Go on an Adventure To View Local ShipwrecksBecause the Outer Banks, referred to as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," has record of more than 100 shipwrecks throughout history, there are some shipwrecks you can see during your visit. Many of the shipwrecks are on the ocean floor and only visible by scuba divers, but others are either onshore or in other land locations. The 1921 Shipwreck of the Schooner Laura A. Barnes is located on Coquina Beach, where it was placed for public display. The 1933 Shipwreck of the Schooner G.A. Kohler can be viewed at the edge of the surf at low tide at 4WD beach access Ramp #27 (between Avon and Salvo.) There are some other shipwrecks in the area as well. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. Tour the Wanchese Seafood Industrial ParkThe Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park is a 69-acre industrial park that was built in 1980 to entice large-scale seafood processing companies to bring their business to Wanchese. Oregon Inlet, the East Coast's most dangerous inlet, shoaled terribly through the 1980s and few of the fishing boats could make it through the inlet, so the large-scale seafood processors never arrived. The industrial park remained mostly vacant until 1994, when smaller area businesses began moving into the park. Today, the area is almost full with various marine-related industries. The industrial park is an educational stop for visitors interested in the world of boatbuilding and sea harvesting. Visitors are welcome to come in and check out the boat docks. For more information, contact the industrial park at (252) 473-5867. Visit the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station in CorollaThe Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station was originally built in Kill Devil Hills in 1878 when lifesaving stations were located every 7 miles along the Outer Banks. This station was visited by the Wright Brothers during their many trips to the Outer Banks. Many of the original workers of the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station assisted the Wright Brothers with their early flight experiments, and some were lucky enough to be there to view the world's first powered airplane fly through the sky. The station was moved to Corolla in 1986, where it was restored and is the current home of the local shop, Outer Banks Style. Take time to stop and visit this unique structure of Outer Banks history! Sleep with the Windows Open and Hear the Ocean BreezeWhen you are at home and have a window open, what kind of noises do you hear? Honking car horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? People talking on the street? While you are at the Outer Banks, try sleeping with the windows open. Chances are on most nights, if you are within a mile of the ocean, you will be able to hear the sound of the ocean. You can hear sounds similar to relaxation CDs that are sold in stores just by opening your window. Try it - you will love it! View the Ocracoke LighthouseLocated in the southwest corner of Ocracoke Village, many visitors view the Ocracoke Lighthouse each year. Built in 1823, the lighthouse is the second-oldest lighthouse in the nation and is 77.5 feet tall. Though the lighthouse is not open for tours or climbing, visitors can walk down a wooden boardwalk adjacent to the lighthouse to view and photograph the structure. To get to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, turn left off NC Highway 12 at the Island Inn. The lighthouse is about 800 yards down, on the right side of that street. Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or CanoeingPeople of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of the Outer Banks sounds. There are several stores available throughout the Outer Banks where you can rent either a kayak or a canoe, and there are different types available depending on your preference. You can rent equipment from Carolina Outdoors in Corolla, Nags Head, Manteo, Avon or Hatteras at (800) 334-4777. Several companies also offer guided kayak and canoe eco-tours. Corolla Adventure Tours leads tours on the northern beaches and can be reached at (252) 453-6899. Ocracoke Adventures leads tours of the Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island and can be reached at (252) 928-7873. Have a Great Dinner at Windmill Point RestaurantIf you want a great meal and an elegant atmosphere, Windmill Point Restaurant is the place for you! Located on the south side of Nags Head at Milepost 16.5 on US Highway 158, Windmill Point offers great views of the sound at sunset. If you are a history buff, you will love the various memorabilia from the 1950s ocean liner SS United States and the upstairs lounge that is modeled after the one on the ship. For a dining experience to remember, visit Windmill Point Restaurant! For reservations, call (252) 441-1535. Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke FerryOcracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY. Tour the Chicamacomico Lifesaving StationLocated in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is one of the original seven lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks. The original station opened at the current location in 1874 and became a storage shed in 1911 when a larger facility was built next to it. Crews at this station guarded the Hatteras Island northern coast for more than 70 years. Today, the lifesaving station is a museum of lifesaving equipment, awards and artifacts and volunteers are on staff to give guided tours. The station is open from Easter weekend through the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Various programs are available during the summer months and admission is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station at (252) 987-1552. View the Roanoke Marshes LighthouseThe newest (and smallest) lighthouse on the Outer Banks is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on Roanoke Island. This reconstructed lighthouse was opened in 2004 by the Town of Manteo, the North Carolina Maritime Museum and Roanoke Island Festival Park. The structure looks more like a lightkeeper's house than a lighthouse, and is located at the end of the pier on the Manteo Waterfront. The original 1857 screwpile lighthouse of the Croatan Sound was also a cottage built over the water and served as both a beacon and a residence. For more information, contact (252) 475-1500. | Nags Head RestaurantsLa Fogata Mexican Restaurant4933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 New York Bagels 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Yellow Submarine Restaurant 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Grits Grill 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Peking Restaurant 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Taiko Japanese Restaurant 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Tropical Smoothie Cafe 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill 5002 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Harbor Point Grill and Pizzeria 5000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Sonic - America's Drive-In 5205 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outback Steakhouse 5220 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Players' Grill 5615 S Seachase Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head ShoppingOuter Banks Books5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 The Cottage Shop 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Habitat Earth 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Hallmark Peggy's Shop 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Dare Jewelers 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 General Nutrition Center 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Mall 5000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Mule Shed 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Lil' Grass Shack/Bikini Hut 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 West Marine 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Luxury Loungewear & Gift Boutique 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks AttractionsOregon Inlet Fishing Center98 NC Highway 12 Nags Head, NC 27959 Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Jennette's Pier 7223 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Fishing Pier 3309 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters 2000 Sailfish Drive Manteo/Nags Head Causeway Manteo, NC 27954 Roanoke Island Festival Park 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks History Center 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954 Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue Manteo, NC 27954 North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island 104 Fernando Street Manteo, NC 27954 Shallowbag Bay Club Marina 90 North Bay Club Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks Fishing Pier 8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road Nags Head, NC 27959 Cape Hatteras National Seashore 1401 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Nags Head ActivitiesNags Head Golf Links5615 S Seachase Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Speed N Spray 6408 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf 6606 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Blackbeard's Miniature Golf 6714 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Kitty Hawk Kites 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Carolina Outdoors 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Kitty Hawk Sports 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Native Vine Cellars & Tasting Room 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Jurassic Putt 6926 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Raceway 7000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 |