In this series, I’m taking a look at towns and cities all across the state of North Carolina. Without a doubt, North Carolina is one of the most diverse states in the country, featuring mountains, rolling hills and farmlands, and coastal beaches. Scattered throughout these different regions are a vast array of small towns, several big cities, and everything in between. It is these towns/cities, all so different from one another due to the geographical differences, that make up this great state that 10.5 million people call home. Let’s explore them one by one.

Nags Head

Made up of 6.5 square miles, Nags Head is physically the largest town on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It is also one of its most popular tourist towns as well, due to the number of things to do and being one of just two highway access points in the state to the Outer Banks. With a population of just 2,800, you wouldn’t think there would be much to do in this small town. But you would be wrong. Nags Head has something for everyone, including families, outdoorsmen, explorers, relaxed vacationers, and thrill seekers. The entire Outer Banks offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and Nags Head is among the most picturesque on these barrier islands.

Location

Located on the famous Outer Banks of North Carolina, Nags Head is one of the easternmost towns in North Carolina. It is a five and a half hour drive from Charlotte, two hour and ten minute drive from Greenville, NC, and a four hour drive from Wilmington, NC.

History

Let’s start with the unique name. Legend has it that Nags Head got its name from the days pirates roamed these very shores. To trick sea captains into thinking there was a safe harbor to pull into and anchor after nightfall, pirates would tie a lantern around a horse’s (a nag’s) head and lead them atop the tall sandy dunes the area is famous for. When ship captains saw the bobbing light, they would assume it was coming from an anchored boat in a safe harbor. When they attempted to pull into the “safe harbor,” their ship would run aground the shallow shoals of the outer banks, leaving the ships vulnerable to be attacked and looted by the awaiting pirates.

Perhaps the most defining historic feature of the town is its tall sand dunes that could be seen for miles out on the sea. Though Jockey’s Ridge remains, much of those sand dunes are now developed areas for tourism. Since around the 1830s the area has long been a resort for folks wanting to escape every day life. However, it wasn’t until 1961 that the town officially became incorporated.

Things to Do

Like I’ve already mentioned, there are plenty of things to do in Nags Head for all different types of people. Since Nags Head is historically known for its tall sand dunes, let’s start with Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This one is ideal for the adventurers, photographers, and thrill seekers. Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest sand dune on the Atlantic coast, offering beautiful views at the top. On one side you have the sound and on the other lies the Atlantic Ocean. Hiking to the top of the sand dunes is a lot of fun, as well as a workout. But it’s not so strenuous to keep folks of all ages able to do it. Nothing beats the views from the top, especially those of the small beach cottages that line the ocean. Thrill seekers can even try their hand at hang-gliding from these dunes, as this is a very popular spot to do so. And if that is not quite your style, you can be one of many that just sticks to flying kites here.

One of my favorite attractions in Nags Head is the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which is actually pronounced “body.” Though it’s not as well-known as the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, NC, this 156’ tower is one of the most popular in the state. With thick, bright white and black horizontal stripes, this lighthouse is a must visit for photographers. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can opt to climb the stairs inside the lighthouse to get stunning views from the top. Another thing I like to do here is walk out to the pier, maybe a quarter of a mile from the lighthouse, and get awesome views of the lighthouse from a distance, as well as the grassy marshes on the other side.

If fishing is more your thing, Nags Head offers three great fishing piers: Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head Pier, and the Outer Banks Pier. All three of these piers are a great spot to catch fish, watch others catch fish, or simply take in the beauty of the Outer Banks. Many also come to these public access points with a surfboard to surf some waves. Unknown to many, the Outer Banks is a great area for surfers looking for the thrill of catching a wave. Every September, Nags Head hosts the Eastern Surfing Championships, drawing in the best surfers on the East Coast.

Unlike most of the quaint towns along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Nags Head is a little more upscale, offering plenty of dining options, as well as lodging options. There are many different types of restaurants here, from seafood to sandwich shops to international cuisines. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, you’ll have your choice of a modern hotel, condos, beach cottages, or a campground.

To Sum It Up

Nags Head is a great town for anyone looking to vacation at the beach. It has many things to do for the folks looking to have an active vacation, while also being the perfect beach spot for someone who just wants to sit back on the beach and relax. There’s a ton of history in Nags Head, as well as on the outskirts of the small town. Just 12 minutes from town is the site of the first successful airplane flight from the Wright Brothers, and just 20 minutes away from the site of the infamous Lost Colony. But the main thing to take away from Nags Head is the sheer beauty of the place. Whether it’s the beaches, the sand dunes, the marshes, or the Bodie Island Lighthouse, there’s beauty at every corner of Nags Head. And if you’re there on vacation, make sure to soak every bit of it in. And take plenty of pictures!

Garett

Exploring North Carolina: Nags Head