Manteo - Aquarium

Just past Manteo by about 10 minutes is the NC Aquarium.... quite a bit of property and a very good aquarium for all.....

Feeding time for the river otters..... wonderful!
 

There's an interactive area for sea turtle rescue that is quite entertaining for children of all ages....

Great tank with sharks and a large viewing area......

Corolla - Wild Horse Trip

While visiting recently I decided to take this trip again.... the first time I went was over 15 years ago when the tours first began.... having seen the horses in the 1980's when they roamed free in Corolla, I wanted to see them in their more captive environment.... Since my visit the last time hundreds of rental homes have been built in the area (only accessible by 4 wheel drive).... but since it is an stretch of beach over 15 miles long there were still lots of open spaces for them.... The outing takes about 2 hours and our guide stopped several times along the way to give us background information about the horses and the area.....

Our vehicle for the trip....

Seeing how far some houses jut out into the beach area is amazing.... hard to think that the ocean will not eventually reclaim them......

We were taking our ride at near high tide so we were quite close to the surf....

The Beach Fairy - A Book and a Tradition......

WARNING:   This is a shameless plug..... 

My good friends K and Mary Lee have joined their considerable talents together to produce this adorable book..... It tells the tale of a tooth fairy who retires to the Outer Banks and transforms herself into the Beach Fairy.... As such. she leaves little treats for well behaved girls and boys who visit the Outer Banks..... The story is completely TRUE based on KK's experience with her granddaughter, Georgia..... It is the story she told to help Georgia feel more comfortable on her first night with her grandparents at this glorious beach sanctuary.....  It includes scenery from the Outer Banks that will be recognizable to those who have vacationed there..... This past summer it was available only through Kellogg's Cottage Shop, but by next season there will be many outlets carrying the charming tale....Kitty Hawk Kites and the Christmas Shop, just to name a few....

Mary Lee and KK at one of the MANY Book Signings Held at the Cottage Shop this season..... 

Nagshead - Children's Museum

This spot near Frank's Hot Dogs on the Outer Banks has been a GREAT place for my grandchildren over the years.... you can "join" if you are going to be there frequently..... or just get a daily pass.... it is most popular with my grandkids who are aged 6 or less, but even my 9 year old had a good time last week!  We visit the OBX monthly so we have used it during all seasons of the year..... for tourists, it would allow your little ones some indoor play out of the sun.... the boat and the fishing area are particularly well done.  It is small and very low key, but has always provided a lot of fun. 

The hospital area has plenty of bears to get treatment and a few lab coats to make it realistic!

Catching the "Big One" 

Nagshead - Adventures in Tie Dye

 What a fun adventure for the kids..... You can bring your item or buy a white item there.... we arrived with beach towels from Walmart.... it saved a little bit on the fee by doing that..... the instructor was very patient with the little ones.... all the ages enjoyed it.....Plan ahead so that it is convenient to go back the NEXT day to pick up your finished product.

Autumn on the Outer Banks......

Without the humidity of warmer weather, the beach and ocean look REALLY beautiful.... There are LOTS fewer people but plenty of wildlife (geese, in particular) ..... Most of the restaurants and shops still have some hours that they are open...... if you happen to arrive for "Restaurant Week" even better.... some very good deals..... 

Beaches........

Nagshead Pier in the Distance

Almost Tropical Waters (Sometimes!)

From the northernmost beaches of the 4 wheel drive area to as far south as Hatteras and beyond... there is great variety to the beaches.... Some are narrow, some wide.... the surf can be calm or rough..... light blue or steely grey.... Compared to other areas I have seen there are MANY miles of unspoiled beaches you can explore on the Outer Banks.... Some areas do have homes right up to the edge of the beach.... but other areas just have the dunes....

There is also great variety to the sea birds.... gulls, plovers, pelicans...... and of course, even sand fiddler crabs can be entertaining to watch....