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Go Jogging on the Beach

There are a few great gyms on the Outer Banks, and even a few jogging trails. But why not take advantage of the sandy Atlantic beaches and go jogging on the beach? They say you get twice the benefit from jogging on sand versus other jogging surfaces, so give it a try! Jogging on the beach is a great way to get that workout in while you enjoy the beaches of the Outer Banks.

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.

Try Your Luck at Parasailing

Parasailing, a sport where participants are pulled through the sky by a boat while being attached to a sail, is an activity enjoyed by many on the Outer Banks. Unbreakable ropes are the standard for this sport, so parasailing is a relatively safe activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Enjoy the view of the Outer Banks similar to what the seagulls have! For the northern beaches, you can fly with Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875. For Hatteras Island, you can fly with Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306 or Island Parasail in Avon at (252) 995-0177.

Visit the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station in Corolla

The Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station was originally built in Kill Devil Hills in 1878 when lifesaving stations were located every 7 miles along the Outer Banks. This station was visited by the Wright Brothers during their many trips to the Outer Banks. Many of the original workers of the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station assisted the Wright Brothers with their early flight experiments, and some were lucky enough to be there to view the world's first powered airplane fly through the sky. The station was moved to Corolla in 1986, where it was restored and is the current home of the local shop, Outer Banks Style. Take time to stop and visit this unique structure of Outer Banks history!

Play or Watch Others Play in the Waters at Canadian Hole

Canadian Hole is a public area located 1.5 miles south of Avon on Hatteras Island. Windsurfers and kiteboarders who travel to the Outer Banks from around the world spend most of their vacation playing in the Pamlico Sound waters at Canadian Hole. If you are driving by this location on a windy day, pull into the public parking area and take some time to relax and watch the surfers and boarders. Many of them are very talented at their sports and are fun to watch. If you can catch this area near sunset, it is a great photo opportunity with the sails in the sky and the sunset in the background.

Take a Scenic Flight Tour

If you think the Outer Banks are beautiful from the ground, wait until you see them from the sky! This stretch of islands and waters will amaze you. Depending on where you fly, you will see things from the air such as the Oregon Inlet, one of the four area lighthouses, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and more! For a tour of the northern Outer Banks, you may contact Kitty Hawk Aero Tours at (877) 274-2461 or Outer Banks Seaplanes at (252) 475-1007. Kitty Hawk Aero Tours depart from the Manteo Airport. Outer Banks Seaplanes take off and land on the Roanoke Sound. For a tour of Hatteras and/or Ocracoke Islands, contact Burris Flying Service at (252) 986-2679. Prices for the above services start between $30 and $75 per person, depending on the size of your group and the length of your flight. You will want to call ahead to make reservations.

Visit the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society

Once the private residence to Coast Guard Captain David Williams, this home was moved to its current location on Ocracoke Island's Silver Lake in 1989 and restored to its original beauty by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. Many furnishings reminiscent of the 19th century have been donated by local families, and photographs of island natives can be seen throughout the house. The museum also has several exhibits and a research library. Admission is free and the museum is open from Easter through the end of December. For more information, contact the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society at (252) 928-7375.

Watch a Performance at the Outer Banks Music Showcase

The Outer Banks Music Showcase opened in the summer of 2004 and has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors and locals. The audience is entertained by various local performers who blend music with comedy to create family-friendly shows. Several music genres are presented including country, show tunes, pop, 1950s and 1960s, gospel and patriotic music. During the peak season, two performances are held each night. The theater is located in Kitty Hawk at Milepost 4.5 on US Highway 158. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $11.95 for children twelve and under. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Music Showcase at (252) 261-7505.

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.

Take a Red Wolf Howl Tour at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the Dare County mainland west of Manteo on Highway 64, you will find the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge consists of 150,000 acres of wetlands, fields and swamps. A variety of animal species call the refuge home, including black bears, white-tailed deer, gray fox, bobcats, raccoons, mink, beaver, squirrels, opossum, river otter, alligators and red wolves. Though they are a threatened species, red wolves have made a comeback in this part of North Carolina, thanks to careful management since the 1980s. Night tours to hear the red wolves howl are given every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the refuge from late June through mid-August. For more information, contact the refuge at (252) 473-1131, ext. 243.