Historic Things to Do in the Outer Banks
Powered flight, the first English colony in America, and more than a thousand shipwrecks: for a thin strip of sand, the Outer Banks carries a remarkable amount of history, and nearly all of it is still standing where it happened.
Written and reviewed by Isaiah Burch · Last verified July 2026 · Hours and prices change — always confirm on the operator's official site linked with each listing.
First flight and the Wright brothers
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Walk the marked takeoff line and the four flight distances from December 17, 1903, tour the reconstructed camp buildings, and climb Big Kill Devil Hill to the granite monument. Check the National Park Service site for current admission.
The Outer Banks lighthouses
Four lighthouses stand along the islands, each with a different daymark pattern so mariners could tell them apart. Climbing seasons and ticketing change year to year — always confirm on the official site before driving down.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
The northernmost light, left in bare red brick, in Historic Corolla Village next to the Whalehead club and heritage park.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Just south of Whalebone Junction, with a free marsh boardwalk and a keeper's quarters exhibit. Climbing tickets are limited and sell out in summer.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
The tallest brick lighthouse in America, moved 2,900 feet inland in 1999 to escape the surf. Restoration work has affected climbing access in recent seasons — check before you go.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
Built in 1823 and the oldest operating light in North Carolina. You cannot climb it, but the grounds and the short walk from the village are open daily.
Roanoke Island and the Lost Colony
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
The site of the 1585–1587 English settlements whose colonists vanished. Free grounds, a visitor center and the Thomas Hariot nature trail down to the sound.
The Lost Colony outdoor drama
America's longest-running outdoor symphonic drama, staged at the Waterside Theatre since 1937. Bring bug spray and a light layer; the sound breeze cools off fast after dark.
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Board the Elizabeth II ship replica, watch blacksmithing and rope-making demonstrations, and see the Legends of the Sound film in the indoor museum.
Shipwrecks and the Graveyard of the Atlantic
Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras has claimed more than a thousand vessels, from colonial merchantmen to WWII tankers torpedoed within sight of the beach. Several wrecks are still visible from shore at low tide, and the free museum in Hatteras Village tells the whole story.
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
Artifacts, U-boat history and dive footage beside the Ocracoke ferry docks. The best single hour of history on Hatteras Island.
Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
The most complete surviving life-saving station complex in the country, with summer reenactments of the breeches-buoy rescue drill.
Frequently asked questions
Which Outer Banks lighthouses can you climb?
Currituck Beach in Corolla and Bodie Island near Nags Head are typically open for climbing in season. Cape Hatteras climbing access depends on ongoing restoration work, and Ocracoke Lighthouse has never been open to the public. Confirm on the official site before you drive.
What happened to the Lost Colony?
The 1587 English colony on Roanoke Island had disappeared when a supply ship returned in 1590, leaving only the word CROATOAN carved into a post. No conclusive evidence has ever settled what became of the colonists; Fort Raleigh National Historic Site interprets the leading theories.
Can you see shipwrecks on the Outer Banks beaches?
Yes. Wreck remains surface periodically at Corolla, Nags Head and along Hatteras Island, most visibly at low tide after storms. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum tracks which wrecks are currently exposed.
Keep planning your Outer Banks trip
See the Outer Banks from the air
Scenic flights from Manteo are available in several route lengths, from short introductory flights to longer coastline tours, putting the lighthouses, shoals and wild-horse beaches in one view. OBX Helicopters is operated by Coastal Helicopters Inc., which also owns this site.
Book an Outer Banks helicopter tour