People stay at our charming Outer Banks rentals for more than just one reason. They know that our Outer Banks rentals are beautiful, luxurious and packed with all the amenities that you’d need for a vacation home away from home. However, visitors also choose to rent from us because of the fantastic location! Whether you’re looking for a place to bring the entire family, the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, or a weekender spot for friends to reunite, the Outer Banks is a favorite vacation haven for people across the nation and all over the world.
There are many reasons why visitors and residents fall in love with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. For example, most people who come here already know about the natural beauty of Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head or the historic Lost Colony in Manteo. They also know that they should visit the grandiose Cape Hatteras lighthouse and take the time to witness the wild freedom of the horses in Corolla. However, there are tons of places that aren’t as well known—places that tourists might not know about! Luckily for you, we’re going to share some of these hidden gems with you. What are some of the Outer Banks “hidden treasures” that visitors should check out while staying in their Outer Banks rentals?
The Island Farm in Manteo Visit a living history site that interprets daily life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s and spend the day immersed in the island’s rich history. There you can find the Etheridge farmstead, which is the oldest period restoration of a house on Roanoke Island. There are almost a dozen buildings to explore, such as the farmhouse, a reconstructed slave cabin, outhouse, cookhouse, smokehouse, dairy, barns, chicken coop, blacksmith shop and more. Kids will be delighted to see the chickens that roam freely on the grounds, as well as the sheep, ponies, an ox and a cow.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Maritime Museum At this Hatteras museum, come find out why the coasts of the Outer Banks have been nicknamed “The Graveyard of the Atlantic.” The museum is one of the finest, most innovative maritime facilities in the nation. Stop by to hear the chilling stories of the several historical shipwrecks that have dotted our coasts, and try to solve the mystery of the Ghost Ship of Diamond Shoals.
Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve– Because these woods are shielded from ocean winds by the sandy dunes, the Nags Head Woods feature a diversity of plant and animal life that is quite unusual to find on a barrier island. Bird lovers will be amazed that over 100 species of birds have been seen in these woods, and nature lovers will appreciate the grandeur of the oaks, hickories and beech trees; some of which are hundreds of years old. Keep your eyes out for 15 species of amphibians and 28 species of reptiles. Make sure that you don’t leave your camera behind at one of our Outer banks rentals- you’ll want to capture every detail of this outing.
North Carolina Roanoke Island Aquarium Tucked away in small town Manteo is the Roanoke Island Aquarium which boasts the largest collection of sharks in the state! Bring along the whole family and spend the entire day interacting with scuba divers, touching an alligator and feeding the sting rays. There’s always something new to see and do here, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit ahead of time before staying at one of our Outer Banks rentals.
It’s always a treat to happen upon one of the less-popular locales or hidden spots of the Outer Banks. There are many more treasured spots left for you to discover while staying in one of our Outer Banks rentals. A good way to find out about other hidden gems is to keep posted on our blog often and we’ll update you with the locals’ favorite (and secret!) places as well as other fun activities in the OBX that you may not have heard about yet. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding things to do while staying in one of our spacious Outer Banks rentals—that is, unless you’re simply having trouble deciding which ones to pick!