Tag Archives: NC Highway 12

06/15/11

Outer Banks Makes Coastal Living’s List For Best Coastal Bike Trails

Coastal Living just released its list of best coastal bike trails on its website. It came as no surprise to us that the Outer Banks made the list. Hatteras Island is known for its abundance of recreational activities, including a favorite past time for young and old – riding bikes.

For distance cyclists, there’s no better route than right along NC Highway 12. With a bike lane that extends for 55 miles, and a flat, even route throughout the entire stretch, (aka, no hills), Highway 12 attracts cyclists from all over the world who want to go the distance and enjoy some amazing scenery along the way.

Looking for a more leisurely ride? Explore the trails along the Pamlico Sound and maritime forests. For example, the National Park Service grounds around the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse offers a multitude of trails, or the Salvo Day Use Area has small paved unused roads winding along the sound. Many communities, like Wind Over Waves and Hatteras Colony in Salvo and Avon, are also perfect for bicyclists, with winding roads and little traffic. Kinnakeet in Avon and Hatteras Village are especially nice for bicycle rides with historic houses and scenic architecture and island historical spots.

If you didn’t bring your bikes with you on your vacation you can always rent them! Ocean Atlantic Rentals offers bike rentals, as well as rentals for just about all of your beach needs, and they offer delivery service! Visit them online at www.oceanatlanticrentals.com, or call their Hatteras store at (252) 995-5868.

10/19/09

Outer Banks Scenic Byway Receives National Designation

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway received national status on Friday as one of America’s Byways®, placing NC Highway 12 on the map, so to speak, for its fascinating coastal heritage and unique natural landscapes, making the leg of the historic two-lane highway from Nags Head, NC to Down East a perfect autumn drive for exploring the beauty of the barrier islands and connecting with the coastal communities that set the destination apart. Continue reading →

09/22/08

“Nights in Rodanthe” From Hatteras to Hollywood

Outer Banks residents will be among the first to see the new Richard Gere and Diane Lane movie, “Nights in Rodanthe”, with a special pre-screening 2 days after the premier in New York City, and 2 days before the movie is scheduled to hit theaters nationwide and in Canada.
Based on the book by Nicholas Sparks, Nights in Rodanthe was filmed partly in Rodanthe at “Serendipity,” the most northern oceanfront home on Hatteras Island, and the location of the fictional inn that is the main setting of the book and movie. Locals and frequent visitors who have seen the early previews have been pleasantly surprised to see locales they know well, like the long stretch of NC Highway 12 in between the Bonner Bridge and Rodanthe, and glimpses of the Rodanthe Pier. Continue reading →

09/1/08

Eastern Surfing Championships on Hatteras Island

The Eastern Surfing Championships (ESAs) will be September 21 – September 27, with September 28 as a back-up day. The ESAs, which typically determine the contenders for the USA championship, are held in Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks of North Carolina every fall, as the excellent surfing conditions are considered the best on the East Coast, attracting surfers from all over the world. Continue reading →

08/19/08

Hitting the Hatteras Island Bike Trails

In the summer, it seems like every other vehicle on NC Highway 12 has a bike rack strapped to the back, and there’s a good reason for this phenomenon. With a collection of smaller neighborhoods, paths, flat beaches, and miles of scenic highway, Hatteras Island can be a biker’s dream.
New to the local cycle scene? Exploring is an easy way to find the best routes, but there are a few scenic spots up and down the island that are ideal for long, easy bike rides.

Continue reading →

08/12/08

Hatteras Island Sports

From kayaking to kiteboarding, the island was made for those who just can’t stay out of the wind or water. It’s no wonder that thousands of people flock to the island from all over the world for its exceptional weather and water conditions, both on and off the beaches.
New to the island sporting scene? Then pick a sport, grab some gear, and get ready for a little exercise. Remember that equipment and lessons are available up and down the island at renowned local surf and sport shops, like Kitty Hawk Kites, REAL Kiteboarding, Avon Surf Shop, and Hatteras Island Board Sports. Call before you arrive to reserve a lesson or equipment rental, or simply stop by for information once you’re on the island. Continue reading →

08/10/08

Hatteras Island Attractions

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

One of the most famous and recognizable in the world because of its black and white candy cane stripes, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a definite “must see” on every Hatteras Island vacation.
The lighthouse is located in Buxton and is open for climbing in the summer season for a small fee. At 208 feet, the steep narrow climb is not for the faint of heart. There is also a visitor’s center and gift shop, nearby nature trails, and a wooded picnic area.

A Day Trip to Ocracoke

Ocracoke Island is south of Hatteras Island and is accessed from Hatteras Village by a free ferry that leaves Hatteras Landing. The ferries depart hourly from 5 a.m. until midnight, and every half hour on heavy traffic days. Call (252) 986-2353 for more information on the Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry.
The village of Ocracoke is a small community, just 4 square miles in diameter. The Ocracoke lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse still in operation in America. You can park and stroll around the locally owned shops and restaurants and catch a sparkling sunset over Silver Lake Harbor. Continue reading →

08/8/08

The Villages of Hatteras Island

Everyone knows Hatteras Island can be categorized as its own little world, but the seven villages that are tucked in amongst the 70 miles of seashore are unique and different in their own right. When planning a Hatteras Island vacation with Surf or Sound Realty, it’s all about location, and your first step should be selecting the island village that’s perfect for your family. Here’s an insider’s look at the different Hatteras Island villages to help you make your vacation decision.

Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo: While there are no spaces in between or signs to mark the distinction, the first “town” you encounter after the Bonner Bridge is actually a trio of villages. Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo are closest to the activity and attractions in the Northern beaches just 20 miles to the North, but are secluded, quiet, and a stark contrast to the bustle of the Northern Outer Banks. Here, you’ll find miles of private beaches, small stores and restaurants, and close access to the Pea Island National Wildlife refuge, a bird watcher’s paradise. Continue reading →