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2025 Educational Activities Guide

Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. After the tour, you are directed to one of the best shelling beaches in all of North Carolina, where you can spend some time shelling your way down the beach with Cape Lookout Lighthouse off in the distance. Shackleford is well known as one of the...

The Northern Outer Banks

Discover Historic Corolla Park With its wide open green spaces and scenic views, Historic Corolla Park is the heart of Corolla in Northeastern North Carolina. It's a great place to take in a seasonal event or simply take a walk, and is home to three unique landmarks—The Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Whalehead in Historic Corolla ,the Currituck Maritime Museum and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. Outdoor activities such as fishing, crabbing and kayaking the Currituck Sound are...

Captain Johnny's Dolphin Tours

Join Captain Stuart Wescott aboard The Captain Johnny boat for a Guaranteed Dolphin Watch cruise in protected waters off the Outer Banks, NC. This two hour cruise is ideal for all ages. Enjoy breathtaking views as you listen to a factual narration on the bottlenose dolphin, a type of dolphin found along the Atlantic coast. Dolphin mating and birthing can be observed on many cruises. 

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises is a 100 ft. custom yacht that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of Beaufort, the Crystal Coast Lady is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region’s vast array of wildlife...

Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown Morehead City along Evans Street, patrons who utilize Morehead City Ferry Service for a cruise or a taxi ride to the outlying barrier islands will be treated to full afternoons of sun and fun along the pristine sand.

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and...

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

We are The Corolla Wild Horse Fund the non-profit 501 (c) (3) charity responsible for the care and protection of the wild Banker horses roaming the northernmost beaches of the Outer Banks. Join us in the summer season, every Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our farm, in Grandy, on the mainland. Please check our website for current Mustang Mornings dates and details. Meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care on a self-guided walking tour where you can spend time with...

Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports

Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports beautiful location and top-of-the-line equipment, together with a friendly and professional staff make it one of the premier water sports centers on the Outer Banks. Nor'Banks' sound front location has a huge grassy lawn, restrooms, showers, a 200 foot pier and plenty of room for you to spend the day. Since 1979 Nor'Banks has been one of the finest sailing operations on the East Coast offering Flying Scots, Hobie Cats and quality private sailing instruction...

Corolla Wild Horse Tours

Corolla Wild Horse Tours knowledgeable guides will ensure you and your family have a great wild horse tour! Along the way the guides will stop and point out interesting sites and local history and details of the Corolla Wild Horses history. Be sure to ask them lots of questions and keep them honest! Call or book today and come see our living history!

Kitty Hawk Surf Co.

Experience more adventure, fun, and style with Kitty Hawk Surf Company. As the trusted Outer Banks retailer for all top surf and lifestyle brands, including, Hurley, Billabong, RVCA, The North Face, Patagonia, Salt Life, Salty Crew, Volcom, O’Neill, Roxy, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Hobie, Catch Surf, Under Armour, Reef, Rainbow and more, you will always find the latest fashions and trends available in store. Our unmatched quality and service makes us a favorite for locals and visitors alike, and...

Harbor Star Dolphin Tours at Wanchese Marina

The Harbor Star's Wild Dolphin Tours depart three times daily plus a Sunset Cruise (weather permitting) This 2 hour cruise includes an entertaining tour and an opportunity to spot wild dolphins aboard the all new 40-foot Pontoon boat. Tickets must be purchased 30 minutes or further in advance of your cruise departure time either online, by phone or onsite. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your cruise.

Nags Head Dolphin Watch

Scientists run these dolphin tours as part of their research on these beloved aquatic animals, so you know this will be an interesting trip. Passengers will be able to see how researchers with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, a nonprofit organization,  conduct their research and hear about some of the discoveries from more than a decade of studies and monitoring. Some of the hundreds of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the area show up so frequently they’ve even been given...

Family Water Adventures

Shelling, Snorkeling, Paddle Boarding, Eco Tours & Light Fishing. Guided family adventure trips on Hatteras Island, NC. We take your group to multiple tidal islands along the Cape Hatteras seaside. These islands are constantly changing and providing us with an abundant amount of shells , fish and sealife to see. We offer an array of adventures. We love to snorkel, clam, take a tour around the old village creeks. We take the kiddos on a hermit crab adventure and take you to find some sea...

