Ocracoke Island offers vacationing families a desirable destination, complete with beaches, calm sound waters, fascinating attractions and a walkable village. It only makes sense that the things to do in Ocracoke also appeal to a number of different ages as well as a wide variety of interests. The island’s attractions present information in an interactive and approachable way. Take a trip to see island’s colonial ponies at play. Familiarize yourself with the island’s historic sites during a guided evening ghost and history walk. There’s no movie theater in Ocracoke, but families stay entertained with local musicians’ concerts, performances at the theater and trips to escape rooms.
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Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history and cultural heritage and to protecting its environment. Housed in the turn-of-the-century home of Coast Guard Capt. David Williams, the museum lets visitors glimpse island life in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the architectural elements are intact, and a bedroom, living room and kitchen are decorated with period furnishings donated by island families. The museum has photographs, artifacts and exhibits that pertain to island life and culture. A favorite is a video on the Ocracoke brogue. The museum also houses special rotating exhibits and a gift shop. Upstairs is a small research library that can be used by appointment. In the yard of the museum you can find outdoor exhibits including an old-style cistern and the traditional fishing boat, Blanche, circa 1934. During the summer, OPS hosts free porch talks and museum tours with a variety of islanders sharing their knowledge, stories and history. The museum also offers a mid-week Create-a-Craft program for kids. This interactive program is fun and informative and the children leave with a handmade island souvenir. Stop at the OPS gift shop for a schedule of these events. It’s free to visit the museum, though donations are encouraged. It’s open from the end of March through the first week of December.
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history and cultural heritage and to protecting its environment. Housed in the turn-of-the-century home of Coast Guard Capt. David Williams, the museum lets visitors glimpse island life in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the architectural elements are intact, and a bedroom, living room and...read more
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Community Square, 270 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
794 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
819 Ocean Trail, Monterey Plaza, Corolla
1216 Duck Road, Wee Winks Square, Duck
3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5, Jockey's Ridge Crossing, Nags Head
307 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
24502 N.C. Highway 12, Waves Village, Rodanthe
39432 N.C. Highway 12, Island Shops, Avon
58848 Hatteras Landing, Hatteras Landing, Hatteras
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With more than 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as flags, toys, boomerangs and games. You’ll find a wide selection of beach sportswear and footwear from Crocs, Olukai, Chaco, Hey Dude, Southern Fried and Life is Good apparel, t-shirts, sweatshirts, outdoor clothing, sunglasses and more. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers a number of adventure activities including hang gliding, kayak and SUP tours, lessons and rentals, dolphin tours, tours to and of various Outer Banks locations, parasailing, Jet Skis, fishing tournaments and more. At Kitty Hawk Kites' Waves Village Watersports Resort in Rodanthe, you can learn kiteboarding; buy and rent kiteboarding gear; rent a kayak, surfboard or standup paddleboard or climb the adventure tower/ropes course. Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School at Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head offers private lessons, beginner lessons, advanced lessons and training packages for hang gliding, as well as retail merchandise and sand boards available for rent. Call (252) 441-2426 for information.
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With more than 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies...read more
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With more than...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich the Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community. Through fundraising and donations, this group supports the musical, educational and artistic vein of the Ocracoke community by organizing and sponsoring multiple events throughout the year, including the annual Ocrafolk Festival, Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat, Festival Latino de Ocracoke and community plays and school programs.
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich the Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community. Through fundraising and donations, this group supports the musical, educational and artistic vein of the Ocracoke community by organizing and sponsoring multiple events throughout the year, including the annual Ocrafolk Festival, Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat, Festival Latino de Ocracoke and community plays and school programs.read more
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich the Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Deepwater Theater and Music Hall on School Road is the headquarters for Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit organization that sponsors cultural and artistic activities and festivals. Ocracoke Alive offers summertime shows in this indoor, air-conditioned performance hall. Season 3: A Dingbatter's Guide to Ocracoke plays Wednesdays, and Ocracoke's internationally renowned folk band, Molasses Creek, plays Thursdays. Detailed schedules and information about other special events are posted online, at the entrance to the theater and around the village. Ticket prices are around $15 to $20 for adults and $7 to $10 for children. Group, family and senior discounts are available. Credit cards are accepted. Advance reservations are recommended through the website or by calling. Visit Ocracoke Alive's shop at the Deepwater Theater during afternoon open hours to find out more about community events.
