Day Trip to Nikko, Japan

I highly recommend taking time to visit Nikko during your stay in Japan. It is worth at least one day to see the impressive waterfalls and visit the shrines. It is truly one of the really beautiful areas of the country and within a reasonable driving distance from Tokyo. Here are some important points to consider for your visit there.

It’s hard to get this view on a tour bus.

Transportation to Nikko from Tokyo

Transportation is always a major consideration for any trip.  An important cost issue when taking a tour in Japan is the cost of the transportation and of having a tour guide to help explain what you are seeing.  Questions such as how will you get to see what you want to see and whether you would like or need a guide are important factors to decide on. Unless you are renting a car or paying for a private use vehicle with a driver, then the best ways to travel to places like Nikko are going by either a tour bus or by booking a semi-private vehicle.  The tour bus option usually comes with one to two guides, covers any basic entry fees, and is often quite reasonably priced. As you might expect, the semi-private vehicle costs more than taking the tour bus. The semi-private vehicle’s driver is usually just that, a driver, not a tour guide. You might luck out and get a driver that doubles as a tour guide, however that could cause the cost of the semi-private vehicle to go up.  There are several pluses to using a semi-private vehicle, but using one does make your excursion cost more. The cost difference between these two transportation options can range from as little as $50.00 to over $200.00 or more depending on where you are trying to go and how long you plan on being at the location(s).

Carefully considering the costs of an experience for a budget traveler is important, but it is always good to balance the cost of an experience against the cost of the actual execution of obtaining that experience.  Always remember you travel a long way to see and experience different places and cultures, so keep in mind that it is important to know what you can physically handle at any time. Think about how the cost of what you do affects the experience you are aiming to achieve.  

Remember when you consider the cost of the tour bus to include the cost you will pay to get yourself to the bus designated pick-up location and on your return the cost of getting from the drop-off points to your hotel or place you are staying in.  Japanese taxis are not cheap, but can take you to the exact pickup location you need to be at to meet your big bus tour operator. Subways are another option, but using them requires more pre-planning to determine: which line(s) to use; where the closest station is to the pick up location; and how long it will take to walk from the subway station to the pick up location.

A driver that doubles as a tour guide can be a good deal.

Comfort vs cost equation considerations

When paying for a private or semi-private (meaning shared with a few others) van you are essentially paying for more personal space, more comfortable seats, and a driver that is usually more willing to be a bit more flexible with time management at the locations you will be visiting.  The van itself will also naturally be able to park in areas where a tour bus could never park. So sometimes from a van you will have less of a walk to the location from the parking lot. In addition, the private or semi-private vehicle cost may or may not include the admission fees. Be sure to check on whether or not these are included.  In a bus tour most attraction’s admission fees are included in the price of the bus excursion.

Taking a big bus tour to visit locations definitely helps save some money on the price of your sightseeing and experiences in Japan.  You’ll also be more than likely have a dedicated tour guide or maybe two for your whole tour group. In Japan, a tour guide can be handy when it comes to explaining information about what you are visiting or when the next chance to obtain food is or where is the nearest restroom.

The essential question that you have to ask yourself is this: does the money I’ll save by being on a tour bus and having a tour guide outweigh the time savings and cost of being picked up and dropped off at your hotel and having much more comfortable seats?  When considering bus versus smaller vehicle tours, I recommend taking into account things such as do you have a family with small children or anyone with mobility issues. If either of those situations apply to you, you might prefer using a semi private or private van tour provider.  A smaller vehicle can mean more flexibility to your tour day. A smaller vehicle means you are sharing your tour experience with fewer people which in turn usually means it can be quicker to get to a site, into the actual site, and back out again. Also, if you want to linger at a particular location or a portion of it, then you can usually do so without feeling rushed or being left behind by your tour group.  You can also often do some adjusting regarding how long you visit somewhere or at what time you need to leave Nikko to return to Tokyo with your driver.   

One plus to taking a big bus tour can be the opportunity to meet other people interested in seeing the same things as you.  As a solo traveler, I have found a tour bus sometimes gives you a chance to meet and talk with people with similar interests about their travel experiences and tips.  In the past, it has even worked out that I could meet up with someone at another time or day for lunch or dinner. It can be a nice change to not eat solo every so often on your trip.  

When to go to Nikko

It’s not like you can’t visit this place year round, but there are times of year that you might prefer over others.  I visited the Nikko area in August. It was warm with great weather for my trip there. If your only travel availability is during the summer, then I recommend going on any day with nice weather.  However, Nikko is very popular during autumn because of the changing colors of the leaves. When I went in August there were other tourists there, but most places that I visited in Nikko were not completely overrun with tourists.  The only exception to that was the Toshogu Shrine. That place was crawling with tourists. From everything I have heard about it, it is very popular and very beautiful throughout the year. Just be aware that if you are headed to Nikko in autumn, to be prepared for the large crowds also trying to see waterfalls surrounded by the autumn colors.

Kegon Falls almost seems unreal at first.

See the waterfalls!

The Kegon Falls are listed on Japan’s top 100 waterfalls for a reason.  This waterfall is thought to be one of the top three Japanese most beautiful waterfalls.  Kegon Falls is an almost 100 meter waterfall. This high waterfall is the only exit for the waters of Lake Chuzenji and as such has a pretty impressive waterflow.  It is a popular place to view autumn colors, especially toward the end of October; however, viewing Kegon Falls is still a powerful sight to behold during the summer.  A fun fact to know is that during most winters, Kegon Falls actually freezes almost completely solid. There is a free platform to view the falls, but I highly recommend taking the 100 meter deep elevator which does have an admission charge to get the best view of the falls.  The cost for the elevator to the viewing platform is not much, but the view is much more impressive from the platform accessed through the elevator. For a nice lightweight and easy to carry souvenir of your visit to the Falls use some of your Japanese yen to buy a pin with the waterfall on it.

The pin is inexpensive and easy to bring home as a souvenir.

The Ryuzu Falls Park is a great place to soak in the ambience of the area.

The Ryuzu Falls Park is located near Lake Chuzenji.  It has a walking path alongside the length of the approximately 210 meter falls.  There is a gain or loss of about 60 meters, so it is somewhat steep to climb up or walk down.  When you are standing at the top of the falls you are 1,355 meters above sea level. I visited the Ryuzu Cascade Terrace during the summer, but I bet the best time to visit these falls would be during autumn.  The path and waterfall is lined with trees. There is a parking lot at the top of the cascades and at the bottom. I recommend that you start at the top and walk down. There is also a shop at the bottom for souvenirs and food.

