Joe Lamb Realty's OBX Beach Blog - Outer Banks, NC
OBX Blog by Joe Lamb Realty
Top 6 Fun, Historical Places on the OBX - #5
#5 - Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
Maritime history buffs will not want to miss the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island. Built in 1874 as a lifesaving station for the U.S. Life-Saving Service
(later the U.S. Coast Guard), the station was manned until 1954. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Historic Albemarle Tour, the station is most famous for the dramatic rescue of the British tanker, the S.S. Mirlo, in 1918. The station is open from mid-April through November, with activities, reenactments and tours given on a regular basis. Every weekday throughout ...<< MORE >>
Maritime history buffs will not want to miss the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island. Built in 1874 as a lifesaving station for the U.S. Life-Saving Service
(later the U.S. Coast Guard), the station was manned until 1954. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Historic Albemarle Tour, the station is most famous for the dramatic rescue of the British tanker, the S.S. Mirlo, in 1918. The station is open from mid-April through November, with activities, reenactments and tours given on a regular basis. Every weekday throughout ...<< MORE >>
Top 6 Fun Historical Places to Visit on the OBX - #4
#4 - Take a Tour of the Area's Lighthouses
Some of the Outer Banks' most renowned landmarks are its lighthouses. Currituck Beach Light with it's red brick, Bodie Island Light with its horizontal stripes, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse with its candy-cane black and whites, and Ocracoke Lighthouse in its austere white... they're beloved by the locals and visitors alike. All lighthouses are still functional; in fact, Ocracoke Light is the oldest working lighthouse in North Carolina. Only the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are currently open for climbing, though you may visit the grounds of the other ...<< MORE >>
Some of the Outer Banks' most renowned landmarks are its lighthouses. Currituck Beach Light with it's red brick, Bodie Island Light with its horizontal stripes, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse with its candy-cane black and whites, and Ocracoke Lighthouse in its austere white... they're beloved by the locals and visitors alike. All lighthouses are still functional; in fact, Ocracoke Light is the oldest working lighthouse in North Carolina. Only the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are currently open for climbing, though you may visit the grounds of the other ...<< MORE >>
Top 6 Fun Historical Places to Visit on the OBX - #3
#3 - The Whalehead Club
Back in the 1920s, wealthy northern businessman Edward Collings Knight, Jr. and his wife built a mansion in Corolla that is today known as the Whalehead Club. Never in the years before or since has the Outer Banks seen such opulence in a home. Over the years, the mansion has had many incarnations... as a private residence, a hunt club for the wealthy, a private boys' school, and at different times it was used by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the ...<< MORE >>
Top 6 Fun Historical Places to Visit on the OBX - #2
#2 - Visit the Elizabeth II in Manteo
While I'm on the subject of The Lost Colony, another fun, kid-friendly historical site to visit is the Elizabeth II in the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. The Elizabeth II is a replica of a 16th century sailing vessel, named after the Elizabeth ship that sailed to the New World in 1587. Learn about what life was like for the earliest settlers as they made the treacherous journey across the Atlantic Ocean more than 400 years ago. Costumed ...<< MORE >>
Top 6 Fun Historical Places to Visit on the OBX - #1
I love lists... whether it's for grocery shopping or tasks I want to accomplish in the day, I enjoy putting words down on paper (or on the computer screen) to organize my own little world. I had friends in town on vacation a few weeks ago, and I made them a list of sights to see and fun places to go. I realized that the Beach Blog could use a little bit of this insider knowledge, so I'm passing it on to you! As for this list of Fun, Historical Places to Visit on the OBX, these are simply places I enjoy that I think others would, too. If I'm forgetting something, PLEASE chime in! So here goes...
# 1 - The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama
If you passed sixth grade history, then you've heard of The Lost Colony. They were the first group of English settlers who came to America in 1587. This brave bunch of 120 men, women and children set up camp right here on Roanoke Island. Running low on supplies, they sent John White back to England. When he returned 3 years later, the whole colony had vanished. Only one clue remained, the word "Croatoan" etched into a tree.
