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Visit the Deserted Portsmouth Island

Portsmouth Island is a small, deserted island just south of Ocracoke Island. Though it was once inhabited, now Portsmouth Island has no residents and is accessible only by boat. There is a 2-mile trail that leads from the village to the beach. Wilderness camping is allowed, but don't forget your insect repellent! For more information on the Island, contact Cape Lookout National Seashore at (252) 728-2250. If you would rather have a guided tour, Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions allows you to ride the shores of this island and visit its attractions. Two trips are offered each day and cost $75 per person. For more information, contact (252) 928-4484.

Visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse and Keepers' Quarters

Located more than a half-mile from the Atlantic Ocean on Bodie Island, the Bodie Island Lighthouse was built in 1872. It was the third lighthouse to be built near Oregon Inlet, as the first one was built south of Oregon Inlet in 1847 and developed structural damage within the first 10 years and had to be rebuilt. The second was also built south of Oregon Inlet in 1859 but was destroyed by Confederate forces during the Civil War. The current Bodie Island Lighthouse is 170 feet tall and was built north of the Oregon Inlet because of the inlet's constant moving to the south. Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard for many years, the lighthouse was turned over to the National Park Service in 2000. There is a Visitor Center with exhibits and a bookstore on the grounds, but the lighthouse is not available for climbing. For more information, call (252) 441-5711.

Ride Go-Karts with Your Friends and Family

While you are on the Outer Banks, take the kids (or the adults!) for some go-kart riding. There are a few tracks to choose from and any of them are sure to provide lots of fun and laughter. The Colington Speedway in Kill Devil Hills has three tracks to choose from and can be reached at (252) 480-9144. Dowdy's Amusement Park is located in Nags Head and can be reached at (252) 441-5122. Finally, on Hatteras Island, Frisco Mini Golf & Go-Karts also offers a track for your enjoyment and can be reached at (252) 995-6325.

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.

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.

View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic Ocean

How many days of the year do you go to the beach before the sun comes up, sit in your beach chair with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to rise? Have you ever tried it? While you are on the Outer Banks, make yourself get up early one day and head to the beach. Either watch the news or go on the Internet the night before to find out the exact time of the following day's sunrise - in the summer, it is normally between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. Grab your chair, your coffee and your camera, set your alarm (it's only one day, you can do it!), and get out there! It will be one of the most beautiful things you will see during your stay on the Outer Banks.

Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or Canoeing

People of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of the Outer Banks sounds. There are several stores available throughout the Outer Banks where you can rent either a kayak or a canoe, and there are different types available depending on your preference. You can rent equipment from Carolina Outdoors in Corolla, Nags Head, Manteo, Avon or Hatteras at (800) 334-4777. Several companies also offer guided kayak and canoe eco-tours. Corolla Adventure Tours leads tours on the northern beaches and can be reached at (252) 453-6899. Ocracoke Adventures leads tours of the Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island and can be reached at (252) 928-7873.

Take a Local Sight-Seeing Tour

If you aren't interested in boat or adventure tours, you may want to take an Outer Banks sight-seeing tour. There are a few options available on the Outer Banks for land tours. Hatteras Tours will take you on a fast-paced tour of island history, geology and culture and can be reached at (252) 986-2995. Candle light walking tours of Historic Old Manteo are offered and can be reserved by calling (252) 475-1701. Other Outer Banks tours are offered by OTS Ventures at (252) 202-3919 or Sandy Beach Tours at (252) 441-9800.

Go Pier Fishing Off One of the Village Piers

There are numerous fishing piers that are located throughout the Outer Banks, and many anglers prefer the piers because they are relatively cheap to use and they can get to deeper waters without going out in a boat. Croakers, spot, sea mullet, red drum and cobia are commonly caught off the piers, depending on the time of year. Each pier sells bait and tackle and most of them have gear available for rent. There are fishing piers located in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Rodanthe, Avon and Frisco. Daily rates to fish on the pier range from $6 to $8 and some piers offer 3-day or weekly passes at discounted rates.

Tour the Elizabethan Gardens

The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island offer a picturesque view of more than 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. Created in 1960 in memory of Sir Walter Raleigh's colonists for their efforts in establishing an English settlement, these botanical gardens are open year-round. The paths take visitors through 10.5 acres of some of North Carolina's most colorful flowers. Most paths are wheelchair-accessible. Garden admission is $6 for adults, $4 for kids between ages six through 18, $5 for adults age 62 and older and free for children under 5 when accompanied by an adult. Hours of operation vary throughout the year. For more information, contact The Elizabethan Gardens at (252) 473-3234.