The Outer Banks of North Carolina offers a wide variety of activities and scenery. Every visitor has their own reasons for coming to this outlying area of the North Carolina seashore. Visitors will find very limited manufactured entertainment. History, nature, scenery, beaches and solitude is what makes the Outer Banks the attraction it is. The following is what we feel are some of the must see and do activities.
Hatteras Lighthouse- The most prominent symbol of the Outer Banks is the "candy striped" lighthouse. The tallest
brick lighthouse in North America is free to climb 9:30-3:30 except Christmas Day. The visitors
center holds a history of the area and light, and is open 9-5 daily; mid-June thru Labor Day 9-6.
252-995-4474.
Wright Brothers Memorial- Site of the first powered flight. Visitor center with exhibits and lectures of the Wright Brothers. Reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer and 1903 Wright Glider, campsite living quarters, and the flight grounds. Tours and lectures every hour. Open 9 AM-5 PM daily, and 9 AM-6 PM during summer, closed Christmas Day. Admission $4 per car, or $2 per person.
Ocracoke Island- Ocracoke Village is the only development on this 14 mile island. A remote place that inspires fanatical devotion. The island can only be reached by plane or Ferry. Getting there is an event in itself.
Pea Island Refuge- Wildlife includes the Greater Snow Goose, wildfowl during the winter, wading and shore birds during the autumn. Parking and observation platforms, handicapped accessible trails. Information headquarters 7 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Refuge located adjacent NC 12
between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe. Free, daylight hours, 252-473-1131.
The Lost Colony- The outdoor drama of Sir Walter Ralegh's Roanoke colony and their disappearance in 1587. Presented nightly except Sat. mid-June through late August at 8:30 in Waterside Theater (beside Fort Ralegh and Elizabethan Gardens). Admission charged. Reservations can be made by calling 252-473-3314 or 800-488-5012.
Elizabeth II- A 69 foot square rigged sailing vessel representative of those which transported Sir Walter Ralegh's colonists. Includes visitor center/gift shop, exhibits, and a nice air conditioned auditorium that can lull you into a nice nap, undistracted by the low-budget audio visual
presentation. After your snooze, enjoy the tour of the ship and its costumed crew. Open
Apr.-Oct, 10-6 daily. Nov-Mar.10-4, Tues-Sun. Located across from Maneto waterfront,
252-473-114
