Outer Banks Attractions

Nature is perhaps the most enticing feature of the Outer Banks. With the vital role it plays with attractions at the Outer Banks and life today, it should come as no surprise that this natural environment is intertwined with the area’s history. Each Outer Banks town has its signature claims. Corolla Attractions are resplendent with history – the stately Currituck Beach Lighthouse, a historic mansion built in the 1920s, a restored life-saving station and a village center made up of original buildings that have been repurposed as shops, a school, a spa/salon and more. Continue discovering the rich history within Outer Banks attractions farther south with Nags Head Attractions, like the spot of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight. Keep going, and history-lovers find that dreams come true with Roanoke Island Attractions: Check out outdoor performances of The Lost Colony, which enchants patrons with the story of the first attempt of colonization in the New World and the beautiful grounds at Elizabethan Gardens pay tribute to the colonists. Outer Banks attractions at Roanoke Island Festival Park put you in touch with history with an interactive museum, the representative ship Elizabeth II, period actors from the early colony, a Native American village and an outdoor pavilion that hosts musical events. 

Go Wild Exploring Outer Banks Attractions

Ponies (a famous Ocracoke Island Attraction), bears, wolves and alligators bring a wild side to the Outer Banks. The Hatteras Attraction of birding in the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge draws visitors from across the country. Then, add to this the fact that you're on islands surrounded by sounds full of dolphin and fish and miles of undeveloped seashore bordering Mother Ocean, and you have a vast bounty of Outer Banks attractions to enliven your experience here.

In addition to being a history haven, Corolla bolsters quite the reputation with its nature-based attractions: a wildlife center, town garden, nature trails and the beloved wild horses.

You’re likely to need more than one visit to take in all that the extraordinary Outer Banks attractions have to offer. Enjoy!

Outer Banks Attractions by Area

Corolla | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Outer Banks Attractions
Milltail Road, off U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
(252) 473-1131

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a more than 164,000-acre refuge on the mainland portion of Dare and Hyde counties. It was established in 1984 to...read more

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a more than 164,000-acre refuge on the mainland portion...read more

Back Beach Wild Horse Tours

Outer Banks Attractions
817 B Ocean Trail, N.C. Highway 12, Corolla
(252) 453-6141

Back Beach Wild Horse Tours' highly trained staff has a great reputation for being entertaining and informative. Their tours last two hours and...read more

Back Beach Wild Horse Tours' highly trained staff has a great reputation for being entertaining and...read more

Back Country Wild Horse Safari Tour

Outer Banks Attractions
Meet at Corolla Light Town Center, 1159 Austin Street, Corolla
(252) 453-0877

Scott Trabue’s Wild Horse Safari is an off-road eco-adventure that will deliver you and your family directly to the wild Spanish mustangs that have thrived...read more

Scott Trabue’s Wild Horse Safari is an off-road eco-adventure that will deliver you and your...read more

Bob's Wild Horse Tours

Outer Banks Attractions
817-B Ocean Trail, Corolla
(252) 453-8602

Bob White is a legend in the horse-tour business. He and his highly trained staff have been offering tours since 1996, and they have a reputation for...read more

Bob White is a legend in the horse-tour business. He and his highly trained staff have...read more

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

Outer Banks Attractions
23645 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe
(252) 987-1552

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the life-saving stations that were built along the...read more

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the...read more

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Outer Banks Attractions
1130E Corolla Village Road, Corolla
(252) 453-8002

Corolla Wild Horse Fund's museum, gift shop and offices are located in Historic Corolla Village. Visit them to discover the fascinating history and legacy...read more

Corolla Wild Horse Fund's museum, gift shop and offices are located in Historic Corolla Village....read more

Corolla Wild Horse Tours

Outer Banks Attractions
1159 F Austin Street, Corolla
(252) 207-0511

Corolla Wild Horse Tours has been guiding tours to Corolla’s horse country – the four-wheel-drive-only beaches north of Corolla – since 1996. With...read more

Corolla Wild Horse Tours has been guiding tours to Corolla’s horse country – the four-wheel-drive-only beaches...read more

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Outer Banks Attractions
1101 Corolla Village Road, Corolla
(252) 453-4939

The red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers above the Historic Corolla Village. Visitors to this Outer Banks attraction can climb the winding staircase...read more

The red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers above the Historic Corolla Village. Visitors to this Outer...read more

Elizabethan Gardens

Outer Banks Attractions
1411 National Park Drive (off U.S. Highway 64) next to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo
(252) 473-3234

Designed by two of America’s foremost landscape architects to pay tribute to America’s first English colonists, The Elizabethan Gardens is a rare treasure...read more

Designed by two of America’s foremost landscape architects to pay tribute to America’s first English...read more

H2OBX Waterpark

Outer Banks Attractions
8526 Caratoke Highway, Powells Point
(252) 491-3000

Nothing satisfies your craving for fun like a day at H2OBX Waterpark, located just 3 miles north of Wright Memorial Bridge. Start with that perfect Carolina...read more

Nothing satisfies your craving for fun like a day at H2OBX Waterpark, located just 3...read more

Jennette's Pier

Outer Banks Attractions
7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5, Nags Head
(252) 255-1501

The place to be in Nags Head during the summer season, Jennette’s Pier offers anglers a wide variety of fish to target while sightseers can watch...read more

The place to be in Nags Head during the summer season, Jennette’s Pier offers anglers...read more

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Outer Banks Attractions
374 Airport Road, Manteo
(252) 475-2300
(800) 832-3474 x4

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Banks. With more than 200 species of animals, including...read more

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on...read more