Hotel at a Glance: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront

If you're traveling to the Outer Banks, you'd be remiss not to stay on the beach. This hotel sits on a long stretch of sand leading into the Atlantic. If it's warm enough, you can spend the day lounging on the beach, bicycling, or simply walking along the gorgeous coastline.

• Direct beach access: From this hotel’s doors, it’s only a short trek to the beach.
• Where you'll stay: Guest rooms feature private balconies with views of the city, dunes, or ocean.
• Complimentary perk: hop on the free WiFi network and share your beach pictures with family and friends.
• Make a splash in the hotel’s outdoor pool
• Recent award: The hotel was voted one of North Carolina's top 10 beachfront hotels by Resortandlodges.com.
• Convenient eats: The hotel is within walking distance of numerous restaurants, from barbecue joints to seafood spots.
• Within 15 miles of: the Wright Brothers National Memorial and Roanoke Island, the site of the infamous Roanoke Colony

The Northern Beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks: Idyllic Towns, Sand Dunes, and Wright Brothers History

Dubbed the “East Coast’s recreational playground” by Frommer’s, the Outer Banks is a string of narrow barrier islands that hugs the northern coast of North Carolina. Vacationers have flocked to the islands’ postcard-worthy beaches and idyllic villages since the 18th century. The most northerly island in the Outer Banks, Bodie Island, is home to five such towns, known collectively as the Northern Beaches: Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head.

Head to Kill Devil Hills to see the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park, where a large granite boulder commemorates the spot where the world’s first powered flight took off, in 1903. The memorial also includes replicas of the brothers' early gliders. Just outside the town of Nags Head lie some of the East Coast’s tallest natural sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Strong winds off the ocean constantly reshape the dunes and make the area a popular spot for hang-gliding and flying kites. Make the drive south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” for the many ships that have crashed into its dangerous sandbars during storms. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, whose iconic exterior is a swirl of black and white stripes.