Outer Banks Vacation Planner > Things to Do: Attractions

Carova

Corolla Wild Horses
More than 100 wild Spanish Mustangs have run free in Corolla for more than 400 years. They are still seen roaming the beaches. Location: Corolla Telephone: 252.453.8002

Corolla

Corolla Wild Horse Museum
Interactive displays, local history, hands-on activities and gift shop. Kid's programs held on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Admission and programs are free.
Location: Historic Village - 1126 School House Lane (inside school house)
Telephone: 252.453.8002
E-mail: info@corollawildhorses.com
Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Currituck Outer Banks Visitor’s Center
Located in the Ocean Club Centre Complex, Corolla. Call or stop by the Visitor’s Center for vacation information including accommodations, activities and restaurants. Their knowledgeable staff can answer your questions about the area and provide you with directions to many attractions. (252) 453-9612.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
The new center provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about northeastern North Carolina’s rich natural history and heritage. The center houses an exhibit gallery, an auditorium, a museum store, a large decoy collection and a 12,000-gallon aquarium. Daily educational programs. Currituck Heritage Park, Corolla. (252) 453-0221.

Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park
Located in the village of Corolla, NC, this was the winter residence of Edward Collings Knight, Jr. and his wife Marie Louise. Subsequent years saw its use by the U.S. Coast Guard, Corolla Academy and Atlantic Research Corporation. Open for tours year round 10am-5:30pm Apr.-Oct., and 9am-4:30pm Nov.-Mar. Special tours by reservation only: Children’s Tour & Treasure Hunt, Behind the Scenes and Ghost Tour. (252) 453-9040.

Duck

Duck Town Park
Events & Meeting Hotline: (252) 255-1286
A premier community recreational facility enabling Town residents and visitors alike to partake in the natural beauty of this 11-acre soundside maritime forest and willow swamp.

Duck Trail
A popular walking/cycling trail that runs parallel to Highway 12. Walkers, runners, cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters are welcome.

Engineer Research Development Center, Field Research Facility (FRF)
The US Army Corps of Engineers studies and monitors the effects of wave action, currents and tides at this 1,800-foot pier. Grounds off-limits and closed to the public, except one tour daily mid-Jun. to mid-Aug., Mon.-Fri. 10am only. Call (252) 261-6840, ext. 401 to check possible tour availability. NC Route 12, north of Duck.

Kitty Hawk

Aycock Brown Visitor Center
See the “Outer Banks at a Glance” and enjoy state-of-the-art displays. Features a large picnic area.
Location: US 158; Mile Post 1 ½
Hours of Operation: (Memorial Day – August): 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; (September – April 1): 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
Part of the N.C. Coastal Reserve System, a maritime deciduous forest runs along the coastline and low, gently rolling dune ridges interspersed with wet swales run parallel to the shoreline. The area is great for birding during the breeding season and fall migration. Hiking Trails: A two-mile long hiking trail is located at the end of Birch Lane, off of Treasure Street. The trail winds through 460+ acres. A series of hiking trails is located near the intersection of Amadas Road and Colleton Road.
Boat Access: Two boat access areas are located in the reserve. High Bridge Creek winds through the reserve and is accessible by kayak, canoe, and small boat. A public boat ramp is located on Bob Perry Road.
Location: South of US 158. The forest is accessible via Woods Road. The easisest access can be found on the multi-use trail that parallels Woods Road. Public parking is available on the north end of Woods Road, behind the playground.
Hours of Operation: Open to the public during daylight hours.

Kill Devil Hills

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
Established by The Nature Conservancy to protect one of the last and most diverse maritime forests on the barrier islands. Walking trails provide access to the preserve’s 1,200 acres for the entire family. No admission fee to the preserve, but donations welcome. West Ocean Acres Drive off US Route 158, Kill Devil Hills. (252) 441-2525.

Wright Brothers National Monument
Exhibits and programs, a full-size replica of the Wright Brothers’ 1902 glider and 1903 powered flyer, and reproductions of their camp, workshop and hangar are the highlights of this National Park Service site. (252) 441-7430.

