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Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located in Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship drowned, and a few days later four of the bodies were found on shore by local U.S. Coast Guard officers. Ocracoke residents gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to the Island's cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard of Ocracoke Island and a ceremony is performed at the Cemetery each year on the anniversary of the deaths of the British sailors.

Visit the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station in Corolla

The Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station was originally built in Kill Devil Hills in 1878 when lifesaving stations were located every 7 miles along the Outer Banks. This station was visited by the Wright Brothers during their many trips to the Outer Banks. Many of the original workers of the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station assisted the Wright Brothers with their early flight experiments, and some were lucky enough to be there to view the world's first powered airplane fly through the sky. The station was moved to Corolla in 1986, where it was restored and is the current home of the local shop, Outer Banks Style. Take time to stop and visit this unique structure of Outer Banks history!

Go Jogging on the Beach

There are a few great gyms on the Outer Banks, and even a few jogging trails. But why not take advantage of the sandy Atlantic beaches and go jogging on the beach? They say you get twice the benefit from jogging on sand versus other jogging surfaces, so give it a try! Jogging on the beach is a great way to get that workout in while you enjoy the beaches of the Outer Banks.

Play a Friendly Game of Miniature Golf

The Outer Banks is home to more than 12 miniature golf courses, which are located as far north as Corolla and as far south as Frisco. Most courses open at 10:00 a.m. and stay open past midnight in the summer months. There are a variety of themes at these miniature golf courses, ranging from dinosaurs and other animals to pirates and buried treasure. In Corolla, The Grass Course can be reached at (252) 453-4198. In the Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area, try The Promenade at (252) 261-4900 or Galaxy Golf at (252) 441-5875. On Hatteras Island, try Avon Golf at (252) 995-5480 or Frisco Mini Golf at (252) 995-6325. Because there are so many miniature golf courses to choose from, you may want to just take a drive until you see one you like!

Tour the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located in Hatteras Village, was created to preserve the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks throughout history. Emphasis in the museum is placed on the periods from 1524 to 1945. The museum has a unique design with an entrance modeled after the timbers of the many shipwrecks that have happened along the treacherous Hatteras coast. For more information, contact the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995.

Watch Birds and Wildlife at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the north end of Hatteras Island, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1938 as a winter preserve for snow geese. Today, the refuge is managed by the National Park Service and consists of 5,915 acres attracting almost 400 observed bird species. Naturalists, birdwatchers and fans of the sea turtle all frequent the Refuge during their trips to the Outer Banks. There is a Visitor Center on-site as well as a trail leading along the sound marshes in the area. There is no charge for this attraction, but don't forget to bring your insect repellent! For more information, contact the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge at (252) 987-2394.

Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry

Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY.

Watch the Charter Boats Come in with Their "Catch of the Day"

Both Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet have fleets of charter boats that take excited fishermen into the gulf stream to catch the fish of their dreams. Can't afford to go on a charter boat? Don't have sea legs and don't want to experience life on the water? Try going to the docks in the afternoon when the charters come in. You will see tired, sunburned (and happy) fishermen, whistling mates and captains and hundreds of pounds of the tuna, wahoo, mackerel, dolphin and other choice catches of the day. See the people who caught them and watch the mates clean them in the fish cleaning stations. Experience a small part of the charter fishing experience without spending a dime! For daily information on times of charter returns, contact the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (800) 272-5199, Oden's Dock (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2555 or Teach's Lair Marina (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2460.

Watch a Performance at the Outer Banks Music Showcase

The Outer Banks Music Showcase opened in the summer of 2004 and has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors and locals. The audience is entertained by various local performers who blend music with comedy to create family-friendly shows. Several music genres are presented including country, show tunes, pop, 1950s and 1960s, gospel and patriotic music. During the peak season, two performances are held each night. The theater is located in Kitty Hawk at Milepost 4.5 on US Highway 158. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $11.95 for children twelve and under. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Music Showcase at (252) 261-7505.

Take a Bike Ride in the Salty Ocean Air

Bike riding is a popular way to exercise while on vacation on the Outer Banks, as it allows you to enjoy the nature and salt air at the same time. Highways 12 and 158 are busy highways, so only ride on them if you are an experienced rider. It is best to ride on side streets or in areas where there are separate bike paths. Corolla, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island do not have any designated bike paths but do have extended shoulders on Highway 12. Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Roanoke Island have separate designated bike paths in either some or all areas. Don't forget to wear your safety helmet. For information on bike rentals, kiddie carts and pull-behind bikes for children, contact Ocean Atlantic Rentals at one of their four locations. Contact Corolla at (252) 453-2440, Duck at (252) 261-4346, Nags Head at (252) 441-7823 or Avon at (252) 995-5868.