U.S. News Loves the Outer Banks

Posted on March 31, 2011

Outer Banks - 2.16.11 - Sun Up on the Sound

The U.S. News Travel Section recently highlighted the Outer Banks. The article gives a quick overview of some great OBX attractions, and then goes on to list their Top 11 “Best Things to Do in the Outer Banks.”

Here’s what U.S. News had to say:

“The Outer Banks have activities for relaxation and for adventure. The quiet beaches are the main draw to the area, but others visit OBX for the horseback riding, hang gliding and water sports. Touring the shipwrecks off the coast, sightseeing at Corolla’s Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Kill Devil Hill’s Wright Brothers National Memorial or Nag’s Head’s Jockey’s Ridge State Park make a happy medium for recent vacationers who desire a more balanced getaway.”

U.S. News Top 11 “Best Things to Do in the Outer Banks”:

1. Outer Banks Beaches
2. Jockey’s Ridge State Park
3. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
4. Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks
5. Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop
6. Wright Brothers National Memorial
7. Roanoke Island Festival Park
8. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
9. Bodie Island Lighthouse
10. North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
11. Tanger Outlets Nags Head

Save Turtles…and the Environment. Help Keep the Outer Banks Beaches Clean.

Posted on March 7, 2011

Outer Banks N.E.S.T

The North Carolina Aquarium encourages Outer Banks residents and visitors to help keep the OBX beaches clean and save the endangered sea turtles by picking up trash. In an effort to raise money and awareness, the NC Aquarium is accepting specific pieces of trash in exchange for funds directed towards the endangered sea turtles.

With limited volunteers The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) has already raised over $100 by sending in granola bar wrappers and Frito-Lay chip bags.

If you want to help out review the list of acceptable items to be donated and once you have saved up a stash, send them to Christian Legner at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

P.O. Box 967 Manteo, North Carolina 27954.

Please make sure wrappers and chip bags are separated from each other. Thanks!

Here is a list of items that can be donated:

• Any granola, power, nut, or Clif bar with a foil lining.

• Any Frito Lay bag. No other chip companies.

Donate Wrapers

• No candy or cookie wrappers.

Cannot Donate Wrapers

Trick or Treat Under the Sea on the Outer Banks

Posted on October 5, 2010

Outer Banks Trick or Treat Under the Sea

The Outer Banks Aquarium’s annual Trick or Treat Under the Sea has become one of the biggest Halloween event on the Outer Banks!

This year’s event takes place Thursday, October 28, 6-8:30 p.m and will feature some “ghoulish” fun with Count Sharkula and Madame Octowitch!

Yummy munchies and creepy crafts are in store for children, as well as costume contests with categories such as Best Deep Sea Creature, Most Bewitching and the Most Fantastic Family.

Foto FX will be on hand throughout the evening to take your photo with a special fun Halloween background for $5 .

All children will receive a FREE trick-or-treat bag courtesy of On Time Marketing.

Ticket sales begin October 1 and are available at the Aquarium for $6 per person; ages two and under will be admitted free. Tickets are limited and all tickets will be sold in advance at the Aquarium. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

We ask adults to please refrain from wearing a mask for this fun, safe Halloween event.

For more information call 252-473-3494.

New Outer Banks Pier on Schedule to be a Big Attraction

Posted on May 12, 2010

New Outer Banks Pier

The reconstruction of Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is expected to be a big attraction to visitors to the Outer Banks. The pier was originally constructed in the 1930s and torn down after it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003. The new pier is at the being built on the same site and keeping the original name.

The North Carolina Aquarium is funding the construction. With a design that is hurricane resistant, the pier will look a lot different than the original structure, and it will have more to offer than a traditional pier. “The new Jennette’s Pier will be a major educational and interactive attraction for the millions who visit the Outer Banks annually,” mentioned local OBX resident and Senator, Marc Basnight. For instance, visitors will have the opportunity to see the catch of the day before they venture out on to the pier; the two-story, 16,000-square-foot pier house will have live animals on display that showcase some of the catch fisherman will be pulling up with their rods out on the pier. In addition, the green technology used to build the pier will be an important visual demonstration of conservation at work.

The pier is under construction and about half complete. It is set to open April 2011.

Earth Day Celebration on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 6, 2010

Earth Day Party on the Outer Banks

Celebrate Earth Day everyday, but especially on Saturday, April 17^th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the North Carolina Aquarium on the Outer Banks.

Discover endangered species success stories as we honor the 40^th anniversary of the original Earth Day. Come Party for the Planet !

Come face-to-face with the largest bat in the world, the Gigantic Flying Fox Bat from Malaysia. Learn about bats from around the world up-close and personal. Meet Rob Mies, conservation biologist, bat expert, Director of the Organization for Bat Conservation , author, and TV personality. He has appeared on many television shows including The Tonight Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Martha Stewart. Rob is the co-author of the book, “Stokes Beginners Guide to Bats.”

Live Bat Encounters at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. are free with paid admission.

Outer Banks Attractions Among the Most Visited in North Carolina!

Posted on March 17, 2010

Four Outer Banks tourist attractions are among the 25-most visited sites in North Carolina in 2009 according to the Carolina Publishing Associations annual survey.

Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills was ranked 6th, with over 478-thousand visitors last year.
Three Manteo attractions were in the Top 25:
- Fort Raleigh National Historic site ranked 12th,
- the North Carolina Aquarium Roanoke Island was 14th,
- and Roanoke Island Festival Park rounded out the poll at number-25.

It was also pointed out in late January that Jockey’s Ridge was the most visited North Carolina state park in 2009!

Clearly, the OBX offers much more to see and do than the gorgeous ocean and pristine beaches!

Beautiful vacation homes available year round!

Endangered Sea Turtles Recuperating at Outer Banks Aquarium

Posted on January 13, 2010

Outer Banks Sea Turtle

The North Carolina Aquarium, located on nearby Roanoke Island in Manteo, is helping nurse dozens of sea turtles back to health after being rescued from the Outer Banks’ beaches.

The cold-blooded animals appear to have beached themselves after being stunned by low water temperatures. The turtles are all either of the loggerhead, green or kemp’s ridley varieties of sea turtles.

Halloween on the Outer Banks – 2009 Activities

Posted on October 13, 2009

Halloween Pumpkin

It’s that time of year again. Here are some OBX Halloween happenings:

“Haunted Albemarle“
Past local residents of Elizabeth City, aka Jr. Docents as costumed interpreters, tell their stories. Hear from Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, a Civil War soldier, an Albemarle suffragette, Nell Cropsy, a past North Carolina governor, and other notorious Albemarle residents. Take a map and explore the cemetery on your own afterwards. For more information please call 252-335-1453.

Trick or Treat Under The Sea
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Ghosts and strange aquatic creatures will greet children as they enjoy this “spooktacular” event. Hosting the event is Count Sharkula who always scares up lots of ghoulish fun. Crazy costume contests, creepy crafts, spine-tingling scream contests and yummy munchies are just a few of the things to howl about. Tickets are limited. Ticket sales begin October 1st and will be sold at the Aquarium. Admission. All children must be accompanied by an adult. (252) 473-3494, (800) 832-3474 or www.ncaquariums.com.

Outer Banks Spooktacular 5k
The Outer Banks Running Club in training and planning a marathon tune-up 5K race, which will couple as a Halloween race, to be held within the Martin’s Point neighborhood on Oct. 25th. There will be a children’s costume fun run!

Haunted Corolla Village
October 30^th from 6:30pm – 9:00pm. Come join us in Currituck Heritage Park for a ghoulishly good time. Jump on board the Haunted Hayride through Historic Corolla Village to hear ghostly stories of yesteryear. And then if you dare, walk the spooky park grounds, and be prepared to be scared. $6.00 per person. Meet at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education for Programs presented in the lobby & auditorium! Seasonal snacks available from local vendors! Enter our Carved Pumpkin Contest. Bring your own flashlight. For more information please call 252.453.0221or visit www.WhaleHeadClub.org.

CARVED PUMPKIN CONTEST
Thursday, October 29th, 2009. Cash Prizes: 1st Place $50, 2nd Place $25, 3rd Place $10. Contest Details: Bring Jack-O-Lantern to Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla on Thursday from 12 pm – 5 pm; Pumpkin must have luminaries (not candles); Judging will take place on Thursday at 6 pm; Pumpkins will be displayed at Haunted Corolla Village on Friday October 30th, 2009; Pumpkins may be collected after 9pm on Friday or donated for compost. For more information, please call 252-453-0221 EXT 8

Outer Banks Aquarium Employee to Receive National Honor

Posted on April 29, 2009

N.C. Aquarium Dive Safety Officer Patrick Murphy To Receive U.S. Department of Interior Award

By “Buster” Nunemaker, III

Roanoke Island, NC – Patrick Murphy, dive safety officer for the North Carolina Aquariums on Roanoke Island (NCARI) will receive a U.S. Department of Interior Partners in Conservation Award for his efforts on behalf of the Battle of the Atlantic Expedition in the summer of 2008.

David Alberg, sanctuary superintendent Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently contacted Murphy about receiving the award in Washington, D.C. Alberg said, “Your efforts have proven to be a constant in our partnership and conservation of the Monitor Marine Sanctuary.” “This award underscores not just the importance of preserving our Nation’s cultural heritage, but the role we all play in assuring those resources are managed properly for future generations. The participation by the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island in helping educate the public about the value of maritime heritage resources was instrumental to the long-term success of the project. “Congratulations Pat!”

Other team member’s besides NCARI were NOAA, National Park Service, East Carolina University, UNC Coastal Studies, and Mineral Management Service.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Sidney R. Yates Auditorium, Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on Thursday May 7 at 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. The Secretary of the Department of the Interior will present the awards.

Construction Authorized for New Outer Banks Pier

Posted on April 17, 2009

outer-banks-pier Legislation was recently passed to authorize the construction of the North Carolina Aquarium Pier in Nags Head. This pier replaces Janette’s Pier that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and recently torn down. The new pier will be located near whalebone junction, which is where Nags Head meets the road to Hatteras Island.

Governor Bev Purdue and other state lawmakers anticipate great positive impact on the state’s economy and tourism with the construction of the new pier. State Government officials anticipate the construction of the pier will require 555 on-site jobs and 1250 off-site jobs. The predicted economic impact of this new project is estimated to be over $14 million.

The estimated $25 million project will be funded from admission receipts, private funds, and funds from a storm water pilot project. The pier will be constructed to serve several purposes: a tourist attraction, but also an educational and storm water management structure.