Activities in Nags Head in North Carolina

On North Carolina license plates, the legend reads "First in Flight." When you visit Nags Head, you can head right over to Kitty Hawk and see where Orville and Wilbur Wright carried out the first flights. Wright Brothers National Memorial provides visitors with the opportunity to see full-scale replicas of the planes the Wright brothers flew in the early 1900s. There are also educational films and a memorial statue on the beaches of Kill Devil Hills.

One of the oldest lighthouses in North America, the Bodie Island lighthouse is a popular attraction for those visiting Nags Head. It has a rich history, being that the lighthouse currently standing was actually the third lighthouse to be built in that location. The first one was built in 1847, and was rebuilt in the late 1850s, only to be destroyed during the Civil War. While the lighthouse itself is not open for climbing, the keeper's quarters offer tours and there are nature tours of the surrounding area.

Nags Head hosts the tallest natural sand dune along the East Coast of the United States. Jockey's Ridge is actually composed of five dunes that constantly change their shape and size. Hikers, hang gliders and nature walkers can all find a day of delights at Jockey's Ridge.

Kitty Hawk Woods is one of the more unique areas of North Carolina and a must see for the outdoorsy vacationer. Combining a forest, a swamp, and a marsh, this nearly 2000-acre woodland is home to an extraordinarily diverse set of wildlife. It owes its diversity to the strange amalgamation of habitats that make up its existence. Hiking trails with labeled signs for education are available during the day.