Sandcastle

Six Bedroom Oceanfront House, Located in Nags Head

Take a Scenic Flight Tour

If you think the Outer Banks are beautiful from the ground, wait until you see them from the sky! This stretch of islands and waters will amaze you. Depending on where you fly, you will see things from the air such as the Oregon Inlet, one of the four area lighthouses, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and more! For a tour of the northern Outer Banks, you may contact Kitty Hawk Aero Tours at (877) 274-2461 or Outer Banks Seaplanes at (252) 475-1007. Kitty Hawk Aero Tours depart from the Manteo Airport. Outer Banks Seaplanes take off and land on the Roanoke Sound. For a tour of Hatteras and/or Ocracoke Islands, contact Burris Flying Service at (252) 986-2679. Prices for the above services start between $30 and $75 per person, depending on the size of your group and the length of your flight. You will want to call ahead to make reservations.

Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306.

Tour the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at "Duck Pier"

Situated on 173 acres just north of Duck Village, the Waterways Experiment Station of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been helping scientists study ocean processes since 1977. The site's equipment to monitor sand movement, wave forces, water currents, temperatures and sedimentation have helped the facility gain a reputation as one of the best coastal field research facilities in the world. From mid-June to mid-August, tours are available at the research facility at 10:00 a.m. between Monday and Friday. For more information, contact the Field Research Facility at (252) 261-6850, ext. 401.

Have a Meal at Big Al's Soda Fountain and Grill

Big Al's Soda Fountain and Grill, located in Manteo, will be a dining experience that will take you back to the 1950s. Decorated like a '50s soda fountain and grill with checkered patterns and a shiny dancing floor, you will love the experience at Big Al's! Also, Big Al's is filled with Coca-Cola memorabilia and has a unique diner-style menu. Gravy fries or chili fries? Try them both!

Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located in Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship drowned, and a few days later four of the bodies were found on shore by local U.S. Coast Guard officers. Ocracoke residents gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to the Island's cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard of Ocracoke Island and a ceremony is performed at the Cemetery each year on the anniversary of the deaths of the British sailors.

Try Your Luck at Crabbing

Crabs can be caught in local sound waters from late spring into early fall, but the best months for crabbing are May, June and July. Crabbing can be a fun activity for both adults and children and is relatively simple. You need a length of cord with suitable bait tied to one end. Chicken necks or fish heads work well for enticing the crabs onto your line. Throw the bait into the water, wait a few minutes, then pull gently on the line to see if you have a crab nibbling on the other end. Some more experienced crabbers prefer to use circular crab nets and collapsible crab traps. When you are done, boil your catch, and enjoy! If you prefer not to eat your catch, it is also fun to catch and release them back into the water.

Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306. On Ocracoke, personal watercraft can be rented at (252) 928-2600 or (252) 921-0314.

Ride Go-Karts with Your Friends and Family

While you are on the Outer Banks, take the kids (or the adults!) for some go-kart riding. There are a few tracks to choose from and any of them are sure to provide lots of fun and laughter. The Colington Speedway in Kill Devil Hills has three tracks to choose from and can be reached at (252) 480-9144. Dowdy's Amusement Park is located in Nags Head and can be reached at (252) 441-5122. Finally, on Hatteras Island, Frisco Mini Golf & Go-Karts also offers a track for your enjoyment and can be reached at (252) 995-6325.

Take the Ocracoke Village Walking Tour

The small fishing village of Ocracoke is the perfect opportunity for you to park your car for a day and wander the narrow streets of the village. Historical landmarks, local shops, restaurants, antique shops and old buildings and homes are among the interesting things you will find on your walking tour. A suggestion is to begin at the Ocracoke Visitor Center, which is located on the west end of the village and adjacent to the ferry docks. Since the island is so small, it is almost impossible to get lost! If you would like, ask a National Park Service employee in the Visitor Center for directions and suggestions before you start your journey.

Go Surf Fishing on the Beach

Visitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular Outer Banks sport of surf fishing. Red drum is prevalent during about nine months of the year. Effective in 2006, you need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species (including red drum) are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Other fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, Spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot and trout. The most popular surf fishing spot is the Cape Point in Buxton, located at vehicle access ramp 43, though you can surf fish pretty much anywhere on the beaches of the Outer Banks.

 

Nags Head Restaurants

Tale of the Whale Restaurant
7575 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe
7623 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant
7640 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
7320 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dune Burger
7308 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sam & Omie's Restaurant
7228 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Fat Boyz Ice Cream & Grill
7208 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Owens' Restaurant
7114 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Dunes Restaurant
7013 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Miller's Restaurant
6816 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dairy Queen
6714 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
106 E Finch Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Shopping

Outer Banks Fishing Pier
8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Whalebone Tackle
7667 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Sugar Shack Fish Market
7640 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Shipwreck Museum, Inc.
7746 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sea Tree Gallery
7332 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Daniels' Whalebone Seafood Market
101 Grey Eagle Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jennette's Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Cahoon RV - Grocery & Cottages
7213 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Publisher's Warehouse
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Claire's Accessories
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Gap Outlet
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nautica
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Attractions

Bodie Island Lighthouse
10005 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Fishing Pier
8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jennette's Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters
2000 Sailfish Drive
Manteo/Nags Head Causeway
Manteo, NC 27954

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
708 S US Highway 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954

The Elizabethan Gardens
1411 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

The Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC 27954

Roanoke Island Festival Park
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks History Center
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

Bodie Island Adventures
7649 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Raceway
7000 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jurassic Putt
6926 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Blackbeard's Miniature Golf
6714 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf
6606 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Speed N Spray
6408 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Golf Links
5615 S Seachase Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Earthworks Pottery Company & Family Art Center
525 S US Highway 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Cruises
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo Waterfront Marina, Slips #52-53
Manteo, NC 27954

Carolina Outdoors
307 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954

Downeast Rover Sailing Cruises
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo Waterfront Marina, Slip #50
Manteo, NC 27954

Pioneer Theatre
113 Budleigh Street
Manteo, NC 27954