So you're planning a family vacation, and come across one the nations top destinations for family getaways -- the Carolina coast. I'm sure you're looking into what makes the Outer Banks so phenomenal. As if our beautiful beaches, maritime forests, and sound side sunsets aren't enough, we're here to share some of the unique and interesting things to do while on the OBX -- with our installment of The Outer Banks Top 10! These top 10 are simply the standouts that we are proud to recommend ANY visitor! Certainly the complete list of what makes our beach so special spans far beyond a 10-item list. But join us as we highlight our favorites below! And don't forget to follow along on our map of the attractions.
THE OUTER BANKS TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS
The Lost Colony
A question many who have never visited the area before often ask is "Where is the Outer Banks?" The Outer Banks is a 200 mile long stretch of barrier islands on the coast of North Carolina. The area has a fascinating history. Familiarizing oneself with the beach's past will add a special element and novelty to your vacation. The location, beautiful beaches, and abundance of wildlife has attracted numerous historical figures from Native Americans to high-seas pirates, European settlers to freed slaves.
Over 400 years ago, under charter from Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh set sail from England to the Americas. The end goal was to establish a colony that would provide resources for England, as and a base to raid Spanish treasures. A successful sail across the Atlantic landed them to settling on Roanoke Island. Deemed suitable for colonization, the men returned to England. Two years later, they made their return voyage to Roanoke Island, this time with 117 civilians in tote. They were able to settled in the area and the first English born child, Virginia Dare was born into the new colony. However, suddenly the entire colony of men, women, and children had disappeared without a trace.
Today, these folks are remembered, and their mysterious disappearance lives on in the famous The Lost Colony play. This is America's longest running outdoor drama. It has become an Outer Banks tradition for many vacationers. The production, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, runs from June until late August and is a must-see attraction for the entire family.
WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Credited with inventing the world's the first successful airplane, Wilbur and Orville Wright were two American brothers that put Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on the map. They selected the area for its steady winds for lift, and seclusion to stay out of prying public eyes. It was after four years of experimenting, on the morning of December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made history when their machine took controlled and sustained flight! Although lasting all of 12 seconds, the brothers made many other flights over the sands of Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. Over 100 years later, the descendants of the Wright brothers' work now usher us to most of our travel destinations like the Outer Banks. A memorial now stands as a tribute to the duo who pioneered aviation and revolutionized the world. The Wright Brothers National Memorial, in Kill Devil Hills, is managed by the National Park Service and offers more to tourists than a monument to honor the famous brothers. The grounds include a visitor's center, historic artifacts, exhibits, educational programs, and of course the famous field where hard work and ingenuity translated into airborne innovation. Wright Brothers National Memorial is open seven days a week, year round. The visitor's center and Centennial Pavilion are open 9 a.m. to5 p.m. daily. (closed Christmas Day, December 25).
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Jockey's Ridge State Park is one of the 29 North Carolina State Parks and is located in Nags Head, NC. Jockey's Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States and is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Outer Banks. The dunes are absolutely massive and are ALWAYS changing shape! One of the best places to see a gorgeous ocean view is from the top of the dunes! The park features a visitor center, museum, picnic areas, auditorium, and handicapped access. The park also offers many programs such as kayaking, kite flying, and activities in the sound like fishing and crabbing. The best part of it all is that the activities are FREE activities on the Outer Banks! The park plays host to dozens of Outer Banks events over the summer and is also one of the best places to hang glide and fly kites. For those of you taking a vacation from October through March looking for things to do, you can also enjoy some Sand-Boarding down the dunes! Some tips to enjoy the park: 1) Be prepared; with the vast openness of the sand dunes make sure you wear sunblock and bring footwear - the sand gets HOT and there is limited shade. 2) Wear Bug Spray - anytime you have outdoor fun on the Outer Banks consider it, especially with the park's location relative to the calmer sound waters and brush/trees. And 3) Pay attention to your location and park warnings - sometimes you can get separated due to the large size of the dunes and keep your ears open for lightning warnings in the summer months. Overall Jockey's Ridge State Park makes for a definite visit while you are on your Outer Banks Vacation!