The Toshogu Shrine is a popular tourist stop.

Visit Toshogu Shrine

The Toshogu Shrine is a popular stop among tourists visiting the area.  Do not be surprised if the place is packed with people. The shrine’s complex is very big and demands a large amount of your day if you wish to explore every part of it.  I recommend planning on arriving early in the day or later in the afternoon. The crowds at the Toshogu Shrine during the midday were too large to allow for comfortable exploration of the whole shrine area.

The Toshogu Shrine contains elements of both Shinto and Buddhism.  This shrine is actually the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  The Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. In this shrine, there are more than a half dozen separate buildings.  One of the most impressive to see is the Yomeimon Gate. This gate is a very ornate structure. It features very intricate decorations and many different architectural features.

Many of the shrine’s buildings are covered with elaborate wood carvings and gold leaf.  An interesting wood carving on one of the shrine buildings depicts the famous three monkeys of See no evil, Speak no evil, and Hear no evil.  Gold leaf is used throughout this shrine. The use of so much gold leaf means this shrine looks quite elaborate. Its use is unusual as most Japanese shrines are much simpler.   

The Futarasan Shrine is a beautiful place to explore.

Visit Futarasan Shrine

The Futarasan Shrine is a much simpler shrine than the Toshogu Shrine.  Futarasan Shrine honors the three deities of Nikko’s sacred mountains: Mount Nantai; Mount Nyoho; and Mount Taro.  This shrine is very ancient having been founded in 782. Its founder was Shodo Shonin, the Buddist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko.  But, the shrine is actually a Shinto shrine. The grounds of this shrine contain several sacred cedar trees. These trees are thought to be around 1000 years old.  It is said that these tall ancient trees stretch up toward heaven. When you look up at them, it is easy to believe that since they are so tall. There is a beautiful main worship hall (Honden) and several other smaller shrine rooms. Behind the shrine itself is a pleasant garden to stroll through and enjoy seeing an outdoor Japanese garden.

The Futarasan Shrine is a lot less crowded than those in Tokyo.

Mount Fuji for First Timers

Mount Fuji for First Timers

There is nothing like watching the sunrise over the clouds.

Preparing To Climb

I recommend physically and mentally preparing for your climb. You should also consider consulting a physician if you are at all worried about how this hike could affect your health. There are a few different things you can do to prepare for your hike. I recommend mixing up your training between workouts in the gym with hiking outdoors or up and down stairs with a weighted pack. Start off light then gradually add weight until you are comfortable carrying the amount of weight you will carry while climbing Mount Fuji. Be sure to add time or distance to your hikes as you get more fit. After all, you will be hiking up Mount Fuji for several hours or even for a couple of days.

A little bit of knowledge can make getting to the summit a lot easier.

Do Your Research Before You Hike

My trip to Japan was a last minute trip with very little planning.  I paid dearly for that while trying to get around Tokyo. However, I did have enough time to purchase several guidebooks that helped me get by.  The one guidebook that helped my more than any other with my Mount Fuji ascent was Richard Reay’s fourth edition of Climbing Mount Fuji.  It was very useful for a last minute trip like mine, but could have been so much more useful if I had more time to plan.  There are also plenty of resources out there on places like YouTube.

Acting like making it to 3,200 meters wasn’t a struggle. It was.

Self-Climbs vs Guided Climbs

There are a few pros and cons to doing a self-climb or doing a guided climb.  Both options make sense depending on the time of year, skill level of the climber making the attempt, language skills of the climber, and schedule flexibility of the climber.  No matter which option you go with, it is always a good idea to have a hiking partner.

Hiking among the clouds

Self-Climbs

In most cases this option can be the cheapest of the two; however, it will also require more pre-planning.  For a self-climb the hiker must plan the route to get to Mount Fuji. If you have some experience with the Japanese rail/bus system then the transportation to Mount Fuji can be done with a small amount of forethought.  However, a lack of Japanese language skills can make it a little more difficult reserving a mountain hut for a two day climb or renting hiking gear that you forgot or could not bring with you. If you run into trouble on the mountain, then there is no one to translate for you unless you are hiking with someone that can speak Japanese.  Self-climbs are more freeing in that you can plan to ascend and descend on the same route or descend down another route for a change in scenery.  

Guided climbs can get a bit crowded.

Guided Climbs

In most cases this option can prove to make the experience less difficult as the only real thing you will most likely have to accomplish is hiking up the mountain.  Most companies will take care of the planning, transportation, booking the mountain hut accommodations, providing guides that speak your language and Japanese, arranging meals, and if you’re lucky something relaxing like a hot spring afterwards.  However, selecting a guided climb will ensure that you are no longer flexible with the date you are going to make your attempt. Guided climbs can also mean a large group going up together.

My group about to make our final push to the summit.

Safety

Mount Fuji is still considered an active volcano.  It is just one of over a hundred live volcanoes in Japan.  The last time Mount Fuji erupted was in the early 1700’s. However, there was a much more recent eruption at Mount Ontake, Japan’s second tallest volcano.  It is located a little over 60 miles from Mount Fuji and in 2014 that eruption killed many hikers. When Mount Ontake erupted it was at the lowest level on the risk scale for an eruption and at the same level as what Mount Fuji is currently.  Please understand that there is a risk in hiking Mount Fuji, but also know that the mountain is being monitored and the likelihood of an unforeseen eruption is slight. For the latest updates, weather warnings, natural disaster warnings, daily weather updates, and more take a look at the Japan Meteorological Agency’s website https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html. 

Altitude sickness is no joke on Mount Fuji.  Symptoms can vary person to person. I personally got slight headaches a couple times that wouldn’t go away until I took altitude sickness medication.  I recommend drinking plenty of water, giving your body time to acclimatize to the altitude gain, take your time hiking up the mountain, and if necessary, using an oxygen canister or altitude sickness medication.

I recommend that if you are planning a solo day hike then be in the best shape possible and do not start from the fifth station later than 07:00 AM. I also recommend limiting your hiking at night unless you are experienced and know what you are doing. There were more than a few steep drop offs along the trail.

Not much farther to go!

