As summer comes to a close, your travel season doesn’t have to end. Fall vacations are incredible, with pleasant temperatures, vibrant colors, and in-season foods. Northern areas start to get chilly early on, but North Carolina stays beach ready for many more weeks, minus the sweltering heat. After the past few months of summer sun, the Atlantic Ocean is warm and ready for swimming. The end of summer break from school means smaller crowds and more affordable lodging—the makings of all good beach trips. Plan your fall vacation with Sea Ranch Resort’s favorite things to do in Kill Devil Hills.

Beach Bonfire at Outer Banks Resorts

Fall in North Carolina is a wonderful mix of sunny days and cozy evenings. And what’s better than a handmade bonfire on a chilly night? A bonfire on the beach. Beach trips are often too hot to sit by the fire, but thanks to the autumn temperature drop, Nags Head and Cape Hatteras National Seashore are idyllic spots for star gazing and smores making. Find these sandy shores just 15 minutes from Sea Ranch Resort. 

And as long as you’re spending the evening on the beach, bring a bucket, a shovel, and a flashlight to catch native ghost crabs. Of all the things to do in Kill Devil Hills, crab hunting is uniquely fun, competitive, and a popular pastime among local families. 

Bird Migration, Fall Vacation

As northern birds migrate south for the winter, they fly through North Carolina for their own fall beach trips. Established in 1938 to provide habitat protection for migratory birds, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places for bird watching in the United States. It spans more than 5,000 acres and houses 365 species of birds! Learn all about the local wildlife, then try to spot some when you return to your oceanside rental.

Tasty Banks Seafood

Birds aren’t the only ones who can enjoy the seasonal Outer Banks seafood. Between the annual Day at the Docks celebration and the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, fall in North Carolina is jam-packed with good food and heritage. 

Oysters are especially tasty during a fall beach trip. They fatten up after the busy summer season and remain perfect throughout the next several months. Visit our Beachside Bistro to try their award-winning cajun roasted oysters.

Don’t limit good times to May, June, and July! Sea Ranch Resort ensures relaxing beach trips all year.