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NEW OWNERS! Five Bedroom Oceanside House, WH334 - Located in Corolla

Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II

Visible from Historic Downtown Manteo's waterfront, the Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II ship is one of the largest attractions on the Outer Banks. The Park opened in 1998 as an educational, historical and cultural arts complex and teaches visitors about the evolution of Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Elizabeth II ship was built in 1983 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first English settlement in America. The park is open year-round and admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under five. For more information, contact the Park at (252) 475-1500.

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.

Climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse

While you are in the northern Outer Banks, stop by the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and climb the 214 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Once at the top, you will be able to get a close-up view of the 50,000 candlepower lamp that is visible for 18 nautical miles. Much like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the stairs to the top are narrow and winding, but the unlimited views from the top are an excellent reward. Visitors may climb the lighthouse for a fee of $6, and children less than eight years old climb for free. The lighthouse is open daily from Easter through Thanksgiving.

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.

Go Beachcombing For Shells

Beachcombing for shells, also called shelling, on the beaches of the Outer Banks is an activity enjoyed by all. The best times to look for shells are after a high tide, after a storm, in the morning and during the winter months. When picking up shells from the sand, make sure you check first to make sure nothing is still alive inside the shell. If the shell you choose is the home to a live sea creature, set him back in the sand and keep searching. After you are done with your beachcombing, don't forget to soak the shells in bleach water or another cleaning agent. Even if the shells you choose are empty now, they had something living in them at one time and need to be cleaned before you pack them in your suitcase.

Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright (otherwise known as the Wright Brothers) soared in their homemade flying machine for more than 852 feet, staying in the air for 59 seconds. They were the first to get a powered airplane to fly in the sky. In 1932, a granite monument was built in their memory on a steep hill in the center of Kill Devil Hills, which is the same monument thousands of visitors visit each year. The site is managed by the National Park Service and there is also a visitor center, gift shop and museum. Tours and summer programs are available. Admission is $4 for adults and free for children 15 and under. For more information, contact the Wright Brothers National Memorial at (252) 441-7430.

Learn about Local Environment at Jeanette's Pier

Jeanette's Pier is a local historic landmark located in Nags Head at Milepost 16.5. Although Hurricane Isabel took 540 feet of the pier in 2003, the pier house reopened in 2004. The pier is owned by the North Carolina Aquarium Society, which has a unique partnership with the North Carolina Aquarium. There are plans in place to enlarge and rebuild the property. In the peak season, there are daily educational activities in the ocean classroom located in the pier house. Programs such as Beach Exploring, Family Fishing, Beach Fun and Safety, Marsh Adventure for Kids, Beach Creatures of the Night and more are offered throughout the week. For more information, contact Jeanette's Pier at (252) 441-6421.

Take Your Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle on the Beach

Though there is some controversy over whether it should be allowed or not, you can drive on the beach in many parts of the Outer Banks in designated off-road beach access areas. You will need to have a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to prevent getting stuck, and you may not go over 25 mph while driving on the beach. Some places don't allow beach driving and some require permits to drive on the beach, so check with the local area officials to make sure you are following the rules. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (252) 473-2111.

Go Sailing in the Calm Sound Waters

The good news about sailing on the Outer Banks is that you no longer have to own your own sailboat to partake in this activity. Many local shops offer sailboat lessons, rentals, excursions and charters! If you have never sailed before, don't attempt to rent one until you have had lessons. The winds on the Outer Banks are tricky and you could end up miles from shore if you aren't careful. For more information, contact Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Carolina Outdoors is another option and can be reached at the Duck location at (800) 334-4777 or the Avon location at (252) 995-6060.

Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306. On Ocracoke, personal watercraft can be rented at (252) 928-2600 or (252) 921-0314.

 

Corolla Restaurants

Lighthouse Bagels
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Bacchus Wine, Cheese & Meats
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Beach Sweets & Treats
817 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Brew Pub
817 Ocean Trail
Suite A
Corolla, NC 27927

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Smokey's Restaurant
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Stripers Bar & Grille
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Fat Cat Ice Cream
817 Ocean Trail
Monteray Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Coyote Bar & Grill
817 Ocean Trail
Monteray Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Burger King
814 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Seafood Co.
811 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Coffee Company
807 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Shopping

Ace Hardware
822 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Wings
818 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Ocean Annie's
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Bacchus Wine, Cheese & Meats
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Kites
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Carolina Outdoors
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Gray's Family Department Store
817 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Dockside 'N Duck Seafood Market
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Birthday Suits
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Donna Designs
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Outer Banks Bicycle
817 Ocean Trail
Monteray Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

TW's Bait & Tackle
815 Ocean Trail, Suite B
Monterey Plaza II
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Attractions

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
1160 Village Lane
Corolla, NC 27927

The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park
1100 Club Road
Corolla, NC 27927

Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop
1101 Corolla Village Road
Corolla, NC 27927

The Corolla Wild Horse Museum at The Historic Corolla Schoolhouse
1126 Schoolhouse Lane
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Activities

Kitty Hawk Kites
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

Carolina Outdoors
817 Ocean Trail
Monterey Plaza
Corolla, NC 27927

R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks
815 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo
794 Sunset Boulevard
Tim Buck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

The Golf Links
798 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla, NC 27927

Dance Heads
799 Sunset Boulevard
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Kites
785 Sunset Boulevard
TimBuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Raceway
790 Ocean Trail
Timbuck II Shopping Center
Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Sports
790 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

Bob's Wild Horse Tours
1066 Ocean Trail
Inn at Corolla Light
Corolla, NC 27927

Corolla Jeep Rentals & Tours
1070 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927

The Currituck Golf Club
620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Corolla, NC 27927