The Outer Banks of North Carolina are one of the premier vacation spots on the east coast.  They are essentially a series of barrier islands that jut out into the Atlantic Ocean. Route 12 runs through most of the islands. There are bridges over some of the inlets although you will have to take a ferry between Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island and again from Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island. Plan ahead regarding the Ferry availability.

A few years ago, the northern end of the Outer Banks has experienced a great deal of growth leading to a boom in the Real Estate Industry. Large, expensive homes are popping up. If you travel a little further south, you find pristine, natural beaches with absolutely no development or housing at all.

Attractions - The Outer Banks are great for water sports, swimming and fishing. There is also a hang gliding center on one of the larger sand dunes. This is near the location where Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first powered, controlled, manned  flight in December of 1901 at Kitty Hawk. The Outer Banks is a family oriented destination.

Accommodations - There are a number of Hotels and Motels in the Outer Banks. You can also find weekly or seasonal vacation home rentals ranging from a modest home to a palatial mansion. There is a small community north of Currituck that is only accessable by four wheel drive on the beach.

Getting there - Most of the visitors to the Outer Banks come by private auto.  There are no rail lines servicing the Outer Banks. If you are coming by boat, make sure you make arrangements beforehand as tra nsient slips are somewhat limited.  There are several smaller airfields mostly for private aircraft including