Not as tall as the "ocean" lighthouses on the Outer Banks such as Hatteras and Bodie Island,…read moreRoanoke Marshes protects traffic on the Shallowbag Bay and the Croaton Sound in Manteo. This building was completed in 2004 and is a faithful replica of the original 1877 lighthouse that was decommissioned in 1955 and ultimately lost during an attempted relocation. A number of screw piles (long iron pilings twisted into the soft, marshy bottom to offer stability in shallow waters) support the lighthouse, a square, cottage-style structure. The muddy terrain and shifting shoals of the Croatan Sound were especially well-suited to this design. The building has clapboard siding, a gabled roof, and a small lantern room in the middle of the roof ridge. Its small and welcoming size, which is more akin to a beach house than a soaring beacon, enhances its allure and accessibility. The lighthouse's interior is filled with marine antiques and informative displays that honor the area's nautical past. The building itself, which provides a tactile sense of coastal life and lighthouse keeping, is open for investigation, even if the spiral staircase leading to the lantern room is normally locked to the public. The beacon continues its tradition of directing vessels through the sound by using a contemporary LED system, having previously been driven by a fourth-order Fresnel lens. There is lots of street parking in this part of Manteo and lots to explore nearby. [Review 810 of 2025 - 4242 in North Carolina - 24370 overall]

This is a cute little light house right in Downtown Manteo. It's walkable from all the shops and…read moreyou can walk inside for a free mini education on the history of the lighthouse. The long deck walk was sturdy and can accommodate those less mobile and I believe, strollers. Grab a few photos prior to walking out to see it and enjoy! This is one of the reasons I love the Outer Banks! Nothing beats that breeze on your face and the sound of the water!

Bless our National Park staff. They have to deal with some terrible humans, as we witnessed the day…read morewe were there. But it was handled well and we enjoyed our time here. There is a ton to see in the visitor center and even more on the other side of Kill Devil Hill (the big hill with monument) They have a Veterans discount in the gift shop!

We were so happy we stopped here. The walk up to the memorial is steep at times, but there are…read moremultiple paths to take so others may have been more gradual, but it was part of the experience to step up to where these brothers flew their first flight. Do stop in even just to drive around, it was beautiful!

After visiting the Hatteras Lighthouse and finding it all wrapped up in scaffolding, I was super…read moreexcited to get here to Bodie Island to find this one ready to photograph and visit. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is a striking black-and-white banded tower that has stood sentinel over the Outer Banks since 1872. This lighthouse is the third built in the area--the first, constructed in 1847, was abandoned due to a poor foundation, and the second, built in 1859, was destroyed during the Civil War by retreating Confederate troops. The current structure rises 156 feet and houses an original first-order Fresnel lens, casting light visible for up to 19 nautical miles. It was automated in 1940 and later transferred to the National Park Service in 1953. After extensive restoration, it opened to the public for climbing in 2013. Visitors can ascend its 219 steps for panoramic views of the surrounding marshes and Roanoke Sound. The lighthouse is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and remains one of the few tall brick lighthouses in the U.S. still equipped with its original lens. It was way too hot today to try climbing anything let alone that. I took my pictures and was more than satisfied. [Round number review 800 of 2025 - 4232 in North Carolina - 24360 overall]

I've been obsessed with lighthouses since I was a child (an English thing, I guess?). Bodie…read more(Bow-dee NOT "body", I wish carpetbaggers would stop changing the pronunciations-two generations are now mispronouncing it) is not only beautiful, but has the additional museum and boardwalk to a scenic observation deck overlooking wetlands. I'm deathly afraid of heights so I can never go up, but I can appreciate the beauty and history from the ground.

Fort Raleigh has a lot to offer and you can spend a day here with activities to do. With loads to…read moreoffer if you are into nature and history. Also, if you wanted a place for a bit of peace and quiet near the water. The Fort Raleigh part of the name is a bit of a historic thing. Being the site of the Roanoke Colony. You know, that one that vanished into thin air...Croatoan. The Lost Colony, which was resettled by Sir Walter Raleigh. Later, it was used by the Union Army to establish Freedman's Colony. Where freed people were settled and were able to gain plots of land, build a community. Now, it serves as a national historic site with more to offer. On top of the historic stuff there is walking/hiking trails, a reenactment site for the Lost Colony, and Elizabethan Gardens. Loads to do, that isn't so touristy.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site was a great stop for our family. The visitor center has…read morewell-done exhibits about the Lost Colony and the Freedmen's Colony, and the kids especially loved the Junior Ranger program which made the history fun and interactive. The walking trails are peaceful and easy, and the historic earthworks are neat to see. The park rangers were excellent; friendly, knowledgeable, and great with kids. It's a mix of history and nature that's well worth visiting.

Located near the mouth of the Alligator River Marina in Columbia, North Carolina, the Alligator…read moreRiver Lighthouse is a small yet quaint navigating aid. This building is more functional in nature, mainly acting as a guide for boaters coming into the marina from the river, in contrast to the imposing coastline lighthouses that are scattered throughout the Outer Banks. Although it does not have the keeper's home that goes with it, it is similar to the nearby Brodie Island Lighthouse and serves a more specific rather than symbolic purpose. The Alligator River Lighthouse adds to Tyrrell County's maritime flair even if it lacks the legendary history of Cape Hatteras or Bodie Island. Its existence is a subdued tribute to the area's strong ties to fishing, water transportation, and coastal life. Travelers visiting the Albemarle Peninsula or trekking into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, which envelops the region with abundant biodiversity and picturesque wetlands, may find the lighthouse to be a delightful stop. It is accessible from US 64 and there is parking in the small gas station / convenience store that services the marina. [Review 815 of 2025 - 4246 in North Carolina - 24374 overall]

It has been awhile, but this place was a very nice place to spend the night on our boat…read more Some down home cooking was available as a bonus.

