25 Things to Do at the Outer Banks

1. Upon Arriving. Turn off the AC, roll down your windows and smell the salt air! There's nothing like it.

2. See the Wild Horses. Take the Trip of a Lifetime! Locate and observe the wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs with the herd manager of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and learn from the expert. Beach Jeeps offers self driven tours to see the Corolla Wild Horses. Wild horse tours will take you up to Corova Beach, home to the Corolla Horses. These sturdy horses have graced the beaches of Corolla since the some of the first Spanish Explorers landed.

3. Try new restaurants. When you discover the Outer Banks, be sure to sample the area’s diverse mix of unforgettable dining experiences, ranging from upscale elegant eateries and waterfront restaurants to the best-kept local secrets.

4. Visit the Lighthouses. See as many lighthouses as you can, they each have their own unique beauty and history. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse & Currituck Beach Lighthouse are open for climbing. The Ocracoke Lighthouse and the Bodie Island Lighthouse are not open for climbing, but are worth the visit.

5. Build a sandcastle. If you've ever been relaxing on the beach, admiring everyone else's sand castles, and wishing you knew how to build one - well, have we got a treat for you. Building a sand castle really isn't as difficult as it looks, and only requires a few key tools. So, grab your pail and shovel, and get digging.

6. Gallery Row in Nags Head. The Outer Banks boasts nearly 50 commercial art and craft galleries and a dozen private art galleries. In addition to highlighting the works of local artists, some of the private Outer Banks art galleries also sponsor art shows and festivals.

7. Hold on tightly. Flying a kite is great fun on a windy day. It's also very relaxing watching the kite flutter on the beach. The Outer Banks has above-average wind conditions in the US and blows pretty-much all year long. How to Fly a Kite

8. Get Wet. Pick a watersport, any watersport and you can find it here. The Outer Banks offers many water activities including jet skiing, ocean and sound kayaking, surfing, parasailing, wind surfing, kiteboarding, fishing & boating, dolphin cruises and more.

9. Watch the sunrise. You'll have to set the alarm for this one, but it will turn out to be one of the most memorable times of your vacation. And don't forget the camera.

10. Shark Exhibit at The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Sharks! a new exhibit at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is slated to open on Saturday, May 29th, at 8 a.m. The Aquarium features guided tours that will take you through your exploration of the “Waters of the Outer Banks.” The Aquarium has something for everyone, and features sharks, alligators, and river otters as well as programming that includes dive shows, live animal encounters and feeding programs.

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