The Captain's Quarters

Five Bedroom Oceanside House, Located in Nags Head

Visit the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

The Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is a maritime forest that is managed by The Nature Conservancy, which is an international, nonprofit conservation organization. Located in Kill Devil Hills on the west side of US Highway 158, the Preserve is home to many rare plant and animal species. Spend an afternoon hiking on more than 5 miles of trails and footbridges that take you through forest, swamp, pond and dune habitats. Trails are open to visitors during the week between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bicycles and pets on leashes are restricted to a portion of the trail. For more information, contact the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve at (252) 441-2525.

Go Pier Fishing Off One of the Village Piers

There are numerous fishing piers that are located throughout the Outer Banks, and many anglers prefer the piers because they are relatively cheap to use and they can get to deeper waters without going out in a boat. Croakers, spot, sea mullet, red drum and cobia are commonly caught off the piers, depending on the time of year. Each pier sells bait and tackle and most of them have gear available for rent. There are fishing piers located in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Rodanthe, Avon and Frisco. Daily rates to fish on the pier range from $6 to $8 and some piers offer 3-day or weekly passes at discounted rates.

Visit the Deserted Portsmouth Island

Portsmouth Island is a small, deserted island just south of Ocracoke Island. Though it was once inhabited, now Portsmouth Island has no residents and is accessible only by boat. There is a 2-mile trail that leads from the village to the beach. Wilderness camping is allowed, but don't forget your insect repellent! For more information on the Island, contact Cape Lookout National Seashore at (252) 728-2250. If you would rather have a guided tour, Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions allows you to ride the shores of this island and visit its attractions. Two trips are offered each day and cost $75 per person. For more information, contact (252) 928-4484.

Tour the Whalehead Club

The 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.

Visit the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary

Ducks, geese, rabbits, deer, fox and many other animal species live in the 5,400-acre wildlife refuge known as the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, located between Duck and Corolla on the northern Outer Banks. Many trees and marsh grasses also grow in this secluded wetland area. A trailhead is located at the Sanderling Inn and gives access to a 2.5 mile clay trail that takes hikers, bikers and strollers through a part of the Sanctuary.

Go Beachcombing For Shells

Beachcombing for shells, also called shelling, on the beaches of the Outer Banks is an activity enjoyed by all. The best times to look for shells are after a high tide, after a storm, in the morning and during the winter months. When picking up shells from the sand, make sure you check first to make sure nothing is still alive inside the shell. If the shell you choose is the home to a live sea creature, set him back in the sand and keep searching. After you are done with your beachcombing, don't forget to soak the shells in bleach water or another cleaning agent. Even if the shells you choose are empty now, they had something living in them at one time and need to be cleaned before you pack them in your suitcase.

Take Your Kids To a Local Educational Camp

Because of the various educational opportunities for children on the Outer Banks, several local organizations offer partial-day and full-day camps, most of which last five days. Organizations that have kids' camps are as follows: The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3493, The KDH Cooperative Gallery at (252) 441-9888, The Kitty Hawk Sports Kids Kayak Clinic at (252) 441-6800, The Outer Banks Family YMCA at (252) 449-8897, Dare County Parks and Recreation at (252) 473-1101, ext. 313, Dare County Cooperative Extension at (252) 473-1101, ext. 442, Ocean Atlantic Rentals Surf School at (800) 635-9559 and Club Hatteras Kids at (252) 995-4600. These programs will be fun for the kids while they learn about various aspects of the Outer Banks.

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.

Go Golfing

The Outer Banks is home to a variety of golf courses to suit golfers ranging from novice to experienced skill levels. Nags Head Golf Links is an 18-hole championship located at Milepost 15 in Nags Head, and can be reached at (800) 851-9404. The Sea Scape Golf Links is also an 18-hole championship course that is built around the Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest with a beautiful view of the ocean. Sea Scape Golf Links can be reached at (252) 261-2158. The Duck Woods Country Club is an 18-hole course located at Milepost 1 in Southern Shores and can be reached at (252) 261-2609. Hatteras Island also has a golf course, Ocean Edge Golf Course, which is a 9-hole course on the oceanfront in Frisco. They can be reached at (252) 995-4100. Whichever course you choose is sure to keep you thinking about "the day you went golfing on the Outer Banks."

Go Surf Fishing on the Beach

Visitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular Outer Banks sport of surf fishing. Red drum is prevalent during about nine months of the year. Effective in 2006, you need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species (including red drum) are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Other fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, Spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot and trout. The most popular surf fishing spot is the Cape Point in Buxton, located at vehicle access ramp 43, though you can surf fish pretty much anywhere on the beaches of the Outer Banks.

 

Outer Banks Restaurants

Red Drum Tap House
2412 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

New York Pizza Pub
2217 S Croatan Highway
Milepost 10
Nags Head, NC 27959

Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern
2316 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
2236 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dunkin' Donuts
2407 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Beach Road Grill
2519 S Virginia Dare Trail
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

Arby's
1901 S Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Prime Only
2706 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Front Porch Cafe & Roastry
2707 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Shopping

IPSO Facto Gallery
206 E Gallery Row
Nags Head, NC 27959

Lone Wolff Trading Company
210 E Gallery Row
Nags Head, NC 27959

Morales Art Gallery
207 E Gallery Row
Nags Head, NC 27959

Living Edge Gallery
2403 S Wrightsville Avenue
Nags Head, NC 27959

Lighthouse Gallery & Gifts
301 E Driftwood Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sally Huss Gallery
300 E Driftwood Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet Art Gallery
210 E Driftwood Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jewelry by Gail
207 E Driftwood Street
Gallery Row
Nags Head, NC 27959

Wings
2229 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Christmas Mouse
2401 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Brew Thru Beverage Store
2203 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Scoot-Hers/Sandy Beach Tours
2300 S Croatan Highway
Suite #102
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Attractions

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
701 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 Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

Scoot-Hers/Sandy Beach Tours
2300 S Croatan Highway
Suite #102
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Gearworks Laser Tag and Fun Center
2406 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Bowling & Billiards
201 W Satterfield Landing Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Coastal Helicopters, LLC
PO Box 715
Nags Head, NC 27959

Fine Line Charters
105 S Colony Court
Nags Head, NC 27959

Galaxy Golf
2914 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

Outer Banks Fishing Charters
200 Quail Lane
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Centro Familiar Hispano
113 W Villa Dunes Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Destination Fun
1217 S Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959