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    Home » On the Road

    Visit Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills – History and Beaches on the Outer Banks

    Published: Aug 10, 2016 · Modified: Apr 19, 2018 by Chef Dennis Littley

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    My visit to Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

    Kitty Hawk and kill devil hills sunrise

    After a five week stay in New Jersey, I was ready to head home to my beloved Florida. Rather than go home via I-95, I opted to take the Cape May -Lewes Ferry and travel down through Maryland to Virginia Beach and finally to the Outer Banks.

    Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills ,wright brothers

    I’d never been to the Outer Banks and more importantly, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk. I wanted to see where History was made by the Wright Brothers as they became first in flight and changed how we live and how we travel. On that day in history, the world was on its way to becoming a smaller planet.

    wright brothers , Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk

    You’ll find the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk and get to see first hand where The Wright Brothers taught the world to fly.

    “Wind, sand and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903″

    In 1900, the Wrights began researching locations from which to begin their flying experiments. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, a tiny coastal fishing village of approximately 300 people at the turn of the century, would come to suit their needs.

    The Wrights desired a number of conditions in order to successfully experiment with controlled flight. First, they needed steady winds. Second, they needed an area with high sand dunes from which to glide. Third, they needed limited obstructions (trees, buildings, etc.) and, lastly, they needed isolation to experiment unencumbered.

    wright brothers , Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk

    You can walk the flight path and see the distance markers for their flight and attempts. Visit the spot where the Wright brothers first took flight and the locations where they landed.

    wright brothers , Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk

    Then spend some time in the visitors center, where you can experience the history of flight first hand.

    wright brothers plane, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills

    Learn more about Wilbur and Orville Wright, and see a reproduction of the 1903 flyer and 1902 glider, as well as other artifacts and memorabilia in the museum.

    Wright Brothers National Memorial is open seven days a week, year-round, 9 am–5 pm. The only day the park is closed is Christmas Day, December 25. For more information go to their website to plan your visit.

    kill devil hills and Kitty hawk beach

    One of the first things you’ll come to quickly realize about the Outer Banks is how diverse the beaches are, and there certainly are plenty of them!

    kill devil hills and kitty hawk beach

    With over 100 miles of shoreline in Dare County, you won’t have any problems finding a section of beach to call your own. Depending on your personal preference, you can find public beach accesses with ample paved parking, modern bath houses and nearby beach convenience shops, or you can immerse yourself in the natural or even primitive beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore which is easily accessible by a 4×4 off-road vehicle.

    kill devil hills and kitty hawk beach

    Whether your out for a walk, practicing yoga or just getting some sun, you’ll find beautiful beaches in every direction.

     Bodie Island Lighthouse

    You’ll also find the Bodie Island Lighthouse on your way down to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

    “Tucked away between tall pine trees and freshwater marshland, the Bodie Island Light presents anything but a typical lighthouse setting. Though not as well-known as its neighbors, it remains an important part of local history and a favorite spot for visitors. And still every evening, amidst the water towers and blinking radio antennae of modern development, its powerful light beams out across the darkening waves, keeping silent watch over the treacherous waters known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.”

    I got your crabs , Kill Devil hills and Kitty hawk

    With all the beach activities and history to take in, you better believe that you’ll find some delicious spots to refuel at. One of my favorites (and Lisa’s) was  I Got Your Crabs  in Kitty Hawk.

    crabs at I got your crabs

    They specialize in Oysters, Crabs and other delicious fresh seafood dishes. I enjoyed a plate full of friend shrimp and the best fried oyster taco I’ve ever had.

    Duck Donuts, Kill devil hills

    In the morning we headed over to the original Duck Donuts in Kitty Hawk. There’s always a line, but it’s time well spent. While you’re in line you get to watch them make the donuts and can choose a different glaze and topping for each donut you order.

    duck donuts at Kitty Hawk

    To simply refer to these ah-mazing taste treats as  “donuts” would be a disservice to the genuine article. These are donuts as they were intended to be made and eaten. They’re fresh out of the fryer, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and most importantly, glazed and topped to order exactly the way you want them. If you guessed the peanut butter-bacon donut was mine, you were right…..sigh. I also tried a plain donut and they were still the best donuts I’ve ever had, topping or no topping!

    Kitty Hawk and kill devil hills beach

    If you’ve never been to the Outer Banks, it’s definitely a place to add your bucket list. You won’t find a boardwalk or amusements, but what you will find is miles and miles of beautiful almost deserted beaches where you can unplug, unwind and simply enjoy life. If you close your eyes you might even feel the breeze from one of the Wright brothers planes as it glides past you.

     

     

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Lisa Ross

      August 11, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      It was such a great trip! What would the Wright brothers think if they saw all the space travel today…all because of them:-)

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        August 11, 2016 at 8:15 pm

        Thanks Lisa! You are the perfect traveling companion!

        Reply

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