Since 1937, The Lost Colony outdoor drama has been retelling the mysterious tale to audiences on the very ground where the settlers once lived. This amazing show that includes elements of music, dance and drama, is performed Mondays - Saturdays at 8PM at the Waterside Theater in Manteo from May 29 - August 20. For information, visit www.thelostcolony.org.
I've seen the show twice, and have been absolutely amazed by the story, the dancing and the fabulous costumes. It's a great way to spend an evening under the stars. One word of advice... bring mosquito repellent.
# 1 - The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama
If you passed sixth grade history, then you've heard of The Lost Colony. They were the first group of English settlers who came to America in 1587. This brave bunch of 120 men, women and children set up camp right here on Roanoke Island. Running low on supplies, they sent John White back to England. When he returned 3 years later, the whole colony had vanished. Only one clue remained, the word "Croatoan" etched into a tree.
Since 1937, The Lost Colony outdoor drama has been retelling the mysterious tale to audiences on the very ground where the settlers once lived. This amazing show that includes elements of music, dance and drama, is performed Mondays - Saturdays at 8PM at the Waterside Theater in Manteo from May 29 - August 20. For information, visit www.thelostcolony.org.
I've seen the show twice, and have been absolutely amazed by the story, the dancing and the fabulous costumes. It's a great way to spend an evening under the stars. One word of advice... bring mosquito repellent.
Fourth of July Festivities
If you happen to be in town to celebrate Independence Day on the Outer Banks, then you're in luck! There are tons of fun, family-friendly and FREE things to do and see over the weekend... and of course fireworks! Here's a brief rundown of events, parades and firework displays:
July 3, Town of Duck Annual Parade - Take note, the parade is actually on July 3, so as not to conflict with the traffic over the weekend. The one mile parade route starts at Scarborough Lane, down Ocean Way and onto Christopher Drive. It begins at 9 am and ...<< MORE >>
July 3, Town of Duck Annual Parade - Take note, the parade is actually on July 3, so as not to conflict with the traffic over the weekend. The one mile parade route starts at Scarborough Lane, down Ocean Way and onto Christopher Drive. It begins at 9 am and ...<< MORE >>
Take a Guided Hike Through Nags Head Woods
One of the most unusual outdoor places to visit on the Outer Banks is the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve. I've blogged about it before, and you can find more information on the park at www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/northcarolina/preserves/art5618.html. The 1,000 plus acres of forested dunes, active dunes, marshes, ponds and wetlands is home to a wide array of plant and animal life. You can take a walk through the preserve's trails on your own, or you can sign up for a guided two-mile hike with the Nature Conservancy. The guided hikes are available on Tuesday mornings from now until ...<< MORE >>
Don't Forget to Stop at the Farmer's Markets!
If you're like a lot of vacationers, you probably speed right on through Currituck on your way to the beach. You've probably never stepped foot outside of the car on this lush farmland, unless you just crossed the border from Virginia and filled up your tank at Southland. And I must admit, in the fall and winter if I drive through Currituck I rarely take notice of my surroundings. But the spring and summer are completely different. With flowers in bloom, bees a-buzzin', and the sun a-shinin', this is a farming paradise! This is the time of year ...<< MORE >>
Free Kid's Classes in Southern Shores
I just got the word that Barr-ee 2 (that's the Barr-ee Station Clothing Store in Southern Shores, NOT the one in the Waterfront Shops in Duck) will be holding FREE classes for kids this summer. Every Wednesday evening from June 13 - August 19, Barr-ee 2 will feature a different kid-friendly class, with themes ranging from "Food Art" to "Make Your Own Mobile Out of Shells". The classes will cater to kids from the toddler group on up to the teens. This is a great FREE activity for the kids, while moms and dads get to shop! For ...<< MORE >>
Delbert McClinton Concert This Friday
I have to hand it to the Roanoke Island Festival Park... they've really been pulling in some big-name headliners lately. Last Friday Darius Rucker (of Hootie and the Blowfish fame) graced the stage in Manteo. I was at the Daredevils game and missed his concert, but heard it was a real crowd-pleaser. And this Friday, June 5th, Grammy Winner Delbert McClinton will perform at the Festival Park. McClinton's music career spans the decades and genres (a little rock, a little country and a little blues), and he's collaborated with artists like Emmylou ...<< MORE >>