The Top Three North Carolina Outer Banks Tourist Attractions
Three of the most popular Outer Banks tourist attractions in North Carolina are in Dare County at the world-famous Outer Banks. Those three top attractions are the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Park. Find out more about the three attractions and why they are so popular.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was formed by the United States government to preserve the fragile chain of barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Cape
Hatteras National Seashore is about 70 miles long and encompasses Bodie Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. The National Park Service manages the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a popular summer vacation destination for many. Attractions within the national seashore include fishing piers, shipwrecks, lighthouses, the US Lifesaving Service, migrating waterfowl refuge, surfing and ORV ramp access to beaches. The Cape Hatteras National Seashores is known as the best on the East Coast for fishing and surfing.
There are three visitor centers within the park that has information and guides about the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, ranger programs and bookstores.
The Bodie Island Visitor Center is on the grounds of the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which is open for climbing and tours seasonally.
The Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea is located in the Cape Hatteras Light keeper’s quarters, in the town of Buxton on Hatteras Island. Exhibits include the history, maritime heritage and natural history of the Outer Banks and the popular candy-striped black and white Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Ocracoke Island Visitor Center is located in Ocracoke Village on Ocracoke Island near the Ocracoke Lighthouse. Ocracoke Island can only be accessed by ferry, private boat or plane. The NC Ferry System has three ferry routes to and from Ocracoke Island: Hatteras Island/Ocracoke; Cedar Island/Ocracoke; and Swan Quarter/Ocracoke.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
The largest sand dune-Kill Devil Hill- is the site the Wright Brothers performed glider tests and later flying a plane from the sand dune named Kill Devil Hill on December 17, 1903. Kill Devil Hills is the home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The site of four powered flights the Wright Brothers accomplished one windy blustery day. The memorial has a visitors center, a bookstore, exhibits including a full-scale replica of the 1902 glider and the 1903 airplane. The grounds also include replica buildings of living quarters and the hanger the Wright Brothers used during their stay on the Outer Banks. A 60-foot granite monument sits on top of the 90-foot dune Kill Devil Hill.
The view from the top of Kill Devil Hill is awesome with a panoramic view of the Albermarle Sound, Atlantic Ocean and town. Visitors can not climb the monument but the Wright Brothers National Memorial is open every day all year round except Christmas Day. The visitors center and Centennial Pavilion are open seasonally during daytime hours.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
The Fort Raleigh National Historic Site commemorates and preserves the first English attempt to settle the New World. Visitors learn of the history and hardships the colony faced while attempting to establish the colony. Trails wind around the historic grounds past a restored earthen fort that represents the original fort. A nature trail that is ¼ mile long meanders thru the shaded grounds with small woodland animals scurrying about the brush and trees. Conveniently placed shaded picnic tables sit under large trees and are located near the office and exhibit buildings. It’s a great place for a relaxing picnic lunch. In spring and summer make sure to check out the huge scuppernong grape-vine near the parking lot.
Other Popular Attractions at the Outer Banks
On Hatteras Island is one of the most famous lighthouses of all – the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse has the familiar black and white coat of paint in a candy cane striped spiral pattern. It stands about 208 feet tall-the oldest brick lighthouse in the nation. The two 1000 watt lamps shine out over the Atlantic Ocean and can be seen for 20 miles. Near the lighthouse in the historic Double Keepers’ Quarter Building. The lighthouse is open to the public and for a fee visitors can climb to the top and walk around. The view from the top is a wonderful panoramic view of Buxton,Cape Point, and the beaches and woods on Hatteras Island. In 2009 the lighthouse was moved to protect it from the ocean waters.
Bodie Island Lighthouse is on Highway 12 South and is pronounced “body” lighthouse. Bodie Island Lighthouse has horizontal alternating stripes of black and white and stands 156 feet tall. The Bodie Island Lighthouse at the Outer Banks has recently completed renovation. After the 2013 renovations the first order Fresnel lens was turned on again and the lighthouse opened to the public for touring and climbing the first time ever made possible. The view from the balcony of the Bodie Island Lighthouse is a panoramic view of vast marshlands, the Pamlico Sound to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Oregon Inlet and the Bonner Bridge to the south.
With its first-
Ride along on a helicopter air tour of the Outer Banks…