Climber Etiquette

Those that are hiking up the shy mountain have priority over those descending.  If possible, please get off to the side and allow those going up to pass you on your way down.  I recommend taking breaks along the way. If you take a break, then do so on one of the sides of the trail or in a place where you do not block other hikers.  Fires and littering are absolute no nos on Mount Fuji. Please do not do either. In recent years there has been a major push to clean up Mount Fuji. I highly encourage you to leave no trace as you spend time on the shy  mountain. Do not deviate from marked paths and stay off the tractor routes. Those tractors are how supplies are brought up to the mountain huts and how the rubbish is brought down off the mountain.  

It takes some strong legs to make it through the volcanic sand.

Subashiri Route

Most people no matter what route they take start at the fifth station of that particular route.  I was no different. Most people that I met took the Yoshida route due to the beginner level difficulty, how easy it is to get to Yoshida’s fifth station, and the fact that it is the best maintained of all the routes.  However, I used the Subashiri route. I really enjoyed the parts of the Subashiri route like passing through the forest and the great views when the clouds went away. My absolute favorite part was going outside at night and early morning while staying in one of the mountain huts on the trail.  The clouds were gone and I could see for miles. The city lights from as far away as Tokyo could be seen. It was a truly beautiful sight to behold. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures, so you’re going to have to climb Mount Fuji to see for yourself. 

There are a couple downsides to the Subashiri route that I feel obligated to warn you about.  First, if you go on a weekday you won’t have to deal with the crowds really until about the eighth station where the Subashiri and Yoshida trails merge, I never found the trail in the forest hard to navigate, but it might be difficult during fog or at night.  The sand section on the decent is a killer if your legs are not conditioned or are already tired. There were times during the sand section that I would take a step and slide another couple inches. It got to the point where at times I felt as if I was skiing or ice skating.  Also, I suggest topping off your water before you begin the sand run part of the descent. You won’t have another chance to visit another hut until you complete this portion of the mountain. 

Imagine trying to walk through here at night without a light.

Mountain Huts

The mountain huts are spread out along the different routes. They typically offer some services other than a place to rest. If you do not have a walking stick, then I recommend you pick up a traditional wooden walking stick at the fifth station when you begin your journey. This is an awesome souvenir to have as you can pay money along the way to get stamps added to your walking stick. Each hut will either have a sticker or a stamp to add to your walking stick. Each marker will be added over the last one. Eventually the stamp you obtain at the summit will be the topmost stamp on your walking stick. When you return to the fifth station you can have your stick cut if there is any excess wood left without stamps. Having your hiking stick cut shorter will make it easier to get it home. Another service these mountain huts offer would be selling food and drinks. As mentioned above, if you give the person back the empty bottle you bought from them at that hut then they will take it from you. However, if you walk off with an empty bottle then you will be carrying it for the rest of your hike. Last but definitely not least these huts will offer toilets, but they will cost you. Most of the toilets I used cost around 200 yen, so remember to bring coins. I must warn you that some of the toilets are squat toilets and some are western toilets. Just imagine trying to use a squat toilet if your legs are tired and sore and you aren’t used to using a squat toilet. I recommend using the toilets at every opportunity to avoid any mishaps.

The sleeping accommodations can be cramped inside the huts.

Mount Fuji offers different kinds of terrain and weather that can change without warning.

Hiking Equipment Recommendations

Do not attempt to climb Mount Fuji without breaking in your hiking shoes or boots, a lightsource, water, and proper clothing. 

I recommend using hiking shoes with some leg gaiters.  The gaiters will help keep the volcanic dust and rocks out of your hiking shoes.  I didn’t use gaiters when I hiked Mount Fuji. The lack of gaiters didn’t really bother me on the way up.  However, I paid for it while I was descending. The amount of volcanic dust and rocks that I took out of my shoes during the descent could of filled a large coffee mug.  Also, the interior of my shoes, my socks, and toes were covered in volcanic dust for days even after cleaning all three multiple times a day. I’m still not sure if I will end up trashing my hiking shoes.  I just keep finding more volcanic dust every time I use them. To sum it up, use gaiters.

I recommend using a headlamp.  Anyone that has gone camping or hiking in the dark will tell you having a headlamp will make things easier compared to using a traditional handheld flashlight.  Since I was using a headlamp while I hiking to the summit in the dark, I was also able to use my walking stick and get water without having to stop and rearrange things.

I used a camelbak as my water source while on Mount Fuji.  I highly recommend you do the same if you plan on refilling your water at each station along the way.  The workers at the mountain huts will only take trash from you if it is something you purchased from them.  If you use a camelbak, then you can refill your camelbak in front of the workers or nearby and return the empty bottle to the worker.  This will drastically cut down on the amount of space being used in your backpack for trash. 

Consider using a backpack with a capacity of at least 25 liters.  Do not fill it all the way up, so you have room for trash and souvenirs at the summit.  Most backpacks are not waterproof, so bring a cover for your backpack or at least a waterproof bag to store items inside your backpack.

I won’t go into too much detail for clothing, however I will mention a few things.

Dress in layers. During my push the summit I was able to warm up and cool off pretty much on command by dressing in layers.

Bring waterproof gloves.  Thankfully I didn’t need mine too much, because it only rained lightly a couple times.  I mostly used mine during the early morning push to the summit when I felt cold.  

 Bring a hat.  I saw some that opted for a large brim hat to protect themselves from the sun.  I opted to spend most of the time hiking with a trucker hat. I used a fleece skull cap during my early morning push for the summit.

Bring water resistant and waterproof clothing with a hood.  These clothing items can serve as an outer layer and as protection from the elements.

The huts will sell you basic things like snacks and drinks.

Recommended Extras

I decided to include a list of a few things that the first time hiker might not think about. I hope it helps. I would love to hear from other hikers as to what items they would recommend the first time hiker take with him or her.

Camera

Although it is not entirely necessary to bring a camera to enjoy Mount Fuji, it is nice to have one to document the experience.  How often are you going to be in the area and have the opportunity to experience a sunrise at the summit of Mount Fuji above the clouds?

Ear Plugs and a Face Mask

I tend to be a heavy sleeper, but you might not be.  If you are a light sleeper and plan on staying a night inside one of the mountain huts, then you’ll want to bring ear plugs and a mask to cover your eyes.  The sleeping conditions inside the hut I stayed in consisted of sleeping on a pad laid out over wood, a sleeping bag, and a small pillow. There was no personal space for most of the people sleeping in the hut.  I was lucky and slept on the end with a few empty spots next to me, so I had some room. I wouldn’t count on you being so lucky, especially on a weekend when more people are able to hike.  

