The Sand Pebble

Eight Bedroom Oceanfront House, Located in Nags Head

Learn about Local Environment at Jeanette's Pier

Jeanette's Pier is a local historic landmark located in Nags Head at Milepost 16.5. Although Hurricane Isabel took 540 feet of the pier in 2003, the pier house reopened in 2004. The pier is owned by the North Carolina Aquarium Society, which has a unique partnership with the North Carolina Aquarium. There are plans in place to enlarge and rebuild the property. In the peak season, there are daily educational activities in the ocean classroom located in the pier house. Programs such as Beach Exploring, Family Fishing, Beach Fun and Safety, Marsh Adventure for Kids, Beach Creatures of the Night and more are offered throughout the week. For more information, contact Jeanette's Pier at (252) 441-6421.

Take Your Kids To a Local Educational Camp

Because of the various educational opportunities for children on the Outer Banks, several local organizations offer partial-day and full-day camps, most of which last five days. Organizations that have kids' camps are as follows: The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3493, The KDH Cooperative Gallery at (252) 441-9888, The Kitty Hawk Sports Kids Kayak Clinic at (252) 441-6800, The Outer Banks Family YMCA at (252) 449-8897, Dare County Parks and Recreation at (252) 473-1101, ext. 313, Dare County Cooperative Extension at (252) 473-1101, ext. 442, Ocean Atlantic Rentals Surf School at (800) 635-9559 and Club Hatteras Kids at (252) 995-4600. These programs will be fun for the kids while they learn about various aspects of the Outer Banks.

Have a Great Dinner at Windmill Point Restaurant

If you want a great meal and an elegant atmosphere, Windmill Point Restaurant is the place for you! Located on the south side of Nags Head at Milepost 16.5 on US Highway 158, Windmill Point offers great views of the sound at sunset. If you are a history buff, you will love the various memorabilia from the 1950s ocean liner SS United States and the upstairs lounge that is modeled after the one on the ship. For a dining experience to remember, visit Windmill Point Restaurant! For reservations, call (252) 441-1535.

Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, located in Buxton, is possibly the most famous lighthouse in the nation. The tallest brick lighthouse at 208 feet, it survived a move of more than 1,600 feet away from the eroding shoreline in 1999. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing from late March to early October each year. There are daily lighthouse tours, and the ticket booth opens each day at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are only available for the date of purchase, and tours normally sell out by noon each day. The cost to climb the lighthouse is $6 for adults and $3 for children and Senior Citizens. The climb is a tough one with several winding staircases, but the breathtaking views from the top will be something you will never forget. There is also a visitor center and bookstore on the premises, located in the former keepers' quarters.

Go Camping at the Ocracoke Campground

The National Park Service manages a great campground on Ocracoke Island. About twelve miles from the ferry docks and just three miles from Ocracoke Village, this oceanfront campground is in the perfect location for walking on the beach, fishing, nature walking and more! There are 136 campsites and the cost is $20 per night. To make a reservation, call (800) 365-CAMP.

Take a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Manteo

One of the oldest Outer Banks communities, Manteo is the county seat of Dare County and is home to several old office buildings that are still in use today. Manteo also has several bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, shops and attractions - all of which attract thousands of visitors to Roanoke Island each season. The downtown area is located on the waterfront, which has 53 modern dockside boat slips and a comfort station with showers and bathrooms. The downtown area has many independently owned shops and restaurants that provide for an interesting afternoon of shopping. Also in the area is the American Bicentennial Park, which has a wooden boardwalk along the waterfront, a gazebo area and picnic tables for resting and a playground for the kids. In Historic Downtown Manteo, there is something for everyone!

Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II

Visible from Historic Downtown Manteo's waterfront, the Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II ship is one of the largest attractions on the Outer Banks. The Park opened in 1998 as an educational, historical and cultural arts complex and teaches visitors about the evolution of Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Elizabeth II ship was built in 1983 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first English settlement in America. The park is open year-round and admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under five. For more information, contact the Park at (252) 475-1500.

Relax at the Beach

If watersports, fishing and tourist attractions aren't for you, don't worry - there is still something you can do to enjoy the Outer Banks! Get a cooler of your favorite refreshments and some snacks, grab a beach chair and head to the beach! Depending on the time of year, there will more than likely be something or someone for you to watch, whether it is surf fishermen, children playing in the sand and water, surfers or dolphins playing in the water. There is something about sitting on the beach and watching the waves come in that will relax you, and you will never want to leave!

Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry

Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY.

Play a Friendly Game of Miniature Golf

The Outer Banks is home to more than 12 miniature golf courses, which are located as far north as Corolla and as far south as Frisco. Most courses open at 10:00 a.m. and stay open past midnight in the summer months. There are a variety of themes at these miniature golf courses, ranging from dinosaurs and other animals to pirates and buried treasure. In Corolla, The Grass Course can be reached at (252) 453-4198. In the Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area, try The Promenade at (252) 261-4900 or Galaxy Golf at (252) 441-5875. On Hatteras Island, try Avon Golf at (252) 995-5480 or Frisco Mini Golf at (252) 995-6325. Because there are so many miniature golf courses to choose from, you may want to just take a drive until you see one you like!

 

Nags Head Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

Sooey's BBQ & Rib Shack
3919 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Ridge Coffee Company
3925 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Fudgery
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

How Sweet It Is
3941 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

Nags Head Shopping

T-Shirt Whirl
3408 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Spring Tide Studios
3324 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Austin Fish Company
3711 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Brew Thru Beverage Store
3700 S Virginia Dare Trail
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

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

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

Jennette's Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954

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

Shallowbag Bay Club Marina
90 North Bay Club Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Nags Head Activities

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

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

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

Galaxy Golf
2914 S Virginia Dare Trail
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

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

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