Gone To Carolina II

Four Bedroom Soundside House, Located in Corolla

Build a Sandcastle

When you stop in the local Outer Banks Reef or Wings souvenir store, buy your kids a bucket of beach toys that will assist in making a sandcastle. Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You will need a bucket, a shovel and other sand tools, as well as some water to keep the fine sand damp and sticky. Depending on the ages and skill levels of your children, you could have your own family sandcastle contest. You could choose a theme (movies, animals, etc.) and everyone could build their own sandcastle. No matter how the sandcastle(s) turn out, you are sure to have lots of laughs!

Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local Sounds

There are several docks and marinas located throughout the Outer Banks to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Space is limited during the summer months, especially on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for slip reservations. Thousands of visitors bring their boats to the Outer Banks each year, but if you don't have your own boat, some area businesses do offer powerboat rentals. For information on marinas and dock space, a few options are the Dock of the Bay in Kitty Hawk at (252) 255-5578, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (252) 441-6301, Frisco Cove Marina at (252) 995-4242 or Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras at (252) 986-2460. For boat rentals, contact The Promenade Watersports in Kitty Hawk at (252) 261-4400 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875.

Visit the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary

Ducks, geese, rabbits, deer, fox and many other animal species live in the 5,400-acre wildlife refuge known as the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, located between Duck and Corolla on the northern Outer Banks. Many trees and marsh grasses also grow in this secluded wetland area. A trailhead is located at the Sanderling Inn and gives access to a 2.5 mile clay trail that takes hikers, bikers and strollers through a part of the Sanctuary.

Tour the North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island

The George Washington Creef Boathouse was built on the Manteo waterfront in 1940, and in 1998 was turned into the North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island. Inside the museum, the crew of mostly volunteers keeps busy renovating and rebuilding wooden boats. The Elizabeth II was built here, and visitors to the museum can view a presentation on her construction. The museum is a great stop for anyone interested in boats and boatbuilding of the past and present. The museum is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer months, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the rest of the year. For more information, contact the museum at (252) 475-1750.

Visit the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society

Once the private residence to Coast Guard Captain David Williams, this home was moved to its current location on Ocracoke Island's Silver Lake in 1989 and restored to its original beauty by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. Many furnishings reminiscent of the 19th century have been donated by local families, and photographs of island natives can be seen throughout the house. The museum also has several exhibits and a research library. Admission is free and the museum is open from Easter through the end of December. For more information, contact the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society at (252) 928-7375.

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.

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.

Tour the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Located on Roanoke Island, the North Carolina Aquarium is a 68,000 square-foot facility with a "Waters of the Outer Banks" theme. Visitors see a variety of marine communities including coastal freshwaters, wetlands, estuaries, roadside ditches and the Gulf Stream. A main attraction at the aquarium is the Graveyard of the Atlantic tank, which holds 285,000 gallons of saltwater and is home to sea turtles, sharks and almost 1,000 other sea creatures. The aquarium is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (except for Christmas and New Year's Day.) Prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and active military personnel, $5 for children ages six to 17, and kids five and under are free. For more information, contact the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3494.

Go Hiking on the Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Located north of Ocracoke Village, the 0.75-mile Hammock Hills Nature Trail will take you on a 30-minute walk through various sections of the Island, including sand dunes, maritime forest and a salt marsh. Signs along the trail teach about various plant life surviving in the Ocracoke weather and elements. You will want to remember your camera and insect repellent before you take this hike, and don't forget that snakes may be hiding in the underbrush. The trailhead is located just across Highway 12 from the Ocracoke Campground.

Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or Canoeing

People of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of the Outer Banks sounds. There are several stores available throughout the Outer Banks where you can rent either a kayak or a canoe, and there are different types available depending on your preference. You can rent equipment from Carolina Outdoors in Corolla, Nags Head, Manteo, Avon or Hatteras at (800) 334-4777. Several companies also offer guided kayak and canoe eco-tours. Corolla Adventure Tours leads tours on the northern beaches and can be reached at (252) 453-6899. Ocracoke Adventures leads tours of the Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island and can be reached at (252) 928-7873.

 

Corolla Restaurants

GiGi's Italian Restaurant
520 Old Stoney Road
Corolla, NC 27927

Metropolis Martini & Tapas Restaurant
520 Old Stoney Road
Corolla, NC 27927

The Pizza Guy
501 Old Stoney Road
Corolla, NC 27927

Bunkers Grill & Bar
620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Pizzazz Pizza Company
603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Maui Wowi
603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Zero's Subs
603 Currituck Club Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Pine Island Diner
345 Audubon Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Route 12 Steak & Seafood
786 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

The Fudgery
790 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Giant Slice Pizza
785 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar
785 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Shopping

Blue Water Seafood Market
508 Hunt Club Drive
Ocean Club Centre
Corolla, NC 27927

North Carolina ABC Store
500 Hunt Club Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Old Stoney's Beer & Wine Store
501 Old Stoney Road
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Bait & Tackle
601 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Shops of Currituck Club
Corolla, NC 27927

Harris Teeter Supermarkets
601 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Surf Shop
603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Suite G
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Surf Shop
602 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Sound Feet Shoes
718 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Brew Thru Beverage Store
790 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

The Fudgery
790 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Nags Head Hammocks
790 Ocean Trail
Timbuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

DogNutz
790 Ocean Trail
TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Attractions

Station Bay Marina & Seafood Market
1566 Duck Road
Duck, NC 27949

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
1160 Village Lane
Corolla, NC 27927

The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park
1100 Club Road
Corolla, NC 27927

Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop
1101 Corolla Village Road
Corolla, NC 27927

The Corolla Wild Horse Museum at The Historic Corolla Schoolhouse
1126 Schoolhouse Lane
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Activities

The Currituck Golf Club
620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Raceway
790 Ocean Trail
Timbuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Sports
790 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Kites
785 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

Dance Heads
799 Sunset Boulevard
Corolla, NC 27927

The Golf Links
798 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla, NC 27927

Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo
794 Sunset Boulevard
Tim Buck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks
815 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Kites
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Carolina Outdoors
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Bob's Wild Horse Tours
1066 Ocean Trail
Inn at Corolla Light
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Jeep Rentals & Tours
1070 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927