Our Favorite Local Restaurants
in town — most within a 5–10 min drive from Wright by the Beach
Our go-to spots after a day at the beach, from burgers and craft beer to fish tacos on a waitlist worth the wait.
These are the spots we send guests to, in our own rotation year after year. Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint is a short walk away — great burgers (including a homemade black bean burger), a solid craft beer list, indoor and outdoor seating, and summer concerts. It's popular, so parking can be tight; walking is easiest.
Right across the street is Thai Room, serving genuinely excellent, authentic Thai food. It gets busy at peak times, so ordering online for pickup is the move if you don't want to wait.
Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill is one of our all-time favorites — go for the fish tacos and the creative drinks. They run a text-message waitlist, so put your name in early and be ready to show up within 5 minutes once they call you.
For Mexican, 3 Tequilas Mexican Restaurant does great fajitas and fish tacos with friendly service, plus deals worth planning around: kids eat free Mondays, $1 hard tacos Tuesdays, and half-price 16 oz beers Thursdays. Goombays Grill & Raw Bar is another favorite for fresh, locally caught fish with specials that rotate daily. And when you just want quick, no-fuss counter service, Pigman's Bar-B-Que delivers on wings, BBQ, and their tuna specialty — it also caters well if you're feeding the whole house.
Need groceries instead? Publix, Target, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion are all within about 2.5 miles, so stocking the kitchen for the week is an easy detour on the way in.
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint
Thai Room
Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill
3 Tequilas Mexican Restaurant
Goombays Grill & Raw Bar
Pigman's Bar-B-Que
More around the area
≈ 1 mile
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Where Orville and Wilbur flew first in 1903 — and where our house got its name. Climb Big Kill Devil Hill to the monument and stand on the spot where flight began.
352 yards — 5-min walk
Beach Access: Raleigh & Ferris Avenue
Your home beach, and no stairs to get there. We recommend the Raleigh Avenue access — flat, paved, and easy with a cooler, chairs, or little legs.
≈ 1.5 miles — 5-min drive
Avalon Fishing Pier
A classic 1958 Outer Banks pier — fish, grab a snack, or just watch the sunrise stretch down the coast.
≈ 6–7 miles — 12–15 min drive
Jockey's Ridge State Park
The tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast. Fly a kite, take a hang-gliding lesson, or catch the best sunset on the OBX.
≈ 15–16 miles — 25–30 min drive
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Sea turtles, sharks, and touch tanks — the perfect rainy-day (or too-much-sun day) adventure for the crew.
≈ 14–16 miles — 25–30 min drive
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Black-and-white striped icon of the Outer Banks. Climb it in season for a view from Oregon Inlet to the sound.