. This family-friendly event is $55 per person and starts at 5:30 pm at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room in Timbuck II. Call Mike Dianna’s Grill Room at (252) 453-4336 or email meghannpauls@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

Laurel Burgam

Laurel Burgam

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