Nags Head

Gallery Row
Mulitple art galleries, jewelry shops and more.
Location: Mile Post 10

Jockey’s Ridge State Park
More than 1 million hikers, hang gliders and sightseers annually visit Jockey’s Ridge, the East Coast’s tallest sand dune. “Soundside” nature trail highlights the area’s unique animals and plants. Guided hikes, lectures and activity programs for all ages. See Jockey’s Ridge article in Area Features. (252) 441-7132.

Laura Barnes Shipwreck
Timbers of one of the last sailing schooners built in America lie at Coquina Beach, off NC Route 12, south of Nags Head. The 120-foot ship ran aground during a storm in 1921, north of the display site in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. No admission fee.

Roanoke Island

Elizabethan Gardens
Gardeners, nature lovers and history buffs will all enjoy the native plants mingled with groomed displays of blossoms and Renaissance sculpture. An Elizabethan-style garden designed in tribute to the Roanoke colonists. See The Elizabethan Gardens article in Area Features. (252) 473-3234

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site encompasses 513 acres, preserving known locations and portions of England’s first attempts at settlement in the New World. Ranger-conducted interpretive programs and activities are offered during the summer months. Free admission. See Fort Raleigh article in Roanoke Island. (252) 473-5772.

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Come and experience close encounters with fishes, otters, snakes and sharks – all at the aquarium. Open daily 9am to 5pm (closes at 6pm). Located on Airport Road, on the north end of Roanoke Island. Soundside picnic area, snack bar (summer only). See the North Carolina Aquarium article in Roanoke Island. (252) 473-3494.

North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Performance Festival
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
(252) 475-1506
June 27-Aug. 5. Fun in the park after dark! Music, drama and dance performances in a casual outdoor setting Tuesday-Friday nights at 8:30pm. Saturday night at the movies! A slower pace perhaps? Relax to classical music in the Art Gallery at 2pm, Tues.-Fri. Family fun all week – all events FREE!

Outer Banks History Center
An acclaimed research library administered by the North Carolina State Archives with the mission of collecting and preserving the history and culture of coastal North Carolina. Reading Room hours: 9am-5pm weekdays, except holidays. The Gallery is open daily, Feb.-Dec., with hours changing seasonally. Located across from the Manteo waterfront within the Roanoke Island Festival Park complex. (252) 473-2655.

Roanoke Island Festival Park
The Park celebrates Roanoke Island’s unique history as the starting point for English colonization in the New World. Enjoy a tour aboard the Elizabeth II, or visit with soldiers in the Settlement Site. Explore 400 years of Outer Banks history in the interactive museum. Open daily mid-February – December 31. Hours vary. Admission fee. See the Festival Park article in Roanoke Island. (252) 475-1506.

Hatteras Island

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site
In the village of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island stands the most complete U.S. Life-Saving Service complex in the nation. Chicamacomico was the first station to be built and manned in NC. Tours, artifacts, summer programs, films and more. Admission charged. (252) 987-1552.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
This 5,915-acre refuge was established to provide habitat for the greater snow goose and other migratory waterfowl. Nature trails, observation platforms and blinds. Visitor center is open seasonally. Public programs through fall. No admission fee. NC Route 12 on Pea Island. (252) 987-2394.

Waterfall Action Park
Just 20 minutes south of Nags Head
On Hatteras Island
The largest action park of its type between Ocean City, MD and Myrtle Beach, SC. They offer 7 tracks, 5 major kiddie rides, 2 waterslides, 2 waterfall putt-putt golf courses, bumper boats, Wet Racer speed boats, Honda Odyssey dune buggies, Outlaw sprint cars, Malibu speed racers, high bank Winston track, Grand Prix speed racers and more.

Dare County Mainland

Alligator River Wildlife Refuge
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has marked 15 miles of canoe and kayak trails, a five-mile wildlife drive and two half-mile nature trails in its 150,000-acre refuge off US Route 64 on the Dare County mainland. Public red wolf “howlings” scheduled regularly throughout the year. Guided canoe tours and free interpretive programs available May-October. Schedules: (252) 473-1131; Reservations and fees: (252) 987-2394

Ocracoke Island

Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit
Hwy. 12 at West End Rd., Ocracoke
(252) 928-1718
Ahoy Maties! This educational exhibit features a life-like recreation of Blackbeard the pirate along with art work, Blackbeard history, weapons, old bottles, pirate treasure, a flag display, ship models, pirate food, video documentaries, and dioramas. The exhibit is open daily and an admission fee is charged.