Photo Copies of Your Medical and Insurance documents

Photocopies of your important documents could play a crucial role in seeing that you get aid as quickly as possible if you are unconscious and/or hurt.

Trash Bags

Trash bags can be useful in a few different ways.  You can use them to secure any trash you might accumulate during your hike.  They can be used to hold any dirty laundry you might have if you are making a two day trek and brought a spare change of clothes.  They can also be used, if big enough, to act as a cheap alternative to a waterproof bag to line the interior of your backpack if you get rain while hiking Mount Fuji.

Spending Money

Beyond bringing coins for the bathrooms, you might want to bring some extra cash to spend on souvenirs or at least some drinks or food along the way.  Personally, I like to think of my photographs as my souvenirs, but I still found myself buying a couple pins at the summit with the date stamped on them.

Sunscreen and Sunglasses

You will need protection from the sun while hiking.  If it isn’t cloudy and raining, most of your hiking will have you exposed to the sun.

The lockers at Gotemba are really close to where the busses arrive and depart from.

What To Do With Your Extra Gear

Unless you plan on taking everything with you on your hike up Mount Fuji, you’ll need somewhere to put everything you won’t need on the mountain.  There are three options that I saw being used. First, if you are planning to hike it all in a day then leaving your excess stuff in a locker at a place like Gotemba Outlets makes sense.  The outlet mall has a bus station with buses that can take you to places like Tokyo. However, I do not really recommend that option to hikers planning to make Mount Fuji a two day experience.  Instead I recommend leaving your gear at the hotel you will be staying at afterwards or paying the extra money for the night you won’t actually be in that hotel. I chose to leave my stuff at the hotel.  I made a reservation at the hotel for the nights before and after my hike up Mount Fuji. The staff at my hotel were accommodating when I made it clear that I was coming back for another night. I did not do what other hikers did and pay for a night in a hotel just to act as a storage locker.  Also you can ask your tour guide if you have one, if they provide storage for items while you are hiking. My tour guide did, but it was small and for everyone that was going.   

A little bit of reading can save you a lot of time and effort later.

Recommended Reading

The follow link is an Amazon affiliate link.

Climbing Mt. Fuji (4th Edition) : https://amzn.to/2zvoKvA

Poor Weather Activities in the Outer Banks

Ten Top Outer Banks Rainy Day Activities

It’s not often that a summer rain comes to the Outer Banks and stays for the whole day.  However, it can happen and when it does, it is best to have some ideas of fun or interesting activities to enjoy then while at the Outer Banks.  When it rains, the movie theaters on the Outer Banks (yes, there is more than just one movie theater on the Outer Banks) fill up quickly and many people choose to curl up at their place and stream some movies, shows, or music. Beyond that, though, there are some other fun and interesting things to explore during periods of wet weather. Check out my list of top ten rainy day Outer Banks activities.

My Outer Banks Top Ten Rainy Day Activities

1. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

If it rains and you venture out to the Aquarium in Manteo on Roanoke Island, you won’t be alone. Likely it will be crowded with others who had the same thought, but even when crowded, the Aquarium is worth a visit.  In addition to its indoor exhibits and critters, the Aquarium also offers a lovely outdoor area with a sound side pier if it stops raining long enough for you to spend some time outside during your visit.

The Aquarium has a wide variety of sea life from the waters of the Outer Banks and is well worth its entry fee to just wander around experiencing the exhibits.  See sharks, an alligator, river otters, and more. Touch stingrays and learn more about the Aquarium’s STAR (Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center). The STAR Center functions like a medical rehab unit for sea turtles.  It’s great to know what is being done to ensure sea turtles survive and thrive. The aquarium does have some special tours for which you may need to preregister. Often such tours have an additional cost, but you can enjoy the Aquarium without participating in one of those.  Free program features include such activities as shark feedings, stingray feedings, and creature features talks. If you ever wanted to touch or pet a stingray, the aquarium offers you that opportunity. At the time of this writing, the price of admission is:

• Adults (13-61)- $12.95

• Seniors (Ages 62 and older)- $11.95

• Military- $11.95

• Children (Ages 3-12)- $10.95

• Children (Ages 2 and under)- Free

• NC Aquarium Society Members- Free

You can purchase advance tickets, but that can not always eliminate entry wait times.  Be aware the last ticket of the day is sold at 4:30 PM with a 5:00 PM closing time.

The aquarium has wheelchairs at Visitor Services for guests with mobility impairments, but only on a first come, first serve basis.  You are not able to reserve them in advance. Personal ECVs and wheelchairs can be used on site as well. Service animals are allowed on the grounds.  They are allowed in all areas, but to go into behind the scenes areas with service animals requires advance notice. Note that emotional support animals are not allowed on aquarium grounds or within the aquarium itself.

The aquarium offers sensory backpacks for free checkout (with a valid driver’s license to ensure it is returned.)  These sensory backpacks are designed for guests with developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. The sensory backpacks include: assorted animal artifacts and animal models with labels; laminated copies of the Zoo Social Story; feelings thermometer; noise canceling headphones; weighted balls; and fidget toys.  There are also sensory backpacks available for guests who have low vision or are blind. Those sensory backpacks include: laminated copies of the Zoo Social Stories; a monocular; animal artifacts and animal models with labels printed in size 18 font; yellow glare reducing glasses; and a magnifying glass.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located at 374 Airport Road, Manteo, North Carolina 27954.  252.475.2300. Open hours are: 9 AM-5 PM daily. For up to date information check their website at http://www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island

Rainbow over Duck, North Carolina.

2. Wright Brothers National Memorial.

In Kill Devil Hills, this is a National Park Service memorial to the two brothers and their first successful sustained and controlled by humans flight of 1903.  The brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright went here to these dunes in the North Carolina Kitty Hawk area due to the amount of open space available and the constant winds. They thought the winds would help add lift to their airplane.  This Memorial is where their first flight lasting 12 seconds and traveling a distance of 120 feet happened. The pilot on that successful first flight was Orville Wright. The brothers actually made four brief flights on that same day on December 17, 1903.  By the fourth flight, with Wilbur at the controls, the airplane flew for 59 seconds over a distance of 852 feet. Although the actual plane they flew here is now located in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., there are plenty of artifacts and interesting exhibits in the visitor center which tell the story of man’s first successful flight.  The center also contains a reproduction of the Wright 1902 glider and their 1903 airplane. There is an engine block from the 1903 airplane along with a wind tunnel used by the Wrights in their experiments. Take the time to explore the replicas of the Wright Brothers’ living quarters and hangar. These are furnished as if the Wright Brothers could walk in today to use them. Sometimes NASA has exhibits on loan, so check and see if there are any during your visit here.  The actual 60 foot tall memorial to the Wright Brothers’ flight achievement is located outside on top of a 90 foot hill.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located at 1000 N. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC.  Phone: 252. 473.2111. It is open 9 AM to 5 PM daily, except for Christmas Day. At this time the entry fee is $10.00 for adults ages 16 years and older.  Children 15 years and younger enter for free. The entry fee includes the day you visit and seven days afterwards. That is a nice feature since if the rainy weather is so bad you cannot actually get out to go to the memorial hill or see any of the outside flight markers, you are able to return for another visit.