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites has been Teaching the World to Fly since 1974 and is home to the world’s largest hang gliding school. As the Outer Banks leader in quality outdoor recreation and adventure, Kitty Hawk Kites offers more than 30 activities to choose from, so get out that pen and start crossing things off your OBX bucket list today! Visit KittyHawk.com or call 1.877.FLY.THIS to book your Kitty Hawk Kites adventure today.

Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive music guaranteed to unleash your inner pirate. But be warned; we may need to enlist your expertise to man the water cannons and help defend our ship!

Back Country Safari Tours

Discover wild Spanish Mustangs and our unique Barrier Island ecology on the Wild Horse Safari. Explore over 30 miles of "off road" beach, dune and sand trail and ride with a professional naturalist guide in a custom 4x4 open-air Safari Cruiser, or experience the Beach Cruiser and Kayak Safari combination tour to paddle in the placid waterways of the wildlife rich Currituck Sound. The Outer Banks Leader in off road Eco-Adventures! Where the Road  Ends....The Adventure Begins.

OBX Ghost Tours

OBX Ghost tours is something your family will be talking about the rest of the summer! You'll be entertained as a guide leads you through down town Manteo by lantern telling the spooky stories that makes The Outer Banks one of the most haunted beaches in America! We are The Outer Bank's Only Ghost Tour that uses Ghost Detectors! Book now for the time of your afterlife! 

Miss Oregon Inlet

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is the home of the largest and most modern charter boat fishing fleet on the eastern seaboard. A full service marina in Nags Head NC, Oregon Inlet offers a comprehensive charter boat fishing experience for the "old salt" or the vacationing fisherman.  Give us a call at (877) 359-8447

Historic Corolla Park

Most all visitors to Corolla will spend at least a sunny afternoon or two at the Historic Corolla Park. This 39 acre site is home to three of the Northern Outer Banks' biggest attractions, the Whalehead in Historic Corolla, the Currituck Beach...

Weekly / Daily Surf Camp

Surf Dreams Surf Camp

Book online
$80.00 - $299.00

*LEARN TO SURF* ___________________________________ Rates - **Full Week (Mon-Thurs):** $299 - **Single Day:** $80 *Kids must be at least 10 years old and able to handle a surfboard to attend camp. Children under 10 will need private lessons...

The Complete Charleston Tour

Snap Picture Perfect Tours

Book online
$135.00

Get a complete taste of Charleston's beautiful landscape from downtown to the beaches to the plantations and more! Duration 6.5 hrs Itinerary - Charlotte Street (.4 mile) - Morris Lighthouse (.25 mile to light on paved road, beach at...

Small Groups - Charleston History & Storytelling Tour-10am Walking Tour

Tour Charleston With Adam - History, Bars & Ghosts

Book online
$12.00 - $27.00

Small Groups, Small Alleys & Great Stories from History! Duration 2 Hours About Starting at 10am, before it is usually TOO hot & humid, we will walk through the same city streets and alleyways as the British, American Patriots, the Enslaved...

Charleston History Walk -- 120 minutes

Revolutionary Charleston

Book online
$19.00 - $550.00

A Wonderful Walking Tour to Learn About the History of Charleston! Duration 2 Hours About Join us for a stroll through the French Quarter, down to Rainbow Row, down to the High Battery. You will view mansions facing the Ashley & Cooper...

Lost Stories of Black Charleston
Book online
$22.00 - $34.00

Professor Damon Fordham's 5-Star walking tour weaves together his talents as an historian, educator, published author, and story-teller. *Ages 6 & under are free* Duration 2 Hours About "Lost Stories of Black Charleston" is powered by...

Private Tour

Revolutionary Charleston

Book online
$350.00

Set up a custom private tour for you and your family and friends! Duration 2 hours About Give us a call to book a private tour with one of our fantastic guides. We will work out the pricing and logistics of what you want to do and...

