The Soundside Park and Boardwalk

While the oceanfront of the Outer Banks gets plenty of morning glory, those in the know head soundside when sunset approaches. Located at Milepost 16 on the Roanoke Sound, The Soundside Event Site in Nags Head has transitioned from a wide-open festival lawn into one of the premier sunset-watching destinations on the Outer Banks. Thanks to a multi-million dollar shoreline development project, the site offers far more than just a place to park for a concert. It now features a beautifully integrated waterfront boardwalk designed for recreation, nature viewing, and community gathering.

The New Soundside Boardwalk & Pier

The crown jewel of the recent upgrades is the stunning new Soundside Boardwalk. Stretching along the edge of the Roanoke Sound, this asset transforms how visitors interact with the water. The core of the project features a half-mile-long, eight-foot-wide, fully accessible concrete and wooden walkway that traces the soundfront, offering completely unobstructed views of the western horizon.

Further along the path, a massive, 2,000-square-foot shaded gazebo and pergola serves as the boardwalk's central viewing platform. It provides an ideal spot to sit out of the direct sun, feel the sound breeze, or set up a tripod for photography. Built with seven dedicated boat slips, the pier also allows kayakers, paddleboarders, and shallow-draft boaters to tie up directly at the park. Spanning the length of the walk are custom educational panels highlighting local marsh wildlife, estuarine ecology, and the unique dynamics of the Roanoke Sound. Because the sound is exceptionally wide and shallow here, the water acts like a giant mirror. When the sun dips low, the rich orange, magenta, and purple hues of the famous Outer Banks golden hour reflect entirely across the surface, making the new pier and gazebo a front-row seat to the best show in town.

Park Amenities & Daily Use

Outside of major festival dates, the Soundside site operates as a peaceful, 10-acre public park. It is intentionally designed to blend with the natural environment while providing practical amenities for a casual day out. Acres of manicured green lawns give families plenty of room to spread out blankets, fly kites, or let kids burn off energy, while well-lit pathways loop through the property to ensure the site remains safe and navigable for a post-sunset stroll.

The thoughtfully executed design specifically preserves the shoreline for traditional local activities. On any given afternoon, you will find people launching kites, crabbing from the shallows, or wading out into the calm, user-friendly sound waters. To accommodate visitors traveling from the northern beaches or down from Hatteras Island, the park features designated vehicle parking areas and public restrooms, making it highly convenient for extended day trips.

Major Annual Events

When it isn’t serving as a quiet sunset retreat, the Soundside Event Site transforms into the premier host venue for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau's largest cultural and culinary festivals. Easily the site's biggest draw is the Outer Banks Seafood Festival held each October. This massive autumn festival celebrates the local maritime heritage and commercial fishing community. Thousands of attendees gather to sample fresh, off-the-boat catches from local restaurants, watch live cooking demonstrations, browse local artisan booths, and enjoy live music right on the water.

Another fall favorite is the Outer Banks Brewtag, which is inspired by the Red Bull Flugtag. This highly entertaining event challenges teams to build homemade, human-powered flying crafts designed to launch an empty keg, where the ultimate goal is flight distance. The event serves as a major community fundraiser and is paired with a vibrant craft beer festival featuring local and regional breweries. Throughout the rest of the year, the site regularly hosts seasonal Soundside Markets during Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the winter holidays, bringing together local farmers, bakers, and craftsmen. The site also transforms into a vibrant carnival during the annual Soundside FunFair, bringing classic rides and family entertainment to the waterfront.

Whether you are looking to buy fresh local shrimp at a festival or simply want a quiet bench to watch the sky turn pink over the water, Nags Head's upgraded Soundside park is an essential Outer Banks experience.