Caribbean Queen

Ten Bedroom Oceanfront House, Located in Nags Head

Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, located in Buxton, is possibly the most famous lighthouse in the nation. The tallest brick lighthouse at 208 feet, it survived a move of more than 1,600 feet away from the eroding shoreline in 1999. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing from late March to early October each year. There are daily lighthouse tours, and the ticket booth opens each day at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are only available for the date of purchase, and tours normally sell out by noon each day. The cost to climb the lighthouse is $6 for adults and $3 for children and Senior Citizens. The climb is a tough one with several winding staircases, but the breathtaking views from the top will be something you will never forget. There is also a visitor center and bookstore on the premises, located in the former keepers' quarters.

Go Sailing in the Calm Sound Waters

The good news about sailing on the Outer Banks is that you no longer have to own your own sailboat to partake in this activity. Many local shops offer sailboat lessons, rentals, excursions and charters! If you have never sailed before, don't attempt to rent one until you have had lessons. The winds on the Outer Banks are tricky and you could end up miles from shore if you aren't careful. For more information, contact Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Carolina Outdoors is another option and can be reached at the Duck location at (800) 334-4777 or the Avon location at (252) 995-6060.

Take a Flightseeing Tour with Coastal Helicopters

Coastal Helicopters offers flightseeing tours, photography and videography flights over the beautiful Outer Banks. You will enjoy panoramic views from the sky with an FAA Certified Commercial Helicopter Pilot when you take your air tour with Coastal Helicopters. The helicopter is a Robinson R-44 Raven II and offers a safe, smooth ride to accompany the unparalleled views. A few attractions that can be seen from the air include Wright Brothers National Monument, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Wild Banker Ponies, Oregon Inlet, Cape Hatteras National Sewashore, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and more! Call Coastal Helicopters today at 252-928-8074 for more information.

Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local Sounds

There 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.

Browse the Local Gift Shops and Boutiques

Whether 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.

Spend an Afternoon at Coquina Beach

Coquina Beach, known for its secluded, wide beach, is one of the favorite beaches on the Outer Banks. Located only 6 miles south of the Whalebone Junction on the south side of Nags Head, this beach has smaller crowds than other parts of the Outer Banks while offering the basic amenities - a lifeguard (in the summer), restrooms, outdoor showers and a parking area. This beach is home to the coquina clams, which are edible and make excellent chowder. Because it is miles away from any commercial or residential building, Coquina Beach is a great place to sunbathe, swim, fish, surf and search for shells.

Take a Photography Adventure with Your Camera

Instead of purchasing postcards to take home with you as souvenirs of your Outer Banks vacation, take a photography adventure with your own camera. Whether you choose to photograph the various Outer Banks lighthouses, different species of birds, sunrises and sunsets, boats or any of the other many highlights of the Outer Banks, the natural beauty is sure to come through in your photographs. You can take your original photographs home and show them to all of your friends, or frame them and hang them in your house so you will always have a reminder of the Outer Banks!

Play or Watch Others Play in the Waters at Canadian Hole

Canadian Hole is a public area located 1.5 miles south of Avon on Hatteras Island. Windsurfers and kiteboarders who travel to the Outer Banks from around the world spend most of their vacation playing in the Pamlico Sound waters at Canadian Hole. If you are driving by this location on a windy day, pull into the public parking area and take some time to relax and watch the surfers and boarders. Many of them are very talented at their sports and are fun to watch. If you can catch this area near sunset, it is a great photo opportunity with the sails in the sky and the sunset in the background.

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!

Feed the Birds on the Beach

There are many species of sea birds that call the shores of the Outer Banks home. They normally eat fish, sea kelp and other interesting things that may wash onshore. One afternoon, buy a couple loaves of bread and head to the beach. There may be only a few birds in sight when you arrive, but throw some bread out to them and watch as the birds multiply in front of your eyes. If you are afraid of birds, you may not want to try this, because they LOVE food and aren't afraid to get too close to you!

 

Nags Head Restaurants

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

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

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

Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant
7640 S Virginia Dare Trail
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

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

Bass Shoe Factory Outlet
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Corningware-Corelle-Revere Factory Store
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Geoffrey Beene #211
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

Outer Banks Attractions

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

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

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

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

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
98 NC Highway 12
Nags Head, NC 27959

Roanoke Island Festival Park
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks History Center
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

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

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
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

Outer Banks Activities

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

Bodie Island Adventures
7649 S Virginia Dare Trail
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

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

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

Pioneer Theatre
113 Budleigh Street
Manteo, NC 27954