Try Your Luck at CrabbingCrabs can be caught in local sound waters from late spring into early fall, but the best months for crabbing are May, June and July. Crabbing can be a fun activity for both adults and children and is relatively simple. You need a length of cord with suitable bait tied to one end. Chicken necks or fish heads work well for enticing the crabs onto your line. Throw the bait into the water, wait a few minutes, then pull gently on the line to see if you have a crab nibbling on the other end. Some more experienced crabbers prefer to use circular crab nets and collapsible crab traps. When you are done, boil your catch, and enjoy! If you prefer not to eat your catch, it is also fun to catch and release them back into the water. Catch a Wave Surfing in the Outer Banks Ocean WatersBecause the Outer Banks is set farther into the ocean with deeper waters than most other coastal regions, the surf of the Outer Banks is said to have the best breaks on the East Coast. The various fishing piers, shipwrecks and sandbars also create unusual wave patters for the thousands of surfers who come to the area each year to ride the Outer Banks waves. As with anything in the ocean, always go with a friend and be aware of water, weather and beach conditions. If you don't know how to surf but would like to learn, various surf shops offering lessons are: the Corolla Surf Shop at (252) 453-WAVE, The Pit Surf Shop in Kill Devil Hills at (252) 480-3128, the Hatteras Island Surf Shop in Waves at (252) 987-2296 or the Ride the Wind Surf Shop in Ocracoke at (252) 928-6311. Drive-Thru a Brew Thru Convenience StoreYou've heard of drive-thru fast food restaurants, but have you ever been to a drive-thru gas station and convenience store? The Outer Banks is home to the original Brew Thru, which is a local chain of drive-thru gas station/convenience stores where you will find friendly service, great prices and the unique Brew Thru apparel - all without having to leave the comfort of your car! There are four Brew Thru locations to serve you, located between Corolla and Nags Head. Drive thru and check them out! Enjoy a Local Seafood DinnerYou can't spend any time at the Outer Banks without having a local seafood dinner. Throughout the Outer Banks, there are many great restaurants that will serve the catch of the day and cook it how you like it. You can't go wrong with an authentic seafood dinner on the Outer Banks. Many of the restaurants will prepare YOUR catch of the day for you, if you have been out fishing and don't want to cook your own catch. All you have to do is ask! Take a Red Wolf Howl Tour at Alligator River National Wildlife RefugeLocated on the Dare County mainland west of Manteo on Highway 64, you will find the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge consists of 150,000 acres of wetlands, fields and swamps. A variety of animal species call the refuge home, including black bears, white-tailed deer, gray fox, bobcats, raccoons, mink, beaver, squirrels, opossum, river otter, alligators and red wolves. Though they are a threatened species, red wolves have made a comeback in this part of North Carolina, thanks to careful management since the 1980s. Night tours to hear the red wolves howl are given every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the refuge from late June through mid-August. For more information, contact the refuge at (252) 473-1131, ext. 243. Go Horseback Riding on the BeachYou've seen the movies with people riding horses on the beach. Why not try it for yourself during your vacation to the Outer Banks? Equine Adventures in Buxton offers local experienced guides that lead you on scenic wooded trails to the beach. Rides are offered year round, but reservations are required. Call (252) 995-4897 for more information. Have a Meal at Big Al's Soda Fountain and GrillBig 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! Go Scuba Diving To View Underwater Shipwrecks and Sea LifeThe Outer Banks is otherwise known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because of the more than 100 shipwrecks that have remains on the ocean floor between Corolla and Ocracoke. Wreckage from these ships is located at various depths in the ocean, and a great way to see them is by going scuba diving. As you may know, scuba diving can be very dangerous, and you must take special training in order to become a certified diver. For information on learning how to dive while you are in the Outer Banks, contact the Outer Banks Dive Center at (252) 449-8349. If you are already certified and just need a boat to take you to a diving spot, contact Outer Banks Diving and Charters at (252) 986-1056 or Atlantic Wreck Diving at (252) 986-2835. Climb the Cape Hatteras LighthouseThe 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. Watch a Performance at the Outer Banks Music ShowcaseThe Outer Banks Music Showcase opened in the summer of 2004 and has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors and locals. The audience is entertained by various local performers who blend music with comedy to create family-friendly shows. Several music genres are presented including country, show tunes, pop, 1950s and 1960s, gospel and patriotic music. During the peak season, two performances are held each night. The theater is located in Kitty Hawk at Milepost 4.5 on US Highway 158. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $11.95 for children twelve and under. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Music Showcase at (252) 261-7505. | Outer Banks RestaurantsRed Drum Tap House2412 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 ShoppingIPSO Facto Gallery206 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 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 Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island 104 Fernando Street Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks ActivitiesScoot-Hers/Sandy Beach Tours2300 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 |