Things to Do

Attractions

The Avalon Pier is a local landmark on the Outer Banks. Located at MP 6 in Kill Devil Hills, the pier was built in 1958 and is almost 700 feet long. Featuring some of the best fishing in the area, the Avalon Pier offers a tackle shop with everything you need to go fishing! Check out the website and see the fishing conditions every day with the Avalon Pier Cam. Located nearby is Awful Arthur's Raw Bar and Grill featuring some of the best local seafood (including oysters) you can find anywhere!

Just south of Nags Head, the Bodie Island Lighthouse as it stands today is the third version built to help mariners maneuver the coast from Cape Hatteras to Currituck Beach. The original Bodie (pronounced “body”) Island Lighthouse was built in 1847, on the south side of Oregon Inlet in an area known today as Pea Island. It was abandoned twelve years later due to a poor foundation and the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1859, again south of the inlet, but wasdestroyed in 1861 by retreating Confederate troops who feared the Union would use it for navigation. The Bodie Island Lighthouse you see today was completed in 1872 on the north side of Oregon Inlet near the northern border of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The familiar black and white horizontal striped structure was partly built of materials leftover from the construction of the newest Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is considered its architectural twin. Bodie Island Light stands 150 feet high and is equipped with a first-order Fresnel lens. Its 160,000 candlepower beacon can be seen 19 miles over the ocean.

Admission: $8 for adults and $4 for seniors (fee is for climbing tour only - grounds are free)

Open From (Hour): 9:00 a.m to 5:45 p.m. April - October

Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are walking on the beach, kayaking on the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!

In 1873, Congress established the United States Life Saving Service to patrol the beaches looking for ships in distress along the treacherous North Carolina coast. Twelve Life Saving Stations were established - at seven mile intervals. The stations were patrolled by a crew of 5-10 men on foot or horseback. The most famous of these stations, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station was built in 1874. Its courageous crew risked their lives on a daily basis.

The Coast Guard, who later evolved out of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, decommissioned the complex in 1954. The buildings are one of the most complete U.S. Lifesaving Service/Coast Guard Station complexes on the Atlantic Coast. The main station (built in 1911) and the Fearing Shipwreck Exhibit are now museums that showcase lifesaving equipment, host daily programs, and even feature a few artifacts from actual shipwrecks in the area. An interesting part of history that is so throroughly preserved at the Chicamacomico site.

This red-brick lighthouse towers above the northern Outer Banks landscape in the historic Corolla Village. Visitors can climb the winding staircase, 220 steps in all, to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Outer Banks. Inside the lighthouse, at the base and on the first two landings, there are museum-quality lighthouse exhibits. On the way up or down, stop to learn about the history of coastal lighthouses, the Fresnel lens, shipwrecks and the lighthouse keepers.

Guests of Atlantic realty get to enjoy one free pass per day to the Elizabethan Gardens. with the Fun N Sun Pass Program. Available April - December (Winterlights Festival not included). Reservations Not Required.

Families, horticulturalists and nature lovers, history buffs and culture seekers ... there is something for everyone ... as each season contributes to the beauty and tranquility of this unique garden ... an oasis of green in a land of sea and sun. Where the Old World and New World Grow Together.

Jennette's Pier was the first fishing pier built on the Outer Banks. Constructed in 1939, the pier was a destination for fisherman from up and down the east coast. When it was almost totally destroyed after Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the NC Aquarium stepped in and decided to rebuild the pier out of concrete pilings and use the pier for not only fishing, but aquatic education. The research and education programs have since expanded to include wind energy and several turbines were constructed along the pier to capture the power of the seabreeze that constantly blows along the Outer Banks.

Jennette's Pier also serves as a public beach access offering restrooms, changing rooms and a children's playground. You will quite often see surfing contests and beach sporting events held there as the newly renourished beaches are wide and flat. For more information on Jennette's Pier and the programs it has to offer, please visit http://www.jennettespier.net

The largest natural sand dune on the east coast, Jockey's Ridge hosts a number of summer activities for visitors. Hang gliding, kite flying, hiking trails, sand boarding and more are available as well as simply climbing the dune for some of the best views the Outer Banks has to offer. Visit the on site museum to learn about the ecology and wildlife in the area as well as take part in sponsored program such as the junior ranger program for children. Admission is free.

The Lost Colony is the nation's longest-running premier symphonic drama. First staged in 1937, the story of the 117 English men, women, and children who mysteriously disappeared from Roanoke Island is celebrated in this production written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Paul Green.

