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. Go Camping at the Ocracoke CampgroundThe National Park Service manages a great campground on Ocracoke Island. About twelve miles from the ferry docks and just three miles from Ocracoke Village, this oceanfront campground is in the perfect location for walking on the beach, fishing, nature walking and more! There are 136 campsites and the cost is $20 per night. To make a reservation, call (800) 365-CAMP. Embark on a Civil War Trail JourneyThe Civil War plays a role in the history of the Outer Banks, and several historical markers will tell you the story. Along the Civil War Trail of the Outer Banks, you will find important monuments and displays reminiscent of the War. The historical marker for the Battle of Chicamacomico Races, which was the battle when the Confederacy attempted to reclaim Hatteras Island from the Union, is located across from the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe. Another part of Civil War history is the Freedmen's Colony in Manteo, which is located at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and was a colony set up after Union forces captured the island. For more information on other historical markers and sites, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. Relax at the BeachIf watersports, fishing and tourist attractions aren't for you, don't worry - there is still something you can do to enjoy the Outer Banks! Get a cooler of your favorite refreshments and some snacks, grab a beach chair and head to the beach! Depending on the time of year, there will more than likely be something or someone for you to watch, whether it is surf fishermen, children playing in the sand and water, surfers or dolphins playing in the water. There is something about sitting on the beach and watching the waves come in that will relax you, and you will never want to leave! Ride Go-Karts with Your Friends and FamilyWhile 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. Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local SoundsThere are several docks and marinas located throughout the Outer Banks to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Space is limited during the summer months, especially on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for slip reservations. Thousands of visitors bring their boats to the Outer Banks each year, but if you don't have your own boat, some area businesses do offer powerboat rentals. For information on marinas and dock space, a few options are the Dock of the Bay in Kitty Hawk at (252) 255-5578, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (252) 441-6301, Frisco Cove Marina at (252) 995-4242 or Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras at (252) 986-2460. For boat rentals, contact The Promenade Watersports in Kitty Hawk at (252) 261-4400 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875. Tour the Graveyard of the Atlantic MuseumThe Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located in Hatteras Village, was created to preserve the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks throughout history. Emphasis in the museum is placed on the periods from 1524 to 1945. The museum has a unique design with an entrance modeled after the timbers of the many shipwrecks that have happened along the treacherous Hatteras coast. For more information, contact the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995. Visit the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation SocietyOnce the private residence to Coast Guard Captain David Williams, this home was moved to its current location on Ocracoke Island's Silver Lake in 1989 and restored to its original beauty by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. Many furnishings reminiscent of the 19th century have been donated by local families, and photographs of island natives can be seen throughout the house. The museum also has several exhibits and a research library. Admission is free and the museum is open from Easter through the end of December. For more information, contact the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society at (252) 928-7375. Tour the Whalehead ClubThe Whalehead Club, located in Corolla, was built as a private residence in the 1920s, when the Outer Banks was visited primarily by waterfowl hunters. From 1934 through 1969, the home sat empty while the original owners' family was uninterested in spending time in the home's remote location. In 1969 the home was purchased by a new owner, who also left the home sit empty for 25 more years. During this time period, The Whalehead Club suffered significant vandalism. It is now owned by Currituck County and has been restored to its original look from 1925. Visitors are welcome and 45-minute guided tours of the house are available. Admission is $7 for adults and children under eight are free. The Whalehead Club is also a popular setting for many outdoor weddings, since it is situated on the Currituck Sound and offers beautiful water and sunset views. Browse the Local Gift Shops and BoutiquesWhether your shopping interests are high-end boutiques, art galleries, local souvenir shops or seafood markets, you will find a variety of stores up and down the Outer Banks. Whether you are as far north as Corolla or as far south as Ocracoke, you could spend a day browsing in local shops and galleries. Duck and Corolla feature the most high-end boutiques, while Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head shopping is more practical and affordable. Manteo/Roanoke Island has a variety of stores as well, but focuses more on antiques, art and high-end boutiques. Hatteras Island shopping is practical and features more surf and souvenir shops than the other types. Ocracoke Island also has a variety of shopping, and since the Village is so small you can walk or bike between stores. Wherever you are, you will be able to find the perfect Outer Banks gift or souvenir to take home with you. | Kill Devil Hills RestaurantsGoombays Grill & Raw Bar1608 N Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Mako Mike's 1630 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 The Pearl Oceanfront Fine Dining 1731 N Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Little Caesar's Pizza 1704 N Croatan Highway Dare Centre Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Subway Sandwiches & Salads 1704 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 New York Bagels 1708 N Croatan Highway The Dare Centre Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 The Good Life Gourmet 1712 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Cold Stone Creamery 1716 N Croatan Highway The Dare Centre Kill Devil Hills, NC 27949 Subway Sandwiches & Salads 1726 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 China King 1728 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop, Deli & Wine Shop 100 S Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Dairy Queen 109 E Ocean Bay Boulevard Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Kill Devil Hills ShoppingNorth Carolina Books1500 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Fashion Bug 1700 N Croatan Highway The Dare Center Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 The Sheperd's Pets & Grooming 1700 N Croatan Highway The Dare Centre Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Outer Banks Sports Locker 1706 N Croatan Highway The Dare Centre Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 The Good Life Gourmet 1712 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Food Lion 1720 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Pilpel Beach Shop 1724 N Croatan Highway The Dare Center Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Staples 1720 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Dollar Tree 1730 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop, Deli & Wine Shop 100 S Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Hairoics 1736 N Croatan Highway The Dare Centre Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Great Cakes! of the Outer Banks 1401 Harpoon Court Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Outer Banks AttractionsAvalon Fishing Pier2111 N Virginia Dare Trail Milepost 6 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Wright Brothers National Memorial 800 Colington Road Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Nags Head Woods Preserve & The Nature Conservancy 701 W Ocean Acres Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 North Carolina Coastal Land Trust 701 W Ocean Acres Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Nags Head Fishing Pier 3309 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Dock of the Bay Marina 4200 Bob Perry Road Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve 983 W Kitty Hawk Road Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 98 NC Highway 12 Nags Head, NC 27959 The Kitty Hawk Pier 5353 N Virginia Dare Trail Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 The Lost Colony 1409 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island 374 Airport Road Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks ActivitiesProfessor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf1600 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique 1742 N Croatan Highway The Dare Center Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks 1803 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Outer Banks Junior Lifeguard Program 2052 New Bern Street Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Outer Banks Daredevils 100 Veterans Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Garden of Beadin' 2200 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Glazin Go-Nuts Paint Your Own Pottery 2200 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Destination Fun 1217 S Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Outer Banks Fishing Charters 200 Quail Lane Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Colington Speedway 1064 Colington Road Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Paradise Golf & Arcade 3300 N Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Coastal Helicopters, LLC PO Box 715 Nags Head, NC 27959 |