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. Build a SandcastleWhen you stop in the local Outer Banks Reef or Wings souvenir store, buy your kids a bucket of beach toys that will assist in making a sandcastle. Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You will need a bucket, a shovel and other sand tools, as well as some water to keep the fine sand damp and sticky. Depending on the ages and skill levels of your children, you could have your own family sandcastle contest. You could choose a theme (movies, animals, etc.) and everyone could build their own sandcastle. No matter how the sandcastle(s) turn out, you are sure to have lots of laughs! Visit the Nags Head Hammocks Store Near YouNags Head Hammocks is an original Outer Banks store that crafts original rope hammocks, swings and chairs, as well as their own curved cypress hammock stands and hammock swing stands. All of their products are handcrafted in their seven stores, all located on the Outer Banks. Their products have become well-known for their comfort, durability and attention to detail. All of their locations put several pieces on display for you to test. If you are unable to purchase one of these great items during your stay on the Outer Banks, you also have the option to purchase on-line at their web site. For more information, you may contact Nags Head Hammocks at (800) 344-6433. 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. Go Shopping at Tanger Outlet CenterThe Tanger Outlet Center is located on the south side of Nags Head on US Highway 158. If you love to shop, or even if you forgot something at home, this is a great place for you to find some Outer Banks bargains! A few of the stores at the Outlet Center are: The Gap, Ralph Lauren, Wilson Leather, The Dress Barn, Kitchen Collection, Claire's Boutique, Rack Room Shoes, Bass and Nine West. Don't forget to stop by the Tanger Outlet Center and buy yourself something special! Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or CanoeingPeople of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of the Outer Banks sounds. There are several stores available throughout the Outer Banks where you can rent either a kayak or a canoe, and there are different types available depending on your preference. You can rent equipment from Carolina Outdoors in Corolla, Nags Head, Manteo, Avon or Hatteras at (800) 334-4777. Several companies also offer guided kayak and canoe eco-tours. Corolla Adventure Tours leads tours on the northern beaches and can be reached at (252) 453-6899. Ocracoke Adventures leads tours of the Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island and can be reached at (252) 928-7873. 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. Buy a Hermit Crab and Take Your New Pet HomeAs you may know, hermit crabs are very popular pets. Similar to letting a child have a goldfish or a hamster, hermit crabs are also low maintenance pets. They need a small living area (a goldfish bowl or empty fish aquarium) with sand and some water. They like to eat cornmeal. At first, the hermit crab is a bit like a turtle and is afraid to come out of his shell. But, after he gets used to you and his surroundings, he will come out to say hello and be very active. When your hermit crab gets large enough and runs out of room in their current shell, he will leave that shell and move to a larger one. While you are visiting the Outer Banks, you can look on the beach for some larger empty shells for your new pet to grow into and put them in his house with him. Many of the local Reef and Wings stores sell hermit crabs and houses at reasonable prices. Teach Your Kids about Pirate Blackbeard and Let Them Find "Buried Treasure"There are many stories of pirates and buried treasure that are part of the unique history of the Outer Banks. The story of the notorious Pirate Blackbeard ended in Ocracoke in 1718 when he was killed in battle at Ocracoke Inlet. Throughout his "career" as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships. Today, many businesses and streets in the area are named after Blackbeard. While you are in the Outer Banks, teach your children the history of Blackbeard and let them search for his buried treasure. Create a treasure map and bury a treasure at the end of it. Help them with the treasure hunt by playing along. This is a great way for you and your children to experience the true pirate history of the area! Go on an Adventure To View Local ShipwrecksBecause the Outer Banks, referred to as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," has record of more than 100 shipwrecks throughout history, there are some shipwrecks you can see during your visit. Many of the shipwrecks are on the ocean floor and only visible by scuba divers, but others are either onshore or in other land locations. The 1921 Shipwreck of the Schooner Laura A. Barnes is located on Coquina Beach, where it was placed for public display. The 1933 Shipwreck of the Schooner G.A. Kohler can be viewed at the edge of the surf at low tide at 4WD beach access Ramp #27 (between Avon and Salvo.) There are some other shipwrecks in the area as well. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. | Outer Banks RestaurantsNew York Pizza Pub2217 S Croatan Highway Milepost 10 Nags Head, NC 27959 Red Drum Tap House 2412 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Tropical Smoothie Cafe 2236 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern 2316 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Dunkin' Donuts 2407 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Ship's Wheel Restaurant 2028 S Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Kill Devil Grill 2008 S Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Flying Fish Cafe 2003 S Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Beach Road Grill 2519 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Arby's 1901 S Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Big Daddy's Water Ice 1700 S Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Peppercorns Restaurant & Lounge 1701 S Virginia Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Nags Head ShoppingIPSO Facto Gallery206 E Gallery Row Nags Head, NC 27959 Lone Wolff Trading Company 210 E Gallery Row Nags Head, NC 27959 Sally Huss Gallery 300 E Driftwood Street Nags Head, NC 27959 Brew Thru Beverage Store 2203 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Morales Art Gallery 207 E Gallery Row Nags Head, NC 27959 Wings 2229 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet Art Gallery 210 E Driftwood Street Nags Head, NC 27959 Lighthouse Gallery & Gifts 301 E Driftwood Street Nags Head, NC 27959 Food Lion 2210 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Whalebone Surf Shop 2214 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Fudge Company 2236 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Beach Memories 2236 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks AttractionsNorth Carolina Coastal Land Trust701 W Ocean Acres Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Nags Head Woods Preserve & The Nature Conservancy 701 W Ocean Acres Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Nags Head Fishing Pier 3309 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 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 Wright Brothers National Memorial 800 Colington Road Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Avalon Fishing Pier 2111 N Virginia Dare Trail Milepost 6 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 The Lost Colony 1409 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Roanoke Island Festival Park 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks History Center 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954 Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue Manteo, NC 27954 North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island 374 Airport Road Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks ActivitiesScoot-Hers/Sandy Beach Tours2300 S Croatan Highway Suite #102 Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Bowling & Billiards 201 W Satterfield Landing Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Gearworks Laser Tag and Fun Center 2406 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Coastal Helicopters, LLC PO Box 715 Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Fishing Charters 200 Quail Lane Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Fine Line Charters 105 S Colony Court Nags Head, NC 27959 Galaxy Golf 2914 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Destination Fun 1217 S Croatan Highway Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Outer Banks Centre for Dance 2910 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Family YMCA 3000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Centro Familiar Hispano 113 W Villa Dunes Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Daredevils 100 Veterans Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 |