The shoreline of Nags Head is lined with magnificent homes set along the sand dunes that separate them from the ocean. While visiting you may be renting a private home or staying in one of the many smaller inns or motels. No matter what type of accommodations you choose, you will not be inside long as there is much to explore, on and off the beach.
Your main focus will be lazy days on the sand. All along the main stretch of Nags Head you will find many surf shops to cater to your every beach and shopping need. The beaches along Nags Head are clean and the water clear and warm. Surfing is a huge draw, so bring your surfboard or boogie board and enjoy the waves. If you do not own a board but want to try your hand at riding, you can acquire a board at any local shop for day or weekly rentals. Lessons for all ages are also available.
Should you choose to lounge on the sand you can people-watch or enjoy the often seen dolphins migrating along the coast.
If you're seeking a bit more adventure, try your hand at kite surfing. Kite surfing requires a bit of equipment and the right conditions, so check with a local shop for lesson information and rentals. If taking on a new sport does not seem like part of your vacation, you can always try parasailing. Boats leave from most docks along the bay and shoot you or you and a brave friend up to 700 feet above the water.
While on vacation it is always nice to take in the culture and history of the area. Visit the Wright Brothers National Museum in Kill Devil Hills just northwest of Nags Head and learn about the first in flight. For a day off of the beach take a ride over to the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, with more than 1,400 acres of maritime forest. Stop in at the visitor center for a map and enjoy miles of hiking. For the kid in all of us, stop by Kitty Hawk Kites and then head to Jockey's Ridge State Park. Here you will find the tallest dune standing 110 feet. You can fly a kite all day, then stay and enjoy a picnic while watching the sunset.
Once you have arrived in Nags Head, you will have no reason to venture away. There are plenty of family-friendly eateries and ice cream stands and fine dining for that special night out. You can spend your days enjoying fun in the sun and evenings enjoying the sounds of the crashing surf in the cool summer night air.
