Kill Devil Hills Trip Guide

Use this guide to plan time in Kill Devil Hills, where seaside dining, beachfront hotels, souvenir shopping, and Outer Banks history all meet.

Next to Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills sits at the geographic heart of the Outer Banks. The town reaches north for a few miles toward Kitty Hawk, and within that compact stretch it fits a lot in. It has the largest population of any Outer Banks town, yet it still feels like a quiet coastal community, something its 7,500 residents would likely recognize. Visitors find beach cottages and hotels, places to eat and shop, and one of the defining sites in human history: the location where people first achieved flight. From a tall hill, the Wright Brothers National Memorial looks over the ocean, the sound, and the field where Orville and Wilbur Wright, assisted by a dozen locals, launched the Wright Flyer for its first series of flights.

Like Nags Head and many other beach communities here, Kill Devil Hills carries a curious name. The explanations differ, and each version probably holds a little truth. One story traces the name to unusually potent rum that either washed ashore or was taken from a shipwreck, liquor so powerful it could “kill the devil.” Another version suggests the rum may have been moonshine made among the wooded dunes, or hills, in town, with the same devil-killing strength. Others credit the wind, which can be a pleasant steady breeze in good weather and a full gale at certain times of year, for giving the devil a devilish struggle. However it began, Kill Devil Hills is a name that stands apart and stays with you.

That wind is what brought the Wright Brothers to this place. Long before their success, their scientific curiosity had them studying gliders and powered flight, and they began coming to the Outer Banks because the area offered reliable wind and enough isolation to work away from crowds. Over several visits to Kill Devil Hills, they worked to solve the challenge of controlled flight. With help from several Outer Bankers, they succeeded on December 17, 1903, making history with the first powered flight. Inside the visitors center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, exhibits, videos, artifacts, and a replica of their powered glider help tell the story. The most memorable part is stepping into the field itself, following the path of the first four flights, each longer and more controlled than the last, then climbing to the hilltop monument for the views.

For many aviation fans, the journey starts by flying into the First Flight Airstrip, located just behind the Wright Brothers National Memorial, instead of driving to the Outer Banks. Others take to the sky in a sightseeing plane, or join a pilot on a hang glider towed thousands of feet upward before release, offering a daring few visitors an unforgettable view.

During their stays, the Wright brothers surely had plenty of seafood. Today, you can buy your own from Kill Devil Hills grocery stores and fish markets, or head to Avalon Fishing Pier and try catching dinner yourself. Avalon Fishing Pier is among the remaining wooden piers on the North Carolina coast and has stood since 1958. Across its many years, tens of thousands of fish have been landed there, and visitors who arrive at the right moment may even reel in something worthy of the record books.

From Avalon Fishing Pier, the shoreline stretches north and south. All Kill Devil Hills beaches are open for public access, and many beach houses, hotels, and motels provide private boardwalks down to the sand. During the high season, lifeguards and the town’s Ocean Rescue squad keep watch along the beaches.

Kill Devil Hills also has dunes beyond the ones along the oceanfront. Run Hill State Natural Area offers 123 acres of dunes and scrubby forest to roam. Some people compare it to a smaller Jockey’s Ridge, though Jockey’s Ridge, despite its height, does not offer views of the Wright Brothers Memorial. Exploring Run Hill State Natural Area is a little different because there is no visitors center and no marked trail system; you simply make your way to the dunes and wander. You can go where you please, though heading west toward the Roanoke Sound is recommended, especially for sunset. Along this portion of the Outer Banks, it is one of the rare places to enjoy those beautiful sunset-over-the-Sound views. To reach Run Hill State Natural Area, go to First In Flight Middle School, look for the dunes behind the school building, and start hiking; you will arrive in a jif.

Finding a place to stay is easy for visitors. Beachfront motels, several high-rise hotels, and more beach houses than you could count provide options for a weekend, a week, or a longer stay. Grocery runs are covered by major chains such as Harris Teeter and Publix. When you want souvenirs, surfwear and surfing gear, local art, or something tasty to take home, Kill Devil Hills shops have plenty to offer.

Food in Kill Devil Hills comes with a wide range of choices. Outer Banks Brewing Station makes a strong selection of beers to pair with its OBX-seafood-meets-international-flavors menu. Beachside Bistro focuses on seafood and standout fresh fish. Colington Café offers contemporary coastal cuisine and has received attention from Our State, Southern Living, and other notable publications. Mama Kwan’s brings Pacific Rim dishes together with Outer Banks seafood in memorable fashion. For a more casual meal, Pigman’s Bar-B-Que, Two Roads Tavern, and OBX Tortilleria & Taqueria serve filling, delicious options. And that is only a small taste of dining in Kill Devil Hills, where you will also find pizza, excellent breakfast spots, ice cream, sweets, and more.

More Ways to Explore Kill Devil Hills

Places To Stay

The lodging community here is proud of the guest experiences it provides, with hopes of welcoming visitors soon to Kill Devil Hills.

Restaurants

Dining in Kill Devil Hills is part of the Northern Beaches experience in the OBX, whether you are visiting for a daytrip or staying longer.