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Sleep with the Windows Open and Hear the Ocean Breeze

When you are at home and have a window open, what kind of noises do you hear? Honking car horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? People talking on the street? While you are at the Outer Banks, try sleeping with the windows open. Chances are on most nights, if you are within a mile of the ocean, you will be able to hear the sound of the ocean. You can hear sounds similar to relaxation CDs that are sold in stores just by opening your window. Try it - you will love it!

Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local Sounds

There are several docks and marinas located throughout the Outer Banks to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Space is limited during the summer months, especially on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for slip reservations. Thousands of visitors bring their boats to the Outer Banks each year, but if you don't have your own boat, some area businesses do offer powerboat rentals. For information on marinas and dock space, a few options are the Dock of the Bay in Kitty Hawk at (252) 255-5578, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (252) 441-6301, Frisco Cove Marina at (252) 995-4242 or Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras at (252) 986-2460. For boat rentals, contact The Promenade Watersports in Kitty Hawk at (252) 261-4400 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875.

Take the Ocracoke Village Walking Tour

The small fishing village of Ocracoke is the perfect opportunity for you to park your car for a day and wander the narrow streets of the village. Historical landmarks, local shops, restaurants, antique shops and old buildings and homes are among the interesting things you will find on your walking tour. A suggestion is to begin at the Ocracoke Visitor Center, which is located on the west end of the village and adjacent to the ferry docks. Since the island is so small, it is almost impossible to get lost! If you would like, ask a National Park Service employee in the Visitor Center for directions and suggestions before you start your journey.

Go Shopping at Tanger Outlet Center

The Tanger Outlet Center is located on the south side of Nags Head on US Highway 158. If you love to shop, or even if you forgot something at home, this is a great place for you to find some Outer Banks bargains! A few of the stores at the Outlet Center are: The Gap, Ralph Lauren, Wilson Leather, The Dress Barn, Kitchen Collection, Claire's Boutique, Rack Room Shoes, Bass and Nine West. Don't forget to stop by the Tanger Outlet Center and buy yourself something special!

Play a Friendly Game of Miniature Golf

The Outer Banks is home to more than 12 miniature golf courses, which are located as far north as Corolla and as far south as Frisco. Most courses open at 10:00 a.m. and stay open past midnight in the summer months. There are a variety of themes at these miniature golf courses, ranging from dinosaurs and other animals to pirates and buried treasure. In Corolla, The Grass Course can be reached at (252) 453-4198. In the Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area, try The Promenade at (252) 261-4900 or Galaxy Golf at (252) 441-5875. On Hatteras Island, try Avon Golf at (252) 995-5480 or Frisco Mini Golf at (252) 995-6325. Because there are so many miniature golf courses to choose from, you may want to just take a drive until you see one you like!

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.

Go Golfing

The Outer Banks is home to a variety of golf courses to suit golfers ranging from novice to experienced skill levels. Nags Head Golf Links is an 18-hole championship located at Milepost 15 in Nags Head, and can be reached at (800) 851-9404. The Sea Scape Golf Links is also an 18-hole championship course that is built around the Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest with a beautiful view of the ocean. Sea Scape Golf Links can be reached at (252) 261-2158. The Duck Woods Country Club is an 18-hole course located at Milepost 1 in Southern Shores and can be reached at (252) 261-2609. Hatteras Island also has a golf course, Ocean Edge Golf Course, which is a 9-hole course on the oceanfront in Frisco. They can be reached at (252) 995-4100. Whichever course you choose is sure to keep you thinking about "the day you went golfing on the Outer Banks."

Paint Your Own Pottery at Studio 12

Studio 12 is a small, locally owned pottery shop located on Highway 12 in Avon. They have many pieces of unfinished pottery. You pick the pottery piece that you would like to paint. You choose your colors and design and sit down and paint the pottery. The owners will fire and glaze your piece for you and send you on your way. What would make a better Outer Banks souvenir than a piece of pottery that you chose and painted yourself? You won't regret spending a few hours in Studio 12.

Go Surf Fishing on the Beach

Visitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular Outer Banks sport of surf fishing. Red drum is prevalent during about nine months of the year. Effective in 2006, you need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species (including red drum) are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Other fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, Spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot and trout. The most popular surf fishing spot is the Cape Point in Buxton, located at vehicle access ramp 43, though you can surf fish pretty much anywhere on the beaches of the Outer Banks.

Get Married (Or Renew Your Vows) on the Beach

Each year, hundreds of people have weddings on the beaches of the Outer Banks. With all of the large vacation rental homes that are available for families and friends to rent, mixed with the unforgettable backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and Outer Banks sand dunes and sea oats, it will be a ceremony you will never forget. There are many local photographers, florists, wedding planners, entertainers, caterers and more that can assist you with your planning. You will need to obtain a marriage license in the county of your ceremony. If you are getting married on the beach, you will also need to obtain a permit from the National Park Service. For information about any of the services or permits you will need for your beach wedding, you may contact the Outer Banks Wedding Association at (252) 473-4800.