HISTORY

The Lost Colony

Outdoor ampitheater featuring nightly summer performances of The Lost Colony drama with music and dance depicting the tragic and mysterious fate of the famous first English settlement in the New World.   See the fort reconstruction, museum, and Elizabethian Gardens.  Manteo.

Roanoke Island Festival Park

A comlex featuring the Elizabeth II, replica of 16th century ship like the ones which brought the colonists, an excellent museum for both adults and children, a gift shop, an indoor theater with performances and movies, and an outdoor concert theater with nightly perfomances.   Manteo.

Wright Brothers Memorial

Monument and museum on the site of the first flight.  Kill Devil Hills.

NATURE

Jockey's Ridge

MP 12 Nags Head, just down the road.  Be sure to climb and watch a beautiful sunset, or fly a kite from up on top one day.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The first seashore to become a national park, stretches from Oregon Inlet south to Cape Hatteras.  Explore this beautiful stretch of undeveloped seashore

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Well worth a visit.  The exhibits are a delight for children and adults alike.

SPORTS

Fishing -  Fishing is everywhere on the Outer Banks:

surf fishing--from the shore, anywhere

fishing from the piers--Check out Nags Head Pier (two blocks below Native's Return), and Jeanette's Pier

fishing from the causway bridge--on Highway 64 towards Manteo, or park and go down to fish under the bridge

charter boats--leave daily from Pirate's Cove, on Highway 64 on the way to Manteo, and Oregon Inlet, 15 miles south on Highway 12.  Half and full day trips.

Golf

There are a number of excellent courses, public and private up and down the Banks and in neighboring Currituck County.  See Map.  Check out Golf Courses for more complete descriptions of the courses.

Miniature Golf  -  Note that Galaxy Golf is a short walk up the street from Native's Return.

Watersports

Surfing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, sailing, all are popular on the Outer Banks.  The Nags Head location of Kitty Hawk Sports is just across the street from Jockey's Ridge.

ARTS

Galleries

Galleries and shops for arts and crafts abound up and down the beach.  To mention a few of the perrenial favorites:

Seaside Art Gallery  --  the oldest in town, a fine collection.   Nags Head

KDH Coop  --  A popular and diversified cooperative gallery of local artists.  Check out classes for young and old.  Kill Devil Hills.

Greenleaf Gallery  --  Another fine gallery, up in Duck.

Dare County Arts Council --  The Arts Council operates a gallery in Manteo and their site also highlights classes and workshops.

EATING OUT

My Recommendations: Other good ones come and go, these have been around.

Owens Restaurant
MP16 Beach Road, Nags Head
One of our finest, excellent food, very nice atmosphere. 

Tortuga's Lie
Half a block north of Native's Return on the Beach Road
Year-round locals' favorite, excellent steamed shrimp, sushi Wednesday nights. 

Sooey's BBQ at Jockey's Ridge
3919 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head,
Barbeque, crabcake sandwitches, fried chicken, etc.  Take out or eat outside. 

Grits Grill & Bakery
5000 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head 
Hearty breakfasts, country ham, biscuits, Crispy Creme

Sam n Omie's Restaurant
MP 17 Beach Road, Nags Head 
Local color.

1587 Restaurant
405 Queen Elizabeth St, Manteo
Elegant, on the waterfront in Manteo

Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant
Highway 345 South, Wanchese
Seafood on the waterfront in the fishing village of Wanchese.  No alcohol.

Queen Anne's Revenge Restaurant
1064 Old Wharf Rd, Wanchese
Excellent traditional food, nice atmosphere

NIGHTLIFE

Port O'call Restaurant
504 S Virginia Dare TRL
Kill Devil Hills
Bar, dancing, bands, good restaurant , gift shop.  Cover charge.

Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant
Bar,dancing, bands, restaurant.  Cover charge.