Seventeen Free (or Nearly Free) Outer Banks, NC Activities!

There are lots of attractions and activities that can be enjoyed on the Outer Banks absolutely free.

• Why don’t you wake up early and enjoy the dawn of a beautiful day as the sun rises over the crystal waters of the Atlantic?
• Pack a picnic and head out for a fun filled day of exploring.
• Build a sand sculpture or sand castle.
• Enjoy a free show! Summer performances by the NC School of the Arts.
• In Corolla, you can visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
• Hike through the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve or participate in one of their field trips.
• Go crabbing in the sound.
• Search for beach treasures and see the Laura Barnes shipwreck at Coquina Beach.
• Visit local artisans and their galleries that are scattered throughout each town.
• The town recreation parks are a great place to play tennis, softball, or have a picnic lunch.
• Explore a town by bike! Many towns have a terrific mulit-use paths, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a bike ride or jog.
• Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park’s History Center and explore their vast repository of local books, maps, photographs and paintings.
• Enjoy the serenity of a drive to Hatteras Island as you travel through the protected National Seashore.
• Hike the North Pond Trail, a handicapped accessible nature trail that explores Pea Island. Don’t forget to stop in at the Pea Island Visitor Center to learn more about the vast array of wildlife that the refuge supports.
• See the Bodie Island Lighthouse and various shipwrecks along the shore of Hatteras Island.
• Visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
• Watch the boats come in at one of the local marinas and check out the day’s catch.
• Finish your day by climbing Jockey’s Ridge to watch the brilliantly colored sunset over the sound.