The Duke

Three Bedroom Oceanfront Townhouse, Located in Kill Devil Hills

Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry

Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY.

Tour the North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island

The George Washington Creef Boathouse was built on the Manteo waterfront in 1940, and in 1998 was turned into the North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island. Inside the museum, the crew of mostly volunteers keeps busy renovating and rebuilding wooden boats. The Elizabeth II was built here, and visitors to the museum can view a presentation on her construction. The museum is a great stop for anyone interested in boats and boatbuilding of the past and present. The museum is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer months, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the rest of the year. For more information, contact the museum at (252) 475-1750.

Take a Boat Cruise To View Local Attractions and Wildlife

If you aren't interested in fishing or watersports, there is also a variety of boat cruises offered on the Outer Banks. Depending on which tour you choose, you could see dolphins, shipwrecks, sunsets, various sights and local attractions, various bird species, and more! In Nags Head, contact Bodie Island Adventures at (252) 441-6682. Outer Banks Cruises in Manteo is also an option, and can be reached at (252) 473-1475. Captain Clam in Hatteras, though it is primarily a headboat fishing charter, also offers pirate tours some evenings in the summer, and can be reached at (252) 986-2365.

Visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, located on Roanoke Island, was designated as a National Historic Site in 1941. Situated on more than 500 acres, this location offers a sound side beach, the Fort Raleigh Visitor Center and nature trails. The Visitor Center is home to a small museum with interpretive exhibits, and this site is a must-see for American history enthusiasts. Self-guided tours or tours led by knowledgeable National Park Service staff are available. The Site is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week (hours are extended during the summer months.) For more information, contact Fort Raleigh National Historic Site at (252) 473-5772.

Teach Your Kids about Pirate Blackbeard and Let Them Find "Buried Treasure"

There are many stories of pirates and buried treasure that are part of the unique history of the Outer Banks. The story of the notorious Pirate Blackbeard ended in Ocracoke in 1718 when he was killed in battle at Ocracoke Inlet. Throughout his "career" as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships. Today, many businesses and streets in the area are named after Blackbeard. While you are in the Outer Banks, teach your children the history of Blackbeard and let them search for his buried treasure. Create a treasure map and bury a treasure at the end of it. Help them with the treasure hunt by playing along. This is a great way for you and your children to experience the true pirate history of the area!

Take a Free Wildlife Education Program

The knowledgeable employees of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla offer several education programs throughout the summer. Held in the covered public pavilion at Currituck Heritage Park, these free programs will teach you about local wildlife such as birding, animal tracking, sea turtles, fishing and the ecology of the ocean and the sound. Normally, these programs are about an hour long and are offered Monday to Friday. Programs are appropriate for all ages and reservations are suggested. For more information or to sign up for a program, call (252) 453-0221.

Tour the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station

Located in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is one of the original seven lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks. The original station opened at the current location in 1874 and became a storage shed in 1911 when a larger facility was built next to it. Crews at this station guarded the Hatteras Island northern coast for more than 70 years. Today, the lifesaving station is a museum of lifesaving equipment, awards and artifacts and volunteers are on staff to give guided tours. The station is open from Easter weekend through the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Various programs are available during the summer months and admission is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station at (252) 987-1552.

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.

Visit the Nags Head Hammocks Store Near You

Nags Head Hammocks is an original Outer Banks store that crafts original rope hammocks, swings and chairs, as well as their own curved cypress hammock stands and hammock swing stands. All of their products are handcrafted in their seven stores, all located on the Outer Banks. Their products have become well-known for their comfort, durability and attention to detail. All of their locations put several pieces on display for you to test. If you are unable to purchase one of these great items during your stay on the Outer Banks, you also have the option to purchase on-line at their web site. For more information, you may contact Nags Head Hammocks at (800) 344-6433.

Hike on the Buxton Woods Nature Trail

If you want to get some exercise while you are in Buxton but aren't crazy about climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Buxton Woods Nature Trail is the place for you! The trailhead is just past the turnoff to the Lighthouse on the right side of the road. There are picnic tables and charcoal grills in a shaded area just beside the trailhead. The trail is a .75 mile loop that will take you through marshes, trees, grasses and wildlife. Cottonmouth snakes, which are fat, rough-scaled and look brown, yellow, gray or black, are prevalent in this area in the warm months, so give them their space. If you see one, let it get away. If it doesn't move, get away from it. The hike has a few small inclines and is a gravel trail with a few uneven spots, so is not recommended for disabled visitors or small children. Pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

 

Kill Devil Hills Restaurants

Goombays Grill & Raw Bar
1608 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Mako Mike's
1630 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Pearl Oceanfront Fine Dining
1731 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Little Caesar's Pizza
1704 N Croatan Highway
Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1704 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

New York Bagels
1708 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Cold Stone Creamery
1716 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27949

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1726 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

China King
1728 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar of Kill Devil Hills
1836 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC

Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop, Deli & Wine Shop
100 S Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Kill Devil Hills Shopping

North Carolina Books
1500 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Fashion Bug
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Sheperd's Pets & Grooming
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Sports Locker
1706 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Food Lion
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Pilpel Beach Shop
1724 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Staples
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dollar Tree
1730 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Hairoics
1736 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Great Cakes! of the Outer Banks
1401 Harpoon Court
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Attractions

Avalon Fishing Pier
2111 N Virginia Dare Trail
Milepost 6
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Wright Brothers National Memorial
800 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Nags Head Woods Preserve & The Nature Conservancy
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dock of the Bay Marina
4200 Bob Perry Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
983 W Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
98 NC Highway 12
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Kitty Hawk Pier
5353 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

The Lost Colony
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
374 Airport Road
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf
1600 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks
1803 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Junior Lifeguard Program
2052 New Bern Street
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Garden of Beadin'
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Glazin Go-Nuts Paint Your Own Pottery
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Daredevils
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Destination Fun
1217 S Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Fishing Charters
200 Quail Lane
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Colington Speedway
1064 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Paradise Golf & Arcade
3300 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Coastal Helicopters, LLC
PO Box 715
Nags Head, NC 27959