C-Side

Six Bedroom Oceanside House, Located in Nags Head

Paint Your Own Pottery at Studio 12

Studio 12 is a small, locally owned pottery shop located on Highway 12 in Avon. They have many pieces of unfinished pottery. You pick the pottery piece that you would like to paint. You choose your colors and design and sit down and paint the pottery. The owners will fire and glaze your piece for you and send you on your way. What would make a better Outer Banks souvenir than a piece of pottery that you chose and painted yourself? You won't regret spending a few hours in Studio 12.

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!

Take Your Kids To a Local Educational Camp

Because of the various educational opportunities for children on the Outer Banks, several local organizations offer partial-day and full-day camps, most of which last five days. Organizations that have kids' camps are as follows: The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3493, The KDH Cooperative Gallery at (252) 441-9888, The Kitty Hawk Sports Kids Kayak Clinic at (252) 441-6800, The Outer Banks Family YMCA at (252) 449-8897, Dare County Parks and Recreation at (252) 473-1101, ext. 313, Dare County Cooperative Extension at (252) 473-1101, ext. 442, Ocean Atlantic Rentals Surf School at (800) 635-9559 and Club Hatteras Kids at (252) 995-4600. These programs will be fun for the kids while they learn about various aspects of the Outer Banks.

Relax at the Beach

If watersports, fishing and tourist attractions aren't for you, don't worry - there is still something you can do to enjoy the Outer Banks! Get a cooler of your favorite refreshments and some snacks, grab a beach chair and head to the beach! Depending on the time of year, there will more than likely be something or someone for you to watch, whether it is surf fishermen, children playing in the sand and water, surfers or dolphins playing in the water. There is something about sitting on the beach and watching the waves come in that will relax you, and you will never want to leave!

Have a Beach Campfire

One more great thing about the Outer Banks is that on a clear night when the stars come out, you can see them all. A great way to relax and see all the stars is to have a beach campfire. Take your family down to the beach just before sunset and set up your chairs, refreshments and firewood. If you would like, bring a few roasting sticks and some marshmallows. Once the sun goes down and the stars come out, you will be amazed at the view. If you are within a few miles of one of the four Outer Banks lighthouses, you will be able to see the flashing light as it makes its rotation. Don't forget to build your fire away from the dunes and vegetation, and clean up after yourselves when you are done. Enjoy the stars (and the marshmallows!)

Go Windsurfing in the Calm Sound Waters Throughout the Outer Banks

There are several great sound side locations on the Outer Banks where you can go windsurfing. Canadian Hole, located between Avon and Buxton, is the most popular because of the wind and water conditions in the area. Nags Head sound side access at Milepost 16 and Jockey Ridge State Park's sound side access are popular spots to launch as well. If you don't know how to windsurf but would like to try it, you can take lessons at numerous places on the Outer Banks. If you are in the northern Outer Banks, you may want to try Kitty Hawk Watersports of Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. If you are on Hatteras Island, you can take lessons from Windsurfing Hatteras at (866) 995-6644 or Hatteras Island Sail Shop at (252) 987-2292.

Spend the Afternoon at Jockey's Ridge State Park

Jockey's Ridge State Park is home to the East Coast's tallest sand dune that is 1.5 miles long, 100 feet high and consists of 420 acres and is a popular day time destination. Though the park doesn't have any overnight camping facilities, many visitors enjoy the park daily. Visitors come to this park to hike to the top of the dune and enjoy the panoramic ocean and sound views, which are even more beautiful during sunset. Sound side access in the park is a popular place for windsurfers to launch. People also enjoy hang gliding off the dune and flying their kites in this large, open park. For more information, contact the park at (252) 441-7132.

Watch the Charter Boats Come in with Their "Catch of the Day"

Both Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet have fleets of charter boats that take excited fishermen into the gulf stream to catch the fish of their dreams. Can't afford to go on a charter boat? Don't have sea legs and don't want to experience life on the water? Try going to the docks in the afternoon when the charters come in. You will see tired, sunburned (and happy) fishermen, whistling mates and captains and hundreds of pounds of the tuna, wahoo, mackerel, dolphin and other choice catches of the day. See the people who caught them and watch the mates clean them in the fish cleaning stations. Experience a small part of the charter fishing experience without spending a dime! For daily information on times of charter returns, contact the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (800) 272-5199, Oden's Dock (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2555 or Teach's Lair Marina (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2460.

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.

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.

 

Nags Head Restaurants

The Players' Grill
5615 S Seachase Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
106 E Finch Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dairy Queen
6714 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Miller's Restaurant
6816 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outback Steakhouse
5220 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sonic - America's Drive-In
5205 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

New York Bagels
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Yellow Submarine Restaurant
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Grits Grill
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Peking Restaurant
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Taiko Japanese Restaurant
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Shopping

Forbes Candy & Gift Shop
6321 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Chalet Gift Shop
6406 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Reef Beachwear
106 E Finch Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Birdwatchers
6705 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Souvenir City
6902 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Farmer's Daughter
6803 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Reef Beachwear
5215 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Food Lion
5200 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Cotton Gin
5151 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dollar Tree
5120 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Books
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Cottage Shop
5000 S Croatan Highway
Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Attractions

Jennette's Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
98 NC Highway 12
Nags Head, NC 27959

Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters
2000 Sailfish Drive
Manteo/Nags Head Causeway
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Fishing Pier
8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Roanoke Island Festival Park
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks History Center
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954

North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC 27954

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
708 S US Highway 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954

Nags Head Activities

Nags Head Golf Links
5615 S Seachase Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Speed N Spray
6408 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf
6606 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Blackbeard's Miniature Golf
6714 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jurassic Putt
6926 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Raceway
7000 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Bodie Island Adventures
7649 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Kitty Hawk Kites
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Carolina Outdoors
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Kitty Hawk Sports
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Native Vine Cellars & Tasting Room
3933 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959