
1. 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.

2. See the Wild Horses.
Take the
Trip of a Lifetime! Locate and observe the
wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs with the herd manager
of the Corolla
Wild Horse Fund and learn from the expert.
Beach
Jeeps offers self driven tours to see the
Corolla Wild Horses. Wild horse tours will take
you up to Corova Beach, home to the Corolla Horses.
These sturdy horses have graced the beaches of
Corolla since the some of the first Spanish Explorers
landed.

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. 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.
Outer
Banks sunrise & sunset photos

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.
The
best beaches to find seashells

11. Visit Jockey's Ridge
State Park.
Jockey's
Ridge State Park is 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. 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. Upon
Arriving. 
Turn off the AC, roll down your windows, and smell
the salt air! There's nothing like it. Your here
and your vacation has finally begun.
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