Spend an Afternoon at Coquina BeachCoquina Beach, known for its secluded, wide beach, is one of the favorite beaches on the Outer Banks. Located only 6 miles south of the Whalebone Junction on the south side of Nags Head, this beach has smaller crowds than other parts of the Outer Banks while offering the basic amenities - a lifeguard (in the summer), restrooms, outdoor showers and a parking area. This beach is home to the coquina clams, which are edible and make excellent chowder. Because it is miles away from any commercial or residential building, Coquina Beach is a great place to sunbathe, swim, fish, surf and search for shells. Paint Your Own Pottery at Studio 12Studio 12 is a small, locally owned pottery shop located on Highway 12 in Avon. They have many pieces of unfinished pottery. You pick the pottery piece that you would like to paint. You choose your colors and design and sit down and paint the pottery. The owners will fire and glaze your piece for you and send you on your way. What would make a better Outer Banks souvenir than a piece of pottery that you chose and painted yourself? You won't regret spending a few hours in Studio 12. Visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse and Keepers' QuartersLocated more than a half-mile from the Atlantic Ocean on Bodie Island, the Bodie Island Lighthouse was built in 1872. It was the third lighthouse to be built near Oregon Inlet, as the first one was built south of Oregon Inlet in 1847 and developed structural damage within the first 10 years and had to be rebuilt. The second was also built south of Oregon Inlet in 1859 but was destroyed by Confederate forces during the Civil War. The current Bodie Island Lighthouse is 170 feet tall and was built north of the Oregon Inlet because of the inlet's constant moving to the south. Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard for many years, the lighthouse was turned over to the National Park Service in 2000. There is a Visitor Center with exhibits and a bookstore on the grounds, but the lighthouse is not available for climbing. For more information, call (252) 441-5711. Teach Your Kids about Pirate Blackbeard and Let Them Find "Buried Treasure"There are many stories of pirates and buried treasure that are part of the unique history of the Outer Banks. The story of the notorious Pirate Blackbeard ended in Ocracoke in 1718 when he was killed in battle at Ocracoke Inlet. Throughout his "career" as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships. Today, many businesses and streets in the area are named after Blackbeard. While you are in the Outer Banks, teach your children the history of Blackbeard and let them search for his buried treasure. Create a treasure map and bury a treasure at the end of it. Help them with the treasure hunt by playing along. This is a great way for you and your children to experience the true pirate history of the area! Learn How To KiteboardKiteboarding is a relatively new sport that is enjoyed by windsurfers, surfers and wake boarders. The Outer Banks is widely recognized as one of the best places in the world to kiteboard because of the winds and shallow sound waters. Though kiteboarding may look relatively easy when you are watching others perform the sport, it is actually quite dangerous and you cannot rent equipment until you have obtained a basic level of certification. For more information on kiteboarding lessons, you may contact REAL Kiteboarding at (866) REAL-KITE. They offer several different kite camps throughout the year for various skill levels. Kitty Hawk Kites also has a kiteboarding school in Nags Head and can be contacted at (252) 449-2210. Hike on the Buxton Woods Nature TrailIf you want to get some exercise while you are in Buxton but aren't crazy about climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Buxton Woods Nature Trail is the place for you! The trailhead is just past the turnoff to the Lighthouse on the right side of the road. There are picnic tables and charcoal grills in a shaded area just beside the trailhead. The trail is a .75 mile loop that will take you through marshes, trees, grasses and wildlife. Cottonmouth snakes, which are fat, rough-scaled and look brown, yellow, gray or black, are prevalent in this area in the warm months, so give them their space. If you see one, let it get away. If it doesn't move, get away from it. The hike has a few small inclines and is a gravel trail with a few uneven spots, so is not recommended for disabled visitors or small children. Pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Watch the Diamond Shoals Band at the Frisco JubileeIn the small theater at Red Drum Pottery in Frisco, the Diamond Shoals Band plays their music on Thursday nights from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. from the end of May through Labor Day each year. The Diamond Shoals Band began in 1990 and their music is a blend of folk and bluegrass. The theater seats about 72 people and ticket prices are $12. For more information, contact the band at (252) 995-5757. Go Jogging on the BeachThere 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. Take a Scenic Flight TourIf you think the Outer Banks are beautiful from the ground, wait until you see them from the sky! This stretch of islands and waters will amaze you. Depending on where you fly, you will see things from the air such as the Oregon Inlet, one of the four area lighthouses, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and more! For a tour of the northern Outer Banks, you may contact Kitty Hawk Aero Tours at (877) 274-2461 or Outer Banks Seaplanes at (252) 475-1007. Kitty Hawk Aero Tours depart from the Manteo Airport. Outer Banks Seaplanes take off and land on the Roanoke Sound. For a tour of Hatteras and/or Ocracoke Islands, contact Burris Flying Service at (252) 986-2679. Prices for the above services start between $30 and $75 per person, depending on the size of your group and the length of your flight. You will want to call ahead to make reservations. Tour the Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History CenterThe 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. | Nags Head RestaurantsSubway Sandwiches & Salads106 E Finch Street Nags Head, NC 27959 The Players' Grill 5615 S Seachase Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Dairy Queen 6714 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Miller's Restaurant 6816 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Dunes Restaurant 7013 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Outback Steakhouse 5220 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Sonic - America's Drive-In 5205 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 Nags Head ShoppingForbes Candy & Gift Shop6321 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 The Chalet Gift Shop 6406 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Reef Beachwear 106 E Finch Street Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Birdwatchers 6705 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Souvenir City 6902 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Farmer's Daughter 6803 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Sunsations 6901 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Reef Beachwear 5215 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Publisher's Warehouse 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Claire's Accessories 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Gap Outlet 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Nautica 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks AttractionsJennette's Pier7223 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 98 NC Highway 12 Nags Head, NC 27959 Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters 2000 Sailfish Drive Manteo/Nags Head Causeway Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks Fishing Pier 8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road Nags Head, NC 27959 Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 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 Nags Head Fishing Pier 3309 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Cape Hatteras National Seashore 1401 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge 708 S US Highway 64/264 Manteo, NC 27954 Nags Head ActivitiesSpeed N Spray6408 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Golf Links 5615 S Seachase Drive 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 Bodie Island Adventures 7649 S Virginia Dare Trail 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 |