Over 200 actors, technicians, designers and volunteers rehearse each May to bring The Lost Colony to life for another summer season. The production is enormous. The stage itself is over three times larger than most Broadway stages in New York. You will be seated in the center of the stage area with action happening on three sides of you and even sometimes right next to you in the aisle. Come see epic battles and Indian dances. Experience the sorrow and heartbreak of tragedy and loss. Witness the pageantry of the Queen and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare. There is music, laughter, romance and dance. The Lost Colony is widely acknowledged as the precursor to the modern American Broadway Musical.

Guests of Atlantic Realty receive 1 complimentary admission per reservation per night for The Lost Colony production during their stay.

The Manteo Waterfront features shops and restaurants along a scenic boardwalk just across from Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II. Stroll along the waterfront boardwalk that connects the Town boat ramp and marina, waterfront gazebo, playground, and picnic areas with the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, and the George Washington Creef Boathouse on the Manteo waterfront.

One of the oldest and longest piers on the OBX, the Nags Head Pier offers fun for the whole family. Enjoy Breakast or Lunch at the Pier House restaurant for outstanding seafood and amazing views.

Marvel at the largest collection of sharks in the state. Interact with scuba divers, see an alligator and touch the stingrays as you explore the “Waters of the Outer Banks.” Don’t miss our interactive, hands-on exhibit Sea Turtle Rescue and the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center. Plan your visit now!

Atlantic Realty guests received one complimentary admission per reservation per day with the Fun N Sun Pass!

Interested in Charter Boat fishing? Oregon Inlet Fishing Center can help you plan a charter trip to the Gulf Stream, which features some of the best sports fishing in the US! Land a big tuna or maybe even a marlin. Charter fishing is a fun and new way to see the Outer Banks.

Not much of the boating type? Visit late in the afternoon to see the boats come in and display their catch on the docks.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center also features a public boat ramp. The main store offers bait, tackle, apparel, camping supplies, groceries, ice, and fuel as well as information on NC Fishing licenses.

Located in South Nags Head at MP 18.5, the Outer Banks Pier is well known for it's great fishing and family atmosphere. Open 24 hours a day Easter through Thanksgiving, this lighted pier has been in operation for over 50 years! No fishing license is required to fish on the pier and the on-site tackle shop provides everything you might need for a fun day of fishing. Rental rods and reels available as well as a video arcade for the kids.

Fish Heads oceanfront bar and grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Atlantic Realty guests receive one complimentary daily pier pass per reservation with the Fun N Sun Program.

Atlantic Realty guests can take advantage of one complimentary adult admission per day to Roanoke Island Festival Park with the Fun N' Sun Program. Available March 1 - December 31, 2015. Reservations NOT required.

Make of day of it at Roanoke Island! Experience all of the things Manteo has to offer including exploring the Elizabeth II and the exhibits at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Don't miss the other offerings with the Fun N Sun Program in Manteo including The Lost Colony and Outer Banks Cruises!

With over 20 name brand stores offering big discounts, the Tanger Outlet Mall in Nags Head is a shopping destination for many visitors. Enjoy top brands including Coach, Talbots, Gap, Hanes, izod, J. Crew and More! Stroll the shops and eateries or sit and watch the shore birds on the sound. There is plenty of parking and shops to fit everyone's tastes and budget. A great rainy day activity or when you want to get out of the sun.

Interested in maritime history, art history or Corolla history? Tour Whalehead and discover how the Knights played a part in all of it. Inside the residence, you’ll be exposed to many aspects of Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts architecture and décor. In the exhibit gallery, visitors can see original documents and photos stretching back to the 1800s. Take the Maritime Heritage Boathouse tour and learn about boats used in Currituck sound and the methods used by hunters to catch waterfowl in the mid-1800s through the present. Whalehead charges admission fees for tours. Visiting the Museum Gift Shop is always available free of charge during normal business hours.

Take advantage of Atlantic Realty's Fun N Sun pass and receive a complimentary legacy tour of the Whalehead Club with each and every reservation!

Visit the spot where the First Flight took place. The Wright Brothers made history at this very spot in 1903 when they piloted the world's first airplane using the steady winds and flat land of the Outer Banks. See a full scale replica plane, learn about the Wright Brothers and their journey from bicycle builders in Ohio to flight pioneers in Kitty Hawk. Don't forget to climb the hill to the see the monument built to these men and their acheivement.

The Outer Banks Family YMCA offers amazing amenities for kids of all ages!

Outdoor Pool with Water Spray Park
Indoor Pool, Hot Tub, and Sauna
Complimentary Babysitting
Unlimited Skate Park Pass
and more!

