Top 10 Unique Attractions on the Outer Banks

Vacations are life’s little pleasures and they should bring a smile and leave a warm memory long after. The Outer Banks has been voted an ideal beach town offering the most fun and amazing things to do and a popular vacation destination. Here, the gorgeous beaches shine as the main attraction, along with the amazing fresh seafood and the usual ice cream counters, t-shirt shops and miniature golf courses. And if you haven’t gone beyond that, it’s time you check out some hidden gems of the Outer Banks - unique attractions, that won’t be seen or found anywhere else.

Here are 10 unique attractions on the Outer Banks.

  • The mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke Island

    Interestingly, tracing back American history, the first permanent English settlement in America turns out to be, not Jamestown, but the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island when Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I made 3 attempts between 1584 and 1587 to settle in what is present-day Manteo. John White, who was appointed governor of this establishment and settled here with his family sailed back to England, with the promise to return with supplies and provisions. However, due to the Anglo Spanish and other financial delays White couldn’t sail back to Roanoke for three years. When he finally did, the settlement was completely deserted with no trace of the colonists and their fate still remains a great mystery today.

    You could explore the mystery of this failed settlement infamously known as “The Lost Colony” at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site with a small museum inside the visitor’s center. You will be mesmerized by “The Lost Colony”, America’s longest-running outdoor drama and recipient of multiple awards, at the famous Waterside Theater.

  • Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

    Due to the two thousand shipwrecks that have occurred since the 16th century in the waters off the shores of the Outer Banks, this area of water is called Graveyard of the Atlantic. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at Hatteras has free admission and is a quiet, out-of-the-way museum where the history of the shipwrecks is showcased with artifacts, exhibits and fun tours. The museum holds artifacts from the USS Monitor, Queen Anne’s Revenge, and the Metropolis. It also hosts special events such as lecture series and diving symposiums.

    The museum is a treasure trove of historic relics and significant world events.

    • The Hatteras Weather Station which played a part in the tragic story of the RMS Titanic, when a message was received on April 14, 1912, by two operators Horace Gaskins and Richard Dailey “Have struck iceberg.” The two were dismissed as drunks when they sent the telegraph to David Sarnoff, an operator in New York. The original telegraph, which can be read, is on display at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.
    • Once, a shipment container stuffed with Nacho Cheese, Spicy Nacho, and Cool Ranch Doritos tipped and fell overboard into the ocean and thousands of bags of chips were washed ashore in the Outer Banks. The museum displays a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos to commemorate the incident.

  • Learn how to distill your own rum

    Outer Banks Distilling in historic downtown Manteo is the first legal distillery in the Outer Banks which distils small batches of rum from the Graveyard of the Atlantic. They offer Kill Devil Rum tastings and tour on site where you can buy a bottle of their award winning rum. If you enjoy a good drink, wouldn’t it be a pleasure to watch your rum being created and in fact lend a hand in distilling it? Don’t miss this opportunity to take a look behind the scenes and enjoy the rum tastings too.

  • Wild Horse spotting

    One of the most unique and unforgettable features of the OBX needs that is to be seen to be believed is the sight of the Outer Banks Corolla Wild Horses. The Corolla and Carova areas of the Northern Beaches have a herd of wild Spanish Mustangs that roam freely. These horses in the area date back to the early Spanish explorers over 500 years ago. However, the history of these wild mustangs is unclear and the sight of these magnificent creatures has enamored visitors and locals alike. You can drive around if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, own or book a tour, but visitors are strictly forbidden to feed, ride, pet, or approach one of these animals. But you can take plenty of pictures to treasure this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

  • Hang gliding the biggest sand dune on the East coast

    You can and you must experience the thrill of hand gliding at the largest hand gliding school in the world. You can replicate the Wright Brothers flight by flying down an 80-foot hill at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in a replica 1902 Wright Glider. While there are plenty of sand dunes around OBX, this particular area has the East Coast’s tallest natural dune. This is a great way for you to have fun with the whole family. There is training at all levels so even if you are a novice, you can experience the joy of going up in the air.

  • The British Cemetery on Ocracoke

    If you are a history lover, you cannot possibly miss a visit to the British Cemetery on Ocracoke Island. This small plot of land has been leased in perpetuity to the British Commonwealth and serves as the final resting place for four men who died on May 11, 1942. Thirty-seven sailors on board HMT Bedfordshire were killed when a German U-Boat struck it with a torpedo, but other than the 4 bodies washed ashore, the other men were never found. During WWII, due to an influx of German U-boats in the area, the waters off the coast of the Outer Banks were known as “Torpedo Alley”. The representatives of the British Royal Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard hold a memorial each year to commemorate the sailors.

    The Hatteras Island British Cemetery in Buxton makes an interesting stop on the way, with the graves of two unidentified British sailors who washed ashore on Buxton during WWII. 

  • The winged horse statues

    In the 2003 Centennial of Flight celebrations, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in Kill Devil Hills, 99 statues of horses were installed during the Winged Horse Extravaganza. Many of them are still standing outside of shops, schools, restaurants, and other places on the Outer Banks. These beautiful horse shaped pieces of art have wings and are decorated in elaborate styles, with everything from lighthouses to glitter adorning these beautiful fixtures. There’s no official record of which horses are still standing and where they are located, but it is worth trying to find as many of these fun, vibrant statues, as you can.

  • America’s tallest brick lighthouse

    The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the most recognized coastal icon in the U.S. and one of three lighthouses on the Outer Banks! It is a must do to climb this tallest Brick lighthouse in the US. Wear some good shoes and get your exercise for the day climbing this beautiful lighthouse and getting rewarded with the most breath-taking view.

  • The forgotten Portsmouth Village in Ocracoke

    Portsmouth was once a bustling lightering port and a vital point-of-entry on the Atlantic. In 1846, two vicious hurricanes changed both the landscape and the future of this busy fishing village and the town rapidly declined with the Civil War, the closing of the post office with the two hold out residents leaving in 1971.

    This abandoned silent village is currently under the care of the National Park Service, and has about 12 structures still left in the area. Exploring this ghost town is an attraction but there is no power, food, or potable water available, so come prepared and you can even camp out overnight if you wish.

  • The Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe

     

    This is one of the most complete remaining lifesaving stations in the country and also serves as a museum during the week. The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is an amazing historic site giving out tons of information about an overlooked group of men - the members of the US Life-Saving Services who risked their lives to rescue travelers in peril on the North Carolina Coast. There are multiple exhibits about the history of the lifesaving station and the legacy of what would eventually become the U.S. Coast Guard. 

To enjoy these unique attractions, book your vacation at VisitOBX.com. You can check out these lovely motels to have a memorable vacation.