Island Dancer

Three Bedroom Oceanfront House, Located in Nags Head

Tour the Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center

The Native American Museum & Natural History Center in Frisco is full of unusual collections of Native American artifacts dating back to the 1930s. The Museum has one of the largest collections of artifacts from the Chiricahua Apache tribe, as well as several artifacts from other tribes from around the country. There is a gift shop at the museum that sells various art, crafts, jewelry, toys and books. Outside the museum, there are outdoor nature trails leading into three acres of woods. The museum is open year-round on Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family, and group rates are available. For more information, contact the Museum at (252) 995-4440.

Embark on a Civil War Trail Journey

The Civil War plays a role in the history of the Outer Banks, and several historical markers will tell you the story. Along the Civil War Trail of the Outer Banks, you will find important monuments and displays reminiscent of the War. The historical marker for the Battle of Chicamacomico Races, which was the battle when the Confederacy attempted to reclaim Hatteras Island from the Union, is located across from the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe. Another part of Civil War history is the Freedmen's Colony in Manteo, which is located at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and was a colony set up after Union forces captured the island. For more information on other historical markers and sites, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN.

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.

Tour the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park

The Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park is a 69-acre industrial park that was built in 1980 to entice large-scale seafood processing companies to bring their business to Wanchese. Oregon Inlet, the East Coast's most dangerous inlet, shoaled terribly through the 1980s and few of the fishing boats could make it through the inlet, so the large-scale seafood processors never arrived. The industrial park remained mostly vacant until 1994, when smaller area businesses began moving into the park. Today, the area is almost full with various marine-related industries. The industrial park is an educational stop for visitors interested in the world of boatbuilding and sea harvesting. Visitors are welcome to come in and check out the boat docks. For more information, contact the industrial park at (252) 473-5867.

Take a Red Wolf Howl Tour at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Located 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.

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.

Buy a Hermit Crab and Take Your New Pet Home

As 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.

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.

Tour the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at "Duck Pier"

Situated on 173 acres just north of Duck Village, the Waterways Experiment Station of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been helping scientists study ocean processes since 1977. The site's equipment to monitor sand movement, wave forces, water currents, temperatures and sedimentation have helped the facility gain a reputation as one of the best coastal field research facilities in the world. From mid-June to mid-August, tours are available at the research facility at 10:00 a.m. between Monday and Friday. For more information, contact the Field Research Facility at (252) 261-6850, ext. 401.

Go Jogging on the Beach

There are a few great gyms on the Outer Banks, and even a few jogging trails. But why not take advantage of the sandy Atlantic beaches and go jogging on the beach? They say you get twice the benefit from jogging on sand versus other jogging surfaces, so give it a try! Jogging on the beach is a great way to get that workout in while you enjoy the beaches of the Outer Banks.

 

Nags Head Restaurants

Pamlico Jack's Pirate Hide-away
6708 S Croatan Highway, Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Tortugas' Lie Shellfish Bar & Grill
3014 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Butcher Block Fine Meats & Delicatessen
3022 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Logan's Ice Cream Cottage
2805 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Lucky 12 Tavern
3308 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Pier House Restaurant
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

Prime Only
2706 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Beach Road Grill
2519 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Snow Bird Ice Cream & Grill
3522 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

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

Nags Head Shopping

Yellowhouse Gallery
2902 S Virginia Dare Trail
Milepost 11
Nags Head, NC 27959

The French Door
2921 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Wings
2907 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Cloud Nine Beads Finding & Seaglass
3022 S Croatan Highway
Pirate's Quay Shops
Nags Head, NC 27959

Old Nags Head Barn
3022 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Wings
3022 S Croatan Highway
Pirates Quay Shopping Center
Nags Head, NC 27959

Butcher Block Fine Meats & Delicatessen
3022 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Meme's Antique Mall
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

European Flavors
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Something Old Something New
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Secret Spot Surf Shop
2815 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Eastern Fusion Gallery
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Attractions

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

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

Wright Brothers National Memorial
800 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Roanoke Island Festival Park
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks History Center
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Avalon Fishing Pier
2111 N Virginia Dare Trail
Milepost 6
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954

The Lost Colony
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC 27954

Nags Head Activities

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

Outer Banks Family YMCA
3000 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Centre for Dance
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

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

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

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

Scoot-Hers/Sandy Beach Tours
2300 S Croatan Highway
Suite #102
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

Kitty Hawk Kites
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Carolina Outdoors
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959