Outer Banks Attractions, Lighthouses & Museums

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a true wilderness. Red wolves prowl its forests, alligators slither under the clear black water, and black bears, bobcats, otters, and deer wander among the woods and swamp of this pristine refuge. More than 150 species of birds, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, wood ducks, warblers, herons, and ospreys, make the refuge their home.
Location: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located on the mainland of Dare and Hyde Counties, 15 miles west of Manteo, North Carolina.
Phone: 252-473-1131
Web: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Email: alligatorriver@fws.gov

Elizabethan Gardens
Flower-bordered walkways, antique garden statuary and majestic trees greet visitors at this 16th-century pleasure garden created by The Garden Club of North Carolina. Designed as a living memorial to the lost colonists. Highlights include the thatched gazebo, Shakespearean herb garden and formal sunken garden.
Location: 1411 National Park Drive • Manteo, North Carolina 27954
Phone: 252-473-3234
Web: Elizabethan Gardens
Email: info@elizabethangardens.com

Hatteras Inlet (Ocracoke) Ferry
This free, state-run service links the islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke, across the Pamlico Sound. The ferries accommodate 30 vehicles -- including cars and large camping/recreational vehicles -- and are run frequently during the summer to avoid excessive delays. The Hatteras ferry does not require reservations and the trip takes about 40 minutes. Public rest rooms are at the Hatteras dock, and heads are on board.
Phone: 800-368-8949 or 252-986-2353.