One of two Outer Banks towns that allegedly traces its name heritage to treasure plucked from the sea, Kill Devil Hills is a nickname that was given to the sand dunes where locals would hide pillaged barrels of rum from shipwrecks that were common in the area during Colonial times. Because the rum was said to be strong enough to kill the devil himself, the dunes earned the name Kill Devil Hills.
Fast-forwarding to December 17, 1903, two brothers from Ohio used the large dunes and the prevailing ocean breezes to help them launch the first controlled, powered airplane flight in a heavier-than-air machine. For those interested in the early stages of aviation, the Wright Brothers Memorial and Visitor’s Center is a great place to spend a day learning about the historic flight and the other’s that followed.
If you’re more into putt-putt golf or shopping for bargains, Kill Devils Hills is ready to serve and has a number of oceanfront hotels and homes for rent for families looking for some quality time together or couples interested in a romantic getaway.
