10 Best Things To Do In Buxton, North Carolina - Updated 2024

things to do in buxton north carolina
Andrea Mae
Andrea Mae 
Updated
| 4 min read

Do you miss the peaceful sound of the waves as it crashes on the shore? How about the grains of sand as you feel them under your feet? Nothing beats a good dip on the beach after being so busy with work and everyday life. Buxton can be a paradise for beach lovers out there. During spring, a lot of tourists visit Buxton in the hopes of witnessing its great beaches, abundant marine life, and other tourist attractions. There are also locals who love hitting the beach. For instance, surfers have a thrill catching waves at Cape Point. You will also see anglers on the shoreline with their surfcasting rods. A trip to the beach is a hard-earned reward that you and your family can look forward to. For your next vacation, check out some of the best things to do in Buxton, North Carolina.

1. Visit Cape Hatteras Light Station

Cape Hatteras Light Station
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Carolyn Coleman used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Once you decide to book a trip to Hatteras Island, why not drop by the iconic black and white lighthouse that is famous here? Do you have the stamina to ascend the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States?

Many tourists come every year to Buxton to climb over 200 steps of the lighthouse. When you arrive at the top, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Hatteras Island. Besides the views, you can visit several gift shops around the area and take as many snapshots as you wish in front of the lighthouse.

Cape Hatteras Light Station

Address: 46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920, United States

Website: Cape Hatteras Light Station

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 4 to 8 USD

Visited this place?

2. Embark on a trip to Buxton Woods Trail

Things to do in buxton, North Carolina
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Fredlyfish4 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

For those scouring for a peaceful surrounding with just the birds chirping and beautiful foliage to accompany you, you can explore Buxton Woods Trail. Even though Buxton is a thin barrier island covered in sand, the diverse and rich forest ecosystem here is still remarkable.

You can climb on the highest points at the trail to marvel at the magnificent scenery around the area. Pack some fruits and other treats to enjoy a serene picnic at the start and end of the trail’s loop.

Buxton Woods Trail

Address: 46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920, United States

Website: Buxton Woods Trail

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

3. Relax at The Inn on Pamlico Sound (from USD 155)

If you prefer to stay in a luxurious and comfortable place while you are visiting Buxton, you can go to The Inn on Pamlico Sound. It features cozy rooms that are equipped with helpful amenities, like a DVD player, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a hair dryer and bathrobes. It also has a restaurant, a bar, and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool that you can access during your stay.

For an additional charge, you can try a myriad of off-site activities, including windsurfing, hiking, and horseback riding.

Visited this place?

The Inn on Pamlico Sound

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 49684 NC Highway 12
3.95 km (2.5 mi) from Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms

4. Savor dishes at Sandbar & Grille

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are having fun trying various outdoor activities at the beach, you might as well indulge yourself in delicious and fresh seafood at Sandbar & Grille. You can enjoy the tranquility of the beach and watch the sunset while sipping some wine.

The restaurant will spoil you with its magnificent views of the ocean that you can take in on the large deck or dining area. If you are not a huge fan of seafood, the establishment also offers steaks, pasta, salad, and sandwiches.

The place is even pet-friendly. Plus, it features a game room and live entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.

Sandbar & Grille

Address: 49252 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, United States

Website: Sandbar & Grille

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 8:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Visited this place?

5. Appreciate nature at Cape Point Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Do you want to try outdoor camping while you are holidaying in Buxton? Cape Point Campground is the leading choice for many because of its 199 sites. It is considered the most extensive campground situated in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Besides these, it is ideally near tourist attractions such as Cape Point Beach and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

If you decide to camp here, you can enjoy the open and grassy campsite with four comfort rooms and shower buildings. Note that the property is only open from late April until late November.

Cape Point Campground

Address: 46700 Old Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920, United States

Visited this place?

6. Venture into the Outer Banks with Hatteras Tours

Outer Banks - Beach
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jarek Tuszyński used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Are you scouring for convenient ways to come across the diverse maritime heritage, tradition, and culture of Hatteras on North Carolina’s Outer Banks? Discovering well-known landmarks and other unique attractions on the Outer Banks is easier when you book with Hatteras Tours.

Joining a tour is great for those who prefer to visit various sites and try many enjoyable activities at once. You will be given the chance to try a lot of outdoor activities in Hatteras, including visiting bird spots, hang gliding, parasailing, and surfing.

Hatteras Tours

Address: Hatteras, NC 27943

Website: Hatteras Tours

Visited this place?

7. Find some good reads at Buxton Village Books

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Buxton Village Books is a cozy and independently owned shop situated on Highway 12. With the variety of genres, ranging from classic to contemporary books, offered at this shop, you will find a great read or two that you can also bring as a gift or souvenir.

Kids and young adults can browse the place’s extensive collection of fictional books. Besides this, the store offers other products such as handmade cards and customized and handcrafted sea bags.

Buxton Village Books

Address: 47918 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, United States

Website: Buxton Village Books

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Visited this place?

8. Give fishing a go at Cape Point Beach

Cape Point Beach
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Once you visit Hatteras, you will have a wide selection of fishing sites, and one of the most visited ones is Cape Point Beach. It is the easternmost beach in Hatteras, so this beach stretches out the furthest compared with other beaches in the Outer Banks.

Besides this, there are two major currents near it. The site also attracts a lot of saltwater fishes.

Cape Point Beach

Address: Lighthouse Rd Follow Lighthouse Rd to Ramp 44, Hatteras Island, NC 27920

Visited this place?

9. Ride the wind at Canadian Hole

Canadian Hole
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Canadian Hole is set in the Pamlico Sound and is known as one of the most popular kiteboarding and windsurfing locations on the East Coast of America. You can try riding the wind through kiteboarding and windsurfing, or you can simply admire the clusters of huge and colorful kites swooping on the open waters.

With its attractive vistas, serene site, and a range of water-based activities to try, the soundside beach can be an ideal location where beachcombers or families and friends can have a wonderful time.

Canadian Hole

Address: Hwy 12 S Between Avon and Buxton, Soundside, Buxton, Hatteras Island, NC 27920

Visited this place?

10. Relish "Apple Uglies" at Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Orange Blossom Bakery & Café on Monday, April 9, 2012

This decades-old bakery and cafe has been serving tasty treats to a lot of locals and tourists. It offers donuts, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, muffins, and more, but the one that people look forward to is its “Apple Uglies.”

If you drop by at Orange Blossom Bakery, you can try this famous fried apple fritter and have a peaceful morning in the outdoor dining area the establishment provides.

Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe

Address: 47206 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, United States

Website: Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe

Opening hours: 6:30am - 11am (daily)

Visited this place?

The sea calls you

Buxton is the perfect summer getaway for the whole family. This is a destination that visitors of every age will surely enjoy exploring. There are endless stories to discover and countless places where you can wander, so book a ticket to Buxton and don’t miss out on all the fun!

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Andrea, a freelance content writer based in the Philippines, is both a teacher by profession and a passionate writer. Her travels, primarily with family and occasionally with friends, have left her...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Buxton
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.