Private Surf Lesson

Surf Dreams Surf Camp

Book online
$65.00

*Get 1-1 Instruction from a professional* ___________________________________ Rates **Private Lesson (All Ages welcome, up to 3 People):** $65 ___________________________________ Duration 1 Hour ___________________________________ ...

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

The Roanoke Marshes lighthouse is often one of the most overlooked of the Outer Banks lighthouses, simply because of its small stature, limited visibility and remote location tucked away at the quiet east end of the Manteo waterfront.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse, located in the heart of Corolla, borders the historic Whalehead in Historic Corolla and still functions as a guide for passing mariners. At 162' feet tall, the lighthouse's First Order Fresnel light, (the largest size...

Wine, Tea and a Tree: The Wadmalaw Adventure
Book online
$40.00 - $135.00

Take the road less traveled, into the Lowcounty of Wadmalaw Island! Duration 5 Hours About It's the Wine tastin', tea sippin' and tree huggin' tour! We will visit Angel Oak Park and admire the 500 year old Oak Tree on John's Island. ...

Charleston Ghost Tour -- 90 minutes

Revolutionary Charleston

Book online
$19.00 - $450.00

Chilling Dark Tales of the Holy City Duration 1 Hour and 30 Minutes About Join us on a 90-minute romp through the side streets of Charleston. Your Charleston ghost tour guide will showcase all the morbid morsels and revolting tidbits of...

Charleston Dark History & Ghost Tour

Tour Charleston With Adam - History, Bars & Ghosts

Book online
$22.00

Experience The Dark History & Ghosts of Charleston! Duration 1 Hour & 30 Minutes About Charleston may have a lot of churches but it was far from a Holy City. Starting at 8pm this tour is all about the horrors of Charleston. The historic...

Haulover Day Use Area (Canadian Hole)

Canadian Hole may be an unfamiliar term to the typical, laid-back Hatteras Islander vacationer, but to windsurfers around the world, the phrase invokes thoughts of an exact, postcard-perfect locale on the Outer Banks, where windsurfing and water...

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Jockey's Ridge State Park is an unmistakable landmark for Nags Head vacationers and virtually everyone passing through along the main beach bypass, US 158. This park is marked by its towering sand dunes, which reach 80' - 100' feet tall and look...

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

The Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is one of Rodanthe's greatest treasures. This historical lifesaving station has been a popular attraction for Hatteras Island visitors for decades, and stands on the very edge of the small town of Rodanthe. Over...

Group Surf Lesson

Surf Dreams Surf Camp

Book online
$75.00

*Great for Friends that Want to Learn Together* ___________________________________ Rates **Surfer (All Ages welcome):** $75 ***Please Note:*** *We require a 4-person minimum for group lessons.* ___________________________________ ...

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Corolla, North Carolina is a must see nautical village scented with the spray of the salty sea. It's located on NC Highway 12 along a thin strip of land bordered on the east by the tempestuous Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by the inland waterway...

Bodie Island Lighthouse

The Bodie Island Lighthouse, (pronounced "Body") is located just south of the town of Nags Head and Whalebone Junction, where Highway 158, Highway 64, and NC Highway 12 intersect. Visitors travelling towards Hatteras Island can't help but notice the...

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, with its black and white candy-cane stripes, is one of the most famous and recognizable lighthouses in the world. Protecting one of the most treacherous stretches of the Outer Banks, with a beam of light that spans 20...

Currituck Maritime Museum

Take a day trip or an afternoon off the beach to explore the heart of Historic Corolla Park, and you’ll find one of the Outer Banks’ newest and most noteworthy attractions, the Currituck Maritime Museum.

Light to Light Tour

Snap Picture Perfect Tours

Book online
$50.00 - $79.00

Travel to the edge of Folly Island to the edge of Sullivan's Island, to get an up close and personal view of Charleston's beaches and iconic landmarks. Duration 4 hrs Itinerary - Morris Island Light (.25 mile walk to light on paved road...

Grom Mom Sunset Surf Session

Surf Dreams Surf Camp

Book online
$65.00

Join us for the world famous Grom Mom sunset surf session. We will meet at the beach access (16th Ave. N) just in front of the Holiday Inn Oceanfront Surfside Beach, SC. Our team of instructors will get you started on the beach with some basic...

