Sea Rest

Four Bedroom Oceanfront House, JR02 - Located in Nags Head

Visit the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary

Ducks, 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.

Go Sailing in the Calm Sound Waters

The good news about sailing on the Outer Banks is that you no longer have to own your own sailboat to partake in this activity. Many local shops offer sailboat lessons, rentals, excursions and charters! If you have never sailed before, don't attempt to rent one until you have had lessons. The winds on the Outer Banks are tricky and you could end up miles from shore if you aren't careful. For more information, contact Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Carolina Outdoors is another option and can be reached at the Duck location at (800) 334-4777 or the Avon location at (252) 995-6060.

Visit the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society

Once the private residence to Coast Guard Captain David Williams, this home was moved to its current location on Ocracoke Island's Silver Lake in 1989 and restored to its original beauty by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. Many furnishings reminiscent of the 19th century have been donated by local families, and photographs of island natives can be seen throughout the house. The museum also has several exhibits and a research library. Admission is free and the museum is open from Easter through the end of December. For more information, contact the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society at (252) 928-7375.

Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal 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. On Ocracoke, personal watercraft can be rented at (252) 928-2600 or (252) 921-0314.

Climb the Walls at Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors

Though 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.

Tour the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Located 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.

Send Outer Banks Postcards To Your Friends and Family

Are you the lucky one among your friends and family who got to take a trip to the Outer Banks this year? Take an hour of your precious vacation time and send postcard notes to your loved ones from the Outer Banks. There are beautiful postcards sold at almost any local gift shop or grocery store and they are very affordable. Let them know you are thinking about them and that you wish they could be visiting the Outer Banks with you. If they can see a postcard of how beautiful it is, maybe you can persuade them to come along with you on your next trip to the Outer Banks!

Tour the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station

Located in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is one of the original seven lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks. The original station opened at the current location in 1874 and became a storage shed in 1911 when a larger facility was built next to it. Crews at this station guarded the Hatteras Island northern coast for more than 70 years. Today, the lifesaving station is a museum of lifesaving equipment, awards and artifacts and volunteers are on staff to give guided tours. The station is open from Easter weekend through the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Various programs are available during the summer months and admission is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station at (252) 987-1552.

Get Married (Or Renew Your Vows) on the Beach

Each year, hundreds of people have weddings on the beaches of the Outer Banks. With all of the large vacation rental homes that are available for families and friends to rent, mixed with the unforgettable backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and Outer Banks sand dunes and sea oats, it will be a ceremony you will never forget. There are many local photographers, florists, wedding planners, entertainers, caterers and more that can assist you with your planning. You will need to obtain a marriage license in the county of your ceremony. If you are getting married on the beach, you will also need to obtain a permit from the National Park Service. For information about any of the services or permits you will need for your beach wedding, you may contact the Outer Banks Wedding Association at (252) 473-4800.

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.

 

Nags Head Restaurants

Pamlico Jack's Pirate Hide-away
6708 S Croatan Highway, Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Tortugas' Lie Shellfish Bar & Grill
3014 S Virginia Dare Trail
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

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

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

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

Prime Only
2706 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Beach Road Grill
2519 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

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

Dunkin' Donuts
2407 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Red Drum Tap House
2412 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Shopping

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

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

Meme's Antique Mall
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

European Flavors
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Something Old Something New
2910 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Secret Spot Surf Shop
2815 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Eastern Fusion Gallery
2910 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

Avalon Fishing Pier
2111 N Virginia Dare Trail
Milepost 6
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954

The Lost Colony
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

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

Nags Head Activities

Galaxy Golf
2914 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Family YMCA
3000 S Croatan Highway
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

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

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

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

Scoot-Hers/Sandy Beach Tours
2300 S Croatan Highway
Suite #102
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Bowling & Billiards
201 W Satterfield Landing Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Coastal Helicopters, LLC
PO Box 715
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