3. Roanoke Island Maritime Museum.

The Maritime Museum is on the waterfront in downtown Manteo on Roanoke Island.  This museum’s focus is on local watercraft suitable for using in the rough waters of the sound.  If you are interested in boats or think you could be, this museum introduces you to how boats are made and used.  On display here are an 1883 shad boat and other types of boats such as a clipper yawl, and a 1960’s hydroplane. This is also a working boat shop.  It is a place where you can see boat construction and boat restoration first hand. If you have visited the Elizabeth II, the replica of the 1500’s ship that came from England to Roanoke Island, then you have been on a boat built here.  The museum is usually open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM, Saturday, 10:00 AM until 4:30 PM, and is closed on Sundays. Location: 104 Fernando Street, Manteo, NC. Call 252.475.1750 to check for current hours the day you want to visit.

4.  Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.

This is a museum housed in the historic Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station building.  It still has all its original buildings and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Station’s museum showcases their historic mission of saving the lives of those on board shipwrecked ships off shore or ships in distress due to storms that can be prevalent out to sea off the Outer Banks.  The U.S. Life-Saving Service’s successor is the U.S. Coast Guard. The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is located on Hatteras Island and is on the most eastern point of the state of North Carolina.

The museum is open to visitors from April through November.  The entry fee helps support its foundation which is dedicated to the upkeep of the Station.  Adults $8, Seniors 65+ $7, and children ages 4 to 17 $6. The Station is located at 23645 NC Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC.  Phone: 252.987.1552. Check current hours and entry fees before you visit at  https://chicamacomico.org/

Beautiful spring flowers shine through even a rainy day.

5. The Whalehead.

The Whalehead in Corolla was renovated and opened up to the public to visit in 2002.  It is located in the historic Corolla park, not that far away from the Corolla village itself and the Currituck Lighthouse.  What used to be a waterfront retreat home built by the wealthy Knight family in the Art Nouveau style during the 1920’s is now a place that all can visit.  If you want to feel like you just walked into The Great Gatsby novel, then you should take some time to visit here.  Take one of the audio self guided tours through the 21,000 square foot main house and be sure to check out the beautiful grounds surrounding it, including the boat house.  There are some tours led by docents so check for those if you visit Mondays through Fridays. Those tours are generally done between 11 AM and 3 PM. There is also a boat house tour including the generator room which provided electricity to the property years before it came to the rest of the Outer Banks.  Other tours like a behind the stairs tour or a moonlight ghost tour are also offered from time to time. Check for the twilight tour of the house as it often includes a free wine tasting. During the summer season on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons the Whalehead and Historic Corolla Park usually sponsors some fun afternoon or evening events.  These can include live local musician performances or wine tastings or beer tastings. Try calling 252.453.9040, ext. 226, to reserve these tours in advance of your visit.

Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for students, and children under 8 are free.  The Whalehead is located at 1100 Club Road, Corolla, NC, 27927. Their website is http://whaleheadwedding.com/

A flower to brighten any day.

6.  Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education.

Also located in Corolla is the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in the Historic Corolla Park.  This is a fairly new 22,000 square foot interpretive center for people to visit if they want to better understand North Carolina’s wildlife.  There is quite a collection of fish native to the area in an 8000 gallon aquarium along with some other critters. The Center highlights the marine diversity of the region’s ocean, sound, and estuaries.

From April through November, open hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 AM through 5 PM and the rest of year it is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM through 5 PM.  It is open on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and Veterans Day and is closed on state holidays.  Admission is free, but donations are accepted.  You may want to call ahead to check on registering for any programs offered.  The Center is located at 1160 Village Lane, Corolla, NC.  Phone: 252.453.0221. For more information check the website at: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Education-Centers/Outer-Banks

7. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is located off NC Route 12 S at the southern end of Hatteras Island.  This is a new maritime museum building. Offshore from the Outer Banks are the rough and unpredictable Diamond Shoals.  Over as many as 500 years ships have been wrecked out there with many of them still down on the bottom of the sea. This museum contains many artifacts from shipwrecks and tells stories of the wrecks.  The museum is also the home of the original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Fresnel lens and has exhibits on diving, pirates, the Civil War on the NC coast, and World War II in the waters off of the NC coastline. An interesting exhibit displays the bell and some other items from the Carol Deering.  The Carol Deering was a ghost ship which was found ashore without any passengers or crew who were never found.  The only living thing on board the ship when it was found was its six toed cat.

Admission is free, but donations are welcomed.  Open hours are generally Monday through Saturday, 10 AM until 4 PM.  The museum’s address is 59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras, NC. Phone: 252.986.0720.   Check their website for up to date open hours and program information at https://graveyardoftheatlantic.com

8.  Shopping - Outer Banks Outlet Mall, Nags Head.

Shopping can be fun when rain keeps you away from the beaches.  Check out the stores at the Outlet Mall in Nags Head. A great thing about going shopping in Nags Head is that when you are shopped out or you’ve spent most of your money, there are lots of choices for somewhere to eat afterwards.  The Outlet Mall is not a large one like those in Williamsburg or Northern Virginia, but it does have a nice variety of shops right on the Outer Banks and it has plenty of parking spaces. There are usually about 20 stores located in the Outlet Mall.  The mall is located at Milepost 16; the address is 7100 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC. The mall’s office phone number is 252.441.5634. Check the website to see what stores are there and opening hours at: https://www.outletsnagshead.com/directory/

A stormy day at the beach is better than not being at the beach.

