Carnival May Return for 8 Week Run Next Summer

Posted on November 18, 2011

Did anyone get a chance to go to the carnival in Nags Head last summer? It was awesome and a huge hit for locals and OBX visitors. The Outer Banks Voice reports that the carnival may be returning next summer for an 8 week run at the soundfront Windmill Point site. The Dare County Tourism Board is considering a June to August return, as well as building or renting an outdoor stage for entertainment shows and events.

Boardwalk Attractions, the company who brings in the carnival has mentioned that they would hire and train local workers to head the carnival and consider bringing in more rides. The tourism board continues to research more permanent uses for the 14 acre site but it seems like this would be great way to use the land in the mean time. Potentially create jobs for locals and be another fun thing to do here on the beach, seems like a great idea!

Guest Post: HomeSchool.com’s Favorite Outer Banks Attractions

Posted on July 19, 2011

Over the past few weeks, we’ve mentioned that HomeSchool.com has offered their official “seal of approval” to the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations, and we’ve also included a post about some of the OBX day trips that are great home school opportunities. As a third installment on our home school theme, below is a guest post from www.HomeSchool.com that offers their must see Outer Banks attractions.

Without further ado…

Guest post from www.HomeSchool.com:

With so much to see, experience and learn, you’re likely to need more than one visit to the Outer Banks to take in all of the extraordinary attractions in the area. Following, is a list of some of our favorite attractions (in no particular order):

1. Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks, Manteo
http://www.piratesobx.com/home/homeindex.html

2. Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head
http://www.jockeysridgestatepark.com/

3. Island Farm, Manteo
http://www.currituckbeachlight.com/islandfarm/

4. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton
http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/climbing-the-cape-hatteras-lighthouse.htm

5. Equine Adventures, Frisco
http://www.equineadventures.com/

6. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Hatteras Island
http://www.fws.gov/peaisland/

7. Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla
http://www.currituckbeachlight.com/

8. Wild Horse Tour, Corolla
http://www.outerbanksvacations.com/club-seaside-wild-horse-tour.htm

9. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Hatteras Island
http://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm

10. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Manteo
http://www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/

11. Wild Horse Museum, Corolla
http://www.corollawildhorses.com/mustang_store.html

12. Whalehead Club, Corolla
http://www.outerbanksvacations.com/club-seaside-whalehead-club-tour.htm

13. Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=357

14. Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo
http://www.elizabethangardens.org/

15.Nags Head Woods Preserve, Kill Devil Hills
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/northcarolina/placesweprotect/nags-head-woods-ecological-preserve.xml

Now you can see why we can’t wait to go back!

Outer Banks Named in TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Aviation Attractions

Posted on August 4, 2010

Wright Brothers Monument - Matt Lusk

TripAdvisor, home of the “world’s most trusted travel advice,” recently compiled a list of the Top 10 Aviation Attractions, and the OBX, specifically, the Wright Brothers’ museum and monument, came in at #3.

Here’s what they had to say, including a link to reviews on TripAdvisor:

3. Back to the Beginning: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
For enthusiasts looking to go back to the beginning of air travel, there’s no better place than the Wright Brothers National Memorial on the site where Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved the first successful plane travel over one hundred years ago. Travelers can re-trace the routes where the Wright Brothers tested out their first aircraft and explore the on-site museum and its collection of models, tools, and machines used by the pioneering, high-flying duo. As one TripAdvisor traveler puts it, “this was the highlight of our trip to the Outer Banks.” Admission: $4.00 for adults, free for children.

PS – this is a National Park, so there is free admission August 14 & 15, 2010.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: World’s Largest!

Posted on July 27, 2010

The world is full of whacky tourist attractions, and it’s always a fun surprise to come across one on a road trip. Biggest ball of elastics…heck yeah. The Button Museum…count me in. A house in the shape of a UFO…quick snap a picture.

On your next drive to the Outer Banks, k…eep an eye out for the World’s Largest Hammock. Yep, that’s right, the OBX is home to the biggest hammock known to man. It is impressive and a must see for all hammock lovers…and really, who doesn’t love a hammock?

As you head south on Rt. 158 about a mile before you hit the Wright Memorial Bridge, look for signs for Nags Head Hammock. It will be tough to miss the giant hammock on your left.

World's Largest Hammock - Outer Banks

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!

Ice Skating & Sledding on the Outer Banks

Posted on December 3, 2008

Thoughts of the Outer Banks usually conjure ideas of warm weather and time on the beach, but OBX offers great attractions year round…even in the winter!

A short drive off the barrier islands will bring you to the first ice skating rink in Northeast North Carolina. Ice Haus is in its second year, and this year they have even added a sledding hill! In addition to the local natural, cultural, and historic attractions of the Outer Banks, you can now enjoy winter fun on the ice.

Ice Haus is located at the Weeping Radish Brewery in Currituck. The rink opened on November 26^th for the winter. The price of admission is $7 for kids under 12, and $8 for adults; the fee includes 2 hours off skating. The rink is open from noon until 9 p.m. The 140′ rink is available for private parties, ice skating lessons and ice hockey.