The Best Family-Friendly Hotels on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

The best family vacations are spent at the beach, right? I think we all have childhood memories of family beach vacations that still get told every Thanksgiving… or is that just me? 

With summer coming in hot (pun intended), we thought it’s the perfect time to start planning our favorite beach destinations, and North Carolina’s Outer Banks is my number one pick. Here are five of the best family-friendly hotels on North Carolina’s Outer Banks where you can make your own memories to share at future Thanksgivings. 

1. Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk

• Best Room Type: Queen Room Oceanfront
• Price Point: $
• Top Amenities: Beach access, fishing pier, balcony in every room

Hilton Garden Inn is a 3-star hotel in Kitty Hawk, one of the best places to stay in the Outer Banks (in my opinion). The hotel has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, plus each room has its own balcony! Hilton hotels know that our pets are true members of the family, and there are plenty of pet-friendly rooms available, too. 

For the true adrenaline junkies, check out hang gliding in Kitty Hawk. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will give you a bird's eye view of the Outer Banks!

2. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks/Corolla

• Best Room Type: 2 Queen Standard Oceanfront View
• Price Point: $
• Top Amenities: Pet-friendly rooms, beachfront, indoor/outdoor pools

Sitting pretty on Corolla’s northern beach, the Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks offers connecting rooms and a complimentary hot breakfast, and it’s pet-friendly, too! Rooms without an ocean view are cheaper, which is perfect for folks on a budget. This hotel is close to the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, a must-see destination for bird nerds (like me).

3. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront

• Best Room Type: King Room with Dune View
• Price Point: $$
• Top Amenities: Indoor heated pool, hot tub, on-site restaurant

Conveniently located off Highway 12, this oceanfront hotel in Nags Head is the perfect family-friendly hotel for adventure. Whether you want to pull up a patch of sand and listen to the waves or embark on a thrilling water skiing or parasailing adventure, the Ramada Plaza is the place to be. No matter how you spend your days, make sure you set your alarm to watch the sunrise at least once—watching the sunrise over the ocean is one of those moments you’ll never forget.

4. Hilton Vacation Club Beachwoods Kitty Hawk

• Best Room Type: King Suite with Balcony
• Price Point: $$
• Top Amenities: Indoor pool, outdoor pool, gaming console rentals

If staying directly on the beach isn’t a priority, this lakeside resort in Kitty Hawk is perfect. Don’t worry; it’s within two miles of the beach, so you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to stick your toes in the sand. Hilton Vacation Club Beachwoods offers gaming console rentals and a playground, plus a fishing area, several walking paths, and an indoor and outdoor pool. There’s even a lazy river! Guests have several lodging options, including one-bedroom suites, two-bedroom suites, and three-bedroom suites with balconies. 

5. John Yancey Oceanfront Inn

• Best Room Type: Two Queens Sea View
• Price Point: $$$
• Top Amenities: Private beach, outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast

This Kill Devil Hotel offers 108 rooms, which is the perfect-sized hotel for me and my family. Nestled right on the beach, this family-friendly hotel offers a playground, barbecue grills, and an outdoor pool.  I love this hotel because it’s close to many OBX attractions, including the iconic Nags Head lighthouses, Roanoke Island, and more. 

Whichever family-friendly hotel you pick, you're sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. Share this article with your significant other and start making plans for a family beach vacation this summer! Are you feeling inspired to plan a vacation to North Carolina's Outer Banks? Read on to discover some of the best things to do in The Outer Banks.