The Citadel

Like many of Charleston's institutions, The Citadel is an impressive nationally recognized landmark that both serves an instrumental community function, while boasting a long and fascinating history. This South Carolina military college, one of the...

Oak Island Lighthouse

The Oak Island Lighthouse and Coast Guard station have a long history together, and the tall lighthouse tower stands as a welcoming beacon to visitors who head to these picturesque shores. As the newest lighthouse in North Carolina, the distinctive...

Airlie Gardens

Arlie Gardens is home to a stunning collection of natural gardens and eye-catching artworks which continually impresses visitors to the Wilmington area. Established in 1901, and originally used as a private garden for the wealthy Pembroke family...

Lawton Stables

Lawton Stables is much more than just a pretty spot for a trail ride, or an elite locale for local islanders to board and train their prized horses. In addition, the stables offer a world of fun for its regular and vacationing patrons, ranging from...

Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park

Mitchelville Freedom Park is a deeply meaningful and historically rich destination that offers both a scenic natural setting and a powerful connection to America’s past. Located on the northern end of the island near Port Royal Sound, this...

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport

Downtown Southport visitors who want to learn more about this community’s essential role in North Carolina history, or who just want to enjoy a rainy day adventure that’s filled with maritime culture, can pay a visit to the engaging...

Belhaven Memorial Museum

The Belhaven Memorial Museum clearly holds the title as one of the most distinctive and unique museums in Eastern North Carolina, with a collection that includes historical artifacts, scientific oddities, and everything in between.

Eastern 4H

Grab your colleagues, classroom, wedding party or other special large group, and start planning a retreat to the stunning waterfront Eastern 4-H Center, a relatively new, (built in 2001), and hard-to-miss attraction in the heart of Eastern North...

North Carolina Estuarium

The North Carolina Estuarium is one of the highlights of Little Washington's downtown scene, and for good reason. The 12,500 square foot structure, which has served as an educational center since it was first managed by the Partnership for the...

Port Discover

Kids of all ages can instantly become scientists, gardeners, doctors, and pilots, all just by walking through the unimposing downtown doors of Elizabeth City's Port Discover. This cool destination provides hours of fun for local and visiting little...

Coastal Discovery Museum

A fascinating find off the beach, the Coastal Discovery Museum is sure to engage Hilton Head visitors of all ages, with a world of indoor and outdoor exhibits, all found on the site of a rich coastal ecosystem. With a series of exhibits that are...

Sandy Run Park

Sandy Run Park leads its visitors through the heart of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve, one of the largest maritime forests remaining in North Carolina. Completed in two phases, the park now encompasses 1600 acres of marshland, waterways and...

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

The fascinating galleries throughout this extensive complex encourage visitors of all ages to meet and mingle with their aquatic neighbors, from interactive exhibits to "touch tanks" where patrons can have personal encounters with local bamboo...

Charleston Museum

It's almost ironic that The Charleston Museum, which paints a complete portrait of Charleston's centuries of history, has a unique history all its own. Well known as "America's First Museum" and recently named one of the top five museums in...

Old Brunswick County Jail Museum

Take a trip back in time without ever leaving the heart of Southport for a fascinating and educational visit to the stoic Old Brunswick County Jail Museum. Found within a multi-story brick building on the corner of Nash and Rhett Streets, this...

University of South Carolina at Beaufort

The USCB, (University of South Carolina at Beaufort), Center for the Arts is the local go-to for outstanding regional performances that include dramatic and comedy shows, concerts, independent movies, and virtually every kind of spell-binding...

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Clean and uncluttered beaches and a remarkable local history combine to make the Fort Fisher State Historic Site one of coastal North Carolina's most treasured barrier island attractions. This incredible locale, just miles away from Carolina Beach...

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort

Dive into a wealth of coastal artifacts, folklore, and legendary figures with a visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Operating as one of three maritime museums along coastal NC, this distinctive site is known for its unique...

Elizabeth City State University

Although small, the diverse and distinctive Elizabeth City has a world of opportunities that span all interests, many of which can be studied in detail at the acclaimed Elizabeth City State University. This institution, and home of the ECSU Vikings...

