Your Destination Locations on th

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
Yes, you are there. Now what do you do?
We have miles and miles of beaches but there is a lot more to the Outer Banks.
There are Historical & Cultural Sites, Lighthouses, Museums, Parks & Wildlife, Site Seeing, Fishing
& of course Shopping. We have listed below some fun things to do while visiting the Outer Banks, some links to the Visitor's Bureau Web-site and a listing of some places you might want to visit..

Things you can do in an hour;

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center Visit the center at 12 noon and 4 PM when the fishing boats come in to see the days big catch.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Sir Walter Raleigh's explorers and colonist attempted to found settlements here on the north end of Roanoke Island in 1585. Also located here is the Freedman's Colony, a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. Waterside Theater, home of the Lost Colony outdoor drama is also locate here. You'll find a Visitor's Center, interpretive programs, bookstore and nature trail.

North Carolina Maritime Museum Located on the Manteo Waterfront, this working boat shop also shows visitors the age old form of boat restoration and construction.

Jockey's Ridge State Park Witness flight as it is still practiced today on the Outer Banks. You will get to see the largest living sand dune on the East Coast and enjoy a hang gliding demonstration from the largest hang gliding school in America, Kite Hawk Kites.

Elizabethan Gardens Stroll through the majestic gardens which were designed as a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth I and the Lost Colony. Te gardens feature a sunken floral garden and herb, wildflower and rose gardens that surround priceless pieces of antique statuary.

Chicamacomico Life Saving Station View the historic building and boathouse that housed the service that was the predecessor to the United States Coast Guard. Hear the history of daring ocean rescues by brave men who dedicated their lives to the sea.

Bodie Island Lighthouse This 156 foot beacon began operation in 1872. The original Fresnel Lens is still in use today.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visit the tallest brick beacon on the American coast, standing 208 feet high. Learn the marvelous history, which includes its half-mile move in 2000 away from the sea. (travel time about 1 hour each way)

Ocracoke Lighthouse Nestled in this quaint fishing village along Silver Lake, this whitewashed tower is the oldest and shortest. Built in 1823 it is the oldest operating lighthouse on the North Carolina Coast and the second oldest in the United States.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse Visit the only lighthouse in North Carolina that is still housed in its original structure. Built in 1874 this lighthouse stands 158 feet tall. (travel time 30 to 40 minutes)

Wright Brother's National Memorial See where on a cold day in December 1903 Wilbur and Orvile Wright changed the world forever as their powered airplane, the 'Wright Flyer' skimmed over the sands of the Outer Banks for 12 seconds to become the 'first in flight". See the nuseum and walk the ground where this historic event took place.

Got a little more time? Here are some ideas.

Roanoke Island Island Festival Park Here you can see the Elizabeth II. a 69 foot sailing vessel representative of those sailed to the New World in 1585. Also visit the Roanoke Island Adventure Museum and Settlement Site where you can see what life was like for those early explorers as they arrived on Roanoke Island.

The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama (Waterfront Theater) Experience the excitement and tragedies of Paul Green's Pulitzer Prize winning outdoor drama. The story tells of Sir Walter Raleigh's expedition of 3 ships that attempted to settle the first English colony in the New World in 1587. Performances begin at 8:30PM June through August.

Red Wolf Howling Safari The Alligator Wildlife Refuge offers you the experience of a lifetime. Come and learn about the Red Wolves and participate in the "howling".

Kayaking in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Kayaking tour take you to one of the most pristine areas of the Outer Banks. Home to alligators, black bear, bobcats, red wolves, beaver and much more. Explore the waterways surrounding the once thriving lumber town and moonshine outpost. This area was know to the Algonquin as Pocosin, meaning swamp on a hill. Fall foliage will provide a glimpse deep into this unique area.

Evening Cruise on the Roanoke Sound Cruise the Roanoke Sound while viewing the sights of the Elizabeth II, Jockey's Ridge, The Wright Memorial and the rest of the Outer Banks from new vantage point. (Crystal Dawn Cruises)

Dolphin Watch Cruise Departing from Manteo Waterfront cruise the local waters for Dolphin, Osprey, pelicans and Outer Banks History. (Outer Banks Cruises)