9.  Shopping - Duck, NC.

Duck as a shopping area is listed separately from the Nags Head Outlet Mall since it is a very different kind of shopping experience.  Duck is a small village on NC Route 12 N filled with restaurants, some bars, unique shops, and in summer packed with vacationers. There are not really any chain stores here, unless you want to count stores like Wings or Kitty Hawk Surf Company which do have stores spread up and down the beaches.  Duck shopping is for those who like to browse individually owned specialty and artist’s stores. These are scattered throughout the various small shopping clusters in Duck. There is a long wooden boardwalk on the sound front in Duck which links together many of the shops and places to eat. Some of the  boardwalk is covered and some is not, so be aware of that if it raining hard. On the waterfront there is a dog bakery that makes it own homemade doggy biscuits, an olive oil shop that offers great tasting opportunities along with many varieties of balsamic vinegar, and a coffee/bookstore made for browsing with a good cup of coffee and something tasty.  Near the waterfront, but just on the other side of the road is the Scarborough Faire Shopping Center at 1177 Duck Road (that’s NC Route 12 N in Duck) and next to the Faire are the Scarborough Lane Shoppes. Both offer covered shopping areas which is great for both rainy days and sunny hot days. Both offer boutique type stores that sell things such as clothes for all ages, books and toys, original art, antiques, home goods, jewelry, along with some must have beach things like skimmers, water toys, and surfboards.  If you are interested in shopping, this is probably one of the best places to spend time doing it on the Outer Banks. If driving to Duck to shop, look for a parking spot (try the Scarborough Lane Shoppes covered parking lot), park the car, and then walk everywhere from there. Most of the varied shopping areas in Duck are close enough to walk to by using the varied pathways, sidewalks, and the town’s boardwalk. However, keep in mind that Saturday traffic in Duck during the summer season is something to avoid. That is when Duck Road turns essentially into a 2 lane parking lot because of everyone trying to leave or get to their week’s rental place. https://www.scarboroughfaireinducknc.com/

http://www.scarboroughlaneshoppesducknc.com/

https://www.townofduck.com/

10.  Winery/Brewery Trip.

The Outer Banks is home to several individual breweries and there are some wineries nearby that offer tastings.  Compile your own list of where you want to sample your brew or wine, make sure you have a designated non-drinking driver, and start your own pub/tasting crawl.  This activity also offers you the benefit of seeing some of the Outer Banks as you travel about looking for your next place to stop. Aim for between three to four places for your crawl.  With travel time up and down the Outer Banks, you should allow most of an afternoon or evening for this activity. Some suggested places are listed below, but this list is not comprehensive so be sure to do some more research online or ask friends to recommend additional places.

Stores: These are some stores on the Outer Banks that offer wine tastings and sometimes beer tastings:

Chips Wine and Beer Market, 2200 N Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC. Phone: 252.449.8229, http://www.chipswinemarket.com

Tiro Restaurant and Market, 3708 N Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC. Phone: 252.261.0277, https://obxtrio.com

Tommy’s Natural Foods Market and Wine Shop, 1242 Duck Road, Duck, NC. Phone: 252.261.8990. https://tommysmarketobx.com

Bacchus Wine and Beer Bistro, 891 Albacore Street, Corolla, NC. Phone: 252.453.4333. https://bacchuswineandbeer.com

Howard’s Pub and Raw Bar, 1175 Irvin Garrish Highway (NC Route 12 S on Ocracoke Island), Ocracoke, NC. Phone: 252.928.4441. https://www.howardspub.com/Home  .

Beer:

Outer Banks Brewing Station, 600 S Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC. Phone: 252.449.2739.  Try the Lemongrass Wheat Ale or the Closeout Nitro Stout or the hard cider made from North Carolina apples.   https://www.obbrewing.com/

Growlers To Go, 1187 Duck Road, Duck, NC. Phone: 252.715.1946.  This is not a brewery, but they do have 27 craft beers on tap. www.beerforthebeach.com

Weeping Radish Brewery, Butchery, & Pub, 6810 Caratoke Highway, Grandy, NC.  Phone: 252.491.5205. This is on the mainland on US Highway 158, the Caratoke Highway (the road that travels south from Virginia to the Outer Banks), not too far from the sound in Currituck County. Buy a can of their Corolla Gold and part of the purchase price goes to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. https://www.weepingradish.com

Lost Colony Brewery & Cafe, 208 Queen Elizabeth Street, Manteo, NC. Phone: 252.473.6666. Try their Raleigh Buxton Brew or for something lighter, try the Kitty Hawk Blonde. http://lostcolonybrewery.com

Wine:

Sanctuary Vineyards, 7005 Caratoke Highway (US Highway 158), Jarvisburg, NC.  The tasting room is located in The Cotton Gin next door at 6957 Caratoke Highway, Phone: 252.491.2387. This location is on the mainland about three miles inland from the sound. Tastings are also available varied times at the three other Cotton Gin locations on the Outer Banks: Cotton Gin in TimBuck II, Corolla (US Route 12 N), 789 Sunset Blvd, Corolla, Phone: 252.453.4456; Cotton Gin in Duck, 1185 Duck Road, Phone: 252.261.2387; and the Cotton Gin at Milepost 14.5 in Nags Head, 5151 S Croatan Highway, Phone: 252.449.2387.   http://sanctuaryvineyards.com

Vineyards on the Scuppernong, 117 S. Elm Street, Columbia, NC.  252.796.4727. This winery is located on the mainland off of US 64 about 50 minutes going west from Nags Head.  You can’t miss the winery tasting room due to the large red letter sign that says Winery up on the roof. They also have recently added what they call their “pop-up” locations at two places on the Outer Banks.  Both of these offer tastings of the Vineyards wines and sell their wines. In Manteo: inside Island Perk at 101 Budleigh Street (corner of Budleigh and Queen Elizabeth). In Duck: inside Donutz on a Stick at 1216 Duck Road which is also on the Duck sound front boardwalk.  Check their website for more information at http://www.vineyardsonthescuppernong.com

North Carolina's Outer Banks Part 1

Is it just me or are the lifeguards getting younger and younger?

