Press Media

A1
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The tallest brick lighthouse in America at 208 feet, this sentinel is open for climbing seasonally near the village of Buxton on Hatteras Island.

A2
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Built in 1870, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse marks an underwater series of sand bars known as Diamond Shoals, a navigational hazard for sea-going ships, which extend past the Cape for about 14 miles into the Atlantic Ocean.

A3
Wild Horses

Few creatures conjure a sense of independence and freedom like the wild horses of the Outer Banks. These mustang ponies are descended from equines brought here by Spanish explorers more than 500 years ago.

A4
Wright Brothers National Memorial

The world’s first powered flight occurred near Kitty Hawk, NC on December 17, 1903 in what is now the town of Kill Devil Hills.

A5
Wright Brothers Monument

Orville and Wilbur Wright culminated four years of venturing to the Outer Banks from 1900-1903 with the construction of The Flyer, a plane whose maiden flight lasted 12 seconds for a distance of 120 feet, forever changing the world.

A6
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge – One of two national wildlife refuges on the OBX, hundreds of bird species stop-over on this 5,000 acre tract of Hatteras Island on their annual migrations, making for excellent birdwatching.

A7
The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama

America’s longest running outdoor play celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2012; it portrays the struggles of the first attempted English colony in the nation dating back to 1585-1587.

A8
Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Home to the largest sand dunes on the East Coast at 80 feet tall, this 426 acre natural sandbox is the most visited North Carolina State Park.

A9
Hang Gliding

Hang gliding lessons by a local outfitter are a popular way for families to try something new and exciting while visitng Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

A10
Jennette’s Pier

The Outer Banks’ newest attraction, Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is an educational and recreational fishing pier with small meeting space, concessions and live animal exhibits. Operated by the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

A11
Roanoke Island Festival Park

The Elizabeth II is a representation of a 16th century sailing vessel, much like the ship the first English colony to America would have used to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Climb aboard and talk with period-costumed historians.

A12
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the mainland Dare County, this one of two national wildlife refuges is home to one of the largest black bear populations in the United States, as well as the endangered red wolf.

A14
Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

The most complete site in America dedicated to the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, predecessor of today’s U.S. Coast Guard.

B1
Beach

The beaches of the Outer Banks are very pet-friendly, and many OBX hotels, vacation rental homes and campgrounds have space for families traveling with dogs.

B2
Horseback Riding

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore enjoys a wide variety of recreational uses, one being horseback tours along the Atlantic Ocean beaches provided by local outfitters.

B3
Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established in 1953 as America’s first national seashore, and is home to some of the largest tracts of undeveloped oceanfront on the East Coast at 68 miles long and 30,000 square acres.

B4
Beach Couple

Whether you’re here to tie the knot, looking for a fresh start or just enjoying the company, the romantic appeal of the OBX’s wide open beaches and other natural landscapes connect to couples on a deep level.

B5
Surfing

Surfers are drawn from all over the United States and beyond to ride the waves along the Outer Banks; when the waves are big along the OBX, they tend to be among the biggest on the East Coast.

B6
Surfing

The convergence of two ocean currents, the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream offshore of the OBX make for a very dynamic coastline; stirring up big waves on occasion and some of the best seasonal saltwater fishing in the United States.

B7
NC 12 Highway

NC 12 Highway – The islands of the Outer Banks are connected by two-lane coastal highway NC 12. Most of the Outer Banks is less than a mile wide but stretches for 130 miles north to south.

B8
NC 12 Highway

The islands of the Outer Banks are connected by two-lane coastal highway NC 12 which spans Oregon Inlet, via the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge and Hatteras Inlet by way of NC Ferry.

B9
Surf Fishing

The warm Gulf Stream and colder Labrador Current meet off the coast of Cape Hatteras, bringing a variety of salt and fresh water species in abundance to the area. Driving an off-road 4x4 on some beaches is a favored way to get to them for anglers.

B10
Pier Fishing

There are several family-operated fishing piers on the OBX, from Kitty Hawk to Avon.

B11
Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding enthusiasts from around the world proclaim the Outer Banks is among the best places to both learn the sport and perfect their skills. Ever-present breezes combine with big ocean waves and shallow sounds for good riding.

B12
NC Ferry

The free ferry linking Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island is a great way to explore the Outer Banks. The ride is about 45 minutes each way, and allows patrons to get out and enjoy the scenery you can’t see from the road.

B14
Offshore Fishing

The convergence of two ocean currents, the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream offshore of the OBX make for a very dynamic coastline; stirring up big waves on occasion and some of the best seasonal saltwater fishing in the United States.

B15
Paddleboarding

A more leisurely watersport, paddleboarding is taking off as one of the fastest growing recreational interest on the coast; it’s kind of like a long surfboard with a paddle!

C1
Vacation Rental Cottages

Beach cottages are just one of the many types of accommodations available for visitors to the Outer Banks, and come in a wide range of affordability and finish for families to get together under one roof.

C2
Wedding Couple

The Outer Banks has become one of the top wedding destinations in the United States due to the natural beauty, unique venues and wide variety of accommodations to bring people together.

E1
Duck Jazz Festival

Every October, the town of Duck hosts a Jazz Festival on the town lawn which brings in a variety of professional and grass roots acts.

E2
Running

The natural beauty and historic significance of the Outer Banks attracts runners from all over the world for not only sanctioned events like the marathon, half marathon and triathlon among others, but also for personal pleasure while on vacation.

M1
Shopping

The town of Duck, NC has an extensive sound-side boardwalk with shops and restaurants overlooking the Currituck Sound.

A1 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

A2 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

A3 Wild Horses

A4 Wright Brothers National Memorial

A5 Wright Brothers Monument

A6 Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

A7 The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama

A8 Jockey’s Ridge State Park

A9 Hang Gliding

A10 Jennette’s Pier

A11 Roanoke Island Festival Park

A12 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

A14 Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

B1 Beach

B2 Horseback Riding

B3 Cape Hatteras National Seashore

B4 Beach Couple

B5 Surfing

B6 Surfing

B7 NC 12 Highway

B8 NC 12 Highway

B9 Surf Fishing

B10 Pier Fishing

B11 Kiteboarding

B12 NC Ferry

B14 Offshore Fishing

B15 Paddleboarding

C1 Vacation Rental Cottages

C2 Wedding Couple

E1 Duck Jazz Festival

E2 Running

M1 Shopping

Northern Beaches

Roanoke island

Dare Mainland

Hatteras Island

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