Visit the Deserted Portsmouth IslandPortsmouth 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. Visit the Pine Island Audubon SanctuaryDucks, 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. Build a SandcastleWhen you stop in the local Outer Banks Reef or Wings souvenir store, buy your kids a bucket of beach toys that will assist in making a sandcastle. Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You will need a bucket, a shovel and other sand tools, as well as some water to keep the fine sand damp and sticky. Depending on the ages and skill levels of your children, you could have your own family sandcastle contest. You could choose a theme (movies, animals, etc.) and everyone could build their own sandcastle. No matter how the sandcastle(s) turn out, you are sure to have lots of laughs! Go Hiking on the Hammock Hills Nature TrailLocated north of Ocracoke Village, the 0.75-mile Hammock Hills Nature Trail will take you on a 30-minute walk through various sections of the Island, including sand dunes, maritime forest and a salt marsh. Signs along the trail teach about various plant life surviving in the Ocracoke weather and elements. You will want to remember your camera and insect repellent before you take this hike, and don't forget that snakes may be hiding in the underbrush. The trailhead is located just across Highway 12 from the Ocracoke Campground. Take a Photography Adventure with Your CameraInstead of purchasing postcards to take home with you as souvenirs of your Outer Banks vacation, take a photography adventure with your own camera. Whether you choose to photograph the various Outer Banks lighthouses, different species of birds, sunrises and sunsets, boats or any of the other many highlights of the Outer Banks, the natural beauty is sure to come through in your photographs. You can take your original photographs home and show them to all of your friends, or frame them and hang them in your house so you will always have a reminder of the Outer Banks! Play or Watch Others Play in the Waters at Canadian HoleCanadian Hole is a public area located 1.5 miles south of Avon on Hatteras Island. Windsurfers and kiteboarders who travel to the Outer Banks from around the world spend most of their vacation playing in the Pamlico Sound waters at Canadian Hole. If you are driving by this location on a windy day, pull into the public parking area and take some time to relax and watch the surfers and boarders. Many of them are very talented at their sports and are fun to watch. If you can catch this area near sunset, it is a great photo opportunity with the sails in the sky and the sunset in the background. Catch a Local Music Performance at the Deepwater TheaterMolasses Creek is a high-energy acoustic folk band that plays bluegrass and ballads and is the most popular local band on Ocracoke Island. Though they perform throughout the nation, Molasses Creek plays in the Deepwater Theater all summer, and during occasions throughout the year. They perform at the theater on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the summer. Other performances also take place in the Deepwater Theater, including the Ocracfolk Opry, which is held on Wednesday evenings. The Deepwater Theater is located on the School Road in Ocracoke Village. Look at the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony PensHoused in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the 30 horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once-wild horses are a large part of the Island's history. At times in history, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens! 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! Fly a KiteThe Outer Banks are well-known by windsurfers and kiteboarders around the world for its great wind. Why not take advantage of that same wind and spend an afternoon flying a kite? On most days, finding enough wind to get the kite in the air isn't a problem! Also, the Outer Banks is home to one of the top kite stores in the world, Kitty Hawk Kites. They sell a large range of kites ranging from backyard style to competition stunt kites. While you are in their store, talk to the staff about your skill level and they can assist you in purchasing the right kite. Kitty Hawk Kites has shops located throughout the Outer Banks to meet your needs. If needed, lessons are available. Many people choose to fly their kites in Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head because it offers many acres that are unobstructed by power lines and trees. Wherever you decide to fly your kite, have fun! | Nags Head RestaurantsSonic - America's Drive-In5205 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outback Steakhouse 5220 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 New York Bagels 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Yellow Submarine Restaurant 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Grits Grill 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Peking Restaurant 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Taiko Japanese Restaurant 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Tropical Smoothie Cafe 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill 5002 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Harbor Point Grill and Pizzeria 5000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 La Fogata Mexican Restaurant 4933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Players' Grill 5615 S Seachase Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head ShoppingThe Cotton Gin5151 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Reef Beachwear 5215 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Food Lion 5200 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Dollar Tree 5120 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Books 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 The Cottage Shop 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Habitat Earth 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Hallmark Peggy's Shop 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Dare Jewelers 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 General Nutrition Center 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Mall 5000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Mule Shed 5000 S Croatan Highway Outer Banks Mall Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks AttractionsOregon Inlet Fishing Center98 NC Highway 12 Nags Head, NC 27959 Jennette's Pier 7223 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Fishing Pier 3309 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters 2000 Sailfish Drive Manteo/Nags Head Causeway 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 Fishing Pier 8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road Nags Head, NC 27959 Shallowbag Bay Club Marina 90 North Bay Club Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Cape Hatteras National Seashore 1401 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Nags Head ActivitiesNags Head Golf Links5615 S Seachase Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Speed N Spray 6408 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf 6606 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Blackbeard's Miniature Golf 6714 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Jurassic Putt 6926 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Raceway 7000 S Croatan Highway 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 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Kitty Hawk Sports 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Native Vine Cellars & Tasting Room 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Bodie Island Adventures 7649 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 |