When to visit the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are barrier islands that jut out into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of North Carolina.  The waters off these islands are known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic due to the numerous shipwrecks, frequent rough seas, and treacherous, often shifting shoals.  The maps of wrecks you can buy throughout the Outer Banks show many sunken ships just off these shores. This means the sea lanes for cargo ships and cruise ships lay far enough off the coast so for the most part you won’t see the big ships passing by far out at sea from the Outer Banks.  That means when you look out to sea after sunset, it is usually peaceful and dark with only the sound of waves and the lights of the stars overhead. Just keep in mind it also means that, for the most part, the Outer Bank beaches are not great shelling beaches. However, they are great beaches for walking.  If you had enough energy and time you could walk for miles on the beach, from Corolla in the north all the way to Nags Head further south. On the Hatteras National Seashore you can walk the southern Outer Banks for a long way without seeing much except the beach, ocean, dunes, and birds. So a visitor to the Outer Banks can experience beaches stretching out for miles, sand dunes, wild horses on the beaches north of Corolla and on Ocracoke Island, turtle nesting spots, and tons of birds.

Most people go to the Outer Banks off the coast of North Carolina during the summer months. That is when the weather is hot, lifeguards guard the beaches, all the restaurants and bars are open, stores are fully stocked, and there are lots of people enjoying themselves everywhere.  However, if you can visit the Outer Banks during spring, April or May, or in the early fall months of September or October, you will experience the Outer Banks in mostly pleasant weather with fewer of your would be best friends around.  One drawback to those months is there are fewer open amenities, but you can still usually find a good place to eat or drink. The weather is usually so pleasant during those shoulder season months that beach walks are a favorite activity any time of the day or evening.

If like most people, you plan to go to the Outer Banks in June, July, or August be prepared for the weather to be hot and humid.  Most Outer Banks summers have rain crash the party once in awhile, but it is unusual when rain persists all day or for more than a day or two.  That leaves plenty of time during a week long visit to sun and swim in the ocean and/or the pool and enjoy the long lazy days of summer and pleasant summer evenings.

Taking a stroll along the beach is the best way to end a long summer vacation day.

Which Outer Banks to visit?

The Outer Banks consists of a series of narrow islands strung out in sort of like a bending point from the North Carolina coast for about 200 miles.  Choosing which of these places to stay can be a challenge if you don’t know them. Depending on where you pick to set up house along that 200 mile stretch for a week or two, you can have some town amenities or a more solitary experience.  By the way, most if not all, hotels on the Outer Banks require a minimum stay of three nights or as much as a week to book them during the summer season.

There are two essential choices of where to stay on the Outer Banks: either the northern beaches or the southern beaches.  Both northern and southern beaches are strung out along Route 12, either on 12N or 12S. It is also possible to stay in Manteo, a pleasant small town over the causeway from the mainland on Roanoke Island which is located between the Outer Banks and the mainland. However, most people want to stay as close to a beach as possible.  So which should it be? Northern or Southern? I’m going to focus on the northern part of the Outer Banks in Part 1. Tune back in for Part 2 and the southern part of the Outer Banks coming next week.

Nothing beats those walks on the beach during summer.

The Northern Beaches

The Northern beaches include the well established towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills (KDH), and Kitty Hawk. These towns have both 12N (aka, the Virginia Dare Trail or beach road) closer to the ocean side along with the larger inland four lane Croatan Highway that can zip you through these towns.  Going further north from Kitty Hawk on 12N are Southern Shores, Duck, and the village of Corolla. Going even further north past Corolla, beyond the paved road (access is driving on the beach itself) is Carova, an area of humongous homes on sand streets and older fisherman cottages on inlets off the Currituck Sound.

Coming from Virginia or points north, you drive south toward the Outer Banks on Route 168.  In North Carolina, that road turns into US 158 East and is the road that goes over the bridge into the Outer Banks. Once over the bridge you arrive on the Outer Banks at the northern edge of Kitty Hawk and the southern edge of Southern Shores.  Once there you go straight to the intersection of Route 12 and the Croatan Highway (you can’t miss it and you can’t go east any further). You turn right there onto the Croatan Highway to travel south through Kitty Hawk, KDH, and Nag’s Head.  After Nag’s Head, then you leave the Croatan Highway and you can either turn onto the bridge going west toward Roanoke Island and return that way to the mainland or merge onto 12S heading toward the southern Outer Banks. If you turn left off of US 158 once you are over the bridge and on the Outer Banks at the intersection of Route 12 and the Croatan Highway, then you are on 12N heading toward the more northern Outer Banks towns.

Traffic on 12N can become a real problem late in the afternoon on a Saturday.

Summer month visitors should know that 12N, the main road going north (and south) through Southern Shores toward Duck, Corolla, and Carova, experiences very heavy traffic congestion on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months. On Saturdays in the summer try to not get caught in that essentially non-moving north-south traffic.  You will be sorry if you do! It can, quite literally, take two or more hours to travel just four miles. On those Saturdays, the traffic coming over the bridge into Kitty Hawk and then turning left to go north on 12N is bad from about 9AM until at least 3PM.  Sometimes the horrible traffic starts even earlier and lasts longer! It’s all the cars arriving on Saturday for their vacation week in Southern Shores, Duck, Corolla, and Carova trying to fit into one two lane road at the same time. Note, that those turning right onto the Croatan Highway on their way further south to Kitty Hawk, KDH, and Nags Head do not have the same experience.  However, on those Saturdays, the traffic while still on the mainland US 158 before crossing over the bridge to the Outer Banks also backs up due to the 12N congestion so everyone using that route to the beach gets caught somewhere in stop and go traffic. If using US 158 East to get to the Outer Banks on these summer Saturdays, I recommend going early and making sure you have plenty of gas in your car well before you get near to the bridge.

Regarding Kitty Hawk, KDH, and Nag’s Head, remember that choosing a location is all about easy beach access.  You want to stay as close to the beach as you can possibly afford. You don’t want to have to cross Route 12, a two lane but well used road, if at all possible.  Still many places in between Route 12N and the Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk, KDH, and Nags Head are not far from the beach access points or too far to walk to the beach easily.  Do not stay between the Croatan Highway and the Sound unless you are prepared to bike or drive to the beach, including crossing over an extremely busy 4 to 5 lane highway. You can find cheaper accommodations there, but it is at the expense of being pretty far from the beach and dealing with lots of traffic every time you go out.  And when I say heavy traffic, I mean really, really heavy traffic during the summer months. During June, July, and August in 2018, about 212,036 people visited just one tourist site, the Wright Brothers National Memorial. So you can see that lots of people visit the northern Outer Banks towns during the summer. Just about every one of those visitors comes by car which makes these northern beach towns crowded with cars and people traveling Route 12 and the Croatan Highway.  However, even with all that hassle of getting to a beach access point, some people do like to find a place on the soundside in KDH or Nags Head. Doing so gives them the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sight of the sun setting in the evening to the west over the sound.

