Outer Banks

Go fishing. One of the best places because of nearness to Gulf Stream.

Oregon Inlet

quote:

---

Where are you staying (which town/community are you in or near)?

Will you have a vehicle?

---

Renting a house in Corolla I believe. (In-laws are planning this, and footing the bill, so zero complaints about itinerary from me)

Yes, I'll have a vehicle and my family will split off more than a couple of times from the rest of the group. Two days around colonial Williamsburg and then 5 in Corolla is the current plan.

Corolla is near the home of the wild horses that live mostly on the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The paved road ends just north of Corolla and you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle if you go there. We've been twice; once with Wild Horse Adventure Tours in their modified Hummer and once in a friend's vehicle. There are other vendors.
[/url][/img]; [/url][/img]

There are many historical places:
Wright Brother's Memorial; there is small museum, a monument and the place of the first flight.
[/url][/img]; [/url][/img]

Currituck Maritime Museum; IIRC it is mostly about fishing & waterfowl hunting in the sound. It's not very large. It's near the light house.

Lost Colony National Park - museum, site of the Lost Colony, and they have a play at night about that story. The play is a little long but worth doing at least once. It's about an hour drive from Corolla near Manteo which is on Roanoke Island. At the south end of RI is Wanchese which is a fishing village and there are several casual sea food restaurants there.
The Elizabethan Gardens are adjacent to the Lost Colony site. It's probably not too colorful in the summer but it's a nice place to walk around.


Cape Hatteras is at the south end of these outer banks and it will kill a day going there & back. But that beats sitting on the beach 5 days in a row; IMO.
[/url][/img]

You pass through the National Seashore going to Hatteras and a handful of small towns. The historical Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is in Rodanthe; it's worth stopping by and learning about what life was like 100 +- years ago on the OBX.

Light Houses:
I think you can go into these and climb to the top unless they are being refurbished. I think there is a fee.
Currituck Beach Light House - It's in Corolla
Bodie Island Light Station - south of Nags Head but before Oregon Inlet.
Cape Hatteras Light Station - most famous one I guess. There is a small museum here as well. And if you wanted to make a really long day of the trip you could take the ferry to Ocracoke Island; it's an hour one way and you should have reservations in the summer.

Jockey's Ridge State Park - it's between Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. It's a big sand dune. People hang glide there. They will teach you if you're interested.
[/url][/img]; [/url][/img]

Nags Head Woods Preserve - it's owned by The Nature Conservancy. Nags Head Woods Preserve Video 3:22 min; It's over 1K acres and has ~ 5 miles of hiking trails.

Jennette's Pier - it's at Nags Head; worth walking out on to see what people are catching. There is a restaurant across the street, Sam and Omie's, that some like a lot. I wasn't that impressed but I've only eaten there once.

A few other pics.
[/url][/img]
Cape Hatteras Light house, July or August.
[/url][/img]; [/url][/img]
The Elizabethan Gardens in April.

Thought of a couple of other activities.
OBX Skydiving
My son in law did this a few years ago, he was 48 years old. He loved it. They have pictures & videos on their web site. They are at the airport on Roanoke Island.

[/url][/img]
You can kayak. These folks are off of Ocracoke but you can probably find an outfitter nearer to Corolla.

Will add, if you are looking for high end luxury and "businesses" that will entertain you. This is not the place. Great nature and a few quality eateries but definitely not a foodie place. Bring or rent a 4x4 and embrace the solitude. When we go we pack multiple coolers and only touch pavement 1 time during the week +