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Go Horseback Riding on the Beach

You've seen the movies with people riding horses on the beach. Why not try it for yourself during your vacation to the Outer Banks? Equine Adventures in Buxton offers local experienced guides that lead you on scenic wooded trails to the beach. Rides are offered year round, but reservations are required. Call (252) 995-4897 for more information.

Play or Watch Others Play in the Waters at Canadian Hole

Canadian Hole is a public area located 1.5 miles south of Avon on Hatteras Island. Windsurfers and kiteboarders who travel to the Outer Banks from around the world spend most of their vacation playing in the Pamlico Sound waters at Canadian Hole. If you are driving by this location on a windy day, pull into the public parking area and take some time to relax and watch the surfers and boarders. Many of them are very talented at their sports and are fun to watch. If you can catch this area near sunset, it is a great photo opportunity with the sails in the sky and the sunset in the background.

View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic Ocean

How 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.

View the Sunset Over the Sound

After a long day of sightseeing, shopping, fishing or surfing, take time to relax and watch the sunset over the Sound. Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are home to the Pamlico Sound; Manteo and Nags Head are home to the Albemarle Sound, and Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Duck and Corolla is where you will find the Currituck Sound. No matter what Sound you choose, the sunset views will be breathtaking. If you are lucky enough to catch a few late afternoon windsurfers or kiteboarders, you will be able to see their sails in the foreground as the sun drops below the horizon. Sunsets are beautiful on the Outer Banks all year round, but some of the most breathtaking orange and red sunsets are prevalent in the fall season each year.

Tour the Whalehead Club

The Whalehead Club, located in Corolla, was built as a private residence in the 1920s, when the Outer Banks was visited primarily by waterfowl hunters. From 1934 through 1969, the home sat empty while the original owners' family was uninterested in spending time in the home's remote location. In 1969 the home was purchased by a new owner, who also left the home sit empty for 25 more years. During this time period, The Whalehead Club suffered significant vandalism. It is now owned by Currituck County and has been restored to its original look from 1925. Visitors are welcome and 45-minute guided tours of the house are available. Admission is $7 for adults and children under eight are free. The Whalehead Club is also a popular setting for many outdoor weddings, since it is situated on the Currituck Sound and offers beautiful water and sunset views.

Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, located in Buxton, is possibly the most famous lighthouse in the nation. The tallest brick lighthouse at 208 feet, it survived a move of more than 1,600 feet away from the eroding shoreline in 1999. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing from late March to early October each year. There are daily lighthouse tours, and the ticket booth opens each day at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are only available for the date of purchase, and tours normally sell out by noon each day. The cost to climb the lighthouse is $6 for adults and $3 for children and Senior Citizens. The climb is a tough one with several winding staircases, but the breathtaking views from the top will be something you will never forget. There is also a visitor center and bookstore on the premises, located in the former keepers' quarters.

Tour the Historic Corolla Village

The original village of Corolla began to grow in 1875 after the Currituck Beach Lighthouse was built. By 1890, the small village had 200 residents, but population declined during and after World War II. Corolla was home to just a few residents until the 1980s, when the development of the Currituck Outer Banks started with a public paved road. Today, visitors can tour Schoolhouse Lane and Corolla Village Lane to get a taste of the original Corolla Village. Visitors can view the Corolla Schoolhouse and other historic homes that have since been restored and turned into local shops. Take a step back in time and visit Historic Corolla Village!

Tour the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park

The Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park is a 69-acre industrial park that was built in 1980 to entice large-scale seafood processing companies to bring their business to Wanchese. Oregon Inlet, the East Coast's most dangerous inlet, shoaled terribly through the 1980s and few of the fishing boats could make it through the inlet, so the large-scale seafood processors never arrived. The industrial park remained mostly vacant until 1994, when smaller area businesses began moving into the park. Today, the area is almost full with various marine-related industries. The industrial park is an educational stop for visitors interested in the world of boatbuilding and sea harvesting. Visitors are welcome to come in and check out the boat docks. For more information, contact the industrial park at (252) 473-5867.

Teach Your Kids about Pirate Blackbeard and Let Them Find "Buried Treasure"

There are many stories of pirates and buried treasure that are part of the unique history of the Outer Banks. The story of the notorious Pirate Blackbeard ended in Ocracoke in 1718 when he was killed in battle at Ocracoke Inlet. Throughout his "career" as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships. Today, many businesses and streets in the area are named after Blackbeard. While you are in the Outer Banks, teach your children the history of Blackbeard and let them search for his buried treasure. Create a treasure map and bury a treasure at the end of it. Help them with the treasure hunt by playing along. This is a great way for you and your children to experience the true pirate history of the area!

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.