Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke FerryOcracoke 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. 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. Tour the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke IslandLocated on Roanoke Island, the North Carolina Aquarium is a 68,000 square-foot facility with a "Waters of the Outer Banks" theme. Visitors see a variety of marine communities including coastal freshwaters, wetlands, estuaries, roadside ditches and the Gulf Stream. A main attraction at the aquarium is the Graveyard of the Atlantic tank, which holds 285,000 gallons of saltwater and is home to sea turtles, sharks and almost 1,000 other sea creatures. The aquarium is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (except for Christmas and New Year's Day.) Prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and active military personnel, $5 for children ages six to 17, and kids five and under are free. For more information, contact the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3494. Catch a Wave Surfing in the Outer Banks Ocean WatersBecause the Outer Banks is set farther into the ocean with deeper waters than most other coastal regions, the surf of the Outer Banks is said to have the best breaks on the East Coast. The various fishing piers, shipwrecks and sandbars also create unusual wave patters for the thousands of surfers who come to the area each year to ride the Outer Banks waves. As with anything in the ocean, always go with a friend and be aware of water, weather and beach conditions. If you don't know how to surf but would like to learn, various surf shops offering lessons are: the Corolla Surf Shop at (252) 453-WAVE, The Pit Surf Shop in Kill Devil Hills at (252) 480-3128, the Hatteras Island Surf Shop in Waves at (252) 987-2296 or the Ride the Wind Surf Shop in Ocracoke at (252) 928-6311. Climb the Walls at Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina OutdoorsThough the Outer Banks doesn't have any mountains to climb, there are three climbing walls located in the area for you to try. Two climbs and basic instruction cost $7 per person, which includes all equipment needed for the climb. The climbing walls are located at the Corolla, Nags Head and Hatteras locations of Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors. The Nags Head climbing wall is indoor and open year-round, though only on weekends in the winter. The Corolla and Hatteras climbing walls are outside so are not open year-round. For more information, contact Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors at (800) FLY-THIS. 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! Try Your Luck at ParasailingParasailing, a sport where participants are pulled through the sky by a boat while being attached to a sail, is an activity enjoyed by many on the Outer Banks. Unbreakable ropes are the standard for this sport, so parasailing is a relatively safe activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Enjoy the view of the Outer Banks similar to what the seagulls have! For the northern beaches, you can fly with Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875. For Hatteras Island, you can fly with Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306 or Island Parasail in Avon at (252) 995-0177. Tour the Historic Corolla VillageThe original village of Corolla began to grow in 1875 after the Currituck Beach Lighthouse was built. By 1890, the small village had 200 residents, but population declined during and after World War II. Corolla was home to just a few residents until the 1980s, when the development of the Currituck Outer Banks started with a public paved road. Today, visitors can tour Schoolhouse Lane and Corolla Village Lane to get a taste of the original Corolla Village. Visitors can view the Corolla Schoolhouse and other historic homes that have since been restored and turned into local shops. Take a step back in time and visit Historic Corolla Village! Ride a Personal Watercraft in the SoundPersonal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306. Go Fishing on a Headboat CharterIf you don't want to spend the money on a private charter fishing boat, there are also several headboats available on the Outer Banks. Some of these large boats take parties into the ocean, though not as far as the Gulf Stream, while others take half-day trips to the inshore waters. Headboats normally are between 60 and 75 feet long and can accommodate up to 50 anglers. Headboats are great for the novice fisherman or for parties with children. The Crystal Dawn and the Country Girl are at the Pirate's Cove Yacht Club in Manteo at (252) 473-5577. The Miss Oregon Inlet is docked at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center on Bodie Island and can be reached at (252) 441-6301. Docking in Hatteras Village at Oden's Dock are the Miss Hatteras and Captain Clam. Half-day trips are about $30 per person, and full-day trips range from $75 to $85 per person, depending on the boat. | Corolla RestaurantsPizzazz Pizza Company603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Maui Wowi 603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Zero's Subs 603 Currituck Club Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Bunkers Grill & Bar 620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Route 12 Steak & Seafood 786 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 The Fudgery 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Giant Slice Pizza 785 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar 785 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 Sooey's BBQ & Rib Shack 785 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Bad Bean Taqueria 785 Sunset Boulevard Timbuck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Grouper's Grille & Wine Bar 790 Ocean Trail, Suite G Tim Buck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Subway Sandwiches & Salads 799 Sunset Boulevard, Suite B Tim Buck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ShoppingCorolla Surf Shop602 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Surf Shop 603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Suite G Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Bait & Tackle 601 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Shops of Currituck Club Corolla, NC 27927 Harris Teeter Supermarkets 601 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Sound Feet Shoes 718 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Brew Thru Beverage Store 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 The Fudgery 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Nags Head Hammocks 790 Ocean Trail Timbuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 DogNutz 790 Ocean Trail TimBuck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Sports 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 The Cotton Gin 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Try My Nuts Nut Company 785 Sunset Boulevard Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks AttractionsOuter Banks Center for Wildlife Education1160 Village Lane Corolla, NC 27927 The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park 1100 Club Road Corolla, NC 27927 Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Corolla Wild Horse Museum at The Historic Corolla Schoolhouse 1126 Schoolhouse Lane Corolla, NC 27927 Station Bay Marina & Seafood Market 1566 Duck Road Duck, NC 27949 Corolla ActivitiesThe Currituck Golf Club620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Raceway 790 Ocean Trail Timbuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Sports 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Kites 785 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 Dance Heads 799 Sunset Boulevard Corolla, NC 27927 The Golf Links 798 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 794 Sunset Boulevard Tim Buck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks 815 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Kites 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Carolina Outdoors 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Bob's Wild Horse Tours 1066 Ocean Trail Inn at Corolla Light Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Jeep Rentals & Tours 1070 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 |