Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Explore more than 150,000 acres of wetland with a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from wood ducks and alligators to red wolves and black bears. Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress and shrubs are abundant. Hiking trails, observation platforms, fishing areas, kayak trails. Guided canoe tours available for a fee. Park entrance is in Manteo. (252) 473-1131

Bodie Island Lighthouse and Marshes
Rising 156 feet, the Bodie Island Lighthouse was built in 1872. Learn about the history of the lighthouse in the visitors' center and keeper's quarters, or take a self-guided nature trail through the surrounding marshes. The area is known for excellent coastal bird watching—look for heron, egret, ibis and other wading birds. Parking areas adjacent. Eight miles south of US-58 and US-63 intersection near Nags Head. (252) 441-5711

Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve
Explore the largest maritime forest remaining in North Carolina. Hike an interpretive trail through the forest, marshes and well-preserved dunes. See more than a dozen rare plant and animal species and dozens of different kinds of birds, including migratory songbirds and raptors. Off of NC-12 in Buxton.
(252) 261-8891

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Climb the 257 steps of the tallest brick lighthouse in the country and one of the nation's well-known landmarks. Open for climbing early April to mid-October. The former keeper's quarters serves as a visitors' center and a museum highlighting the island's maritime history and is open year-round. Located on NC-12 at Buxton.
(252) 995-4474

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dedicated in 1953, Cape Hatteras National Seashore was the country's first national seashore and remains one of the most popular. Stretching 75 miles along the Outer Banks from Nags Head to Ocracoke, the national seashore attracts beachgoers, fishermen, lighthouse lovers, birdwatchers and a host of other visitors, drawn by the peace and serenity of the unique barrier island chain. Entrance at intersection of US-63 and NC-12.
(252) 473-2111

Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
The most complete site of remaining life-saving stations in North Carolina, built in 1874. Learn about the history of the building and the life-saving service through artifacts, interpretive exhibits, public tours, reenactments and more. Located off of NC-12 in the village of Rodanthe. Open May 28–August 31.
(252) 987-1552

Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Located in Corolla, the lighthouse stands at 158 feet, and visitors can climb the 214 steps to the top for a panoramic view. Visit the historic lighthouse keeper's house, outhouse and storage building. Open daily April through November. (252) 453-4939

Duck Pier Research Station
Research pier operated by Army Corps of Engineers, studying the effects of beach erosion and storms. Includes gazebo visual displays and unique vehicle call CRAB, Coastal Research Amphibious Buggy. Walking and guided tours Monday through Friday from mid-June through Mid-August. Located north of Duck in northern Dare County.
(252) 261-3511

Elizabethan Gardens
A living memorial to America's original English colonists. Features colorful displays of flowers, shrubs, plants and trees, an herb garden, antique statuary and more. Located at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site beside Lost Colony Waterside Theatre in Manteo. Open year-round. (252) 473-3234

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Explore the north end of Roanoke Island where Sir Walter Raleigh's explorers and colonists established settlement in 1585. Features a visitors' center, interpretive programs, nature trail and more. Open year-round.
(252) 473-5772

Jennette's Pier at Nags Head
1000 ft. fishing pier, educational programs, live animal exhibits, alternative energy demonstrations, tackle/gift/snack shop, meeting & reception facilities, public beach access with bath house. On the oceanfront at Milepost 16.5. www.jennettespier.net.
(252) 255-1501

Jockey's Ridge State Park
A 400-acre park with the highest sand dunes on the East Coast. One of the most significant landmarks on the Outer Banks, the park features nature programs, a self-guided trail, hang gliding, climbing, picnic facilities, a visitors center and more. Open year-round. Located in Nags Head at milepost 12 on the Hwy. 158 Bypass. (252) 441-7132

The Lost Colony
Relive the exciting story of The Lost Colony, America's first and longest-running Outdoor Drama, written by Pulitzer-Prize winner Paul Green and performed under the stars at the beautiful Waterside Theatre. Presented nightly except Sundays, June 1 to August 23. Located at the Waterside Theatre in Manteo.
(252) 473-3414

North Carolina Aquarium on            Roanoke Island
Sharks, alligators and river otters are among the animals on exhibit. Touch skates, rays and horseshoe crabs, and view "Opal" the octopus. See animals being fed, and take a trip to a living marsh. www.ncaquariums.com.
(800) 832-3474 ext. 4

Ocracoke Lighthouse
Completed in 1823, the sturdy 75-foot lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the southeast. The lighthouse is the third beacon to mark Ocracoke inlet since the 1790s. A wooden lighthouse located in the middle of the inlet was destroyed by an 1818 lightning strike, and a lightship moored nearby was repeatedly driven ashore by bad weather. Although a portion of the light station grounds are open to visitors, the tower is closed to the public.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about northeastern North Carolina's rich natural history and heritage. The center houses an exhibit gallery, an auditorium, a museum store, a large decoy collection and a 12,000-gallon aquarium. Educational programs for all ages are also offered on a daily basis. Located at Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla. (252) 453-0221

Outer Banks History Center
Learn about the history and culture of the Outer Banks through exhibits including manuscripts, maps, personal belongings and more. Open year-round. Located within the Roanoke Island Festival Park across from the Manteo waterfront. www.obhistorycenter.ncdcr.gov.
(252) 473-2655

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
A 5,834-acre refugee home to more than 265 species of birds such as Canada geese, snow geese and 25 species of duck in the winter months. Explore the beach, dunes, ponds and marsh, and observe the large variety of birds from an observation platform. Located adjacent to NC-12 between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe.
(252) 473-1131

Pine Island Sanctuary and Audubon Center
The Pine Island Sanctuary and Audubon Center is offering kayak tours, nature walks and photography classes every week during the summer. You can also explore our two-mile nature trail. Please visit www.ncaudubon.org for more information. 300 Audubon Drive, Corolla. 252-453-0603

Roanoke Island Festival Park
Celebrate history, education and the arts. Climb aboard Elizabeth II, a sailing vessel representative of those that sailed to Roanoke in the New World in 1585. Hear the costumed sailors' tales of treacherous voyages and a strange new land. Explore 400 years of Outer Banks history through hands-on exhibits in the Roanoke Adventure Museum. Learn about the island's Native Americans in the original dramatic film The Legend of Two-Path, and enjoy dance, drama and musical performances in The Pavilion. Also features a Museum Store, porches, rocking chairs, marsh-side boardwalks, a fossil pit and acres of green lawns. Open Daily. Closed Jan. 1–Feb. 28. Located across from the Manteo waterfront.
(252) 475-1500

The Whalehead Club at Heritage Park
The mansion was the most famous of Currituck County's hunt clubs. The historic landmark was built in the 1920s by wealthy industrialist Edward C. Knight at a cost of approximately $400,000. Self-guided and standard tours available year-round. (252) 453-9040

Wright Brothers National Memorial
A full-scale reproduction of original plane, information services, exhibits, talks on history of the Wright Brothers, the Wrights' 1902–1903 camp buildings and reproductions and much more. Open year-round.
252-441-7430