Corolla Wild Horse Museum in the Corolla School House Built in the early 1900's, this historic landmark was the first unified Corolla school created by the Currituck County School system and was open through the late 1950's. The schoolhouse has since been restored and is home to the non-profit Corolla Wild Horse Fund administrative offices, a free interactive wild horse museum, and a wild horse gift shop. All proceeds from the gift shop benefit the care of the wild horses. Located in the heart of the Historic Village the Corolla School House and Corolla Wild Horse Museum is open year round from Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fun educational activities for children are offered in the summer including a gentled wild mustang to pet. There is no admission fee for the museum and nominal fees for children's programs. Corolla Wild Horses Location: 1126 School House Lane, Corolla NC 27927 Contact Information: (252) 453-8002 or info@corollawildhorses.com |
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Currituck Banks National Estuarine Preserve A great activity for nature lovers and hikers, the Reserve Access Trail takes visitors into the marshy areas of Currituck County. Identify the various types of flora indigenous to the area; the trail is ideal for birdwatchers, too. |
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Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education Visitors to the 22,000-square-foot center located on the Currituck Sound will have the opportunity to learn about Currituck County’s rich natural history and heritage. Waterfowl hunting, decoy-making and fishing are all traditions connected to the region's ecology and are important elements in the center's design. The center houses an exhibit gallery, an auditorium, a museum store, a large decoy collection and a 12,000-gallon aquarium. Daily educational programs. Contact Information: (252) 453-0221 |
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Duck Town Park 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. Events & Meeting Hotline: (252) 255-1286 Duck Trail A popular walking/cycling trail that runs parallel to Highway 12. Walkers, runners, cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters are welcome. |
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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 |
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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. |
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The Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods Preserve A 1,400-acre maritime forest with more than five miles of self-guided hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous in difficulty level. Nags Head Woods features a diversity of plant and animal life that is unusual to find on a barrier island. Towering oaks, hickories, and beech trees, some hundreds of years old, rise from the sand and create a canopy of trees more typical of the mountains of the eastern United States. Over 100 species of birds have been documented at Nags Head Woods and over 50 bird species nest here. Fifteen species of amphibians and 28 species of reptiles have been documented as well. The freshwater ponds are inhabited by seven species of fish and many reptiles and amphibians in addition to a great diversity of floating aquatic plant life, including the rare water violet. |
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This 426-acre park has the largest natural living sand dune on the East Coast. Two self-guided trails and nature programs available year-round. Hang gliding, kite flying, hiking, visitor's center, small gift shop, museum, picnic facilities and restrooms. Location: US 158 Bypass, Milepost 12 1/2, Nags Head. Hours: Open year-round. Hours vary according to season. Admission: Free Facilities: Restrooms, visitor's center, free parking, picnic area. Also, handicapped accessible boardwalk with overlook and a soundside access with parking. Contact Information: (252) 441-7132 |
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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. Location: West Ocean Acres Drive off US Route 158, Kill Devil Hills. Contact Information: (252) 441-2525. |
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This 16th century pleasure garden was created by The Garden Club of North Carolina as a living memorial to the lost colonists (as told in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama). Highlights include the thatched gazebo, Shakespearean herb garden, flower bordered walkways, antique garden statuary and formal sunken gardens. Contact Information: (252) 473-3234 |
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North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island The aquarium presents the aquatic environments of coastal Carolina through its theme "Waters of The Outer Banks." The variety of exhibits promises to educate and entertain visitors. Journey through coastal freshwaters to see river otters, turtles, and American alligators. Explore saltwater habitats from grass flats to Gulf Stream waters. Gently stroke a stingray or touch a hermit crab at the touch tanks. Watch fish and sharks cruise by the 35-foot long viewing window of the 285,000-gallon "Graveyard of the Atlantic" tank containing a one-third scale replica of the USS Monitor. A new exhibit, “Science on a Sphere: Bringing the Oceans to You” will introduce visitors to a new way of seeing the oceans. Visitors will be able to dive deep to the ocean floor, see the planet at night, watch hurricanes as they develop and track their paths and more. Science on a Sphere will open in the spring of 2009. |
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Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge The refuge includes more than 150,000 acres of wetland habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from wood ducks and alligators to black bears and red wolves. Plant species, including Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, wildflowers and shrubs, are abundant. Visitors will find hiking and wildlife trails, observation platforms, fishing areas and kayaking and canoeing routes. Public red wolf “howlings” scheduled regularly throughout the year. Location: Follow 64/264 west from Manteo. Hours: Refuge open daily during daylight hours. Admission: Free admission to the refuge. Guided canoe tours and free interpretive programs available May-October. Facilities: Wildlife trails, observation platforms; fishing dock (handicapped accessible). Contact Information: Schedules: (252) 473-1131; Reservations and fees: (252) 987-2394 |
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area The National Seashore extends more than 70 miles from South Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet, covering 30,000 acres. The first national seashore in the country includes natural and historic attractions, such as lighthouses and lifesaving stations. Picnic areas, camping and interpretive programs are offered seasonally. |
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Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge The 6,000-acre refuge is a haven for more than 360 species of birds. From spring to autumn, a large variety of wading, shore and upland birds can be seen. The observation platforms are near parking areas. Nature trails, observation platforms and blinds. Location: NC Route 12 on Pea Island - between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe. Refuge Visitor's Center is located five miles south of the inlet. Hours: Refuge open daily during daylight hours. Visitor center is open seasonally. Admission: Free. Guided canoe tours are available for a fee. Services: Public interpretive programs are scheduled weekly during the summer and fall. Contact Information: (252) 987-2394 or (252) 987-1118 |
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