Located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks across the Albemarle Sound from the mainland, Kill Devil Hills is most famous as the site of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s historic first flight. The town is still known for its sprawling dunes and good winds, but it’s become a tidy, popular beach community among the landscape of Outer Banks destinations. Beach houses on stilts — some split into incredible apartment rentals — make up the bulk of Kill Devil Hills’ rental offerings. The island’s population surges in the summer months, and open-air seafood restaurants and other local watering holes are buzzing with tourists and residents alike.

North Carolina’s clean beaches are obviously the most popular attraction when the weather is warm, but you can explore the Wright Brothers National Memorial at all times of the year. Residents praise the town for its amenities and summertime activities, but it remains a safe and active community all year round.