Lighthouses
If you've ever received a box of saltwater taffy or postcard from the beach, I would wager the odds are quite high that there is a depiction of a lighthouse on it! There is a very good reason for that: lighthouses have been an icon for the beach and the Outer Banks in particular for as long as they have been around. The Outer Banks has been named the "Graveyard of the Atlantic". The waters off North Carolina's Outer Banks have claimed thousands of ships and lives of those caught in war, piracy, and nature. The Outer Banks has one of the highest densities of shipwrecks in the world and one of the principal defenses against these wrecks and ships running ashore were lighthouses. Before GPS and modern navigational tools, sailors used the stars and primitive cartography tools to steer clear of wrecking. The advent of the lighthouse meant warning beacons of light could be broadcast for those far from shore to acknowledge the presence of shallow waters. North Carolina is home to many lighthouses along its miles of coastline. A north-to-south list of the famous Outer Banks lighthouses is as follows: Currituck Beach, Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and Ocracoke. The Currituck lighthouse began signaling in 1875, is 158' tall, and is actually located in Corolla, NC. Bodie Island lighthouse (pronounced "body") is located south of Nags Head and was actually constructed several times. First constructed in 1847 on Pea Island, it was later abandoned and rebuilt in 1859 south of Oregon Inlet only to be destroyed by Confederate troops. Today's Bodie Island lighthouse was erected in 1872. Its light can be seen for approx. 20 miles over the ocean and the name "Bodie Island" according to folklore came from the "bodies" from the ships that would sink or run aground on shore. Cape Hatteras lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in America standing at 208' and is probably the most recognized lighthouse in the nation. Like Bodie Island lighthouse, Cape Hatteras lighthouse had its share of rebuilds; originally built in 1803, modified from 90' to 150' in 1854, only to have its lamp stolen in 1861 during the Civil War by Confederate troops. In 1870 Civil War damages prompted the reconstruction of another lighthouse and in 1870 the iconic light we enjoy today was built. In 1999, beach erosion forced the lighthouse to be cut from its base, lifted, and moved back onto safer grounds. It stands today the same distance from the water as it did when constructed in 1870. It remains one of the only two lighthouses on the Outer Banks that you can climb up (you can also climb Currituck lighthouse and renovations are in order to facilitate Bodie Island). Climbing to the top of a lighthouse is one of the coolest things to do; for the view AND the workout! Ocracoke Island lighthouse is the lighthouse furthest south and is actually North Carolina's oldest lighthouse, having been constructed in 1823. It is also the shortest on the Outer Banks standing at 75' tall. Although visitors may not climb to the top of it, the lighthouse remains a very popular destination when visiting Ocracoke Island. These tall structures are not only picturesque, they are a great token of nautical history. It's a definite top 10 activity to head out to as many as you can see while you are on your Outer Banks vacation!
Wildlife/Nature Preserves
WILDLIFE The Outer Banks plays host to hundreds of species of wild animals that thrive in the numerous habitats we have. You can enjoy a majority of the wildlife in your everyday vacation encounters from fishing, walking the beach, and walking on the many trails throughout the towns. There are several areas on the Outer Banks that provide fantastic opportunities to view and enjoy the wildlife that you could not anywhere else. Starting on the northern beaches, in the areas north of Corolla, there is an abundance of wild horses. Descendants of Spanish mustangs that were brought here over 500 years ago, these horses roam the beaches and woodlands freely where the pavement of the beach road ends. There are numerous 4x4 tours and safaris to guide you to them, or you can choose a Jeep rental and go out and explore for yourself! Either way, it makes for memories that will last a lifetime and is a great way to get in touch with the wild! Further down the beach between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a must visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts; especially birdwatchers! The refuge isalmost6,000 acres of protected land that is home to over 360 species of birds. You will see many shorebirds here that are hard to find on the northern beaches due to the crowds on the beach. Pea Island is especially populated with the winged creatures during the later months of the year as migratory birds are relocating south. There are also many observation platforms for those looking to get off the road and beach to take some time to enjoy the scenes. Overall, the refuge is a great stop for the enthusiasts looking to escape the buzz of the beach and step onto the more tranquil turf. The largest wildlife refuge near the Outer Banks is Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The area is over 150,000 acres and is home to creatures ranging from ducks and waterfowl to alligators, black bears, and red wolves. The Alligator River refuge offers observation decks as well as designated fishing areas, trails, and water routes for kayaking/canoeing. A fun opportunity to experience the wildlife as well as supporting preservation efforts is to go on a Red Wolf Howling that the refuge offers. The area is a great opportunity to get in touch with nature and enjoy the animals around us. If you are pursuing a true getaway that includes getting away from the faster pace of the beach, head on out and enjoy the wildlife around the Outer Banks!
