View the Roanoke Marshes LighthouseThe newest (and smallest) lighthouse on the Outer Banks is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on Roanoke Island. This reconstructed lighthouse was opened in 2004 by the Town of Manteo, the North Carolina Maritime Museum and Roanoke Island Festival Park. The structure looks more like a lightkeeper's house than a lighthouse, and is located at the end of the pier on the Manteo Waterfront. The original 1857 screwpile lighthouse of the Croatan Sound was also a cottage built over the water and served as both a beacon and a residence. For more information, contact (252) 475-1500. Browse the Local Gift Shops and BoutiquesWhether your shopping interests are high-end boutiques, art galleries, local souvenir shops or seafood markets, you will find a variety of stores up and down the Outer Banks. Whether you are as far north as Corolla or as far south as Ocracoke, you could spend a day browsing in local shops and galleries. Duck and Corolla feature the most high-end boutiques, while Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head shopping is more practical and affordable. Manteo/Roanoke Island has a variety of stores as well, but focuses more on antiques, art and high-end boutiques. Hatteras Island shopping is practical and features more surf and souvenir shops than the other types. Ocracoke Island also has a variety of shopping, and since the Village is so small you can walk or bike between stores. Wherever you are, you will be able to find the perfect Outer Banks gift or souvenir to take home with you. Go Shopping at Tanger Outlet CenterThe Tanger Outlet Center is located on the south side of Nags Head on US Highway 158. If you love to shop, or even if you forgot something at home, this is a great place for you to find some Outer Banks bargains! A few of the stores at the Outlet Center are: The Gap, Ralph Lauren, Wilson Leather, The Dress Barn, Kitchen Collection, Claire's Boutique, Rack Room Shoes, Bass and Nine West. Don't forget to stop by the Tanger Outlet Center and buy yourself something special! Get Married (Or Renew Your Vows) on the BeachEach 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. Spend the Afternoon at Jockey's Ridge State ParkJockey's Ridge State Park is home to the East Coast's tallest sand dune that is 1.5 miles long, 100 feet high and consists of 420 acres and is a popular day time destination. Though the park doesn't have any overnight camping facilities, many visitors enjoy the park daily. Visitors come to this park to hike to the top of the dune and enjoy the panoramic ocean and sound views, which are even more beautiful during sunset. Sound side access in the park is a popular place for windsurfers to launch. People also enjoy hang gliding off the dune and flying their kites in this large, open park. For more information, contact the park at (252) 441-7132. Take Your Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle on the BeachThough there is some controversy over whether it should be allowed or not, you can drive on the beach in many parts of the Outer Banks in designated off-road beach access areas. You will need to have a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to prevent getting stuck, and you may not go over 25 mph while driving on the beach. Some places don't allow beach driving and some require permits to drive on the beach, so check with the local area officials to make sure you are following the rules. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (252) 473-2111. 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. Take a Red Wolf Howl Tour at Alligator River National Wildlife RefugeLocated on the Dare County mainland west of Manteo on Highway 64, you will find the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge consists of 150,000 acres of wetlands, fields and swamps. A variety of animal species call the refuge home, including black bears, white-tailed deer, gray fox, bobcats, raccoons, mink, beaver, squirrels, opossum, river otter, alligators and red wolves. Though they are a threatened species, red wolves have made a comeback in this part of North Carolina, thanks to careful management since the 1980s. Night tours to hear the red wolves howl are given every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the refuge from late June through mid-August. For more information, contact the refuge at (252) 473-1131, ext. 243. 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. Sleep with the Windows Open and Hear the Ocean BreezeWhen you are at home and have a window open, what kind of noises do you hear? Honking car horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? People talking on the street? While you are at the Outer Banks, try sleeping with the windows open. Chances are on most nights, if you are within a mile of the ocean, you will be able to hear the sound of the ocean. You can hear sounds similar to relaxation CDs that are sold in stores just by opening your window. Try it - you will love it! | Corolla RestaurantsNorthern Lights Pastry & Coffee109 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Clubhouse Cafe 1197 Franklyn Street Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Bagels 1109 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Pizza & Deli 1152 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Big Mama's Breakfast, Seafood, Ice Cream & Yogurt 1152 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Cosmo's Pizzeria 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Wild Horse Cafe 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Nicolettas Italian Cafe 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Fat Crabs Rib Co. 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Ned's Ice Cream & Convenience 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Cheese-Steaks 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Lighthouse Bagels 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ShoppingNorthern Lights Pastry & Coffee109 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Bait & Tackle 101 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Beach Bag Books & Music 1109 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Spry Creek Dry Goods 1122 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Lighthouse Garden 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Old Corolla Trading Co. 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Island Bookstore 1130 Corolla Village Road Historic Corolla Village Corolla, NC 27927 The Lightkeeper's Wife 1130 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Village Fisherman Unique Gifts 1130 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Style 1134 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Cottage Collection 1134 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla 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 Corolla ActivitiesBob's Wild Horse Tours1066 Ocean Trail Inn at Corolla Light Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Jeep Rentals & Tours 1070 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Outback Adventures, Ltd. 1150 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Back Country Outfitters & Guides 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Beach Jeeps of Corolla 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Island Revolution Surf Co. & Skatepark 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Wild Horse Safari 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kayak Corolla 1210 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 R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks 815 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 794 Sunset Boulevard Tim Buck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 |