The Sandbox

KD21; "Almost Oceanfront" 4 Bedroom, Pet Friendly Home

Browse the Local Gift Shops and Boutiques

Whether 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.

Visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, located on Roanoke Island, was designated as a National Historic Site in 1941. Situated on more than 500 acres, this location offers a sound side beach, the Fort Raleigh Visitor Center and nature trails. The Visitor Center is home to a small museum with interpretive exhibits, and this site is a must-see for American history enthusiasts. Self-guided tours or tours led by knowledgeable National Park Service staff are available. The Site is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week (hours are extended during the summer months.) For more information, contact Fort Raleigh National Historic Site at (252) 473-5772.

Tour the Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center

The Native American Museum & Natural History Center in Frisco is full of unusual collections of Native American artifacts dating back to the 1930s. The Museum has one of the largest collections of artifacts from the Chiricahua Apache tribe, as well as several artifacts from other tribes from around the country. There is a gift shop at the museum that sells various art, crafts, jewelry, toys and books. Outside the museum, there are outdoor nature trails leading into three acres of woods. The museum is open year-round on Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family, and group rates are available. For more information, contact the Museum at (252) 995-4440.

Spend an Afternoon at Coquina Beach

Coquina 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.

Go Fishing on a Private Charter

There are a large variety of inshore and offshore charters located throughout the Outer Banks. For any of the charters, you will want to make reservations at least one month in advance. The cost of private charter day trips range from $400 to $1,300, depending on the size of your group and the boat you choose. Some of the marinas are as follows: Pirate's Cove Yacht Club in Manteo at (800) 367-4728, Thicket Thump Marina in Wanchese at (252) 473-4500, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center on Bodie Island at (800) 272-5199, Hatteras Harbor Marina at (800) 676-4939, Teach's Lair Marina at (252) 986-2460 and Ocracoke Fishing Center at (252) 928-6661.

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.

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.

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.

Learn about Local Environment at Jeanette's Pier

Jeanette's Pier is a local historic landmark located in Nags Head at Milepost 16.5. Although Hurricane Isabel took 540 feet of the pier in 2003, the pier house reopened in 2004. The pier is owned by the North Carolina Aquarium Society, which has a unique partnership with the North Carolina Aquarium. There are plans in place to enlarge and rebuild the property. In the peak season, there are daily educational activities in the ocean classroom located in the pier house. Programs such as Beach Exploring, Family Fishing, Beach Fun and Safety, Marsh Adventure for Kids, Beach Creatures of the Night and more are offered throughout the week. For more information, contact Jeanette's Pier at (252) 441-6421.

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.

 

Kill Devil Hills Restaurants

Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar of Kill Devil Hills
1836 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC

Carolina Seafood
2042 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1726 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

China King
1728 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Cold Stone Creamery
1716 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27949

The Pearl Oceanfront Fine Dining
1731 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

New York Bagels
1708 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Little Caesar's Pizza
1704 N Croatan Highway
Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1704 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Front Porch Cafe & Roastry
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar & Restaurant
2106 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Kill Devil Hills Shopping

K-Mart Store
1901 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Belk Department Store
1797 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Hairoics
1736 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dollar Tree
1730 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Food Lion
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Pilpel Beach Shop
1724 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Staples
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Sports Locker
1706 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Fashion Bug
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Sheperd's Pets & Grooming
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Attractions

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

Wright Brothers National Memorial
800 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dock of the Bay Marina
4200 Bob Perry Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Nags Head Woods Preserve & The Nature Conservancy
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
983 W Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Kitty Hawk Pier
5353 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

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

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.)
PO Box 1168
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

The Lost Colony
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks
1803 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Junior Lifeguard Program
2052 New Bern Street
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Garden of Beadin'
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Glazin Go-Nuts Paint Your Own Pottery
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf
1600 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Paradise Golf & Arcade
3300 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Wine University
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Earthworks Pottery Company & Family Art Center
3810 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Colington Speedway
1064 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Daredevils
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

OBX Pony Parties
400 Woodard Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949