Take a Boat Cruise To View Local Attractions and WildlifeIf you aren't interested in fishing or watersports, there is also a variety of boat cruises offered on the Outer Banks. Depending on which tour you choose, you could see dolphins, shipwrecks, sunsets, various sights and local attractions, various bird species, and more! In Nags Head, contact Bodie Island Adventures at (252) 441-6682. Outer Banks Cruises in Manteo is also an option, and can be reached at (252) 473-1475. Captain Clam in Hatteras, though it is primarily a headboat fishing charter, also offers pirate tours some evenings in the summer, and can be reached at (252) 986-2365. Take Your Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle on the BeachThough there is some controversy over whether it should be allowed or not, you can drive on the beach in many parts of the Outer Banks in designated off-road beach access areas. You will need to have a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to prevent getting stuck, and you may not go over 25 mph while driving on the beach. Some places don't allow beach driving and some require permits to drive on the beach, so check with the local area officials to make sure you are following the rules. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (252) 473-2111. Sleep with the Windows Open and Hear the Ocean BreezeWhen you are at home and have a window open, what kind of noises do you hear? Honking car horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? People talking on the street? While you are at the Outer Banks, try sleeping with the windows open. Chances are on most nights, if you are within a mile of the ocean, you will be able to hear the sound of the ocean. You can hear sounds similar to relaxation CDs that are sold in stores just by opening your window. Try it - you will love it! Tour the Elizabethan GardensThe Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island offer a picturesque view of more than 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. Created in 1960 in memory of Sir Walter Raleigh's colonists for their efforts in establishing an English settlement, these botanical gardens are open year-round. The paths take visitors through 10.5 acres of some of North Carolina's most colorful flowers. Most paths are wheelchair-accessible. Garden admission is $6 for adults, $4 for kids between ages six through 18, $5 for adults age 62 and older and free for children under 5 when accompanied by an adult. Hours of operation vary throughout the year. For more information, contact The Elizabethan Gardens at (252) 473-3234. Visit the Wright Brothers National MemorialOn December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright (otherwise known as the Wright Brothers) soared in their homemade flying machine for more than 852 feet, staying in the air for 59 seconds. They were the first to get a powered airplane to fly in the sky. In 1932, a granite monument was built in their memory on a steep hill in the center of Kill Devil Hills, which is the same monument thousands of visitors visit each year. The site is managed by the National Park Service and there is also a visitor center, gift shop and museum. Tours and summer programs are available. Admission is $4 for adults and free for children 15 and under. For more information, contact the Wright Brothers National Memorial at (252) 441-7430. Go Waterfowl HuntingIn the 1920s, many parts of the Outer Banks were used primarily for waterfowl hunting. Today, people visit the Outer Banks for several different reasons - family reunions, windsurfing, surfing, kiteboarding, research, reporting or simply to just get away from the city for a few days. Though waterfowl hunting is not a primary pastime in the area, some hunters do still visit the Outer Banks to hunt waterfowl. If you prefer to have a hunting guide, you may call Ken Dempsey Guide Services, which is a full-time professional outfitter who has been in the business for 16 years. For complete information on season dates, bag limits and shooting hours, call (800) 675-0263. Have a Beach CampfireOne more great thing about the Outer Banks is that on a clear night when the stars come out, you can see them all. A great way to relax and see all the stars is to have a beach campfire. Take your family down to the beach just before sunset and set up your chairs, refreshments and firewood. If you would like, bring a few roasting sticks and some marshmallows. Once the sun goes down and the stars come out, you will be amazed at the view. If you are within a few miles of one of the four Outer Banks lighthouses, you will be able to see the flashing light as it makes its rotation. Don't forget to build your fire away from the dunes and vegetation, and clean up after yourselves when you are done. Enjoy the stars (and the marshmallows!) Visit the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station in CorollaThe Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station was originally built in Kill Devil Hills in 1878 when lifesaving stations were located every 7 miles along the Outer Banks. This station was visited by the Wright Brothers during their many trips to the Outer Banks. Many of the original workers of the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station assisted the Wright Brothers with their early flight experiments, and some were lucky enough to be there to view the world's first powered airplane fly through the sky. The station was moved to Corolla in 1986, where it was restored and is the current home of the local shop, Outer Banks Style. Take time to stop and visit this unique structure of Outer Banks history! Catch a Local Music Performance at the Deepwater TheaterMolasses Creek is a high-energy acoustic folk band that plays bluegrass and ballads and is the most popular local band on Ocracoke Island. Though they perform throughout the nation, Molasses Creek plays in the Deepwater Theater all summer, and during occasions throughout the year. They perform at the theater on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the summer. Other performances also take place in the Deepwater Theater, including the Ocracfolk Opry, which is held on Wednesday evenings. The Deepwater Theater is located on the School Road in Ocracoke Village. View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic OceanHow many days of the year do you go to the beach before the sun comes up, sit in your beach chair with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to rise? Have you ever tried it? While you are on the Outer Banks, make yourself get up early one day and head to the beach. Either watch the news or go on the Internet the night before to find out the exact time of the following day's sunrise - in the summer, it is normally between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. Grab your chair, your coffee and your camera, set your alarm (it's only one day, you can do it!), and get out there! It will be one of the most beautiful things you will see during your stay on the Outer Banks. | Corolla RestaurantsNorthern Lights Pastry & Coffee109 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Clubhouse Cafe 1197 Franklyn Street Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Bagels 1109 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Pizza & Deli 1152 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Big Mama's Breakfast, Seafood, Ice Cream & Yogurt 1152 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Cosmo's Pizzeria 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Wild Horse Cafe 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Nicolettas Italian Cafe 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Fat Crabs Rib Co. 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Ned's Ice Cream & Convenience 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Cheese-Steaks 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Lighthouse Bagels 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ShoppingNorthern Lights Pastry & Coffee109 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Bait & Tackle 101 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Beach Bag Books & Music 1109 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Spry Creek Dry Goods 1122 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Lighthouse Garden 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Old Corolla Trading Co. 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Island Bookstore 1130 Corolla Village Road Historic Corolla Village Corolla, NC 27927 The Lightkeeper's Wife 1130 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Village Fisherman Unique Gifts 1130 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Wink's Grocery & Market 1150 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Style 1134 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla AttractionsOuter Banks Center for Wildlife Education1160 Village Lane Corolla, NC 27927 The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park 1100 Club Road Corolla, NC 27927 Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Corolla Wild Horse Museum at The Historic Corolla Schoolhouse 1126 Schoolhouse Lane Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ActivitiesCorolla Jeep Rentals & Tours1070 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Bob's Wild Horse Tours 1066 Ocean Trail Inn at Corolla Light Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Outback Adventures, Ltd. 1150 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Back Country Outfitters & Guides 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Beach Jeeps of Corolla 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Island Revolution Surf Co. & Skatepark 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Wild Horse Safari 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kayak Corolla 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Kites 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Carolina Outdoors 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks 815 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 794 Sunset Boulevard Tim Buck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 |