Nags Head
Vacationers have been traveling to the beaches of Nags Head for more than 150 years—and it’s easy to see why. With its lovely shoreline and big sand dunes, the natural beauty alone makes it the perfect place for a traditional, fun-filled family vacation.
But Nags Head is also known for its amazing amount of recreational opportunities. Nature enthusiasts will love spotting dolphins from the deck of a charter boat, or taking a hike through the Nags Head Wood Ecological Preserve. Kids can check out mini golf, arcades, go-karts and bowling. Golfers can take a swing at the Nags Head Golf Links along the Roanoke Sound, while fishermen have their choice of piers and charter boats. Shoppers will find plenty of boutique shops and name-brand outlet stores, as well as the art galleries, to explore. And for everyone, Nags Head has the widest selection of dining on the Outer Banks.
Nags Head is also a great place for the adventuresome, especially those looking for a lesson and a chance to try something new. On the water, you can try kayaking, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, kite-boarding, parasailing and a whole lot more. Head over to Jockey’s Ridge—the highest sand dune on the entire East Coast—and try your hand at hang gliding. At the very least, it’s the perfect place to fly a kite or race your friends down to the bottom of the dune.
You’ll also find an amazing amount of history here. In 1587, the first permanent English colony attempted to settle on nearby Roanoke Island—only to vanish. Now, you can learn more about the Lost Colony by visiting the Roanoke Heritage Gallery and Museum, the Roanoke Island Festival Park, the Outer Banks History Center, or the Fort Raleigh National Historic site. There’s also a popular outdoor drama. The Elizabethan Gardens, the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the North Carolina Aquarium are also nearby.
OBXtra #17—The Moving Mammoth
The sand dune at Jockey’s Ridge may be the largest on the East Coast—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t move. Thanks to wind and erosion, the dune has swallowed up miniature golf course and even a hotel!