You're on islands, after all, surrounded
by ocean, sound and endless sky. You're in an environment with maritime
forests containing some of the widest variety of flora and fauna found
anywhere; wildlife refuges that shelter wolves, birds and bears; wild
horses that roam in Corolla and Ocracoke; Jockey's Ridge, the largest
sand dune on the East Coast; and mile after mile of undeveloped seashore.
Look around and you'll also see lighthouses, several
of which you can climb (the Currituck and Hatteras lights) and the
restored quarters that housed the keepers of the lights and their
families. Historic homes, hunt clubs and lifesaving stations provide
an amazing glimpse into the past lifestyle of Outer Banks locals and
visitors. Monuments tell the story of flight with the Wright brothers,
of the Freedmen's Colony that was located here after the Civil War,
of battles offshore that lit up the night sky during World War II.
Outdoor theater performances of The Lost Colony enchant patrons with
the story of the first attempt of colonization in the New World or
provide a venue for evenings with the NC School of the Arts Performance
Festival. Native Americans, colonists, inventors and beach collectors
broaden our idea of Outer Banks life in local museums. Aquariums and
gardens add dimension to our Outer Banks attractions.
With so much to see, to experience and to
learn, you're likely to need more than one visit to take in all the
extraordinary attractions the Outer Banks has to offer. Check out
our Attractions
List for more details. Enjoy!
