According to Travel + Leisure, Google search data has named the Outer Banks the #1 most beautiful destination in the United States for 2026. Travelers everywhere are searching, dreaming, and planning trips to this stretch of wild coastline — and for good reason.
From windswept dunes and historic lighthouses to quiet beaches and unforgettable adventures, the Outer Banks isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel.
🏖️ Why the Outer Banks Earned the #1 Spot
Unlike flashy resort towns, the Outer Banks stands out for its natural beauty and authenticity: 
• Miles of uncrowded beaches
• Protected dunes and wildlife
• Historic villages and coastal charm
• Constant ocean breezes and wide-open skies
It’s a destination where mornings start with salty air and sunrises over the Atlantic — and days are filled with movement, wind, water, and wonder.
🪁 Experience the Outer Banks the Way It Was Meant to Be Experienced
Seeing the Outer Banks is special. Experiencing it is unforgettable.
That’s where Kitty Hawk Kites comes in.
For more than 50 years, Kitty Hawk Kites has helped visitors connect with the Outer Banks in the most uplifting ways possible — through adventure, play, and discovery.
🌬️ Adventures You Can Only Do Here
• Hang gliding over the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge
• Kiteboarding, wing foiling, and watersports in Rodanthe
• Kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, and dolphin tours
• Kite flying lessons on wide-open beaches
These aren’t just activities — they’re core Outer Banks experiences that turn a vacation into a lifelong memory.
🛍️ Bring the Outer Banks Home With You
With Kitty Hawk Kites stores up and down the Outer Banks, you’ll also find:
• The world’s largest selection of kites
• Beach-inspired apparel and Outer Banks gifts
• Wind spinners, toys, and souvenirs for all ages
Whether you’re visiting Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, Hatteras, or Ocracoke, there’s a Kitty Hawk Kites store nearby — each one rooted in the same spirit that helped make the Outer Banks #1.
✨ Why 2026 Is the Perfect Time to Visit
This recognition confirms what locals and longtime visitors have always known:
The Outer Banks is special.
As interest continues to grow, now is the time to plan your trip — before the rest of the world catches upCome for the beaches.
Stay for the wind, the water, and the freedom.
And experience it all with Kitty Hawk Kites.
🌊 Plan Your Outer Banks Adventure
👉 Explore adventures
👉 Find a local store
👉 Discover why the Outer Banks is #1
The world is searching for the Outer Banks.
Now it’s your turn to experience it.