The OBX beaches can get very busy during the summer.

Kitty Hawk  

Kitty Hawk is the oldest beach town in the northern Outer Banks.  Many of its homes and buildings reflect that.  Because of the older age of many of the homes and buildings, it does offer many places to stay at possibly the most reasonable price in the Outer Banks.  But, be aware the beach is rather narrow in many places and, in my opinion, is not as visually appealing as in the other northern beach towns.  Kitty Hawk does offer public beach access walkways and some public parking spots. However, the walkways to the beach in Kitty Hawk usually have people walking right through the dunes without a protective boardwalk or other way of keeping the dunes from being harmed. A good plus for staying in Kitty Hawk is it can save you some money while still allowing you to be within a short driving distance of many things to do.

Kill Devil Hills

Kill Devil Hills, also known as KDH, lies in between Kitty Hawk and Nags Head.  It offers many comfortable homes and apartments for rent along with a few hotels here and there.  KDH offers a nice beach with various public access points, some public parking spaces (not really enough to meet the summer demand) on the access points, and public parking lots.  When looking for public parking spaces in KDH and Nags Head, look for the blue and white signs with an orange sun in the middle. These indicate public beach access and some parking.  Most homes in KDH that lie between 12N and the Croatan Highway are not that far from the beach and can offer a good compromise between paying large amounts to be right on the beach and not being too far away from the beach.  KDH also offers visitors plenty to do: the Wright Brothers National Memorial; easily accessible grocery shopping; miniature golf; a YMCA, movie theaters; a golf course; specialty shopping, breweries, wine stores, and plenty of good restaurants and bars.  If you are or have young adults (drinking age or above) in your party, then KDH or Nags Head are good choices for you. There is plenty to do other than beach activities and enough variety of nightlife activities and places to keep people active and happy.

A woman and her dogs exploring Jockey’s Ridge State Park as a summer storm rolls in.

Nags Head

Nags Head is also a fairly well developed town and offers many choices of places to stay.  The beaches in Nags Head are good and are also being replenished after suffering from some severe storms in the last few years.  There are many types of places to stay including homes, hotels, apartments, and condos at different price points. Again, it is probably best to pick your location as close to the beach as possible and make sure the busy Croatan Highway is to the west of anywhere you pick.  Nags Head also offers several public beach access points, some public parking spaces (in many places still not really enough to meet the summer demand) on the access points, and public parking lots. During the summer months it is probably best to grab your beach parking spot before 10AM or 11AM as most public parking fills up quickly.  I recommend checking out the lovely Nags Head beach area of Coquina Beach. It’s at the town’s southern end and has soft sand, a wide area between the dunes and the water, facilities, and a public parking lot. But remember, during the summer months on the Outer Banks your best bet is to rent somewhere where you don’t need to drive in order to get your beach access.  Nags Head has many fast food places, wonderful restaurants and bars, the Outer Banks outlet mall, the Outer Banks hospital, a golf course, movie theater, miniature golf, a ropes course, and Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is where the tallest natural sand dunes in the East Coast are located and is a fun spot for hang gliding or watching the sun set in the west.  Located just over the bridge going west from Nags Head on US 64 is Manteo where it can be fun to stroll the downtown, see the historic sights and aquarium, and stop for a beer and lunch. If you are going to Nags Head or the Outer Banks from North Carolina or further west pick up US 64 in Raleigh, NC and take it all the way east until you reach Nags Head. Congestion on US 64 is nowhere as bad, even on summer Saturdays, as it gets for those using the Route 168 to 158 route up further north to get onto the Outer Banks.  Going south from Nags Head on Route 12S takes you to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and then on further south to the southern beaches.

Southern Shores

Southern Shores is the town just north of Kitty Hawk, above KDH and Nags Head.  The island through here is fairly narrow along 12N, although there is a lovely residential area between 12N and the sound.  Southern Shores is a mostly quiet residential beachfront community. Be aware, as stated earlier, that 12N going through Southern Shores gets very congested on summer Saturdays.  The beaches at Southern Shores are accessible through public access walkways for those not staying right on the beachfront; however, there is no public parking for beach access use in Southern Shores.  Also, parking is not allowed on any street in Southern Shores.

I really recommend checking out Duck Donuts next time you’re in Duck.

Duck

Duck is the next town going north past Southern Shores. In my humble opinion, Duck is the nicest beach town of them all.  The village of Duck has a lovely 11 acre Town Park with a public green, playground, trails, picnic areas, and amphitheater for outdoor gatherings.  The park offers weekly summer activities including free music concerts one night a week, often daily yoga or an exercise activity in the early am, along with some weekly children’s activities.  The town’s boardwalk is a bit over a mile long on the Currituck Sound with access to the town park and the many shops and places to eat along the sound front. Don’t forget to stop and get your donut from Duck Donuts just off the boardwalk.   Also, there are several good places to shop, either along the boardwalk or just across the street under the many shaded outdoor shopping areas. Duck has a great selection of restaurants and shops. It offers a good selection of rentals from condos, timeshares, resort hotels, and homes.  Many places to rent between 12N and the beach can be expensive, but some timeshare or condos may offer reasonable availability. Plan ahead to snag those places. Duck has a great beach - wide enough to walk on even when the tide is in. There are lifeguards on the beach during the daylight hours. The further north you go on the Duck beach, the fewer people there are to share the beach with you.  Duck does not offer any public beach access. But if you stay in Duck, your place will offer beach access. There is a shared public pedestrian and bike-way that extends along 12N from Southern Shores through Duck up to Corolla.

Driving on the beach just north of Corolla can be a lot of fun.

Corolla

Corolla is an old village, but is the most recently developed northern beach town.  It is centered around a fishing village core, but has spread out along the beach and 12N in recent years.  Corolla offers a beautiful wide beach in most places, eight public access beach parking lots, and lots of different types of places to rent.  Corolla also has a fun real grass miniature golf course, a community pool area with gym access, a shopping center, movie theater, and some good restaurants scattered throughout the area.  The wonderful old Whalehead Club sits beside a golf course. The Whalehead Club offers public wine tastings most Wednesday summer afternoons, public building tours, and other programing. Once you get north past Corolla and into Carova, there are the wild horses to see.  People are not allowed to get too close to the horses, but there are several companies which provide good tours to see the wild horses. Close to Corolla village is the red brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse which offers climbers (220 steps) panoramic views of the village and beaches from its top.