The #1 Family Attraction on the Outer Banks is  H2OBX Waterpark! Over 30 water attractions are sure to provide fun for the whole family.   Skip the lines and SAVE when you get your tickets today with our Special Discounted Ticket Link.  Don't wait!  H2OBX is a popular attraction during the hot summer days, so be sure to get your tickets before the park sells out!

Food

In 1940, the first Dairy Queen store opened in Joliet, Illinois and 35 years later, Dairy Queen OBX opened. Although much has changed in the world in the past 70 years, one constant has remained: Dairy Queen stores are still, and always have been, the place to find Little League teams celebrating a victory, business people on their lunch break and families taking time out to enjoy great food and soft serve treats. Our recipe for success has been simple. It's been a combination of hard-working people who own and operate restaurants and great-tasting food and tempting treats served in our establishments. At Dairy Queen we are committed to nothing less than the slogan "We Treat You Right."

An Outer Banks Landmark, Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar has been serving up local seafood to residents and visitors for over 25 years! Located just across the street from the Avalon fishing Pier, Awful Arthurs specializes in not only seafood, but burgers, pasta, salads, and sandwiches for lunch or dinner --7 days a week!

Don't forget to stop in at the Awful Arthur's Beach Shop next door for T-shirts and items for the beach.

Orginally a US Coast Guard Lifesaving Station, the Black Pelican Restaurant in Kitty Hawk serves amazing food with an ocean view. Sample Outer Banks local seafood as well as pasta dishes, sandwiches, and gourmet pizza cooked in an on-site wood fire grill.

Fun family friendly restaurant offering steak, seafood, and chicken with a Caribbean flair! Open for lunch and dinner with live music every Saturday night in the summer. Located on the Beach Rd MP 7 in Kill Devil Hills. View website for complete menu.

A local's favorite in Kitty Hawk, John's Drive-In features the best milkshakes and dolphin boats on the beach. One of the very few remaining walk-up hanburger stands on the beach road, John's makes it easy to come off the beach, grab some lunch, and head back for some fun in the sun. Offering hamburgers, fresh local fish sandwiches, and hand-made milkshakes in any variety of flavor combonations. Be sure to check out John's Drive In on your next Outer Banks visit!

The most beautiful waterfront restaurant in Duck on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, AQUA Restaurant offers fresh regional cuisine in a casual and elegant setting.

Our mission is to create delicious culinary masterpieces with locally farmed ingredients, fresh locally caught fish and all natural meats for our guests to enjoy. Our innovative wine list, craft beers and creative cocktails are carefully chosen to complement our Chef’s savory creations.

For a tasty lunch or dinner, live music, a beautiful sunset and good times with friends and family, AQUA is the place to be in 2016.

The Duck Donuts franchise started right here in Duck, NC and has grown to over 30 locations on the east coast. Experience the one of a kind way to eat hot, fresh donuts cutomized with your choice of toppings -- there is nothing like it!

Outdoor Activities

Nor'Banks Sailing and Watersports offers saling lessons, beginners camps for adults and children, as well as stand up paddleboard, jet ski, kayak, and boat rentals in the northern area of Duck. Take part in or just watch the many races and events they have throughout the summer season. Visit their website for more information!

For over 20 years, Back Country Safari Tours has been providing the world an opportunity to view these wild horses on their own terms. Melding together a one-of-a-kind experience of both high energy, off-road adventure through the back country with top-notch professional naturalists and guides, our wild horse safari cannot be beat. One of the great things about being a company with a long-standing history working in this area is our access to large tracks of both private and public preserves that remain off limits to other tour companies in the area. As a partner of the private Spanish Mustang Preserve and with our unique partnerships with large landowners, we have helped to create and conserve a network of protected lands for these horses.

Guests of Atlantic Realty receive one complimentary admission to the wild horse safari per reservation per day with the Fun N Sun Program.

Bob's Bait and Tackle has been serving the Outer Banks for over 30 years. Located in Duck, this fisherman's dream store serves the Northern Outer Banks including Southern Shores, Duck, and Corolla. Knowledgeable staff know where the fish are biting and what you need to catch them.

The Town of Duck Park and Boardwalk is open to all residents and visitors of Duck and include 11 acres of natural beauty including trails through the Maritime Forest and willow swamp, open green space, soundside views, children's playground, and access to the Town’s boardwalk.

Featured events during the summer include music concerts, children's storytime, exercise on the lawn and more. Duck Park is pet-friendly and even features a water fountain for our canine friends. Enjoy evening strolls along the waterfront boardwalk and watch the sunset over the sound. For a full list of amenities and events, visit the Town of Duck's website at http://www.townofduck.com/ourtownpark/.