Manteo
The town of Manteo, NC is located in the heart of Roanoke Island and the downtown area provides visitors to the Outer Banks with a memorable dining, shopping, and cultural experience. Named the governmental seat of Dare County in 1870, Manteo gets visitors on county business as well as on vacation. The waterfront area is filled to the brim with dining, shops, and historical attractions making it an all-inclusive area to stop, learn, and savor the Outer Banks. If you have already hit the beach in the morning and are looking for things to do in the afternoon; one of the best times to experience Manteo is later afternoon/evening when businesses are open. The shopping features local pottery, chic fashion boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores. The food ranges from quaint cafes to elegant waterfront eateries. Historical attractions such as the Roanoke Island Festival Park can get your family hands on with a life-size replica of the Elizabeth II sailing ship, a replica settlement sight, the Roanoke adventure museum, and a live performance series. Overall, the town of Manteo bundles together many of the aspects of the Outer Banks that many of us have come to love; this makes it a sure-stop destination on any Outer Banks vacation!
North Carolina Aquarium
A definite must-visit attraction is the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Nestled near the top end of Roanoke Island, the aquarium is a premiere destination for those looking for things to do and to get more in touch with the creatures from under the sea! The aquarium boasts the largest collection of sharks in the state, as well as exhibits highlighting coastal wetlands, freshwaters, and the open ocean. There are also hands-on exhibits where you can have close encounters with stingrays, skates, starfish and more! This is a sure stop for anyone that wants to learn more about the waters around us as well as have a great time!
Ocracoke Island
One of the best ways to spend a day on the Outer Banks is to head on down to Ocracoke Island. Ocracoke Island is the island furthest south on the Outer Banks and requires a ferry ride (free) over from Hatteras Island. The island is rich in history and was one of the favorite hangouts for Blackbeard the pirate (also known as Edward Teach). One of the best parts about paying a visit to Ocracoke Island is the journey itself. Most visitors to the northern beaches must traverse south through Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, down through the several towns and villages along the way to Hatteras, journey across the Pamlico Sound by ferry, and finally travel along approx. 12 miles of pristine beach to get to Ocracoke village itself. The island is the perfect mix of tourist attractions and things to do all wrapped into one! You have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, fantastic shopping, and dining, as well as breathtaking scenery and twists of history spun throughout! If you get the chance to do it at least once, take the opportunity to go visit Ocracoke - you won't regret it!
Elizabethan Gardens
Located in the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island, the Elizabethan Gardens are another example of a memorable attraction that the Outer Banks has to offer. The gardens are an enormous living memorial to Sir Walter Raleigh and the colonists of Roanoke who tried to make a living in the new world. Over 10 acres of gardens hold 500+ plant species as well as Renaissance statues, gorgeous walks, fountains, and Elizabethan-style architecture. The gardens are open year round and host beautiful blooms according to the season. Featured collections include camellias, hydrangeas, historic herbs and a variety of native coastal species. The location is a very popular tourist destination as well as a "budding" venue for Outer Banks weddings. The Elizabethan Gardens are a beautiful treasure to behold on the Outer Banks and a definite top 10 attraction on everyone's list!
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