For anyone unfamiliar, OBX stands for the Outer Banks. It’s where John first took me for our one-year anniversary, which still makes me smile. During our recent visit to the Outer Banks we spent time hunting for thrift and antique finds, which is one of our favorite trip activities. A quick search on my phone led us to Hotline Thrift in Kitty Hawk — a large pink storefront that’s hard to miss — and it kicked off a fun day of treasure hunting.
At Hotline Thrift we discovered two chunky pedestal bases and a large tabletop priced at $40 for both pedestals and the top. That’s a great deal if you plan to make pedestal tables: bolt a ready-made 36″ tabletop from a home store onto each base and you could have two unique tables for about $65 each after paint and hardware. Paint options are endless — glossy white, deep charcoal, sunny yellow, or a chippy turquoise finish would all transform the look.
Nearby I found a simple desk lamp for just $4. With a fresh coat of spray paint — bright red, slate gray, or even lime green — it could easily look like a boutique store find.
There was a stunning vintage map of Paris that caught my eye, but it was priced at $200. It was clear the shop had researched its value, and while tempting, we left it behind. Still, it was exciting to see such a well-preserved and beautiful piece.
In a more whimsical moment I spotted an Alf tray for $4. I couldn’t resist, thinking it would make a hilarious gift for a family member. Little nostalgic items like that bring back so many memories — and often make for the best conversation starters.
We also found a furry lamp that looked like it had seen better days. The style made me laugh — there was a time when this clearly felt chic — but it was a reminder of how design trends change.
Next we drove to Hotline Thrift Too in Nags Head, their sister store, where I picked up a small fish tin for $4. It’s the sort of item that would be fun spray painted in turquoise or poppy orange and displayed over a kitchen sink for a quirky, modern touch. I admit I have a weakness for spray paint — and for new pillow covers — so small items are always tempting.
The most bizarre find of the day was an oversized, hairy nutcracker bear standing over two feet tall. I stood there baffled and amused trying to understand its origin and purpose. It was equal parts hilarious and mystifying — the kind of object you can’t help but snap a photo of.
In Nags Head we visited Meme’s Antique Mall and found several charming pieces. A set of teal and red glasses stood out immediately; I’ve always loved that color combination, and the set of ten was $16, which felt like a steal. Clara was drawn to a framed print of two kissing giraffes priced at $25 — she already recognizes the words “kiss” and “giraffe,” and the latter comes out adorably as “gee!”
A crisp, industrial white stool for $29 seemed like a useful addition for a minimalist bathroom vanity, while a vintage troll doll — a blast from my childhood — was priced at $25. I used to collect dozens of those as a nine-year-old, so seeing them for sale was a nostalgic surprise.
A large whale weathervane listed at $295 made me wonder whether a DIY version could be created from a piece of reclaimed wood and a jigsaw attached to an affordable vane base. It’s the sort of ambitious weekend project that could yield a very personalized result.
We also stopped by Daniel’s Homeport in Kitty Hawk, a shop with curated home goods where prices were higher than thrift stores but the selection was inspiring. A painterly floral piece with a frame was $62, while a geometric picture frame with bold lines was $40 and looked like something you could recreate with wood trim and a steady hand. A honeycomb-style wine rack caught my eye for $40, and an octagonal mirror suggested a simple DIY approach by framing a round mirror with mitered trim.
I couldn’t resist a playful octopus pillow for $37 and admired several hook-and-loop pillows priced around $50 each for their graphic designs. They were lovely, but a bit too pricey for my practical budget — still, they’d fit perfectly in a stylish city apartment.
We also popped into Kellogg Supply Company near our rental and found a quirky Monopoly variant that made us laugh. Despite all the tempting finds, we left with almost nothing in our hands, though we kept up a little tradition of sending ourselves a postcard and my niece and I bought friendship bracelets for two dollars — a tiny souvenir and proof that we had a great day.
Do you like to hunt for home goods on vacation? Is there ever really room in the car for new treasures? Did you collect troll dolls as a child and display them in a window? Whether you’re a thrifter, a DIYer, or just enjoy the hunt, thrift shopping while traveling is a fun way to discover unique pieces and stories along the way.