August Rush in Whalehead Beach, Corolla

For Laid Back Families Looking for a Traditional Beach Home

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.

Enjoy a Performance of the Lost Colony

The Lost Colony performance is what many would consider the most popular summertime event on the Outer Banks. This historical story of the first English settlement in North America is the nation's longest-running outdoor drama. Based on the adventures of Sir Walter Raleigh's early explorers who settled near the theater in 1585, The Lost Colony is a musical performance that will not disappoint you. The show runs the end of May to late August, and begins every night (except Sunday) at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20-$24 for adults, $12 for children 11 and under and $19-$245 for Senior Citizens (adults 62 and over). For more information on the show or to purchase tickets, contact (252) 473-3414. Group rates are available.

Have a Meal at Big Al's Soda Fountain and Grill

Big Al's Soda Fountain and Grill, located in Manteo, will be a dining experience that will take you back to the 1950s. Decorated like a '50s soda fountain and grill with checkered patterns and a shiny dancing floor, you will love the experience at Big Al's! Also, Big Al's is filled with Coca-Cola memorabilia and has a unique diner-style menu. Gravy fries or chili fries? Try them both!

Go Shopping at Tanger Outlet Center

The 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!

Watch a Performance at the Outer Banks Music Showcase

The Outer Banks Music Showcase opened in the summer of 2004 and has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors and locals. The audience is entertained by various local performers who blend music with comedy to create family-friendly shows. Several music genres are presented including country, show tunes, pop, 1950s and 1960s, gospel and patriotic music. During the peak season, two performances are held each night. The theater is located in Kitty Hawk at Milepost 4.5 on US Highway 158. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $11.95 for children twelve and under. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Music Showcase at (252) 261-7505.

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.

Go Horseback Riding on the Beach

You've seen the movies with people riding horses on the beach. Why not try it for yourself during your vacation to the Outer Banks? Equine Adventures in Buxton offers local experienced guides that lead you on scenic wooded trails to the beach. Rides are offered year round, but reservations are required. Call (252) 995-4897 for more information.

View the Ocracoke Lighthouse

Located in the southwest corner of Ocracoke Village, many visitors view the Ocracoke Lighthouse each year. Built in 1823, the lighthouse is the second-oldest lighthouse in the nation and is 77.5 feet tall. Though the lighthouse is not open for tours or climbing, visitors can walk down a wooden boardwalk adjacent to the lighthouse to view and photograph the structure. To get to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, turn left off NC Highway 12 at the Island Inn. The lighthouse is about 800 yards down, on the right side of that street.

Watch the Charter Boats Come in with Their "Catch of the Day"

Both Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet have fleets of charter boats that take excited fishermen into the gulf stream to catch the fish of their dreams. Can't afford to go on a charter boat? Don't have sea legs and don't want to experience life on the water? Try going to the docks in the afternoon when the charters come in. You will see tired, sunburned (and happy) fishermen, whistling mates and captains and hundreds of pounds of the tuna, wahoo, mackerel, dolphin and other choice catches of the day. See the people who caught them and watch the mates clean them in the fish cleaning stations. Experience a small part of the charter fishing experience without spending a dime! For daily information on times of charter returns, contact the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (800) 272-5199, Oden's Dock (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2555 or Teach's Lair Marina (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2460.

View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic Ocean

How 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.

 

Corolla Restaurants

Whalehead Pizza
885 Albacore Street
Corolla, NC 27927

Lighthouse Bagels
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Bacchus Wine, Cheese & Meats
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Beach Sweets & Treats
817 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Brew Pub
817 Ocean Trail
Suite A
Corolla, NC 27927

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Smokey's Restaurant
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Stripers Bar & Grille
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Fat Cat Ice Cream
817 Ocean Trail
Monteray Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Coyote Bar & Grill
817 Ocean Trail
Monteray Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Burger King
814 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Seafood Co.
811 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Shopping

Ace Hardware
822 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Ocean Annie's
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Bacchus Wine, Cheese & Meats
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Kites
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Carolina Outdoors
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Gray's Family Department Store
817 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Dockside 'N Duck Seafood Market
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Exotic Cargo
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Birthday Suits
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Donna Designs
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Bicycle
817 Ocean Trail
Monteray Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Wings
818 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Attractions

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
1160 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 Activities

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

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

Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo
794 Sunset Boulevard
Tim Buck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

The Golf Links
798 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla, NC 27927

Dance Heads
799 Sunset Boulevard
Corolla, NC 27927

The Currituck Golf Club
620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
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