Georgetown County Museum

The Georgetown County Museum, located in the heart of downtown close to the Rice Museum, the waterfront, and a collection of local marinas, is a must-stop destination for any history buff who wants an inside look into this town's unique and...

Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park, located outside the eastern borders of Atlantic Beach, is one of the most visited and highly acclaimed destinations along the Crystal Coast, and for good reason. The expansive 389 acre park, which features gorgeous inlet...

Rice Museum

The Rice Museum is a fascinating treasure within the Downtown Georgetown scene which is impossible to miss, and hard to forget. Detailing one of the darkest periods in American history, with a mixture of local prominent residents and maritime...

Museum of the Albemarle

The Museum of the Albemarle is considered the showpiece of downtown Elizabeth City, and is a must-stop for any new explorer of North Carolina's "Inner Banks." Located along the waterfront within a sprawling and stately green-roofed complex, the...

Encore Theatre Company

There's no question that the small southern Elizabeth City is growing in population, prestige, and overall culture, and the Encore Theatre Company is doing a fine and longstanding job of making this transition come to fruition. The company, which...

Asa Biggs House

The home of one of North Carolina's best known jurists and politicians, it has an interesting blend of Federal and Greek Revival details. Its awkward symmetry and rambling plan lend credence to local legend that Biggs added a room with the birth of...

The Museum of Coastal Carolina is the only North Carolina Natural History Museum that’s located on a barrier island, and is a fun destination for visitors of all ages to dive deep into the unique and beautiful coastal region. Located in the...

Soak up the centuries-old history of beautiful Beaufort with a visit to the Beaufort Historic Site. Renowned as the third oldest town in North Carolina, there’s a lot of history to explore in this quiet Southern Outer Banks community, and...

Narrated sightseeing tours, & private charters on the Cape Fear River. Featuring the Henrietta.  Cape Fear Riverboats is Wilmington NC’s longest continuously running cruise line. We’ve been in business since 1987 and are...

The impressively grand Tryon Palace is easily one of New Bern's most famous local attractions. With a central location on the outer edges of downtown, and bordering acres of riverfront, this historical recreation of a late 1700s governor's palace...

Foliage fans and gardening enthusiasts from all over the country will love a day trip to the Elizabethan Gardens. Tucked away in Manteo within the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, this 10 acre Roanoke soundfront locale is home to hundreds of...

The Cape Fear Museum, (shorthand for the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science), has been educating and entertaining visitors for well over 100 years. Founded in 1898, the museum is the oldest operating museum in North Carolina, and welcomes...

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, the Cameron Art Museum has grown over the past five decades into one of coastal North Carolina's premier collections of regional, national and international art, filling virtually every corner of its gallery...

The USS Battleship North Carolina is an unmistakable site in Downtown Wilmington. Taking up a large portion of the waterfront docks, this historic World War II moveable landmark is a must-see for Cape Fear vacationers.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is one of three maritime museums sponsored by the state that lies along the eastern portion of NC. The Southport branch focuses on the maritime history of the lower Cape Fear River, and contains a...

With Wilmington's distinguished history as a thriving port community, few folks recognize at first that part of this reputation stemmed from its legacy as a bustling railroad center. In fact, for well over 125 years, railroading was the top industry...

E-BIKE TOURS — An Experience For All Levels! Our goal is to make you feel like a local as you explore all Wilmington has to offer. If you’re looking to check out some of the best breweries in town, visit unique neighborhoods, and take in...

Located in a charming but unimposing brick building in the heart of downtown Morehead City, the Arts Council of Carteret County is the region’s premier resource for discovering a wealth of local talents that call the Crystal Coast home.  

Atlantic Dance has been teaching kids dance on the Outer Banks since 1995. Atlantic Dance offers classes in tap, jazz, hip hop and lyrical with a primary concentration in classical ballet. At Atlantic Dance, little girls learn grace and achieve...

The Attmore-Oliver House is a unique destination on a historic Downtown New Bern walking tour, and is a stately 1790 home that has been transformed into a small museum, as well as the home base of the New Bern Historical Society administrative...