Deepwater Theater and Music Hall on School Road is the headquarters for Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit organization that sponsors cultural and artistic activities and festivals. Ocracoke Alive offers summertime shows in this indoor, air-conditioned performance hall. Season 3: A Dingbatter's Guide to Ocracoke plays Wednesdays, and Ocracoke's internationally renowned folk band, Molasses Creek, plays Thursdays. Detailed schedules and information about other special events are posted online, at the entrance...read more
Deepwater Theater and Music Hall on School Road is the headquarters for Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history and cultural heritage and to protecting its environment. Housed in the turn-of-the-century home of Coast Guard Capt. David Williams, the museum lets visitors glimpse island life in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the architectural elements are intact, and a bedroom, living room and kitchen are decorated with period furnishings donated by island families. The museum has photographs, artifacts and exhibits that pertain to island life and culture. A favorite is a video on the Ocracoke brogue. The museum also houses special rotating exhibits and a gift shop. Upstairs is a small research library that can be used by appointment. In the yard of the museum you can find outdoor exhibits including an old-style cistern and the traditional fishing boat, Blanche, circa 1934. During the summer, OPS hosts free porch talks and museum tours with a variety of islanders sharing their knowledge, stories and history. The museum also offers a mid-week Create-a-Craft program for kids. This interactive program is fun and informative and the children leave with a handmade island souvenir. Stop at the OPS gift shop for a schedule of these events. It’s free to visit the museum, though donations are encouraged. It’s open from the end of March through the first week of December.
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history and cultural heritage and to protecting its environment. Housed in the turn-of-the-century home of Coast Guard Capt. David Williams, the museum lets visitors glimpse island life in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the architectural elements are intact, and a bedroom, living room and...read more
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
When you are driving to the village from the lifeguard beach, look for a large black granite marker on the right side of N.C. Highway 12 just before you reach the village boundary. Behind the marker, up past the dunes is an area of the island called Loop Shack Hill, the site of a little known WWII U.S. Navy project called the Beach Jumpers. This...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Ocracoke’s beach has attracted increasing national attention as it worked its way up Dr. Beach’s acclaimed list of Best Beaches; he even named it America's #1 beach in 2007. The beach is wide and clean and there are plenty of spots where, with a little effort, you can enjoy it undisturbed by others. The ocean reaches high temperatures of 85 degrees F in the summer...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
This exhibit highlights 300 years of Blackbeard history. It features weapons, old bottles, original art, medical equipment and handcrafted models of Blackbeard’s ships, Queen Anne’s Revenge and Adventure. The exhibit has been delighting visitors of all ages for more than 25 years. Take time to browse and enjoy the history, then shop for a pirate souvenir to take back home. Located across from the Variety Store, Teach's...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
On May 11, 1942, about 40 miles south of Ocracoke, a German submarine torpedoed and sank the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. The 170-foot ship was one of 24 antisubmarine ships loaned to the United States by Winston Churchill. The entire crew of four officers and 33 crewmen drowned. U.S. Coast Guard officers found four of the bodies washed ashore three days later. The soldiers were...read more
The first national seashore in the country, Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches more than 70 miles along parts of three islands: Bodie Island (just south of Nags Head), Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. It is a place for recreation, immersion in nature and inspiration for humans as well as a safe haven for a variety of wildlife. The beautiful barrier island environment is a place...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Coast and Go rents electric bicycles on Ocracoke Island. The fat-tire e-bikes are perfect for exploring the island and can be rented by the hour or day. Rentals include a helmet and lock.read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Just across from the National Park Service’s Ocracoke Campground, Hammock Hills Nature Trail is a 3/4-mile trail through the island’s maritime forest and salt marsh. It’s a great trail for nature lovers and bird watchers, and there are informative signposts along the way. The hike takes about 30 minutes. Parking is available for several cars, or one can walk or bike there on the paved...read more
For a free boat ride, take the 70-minute ferry trip between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. To get to Ocracoke from Hatteras, drive onto the ferry at the south end of Hatteras Island. You’ll cross Hatteras Inlet and end up on the absolutely charming island of Ocracoke, where you’ll definitely want to spend a few hours or a whole day exploring the village shops, restaurants and...read more
