Outer Banks Activities Art Galleries Local painters, sculpters, print makers, jewelers, craftsmen, decoy carvers and photographers exhibit their talents at one of the more than 20 galleries located between Duck and Hatteras Island. Original classics, such as Rembrandt, Whistler or Chagal can also be found here. Explore Gallery Row in Nags Head or the quaint shops in the villages of Duck and Hatteras. Bicycling Whether you rent bikes or bring your own, a great way to enjoy Outer Banks scenery and sites is to take advantage of the new bicycle paths located in the area. The path on Roanoke Island runs six miles from the Washington Baum Bridge to the Manns Harbor Bridge. You'll get plenty of exercise and fresh air. This is a perfect way to tour downtown Manteo and to visit such sites as Elizabeth II State Historic Site, Fort Raleigh, the Elizabethan Gardens and the NC Aquarium. The town of Kill Devil Hills has a new bike path that is approximately one mile and follows Collington Road, beginning near the First Flight Elementary School and runs north until it ends at West First Street. Nags Head has a new 4.7 mile multi-use path for both pedestrians and bicycles. The path begins at Whalebone Junction and parallels NC 1243. The bike path in Southern Shores runs along US 158 from the Kitty Hawk Elementary School to the Southern Shores Town Hall and is about one mile in length. Cruising Whether a daytime harbor tour or an evening under the stars, there are a number of sight-seeing cruises offered here on a variety of vessels, from sailboats to headboats. Special charters can be booked for private parties, family reunions or weddings. Check with area marinas for more details. Diving Along our sea floor rests the remains of more than 1,500 ships, which is why the Outer Banks coast is also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. There are several area dive shops that offer charters offshore for wreck diving, lessons and equipment rental. Fishing Some of the best fishing on the East Coast is found here on the Outer Banks. For the surfcaster, there are over 130 miles of accessible beach, and for those who enjoy pier fishing, there are eight located between Kitty Hawk and Hatteras. If you don't have your own equipment, many bait and tackle shops offer rentals. Headboat fishing is a great family activity. There are inshore, half-day charters for cobia, amberjack and king mackerel, among others, and for the more adventurous, there are offshore, full-day charters to the gulf stream where anglers can catch marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin. Golf Gentle breezes whisper an invitation to play on some of the finest golf courses in North Carolina. There are four courses located within Dare County. Courses range in terrain and challenge from a 9-hole executive course to an 18-hole, Scottish links-style course. Most courses have pro-shops and clubhouse settings for relaxation. Outer Banks Gun Club Located four miles west of the Manns Harbor Bridge, the gun club features an NRA pistol and archery range. Traphouse Sporting Clays are also available at an additional cost. Fee for non-members. (252) 441-6512. Hang Gliding Jockey's Ridge State Park is the spot for learning to fly like the birds. Lessons from qualified instructors are available. Hiking Not all the places to visit are on well-paved roads. Take the path less traveled by exploring beaches and maritime forests on foot. Discover hidden treasures in places like Buxton Woods or Nags Head Woods Preserve. There's also a hiking trail at Jockey's Ridge State Park and at the Pea Island National Wildlife Preserve. Hiking on restricted dunes is prohibited. Horseback Riding Saddle up and enjoy a ride along the beach or opt for scenic nature rides along trails with an experienced guide. Stables are located on Hatteras Island. Shelling The Outer Banks beaches are perfect for shelling and beachcombing. The best times to look for shells are after high tide and after a storm, especially in the morning before people begin gathering on the beach, and during the winter months. Check with the NC Aquarium about programs on shell collecting and educational field trips. Tennis If tennis is your game, you'll find both indoor and outdoor courts here, including the Pine Island Indoor Raquet Club which offers lessons. Two free courts are located in Kill Devil Hills (one is near the Fire Department and has two hard surface courts; the other is located next to the KDH Water Plants). Public courts are located at Milepost 10 in Nags Head (behind Kelly's Restaurant) and in Manteo at Manteo Middle School and Manteo High School. In Buxton, courts are located at Cape Hatteras School. Water Activities Dare County's Outer Banks covers an area of 800 square miles, of which 409 square miles are water. This makes the area perfect for a wide variety of water activities including jet skiing, ocean and sound kayaking, diving, surfing, parasailing, windsurfing, sailing, boating, and of course swimming. Outdoor outfitters provide rentals for equipment and activewear. Windsurfing The Outer Banks has often been dubbed the "Windsurfing Capital of the East Coast" because of the steady and consistent winds, temperature, weather, shallow sound waters and rolling ocean waves of the Atlantic Ocean which provide great windsurfing opportunities throughout most of the year. Outdoor outfitters are located throughout the area and offer lessons, clinics, equipment rental and purchase.                       Navigation Menu Request a Travel Guide Outer Banks News Find Accommodations Business Directory Send an Outer Banks Postcard Fishing License Requirements -------------------- Calendar of Events Outer Banks Churches Ferry Schedules Directions to the Outer Banks Outer Banks Fishing Reports Lighthouses Lighthouse Tour Maps Weather Averages -------------------- Shopping Village Security Issues Beach Bonfires Bike Paths & NC Bicycle Laws Public Boat Ramps Off-Road Vehicle Information Pets on the Beach Visitor Safety - Lifeguard Locations Personal Watercraft Outer Banks Fishing Piers -------------------- Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Outer Banks JobBank Outer Banks Lighthouse Society National Park Service Campgrounds Outer Banks Activities Northern Beaches Historic Roanoke Island Hatteras Island Ocracoke Island -------------------- Home