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.
Featured for Your Visit
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 with a variety of islanders sharing their knowledge, stories and history. The museum also offers a mid-week Kids Kraft 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
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Ocracoke Alive is a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the Ocracoke Island community by encouraging and sponsoring cultural, artistic, educational and environmental activities, including plays, musical events, festivals, and student and community programming. Featured events include the annual Ocrafolk Festival, an Earth Day Celebration, the Heritage Festival and summer concerts at Deepwater Theater.
Ocracoke Alive is a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the Ocracoke Island community by encouraging and sponsoring cultural, artistic, educational and environmental activities, including plays, musical events, festivals, and student and community programming. Featured events include the annual Ocrafolk Festival, an Earth Day Celebration, the Heritage Festival and summer concerts at Deepwater Theater.read more
Ocracoke Alive is a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the Ocracoke Island community by encouraging and...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 with a variety of islanders sharing their knowledge, stories and history. The museum also offers a mid-week Kids Kraft 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 on Dr. Beach’s acclaimed annual list of 10 Best Beaches in the USA; he named Ocracoke's Lifeguard Beach (formally called Ocracoke Beach Access) as America's #1 beach in 2007 and 2022. The beach is wide and clean and there are plenty of spots where, with a little effort, you can enjoy it undisturbed by...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Beach Outfitters rents bikes, beach equipment, cottage needs, baby gear and other convenience items too cumbersome to pack. Their bikes come in three different sizes and are available hourly, daily or weekly. Beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, high chairs, cribs, charcoal grills, clam rakes, coolers and steamer pots are just some of the other items available. Free delivery and pick-up is available for all orders more...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 golf-carts and all-electric, fat-tire bikes on Ocracoke Island. Their e-bikes are a fun, efficient and eco-friendly way to tour the island. Golf carts and e-bikes rent by the hour, day or week; call for rates and to make reservations. 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
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
This marker is a little hard to find, but it’s worth seeking out. It’s on a grassy patch behind the National Park Service Visitor Center and next to the boat ramp. Park the car and walk out to the sound and you’ll see it. The marker commemorates Fort Ocracoke, the remnants of which lie submerged in Ocracoke Inlet toward Portsmouth Island. The fort was constructed...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Family operated by native islanders possibly descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are sure to entertain and educate. The tours explore either the Around Creek or Down Point areas of the island, leaving from the Village Craftsmen store on Howard Street at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday nights. Cost is $20 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Space is limited, and online reservations are required.
Family operated by native islanders possibly descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are sure to entertain and educate. The tours explore either the Around Creek or Down Point areas of the island, leaving from the Village Craftsmen store on Howard Street at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday nights. Cost is $20 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 12 and...read more
Family operated by native islanders possibly descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
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, including Wednesday night Ocrafolk Opry performances as well as a few guest concerts. When you're strolling or biking around town, check out Ocracoke Alive's bulletin board outside the Deepwater Theater to find out more about possible 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, including Wednesday night Ocrafolk Opry performances as well as a few guest concerts. When you're strolling or biking around town, check out Ocracoke Alive's bulletin board outside the Deepwater Theater to...read more
Deepwater Theater and Music Hall on School Road is the headquarters for Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit...read more
