Tour the Chicamacomico Lifesaving StationLocated in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is one of the original seven lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks. The original station opened at the current location in 1874 and became a storage shed in 1911 when a larger facility was built next to it. Crews at this station guarded the Hatteras Island northern coast for more than 70 years. Today, the lifesaving station is a museum of lifesaving equipment, awards and artifacts and volunteers are on staff to give guided tours. The station is open from Easter weekend through the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Various programs are available during the summer months and admission is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station at (252) 987-1552. Go Scuba Diving To View Underwater Shipwrecks and Sea LifeThe Outer Banks is otherwise known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because of the more than 100 shipwrecks that have remains on the ocean floor between Corolla and Ocracoke. Wreckage from these ships is located at various depths in the ocean, and a great way to see them is by going scuba diving. As you may know, scuba diving can be very dangerous, and you must take special training in order to become a certified diver. For information on learning how to dive while you are in the Outer Banks, contact the Outer Banks Dive Center at (252) 449-8349. If you are already certified and just need a boat to take you to a diving spot, contact Outer Banks Diving and Charters at (252) 986-1056 or Atlantic Wreck Diving at (252) 986-2835. Visit Local Art Galleries and Shops To View Local Talent and StyleBecause of the natural beauty of the ocean and its surroundings on the Outer Banks, many artists live in the area and express their love for the Outer Banks in their artwork. There are several art shows and events throughout the year and several art galleries located throughout the Outer Banks. If you are interested in art, you will love spending a day touring some galleries in the area. If the timing is right, you might also get to see an art show or attend an event! For more information, contact the Dare County Arts Council at (252) 473-5558. Drive-Thru a Brew Thru Convenience StoreYou've heard of drive-thru fast food restaurants, but have you ever been to a drive-thru gas station and convenience store? The Outer Banks is home to the original Brew Thru, which is a local chain of drive-thru gas station/convenience stores where you will find friendly service, great prices and the unique Brew Thru apparel - all without having to leave the comfort of your car! There are four Brew Thru locations to serve you, located between Corolla and Nags Head. Drive thru and check them out! Look at the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony PensHoused in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the 30 horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once-wild horses are a large part of the Island's history. At times in history, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens! Take the Ocracoke Village Walking TourThe small fishing village of Ocracoke is the perfect opportunity for you to park your car for a day and wander the narrow streets of the village. Historical landmarks, local shops, restaurants, antique shops and old buildings and homes are among the interesting things you will find on your walking tour. A suggestion is to begin at the Ocracoke Visitor Center, which is located on the west end of the village and adjacent to the ferry docks. Since the island is so small, it is almost impossible to get lost! If you would like, ask a National Park Service employee in the Visitor Center for directions and suggestions before you start your journey. Fly a KiteThe Outer Banks are well-known by windsurfers and kiteboarders around the world for its great wind. Why not take advantage of that same wind and spend an afternoon flying a kite? On most days, finding enough wind to get the kite in the air isn't a problem! Also, the Outer Banks is home to one of the top kite stores in the world, Kitty Hawk Kites. They sell a large range of kites ranging from backyard style to competition stunt kites. While you are in their store, talk to the staff about your skill level and they can assist you in purchasing the right kite. Kitty Hawk Kites has shops located throughout the Outer Banks to meet your needs. If needed, lessons are available. Many people choose to fly their kites in Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head because it offers many acres that are unobstructed by power lines and trees. Wherever you decide to fly your kite, have fun! View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic OceanHow 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. Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth IIVisible from Historic Downtown Manteo's waterfront, the Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II ship is one of the largest attractions on the Outer Banks. The Park opened in 1998 as an educational, historical and cultural arts complex and teaches visitors about the evolution of Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Elizabeth II ship was built in 1983 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first English settlement in America. The park is open year-round and admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under five. For more information, contact the Park at (252) 475-1500. Take an Adventure Tour To See the Corolla Wild HorsesThe very northern tip of Corolla is home to about 60 wild horses that freely roam the 15,000 acres between this northern edge of Corolla and the Virginia State Line. No one knows for sure how the horses arrived on the Outer Banks, but many believe they came to the area with early European explorers. Adventure tours are available to see the horses either via suburban or via all terrain vehicles (ATVs). To experience the tour in a suburban, contact Wild Horse Safari at (252) 453-0877 or Bob's Off Road Wild Horse Adventure Tours at (252) 453-8602. If you are the more adventurous type and would rather view the horses from your own ATV, contact Corolla Outback Adventures at (252) 453-4484 or Back Country Outfitters & Guides at (252) 453-0877. However you decide to view the horses, remember they are wild, and you should stay at least 500 feet away, and do not feed or touch them. | Corolla RestaurantsCorolla Pizza & Deli1152 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Big Mama's Breakfast, Seafood, Ice Cream & Yogurt 1152 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Cosmo's Pizzeria 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Wild Horse Cafe 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Nicolettas Italian Cafe 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Fat Crabs Rib Co. 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Ned's Ice Cream & Convenience 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Cheese-Steaks 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Bagels 1109 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Clubhouse Cafe 1197 Franklyn Street Corolla, NC 27927 Northern Lights Pastry & Coffee 109 Austin Street Corolla, NC 27927 Lighthouse Bagels 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ShoppingCoastal Karma794 Sunset Boulevad TimBuck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Style 1134 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Cottage Collection 1134 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Village Wine Shop 1134 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Island Bookstore 1130 Corolla Village Road Historic Corolla Village Corolla, NC 27927 The Lightkeeper's Wife 1130 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Village Fisherman Unique Gifts 1130 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Lighthouse Garden 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Old Corolla Trading Co. 1129 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Spry Creek Dry Goods 1122 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 Wink's Grocery & Market 1150 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Back Country Outfitters & Guides 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla AttractionsThe Corolla Wild Horse Museum at The Historic Corolla Schoolhouse1126 Schoolhouse Lane Corolla, NC 27927 Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park 1100 Club Road Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education 1160 Village Lane Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ActivitiesCorolla Outback Adventures, Ltd.1150 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Back Country Outfitters & Guides 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Beach Jeeps of Corolla 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Island Revolution Surf Co. & Skatepark 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla Light Town Center Corolla, NC 27927 Wild Horse Safari 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kayak Corolla 1210 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Jeep Rentals & Tours 1070 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Bob's Wild Horse Tours 1066 Ocean Trail Inn at Corolla Light Corolla, NC 27927 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 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 794 Sunset Boulevard Tim Buck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 |