You don't go to the banks for a party you go there to relax. You must have duck donuts one morning or evening or for lunch.. Damn the maple bacon donut is amazing. Sunset grille is a great place to have dinner, the sunset ale is a well done beer. Blue point has hands down the best fish taco in the banks. If you like bbq, pig mans or duck deli are good. Some people will tell you high cotton but I'm partial to duck deli. The black pelican is the best restaurant on the entire island.
Things to do... Pier fishing is hit or miss, Jeanette's pier is probably the best for fishing but get there early for a spot at the end. If you are in to dolphin watching there is zero need to take a boat trip. Go down the kitty hawk at 8:30 and hang out on the next, around 8:45 a group of Dolphins will swim up the coast playing a feeding. Like others have said you can go to cape hatteras, bodie or one of the many light houses. If you like to fish, while at bodie there is a small path tha is gated off. You can walk back there and fish. The aquarium just re opened, Wright brothers is a pretty cool stop. If you like frozen custard then kill Devils is honestly the best frozen custard in the world.