The Duke

• Home
• Amenities
• Photos
• Guest Book
• Things to Do
• Current Weather
• Rates & Availability
• Book Now

Climb the Walls at Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors

Though the Outer Banks doesn't have any mountains to climb, there are three climbing walls located in the area for you to try. Two climbs and basic instruction cost $7 per person, which includes all equipment needed for the climb. The climbing walls are located at the Corolla, Nags Head and Hatteras locations of Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors. The Nags Head climbing wall is indoor and open year-round, though only on weekends in the winter. The Corolla and Hatteras climbing walls are outside so are not open year-round. For more information, contact Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors at (800) FLY-THIS.

Visit the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary

Ducks, geese, rabbits, deer, fox and many other animal species live in the 5,400-acre wildlife refuge known as the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, located between Duck and Corolla on the northern Outer Banks. Many trees and marsh grasses also grow in this secluded wetland area. A trailhead is located at the Sanderling Inn and gives access to a 2.5 mile clay trail that takes hikers, bikers and strollers through a part of the Sanctuary.

Go Hiking on the Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Located north of Ocracoke Village, the 0.75-mile Hammock Hills Nature Trail will take you on a 30-minute walk through various sections of the Island, including sand dunes, maritime forest and a salt marsh. Signs along the trail teach about various plant life surviving in the Ocracoke weather and elements. You will want to remember your camera and insect repellent before you take this hike, and don't forget that snakes may be hiding in the underbrush. The trailhead is located just across Highway 12 from the Ocracoke Campground.

Sleep with the Windows Open and Hear the Ocean Breeze

When you are at home and have a window open, what kind of noises do you hear? Honking car horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? People talking on the street? While you are at the Outer Banks, try sleeping with the windows open. Chances are on most nights, if you are within a mile of the ocean, you will be able to hear the sound of the ocean. You can hear sounds similar to relaxation CDs that are sold in stores just by opening your window. Try it - you will love it!

Build a Sandcastle

When you stop in the local Outer Banks Reef or Wings souvenir store, buy your kids a bucket of beach toys that will assist in making a sandcastle. Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You will need a bucket, a shovel and other sand tools, as well as some water to keep the fine sand damp and sticky. Depending on the ages and skill levels of your children, you could have your own family sandcastle contest. You could choose a theme (movies, animals, etc.) and everyone could build their own sandcastle. No matter how the sandcastle(s) turn out, you are sure to have lots of laughs!

Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located in Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship drowned, and a few days later four of the bodies were found on shore by local U.S. Coast Guard officers. Ocracoke residents gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to the Island's cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard of Ocracoke Island and a ceremony is performed at the Cemetery each year on the anniversary of the deaths of the British sailors.

Tour the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at "Duck Pier"

Situated on 173 acres just north of Duck Village, the Waterways Experiment Station of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been helping scientists study ocean processes since 1977. The site's equipment to monitor sand movement, wave forces, water currents, temperatures and sedimentation have helped the facility gain a reputation as one of the best coastal field research facilities in the world. From mid-June to mid-August, tours are available at the research facility at 10:00 a.m. between Monday and Friday. For more information, contact the Field Research Facility at (252) 261-6850, ext. 401.

Watch a Performance at the Outer Banks Music Showcase

The Outer Banks Music Showcase opened in the summer of 2004 and has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors and locals. The audience is entertained by various local performers who blend music with comedy to create family-friendly shows. Several music genres are presented including country, show tunes, pop, 1950s and 1960s, gospel and patriotic music. During the peak season, two performances are held each night. The theater is located in Kitty Hawk at Milepost 4.5 on US Highway 158. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $11.95 for children twelve and under. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Music Showcase at (252) 261-7505.

Have a Great Dinner at Windmill Point Restaurant

If you want a great meal and an elegant atmosphere, Windmill Point Restaurant is the place for you! Located on the south side of Nags Head at Milepost 16.5 on US Highway 158, Windmill Point offers great views of the sound at sunset. If you are a history buff, you will love the various memorabilia from the 1950s ocean liner SS United States and the upstairs lounge that is modeled after the one on the ship. For a dining experience to remember, visit Windmill Point Restaurant! For reservations, call (252) 441-1535.

Have a Beach Campfire

One more great thing about the Outer Banks is that on a clear night when the stars come out, you can see them all. A great way to relax and see all the stars is to have a beach campfire. Take your family down to the beach just before sunset and set up your chairs, refreshments and firewood. If you would like, bring a few roasting sticks and some marshmallows. Once the sun goes down and the stars come out, you will be amazed at the view. If you are within a few miles of one of the four Outer Banks lighthouses, you will be able to see the flashing light as it makes its rotation. Don't forget to build your fire away from the dunes and vegetation, and clean up after yourselves when you are done. Enjoy the stars (and the marshmallows!)