View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic OceanHow many days of the year do you go to the beach before the sun comes up, sit in your beach chair with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to rise? Have you ever tried it? While you are on the Outer Banks, make yourself get up early one day and head to the beach. Either watch the news or go on the Internet the night before to find out the exact time of the following day's sunrise - in the summer, it is normally between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. Grab your chair, your coffee and your camera, set your alarm (it's only one day, you can do it!), and get out there! It will be one of the most beautiful things you will see during your stay on the Outer Banks. Feed the Birds on the BeachThere are many species of sea birds that call the shores of the Outer Banks home. They normally eat fish, sea kelp and other interesting things that may wash onshore. One afternoon, buy a couple loaves of bread and head to the beach. There may be only a few birds in sight when you arrive, but throw some bread out to them and watch as the birds multiply in front of your eyes. If you are afraid of birds, you may not want to try this, because they LOVE food and aren't afraid to get too close to you! 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 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. Take a Boat Cruise To View Local Attractions and WildlifeIf you aren't interested in fishing or watersports, there is also a variety of boat cruises offered on the Outer Banks. Depending on which tour you choose, you could see dolphins, shipwrecks, sunsets, various sights and local attractions, various bird species, and more! In Nags Head, contact Bodie Island Adventures at (252) 441-6682. Outer Banks Cruises in Manteo is also an option, and can be reached at (252) 473-1475. Captain Clam in Hatteras, though it is primarily a headboat fishing charter, also offers pirate tours some evenings in the summer, and can be reached at (252) 986-2365. Take a Bike Ride in the Salty Ocean AirBike riding is a popular way to exercise while on vacation on the Outer Banks, as it allows you to enjoy the nature and salt air at the same time. Highways 12 and 158 are busy highways, so only ride on them if you are an experienced rider. It is best to ride on side streets or in areas where there are separate bike paths. Corolla, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island do not have any designated bike paths but do have extended shoulders on Highway 12. Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Roanoke Island have separate designated bike paths in either some or all areas. Don't forget to wear your safety helmet. For information on bike rentals, kiddie carts and pull-behind bikes for children, contact Ocean Atlantic Rentals at one of their four locations. Contact Corolla at (252) 453-2440, Duck at (252) 261-4346, Nags Head at (252) 441-7823 or Avon at (252) 995-5868. Take a Free Wildlife Education ProgramThe knowledgeable employees of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla offer several education programs throughout the summer. Held in the covered public pavilion at Currituck Heritage Park, these free programs will teach you about local wildlife such as birding, animal tracking, sea turtles, fishing and the ecology of the ocean and the sound. Normally, these programs are about an hour long and are offered Monday to Friday. Programs are appropriate for all ages and reservations are suggested. For more information or to sign up for a program, call (252) 453-0221. Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local SoundsThere are several docks and marinas located throughout the Outer Banks to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Space is limited during the summer months, especially on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for slip reservations. Thousands of visitors bring their boats to the Outer Banks each year, but if you don't have your own boat, some area businesses do offer powerboat rentals. For information on marinas and dock space, a few options are the Dock of the Bay in Kitty Hawk at (252) 255-5578, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (252) 441-6301, Frisco Cove Marina at (252) 995-4242 or Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras at (252) 986-2460. For boat rentals, contact The Promenade Watersports in Kitty Hawk at (252) 261-4400 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875. Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth IIVisible 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. Climb the Currituck Beach LighthouseWhile you are in the northern Outer Banks, stop by the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and climb the 214 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Once at the top, you will be able to get a close-up view of the 50,000 candlepower lamp that is visible for 18 nautical miles. Much like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the stairs to the top are narrow and winding, but the unlimited views from the top are an excellent reward. Visitors may climb the lighthouse for a fee of $6, and children less than eight years old climb for free. The lighthouse is open daily from Easter through Thanksgiving. | 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 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 Lighthouse Garden 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Old Corolla Trading Co. 1129 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 |