Free Things to Do at the Outer Banks

1. Upon Arriving. Turn off the AC, roll down your windows and smell the salt air! There's nothing like it.

2. See the Wild Horses. North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to about four hundred wild horses that roam free in some parts of the popular resort area.. Nowhere else can you see wild Mustangs walking along the beach and grazing among beach homes.

3. Build a sandcastle. If you've ever been relaxing on the beach, admiring everyone else's sand castles, and wishing you knew how to build one - well, have we got a treat for you. Building a sand castle really isn't as difficult as it looks, and only requires a few key tools. So, grab your pail and shovel, and get digging.

4. Gallery Row in Nags Head. The Outer Banks boasts nearly 50 commercial art and craft galleries and a dozen private art galleries. In addition to highlighting the works of local artists, some of the private Outer Banks art galleries also sponsor art shows and festivals.

5. Hold on tightly. Flying a kite is great fun on a windy day. It's also very relaxing watching the kite flutter on the beach. The Outer Banks has above-average wind conditions in the US and blows pretty-much all year long. How to Fly a Kite

6. Take the Ferry to Ocracoke Island. A free ferry ride, really? The Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry is free and runs often, the crossing time time is about 40 minutes. Most of the island’s favorite activities are also free: Quiet walks on the beach, fishing and clamming, or strolling or biking around the village. The great thing about Ocracoke Island is what "isn't" there, not a lot of shops, etc. Ocracoke is made for relaxing. It beholds the most beautiful beaches on the Outer Banks and is great for shell hunting.

7. Try Your Luck at Crabbing. Crabs can be caught in local sound waters from late spring into early fall, but the best months for crabbing are May, June and July. Crabbing can be a fun activity for both adults and children and is relatively simple. You need a length of cord with suitable bait tied to one end. Chicken necks or fish heads work well for enticing the crabs onto your line. Throw the bait into the water, wait a few minutes, then pull gently on the line to see if you have a crab nibbling on the other end. When you are done, boil your catch, and enjoy! If you prefer not to eat your catch, it is also fun to catch and release them back into the water.

8. Chase the ghost crabs. We always bring flashlights and walk on the beach at night. You see all kinds of night creatures and the night-sky is great as well. Dig for Sand Crabs. No bigger than a thumb, a sand crab spends most of its time buried in shifting sand. Well camouflaged by its gray shell, a sand crab keeps its balance in the ever-moving sand with the help of a heavily armored, curved body and pointy legs. To stay put in the sand, a crab burrows quickly and often.

9. Enjoy nature. Take in the Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods Preserve, a 1,400 acre preserve with self-guided trails and many guided programs. Hiking trails are open dawn to dusk every day for foot traffic only. Please register at the outdoor information counter. Leashed pets, horses and bicycles are not allowed on the trails but are welcome on the gravel roadway.

10. Collect Seashells. The best place to find seashells are the quiet, less-crowded beaches, such as Hatteras Island and Ocracoke. See where are the best beaches to find seashells.

11. Visit Jockey's Ridge State Park. Hike the largest active dune system east of the Mississippi River. Learn about sand & dune migration. Experience the amzing views of the ocean & sound from atop the dunes. Learn More...

12. Relax. Forget the shopping, the sightseeing, the exploring.... Pull out the beach chair, put your toes in the sand, pull your hat over your eyes and tune everyone and everything else out.

13. Watch the sunrise. You'll have to set the alarm for this one, but it will turn out to be one of the most memorable times of your vacation. And don't forget the camera.