Guests of Atlantic realty get to enjoy one free pass per day to the Elizabethan Gardens. with the Fun N Sun Pass Program. Available April - December (Winterlights Festival not included). Reservations Not Required.

Families, horticulturalists and nature lovers, history buffs and culture seekers ... there is something for everyone ... as each season contributes to the beauty and tranquility of this unique garden ... an oasis of green in a land of sea and sun. Where the Old World and New World Grow Together.

The Outer Banks only Aerial and Adventure park features multiple obstacles to climb, scale, slide and zip all while overlooking the Albemarle Sound. Take your family on an adventure unlike any other! Visit the website for more information including photos and video of the park and obstacles.

At Nags Head Golf Links, Nags Head, North Carolina, you’ll discover a true Scottish links-style championship course nestled into the natural, windswept environment of the Outer Banks where sand dunes and rugged coastline create a different golfing experience. Come discover the best in OBX golf!

The course at Nags Head Golf Links was designed to delight players of all abilities. In addition to offering remarkable views, its idyllic setting along the banks of the historic Roanoke Sound provides a temperate climate, which yields outstanding course conditions year-round.

Vacationers and locals alike love Nags Head Golf Links for more than just the award-winning course. The Links Grille serves up some of the tastiest lunch specials and best sunset views on the Outer Banks. And it’s no secret that the full-service bar is a great place to relax and unwind after a long day on the course.

Nags Head Golf Links also boasts the best golf shop on the beach, with a friendly staff ready to help you choose from the great selection of name brand equipment and apparel.

Atlantic Realty guests receive complimentary greens fees for one player per day per reservation with the Fun N Sun Program. Cart not included.

Atlantic Realty guests receive one free adult admission per day for the Sunset Dolphin Watch Tour with Capt'n Johnny. Available Monday through Friday, May 11 - October 11, 2015. Reservations Required.

Take an evening cruise on Capt'n Johnny's most popular tour, the sunset dolphin tour. Cruise the Albemarle Sound just before sunset in search of dolphin while you relax and enjoy the scenery of the Outer Banks. Tours last approximately 2 hours and run nightly Monday through Friday. Reservations are required.

Meticulously maintained greens with sweeping fairways, experience golf at it’s finest at The Carolina Club. The Carolina Club is one of the “Locals’ Choice” for great golf on the Outer Banks. Located just 20 minutes over the bridge in Grandy, NC, The Carolina Club is a beautiful course featuring a warm up driving range, putting green, and chipping green. Plus, 'Tuckers Bar and Grille offers cold drinks and delicious food for lunch or dinner.

Guests of Atlantic Realty may play one FREE round of golf at The Carolina Club or its sister course, The Pointe, each and every day of their stay with the Fun N Sun Pass.

The Currituck Club features an 18-hole championship course designed by the legendary Rees Jones. The Club is semi-private and features a large, all-grass driving range, banquet and tournament facilities. Enjoy the scenic view of newer homes, grassy marshland, and open greens. The club Our also houses seven tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, kiddie playground, fitness center, bike trails, lawn games, beach shuttle and more.

The Pointe Golf Club… Groomed for the pro but available to the public. Featuring the finest practice facility in the area plus a practice putting green, chipping green, and practice bunker to tune up your game before you hit the course. Afterward, enjoy lunch and a beverage at Keefer's, a full service bar and grille. Then peruse the pro shop for all your golfing needs.

Guests of Atlantic Realty get a FREE round of golf at The Pointe and its sister course, The Carolina Club, each and every day of their stay with the Fun N Sun Pass Program.

Workshops

New Name and New Location but the same great jewelers who have been working on the Outer Banks for over 20 years creating new and unique pieces to capture the essence of beach living. Check out the Outer Banks icon beads featuring local ligthhouses, the Wright Memorial monument and more!

Guests of Atlantic Realty will receive a FREE Gift with a purchase of $50 or more with the Explore the Shore Program.

Fun N Sun Pass

Fun N Sun Pass

Atlantic Realty's exclusive program gives guests FREE local activities valued at over $475 per da... Learn More

H2OBX Waterpark

H2OBX Waterpark

Buy discounted H2OBX Waterpark tickets here!  As an H2OBX partner, Atlantic Realty can offer... Learn More

Explore the Shore

Explore the Shore

Vacation like a Local!  Exclusive Discounts on Outer Banks Activities, Restaurants, and Shop... Learn More

© 2024 Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Web Design by InterCoastal Net Designs Vacation Rental Housekeep Professionals Vacation Rental Management Association