I'm not normally a fan of museums but this was a great experience for us…read more First they offer military discount. Second the kids have a scavenger hunt to win a prize in the end. Every stop along the way you are assigned tasks to get a stamp. Majority of the "actors" were amazing with this! There was one girl next to the black smith that refused to give my daughter the stamp because she didn't want to put the armor on, but the young man who showed us the black smithing called her over and gave her the stamp anyways. I believe that was the only off putting experience from the whole thing. Made my daughter not want to continue. I wish I had gotten her name to put an actual complaint in, not all kids will want to wear the armor for various reasons. We listened and watched each demonstration and I think that's enough. The prizes were actually nice, they weren't just some sticker it was either a bookmark or a magnet. Both good quality. I learned a lot, our favorite part was the blacksmith, he explained so much to us and even gave my daughter the nail he made. Both actors on the ship were nice, the young man under the ship really stayed in character and answered all questions as if he was one of the actual crew. Super cool experience.

This is probably best taken in by people with children, especially those who aren't extremely…read moreinterested in museums. Aside from the ship, the outdoor sections are a little sparse but they do have live reenactors who are happy to explain a lot about what they do have, and that's really cool. The ship also has a couple people on board who are happy to explain both the historical and modern questions the kids have (like do you actually sail this boat... etc). The museum isn't extensive but it's enough to cover multiple topics and allows children to touch everything which is nice. It's short enough to not lose the attention of kids but does have some things that engage them. The town nearby is also super cute so all in all it's worth venturing out to Festival Park if you have some time on your hands.

The first permanent courthouse for Dare County was constructed between 1903 and 1904 in the…read moreClassical Revival style. This two-story red brick building, with its arched windows and hipped roof, originally featured a steeple and porch columns, both of which were lost or repurposed following a devastating hurricane in 1933. This is the new courthouse, on the campus of the Dare County Governmental Complex. It was completed in 2022 and is a "modern" architectural design. The two-story structure features red brick, concrete, and glass, with a wide porch supported by four columns and a green hipped roof that nods subtly to traditional courthouse aesthetics. The Justice Center houses courtrooms for civil, criminal, and family law proceedings, along with offices for judges, clerks, and legal staff. Dare County, North Carolina, was established in 1870 from parts of Currituck, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties, and named in honor of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas. Its early history is deeply tied to the Croatoan tribe and the ill-fated English colonization attempts of the 1580s, most famously the Lost Colony of 1587. Over time, Dare County evolved from isolated settlements accessible only by boat into a thriving coastal region. It gained national significance in 1903 when the Wright brothers achieved the first powered flight at Kill Devil Hills. There was not much going on this Saturday afternoon so plenty of parking and easy to walk the grounds. The Complex includes the county administration building, the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center and plenty of green space. [Review 812 of 2025 - 4244 in North Carolina - 24372 overall]

Great folks to work with in the clerks office! They were very helpful. I highly recommend going to…read morethem for help.

Since Home Depot has no email to Customer Service, I am forced to post this letter for action to…read morethis venue in hopes that I can get a response and to alert others as might be appropriate. Good Afternoon, I have a very serious issue with the second damaged refrigerator that was delivered to my Home on Tuesday 1-30-2024. The first damaged refrigerator was delivered on Tuesday 1-23-2024 and was rejected due to a rather large and very apparent dent in the front freezer door. The second delivered refrigerator delivered on Tuesday 1-30-2024 has a small but apparent dent to the right-hand French door ( facing the refrigerator). It was reported immediately ( within 30 minutes of the delivery) noted and I was offered a $300.00 credit for this damage. I was reluctant but given the previous delivery postponements, backordered Electric Range, and damages, my wife and I were excited to have finally received what we assumed and hoped was a working refrigerator / freezer that had been scheduled and postponed for delivery several times as the purchase was made on November 29,2023 with a promised delivery for all four (4) appliances we purchased of January 6, 2024. I was advised that Home Depot would not order a replacement door from GE for me, and I could contact them myself. The very next day on Wednesday 1-31-2024 I noticed that the freezer was not cooling properly, and our frozen foods were beginning to thaw. I called and requested that we be provided a credit for this defective refrigerator and that it be picked up as per the forty-eight (48) hour Home Depot return policy. I was then advised that since I accepted the $300.00 for the dent on the delivery date that Home Depot would not honor the forty-eight ( 48) hour return policy that they so proudly advertise. I was extremely disappointed and tried to explain that there was absolutely no way I could have know that the freezer portion of this refrigerator was defective out of the box until it had time to run. Further I asked them to negate the $300.00. Since then, I have been on the phone with Home Depot Customer Service Daily and in some cases several times a day trying to get this issue resolved to no avail. I have been passed from one customer Service Person and their Supervisors over and over without resolve. I will say that all the Customer Service Personnel that I have dealt with are very professional, understanding, and sympathetic to our ordeal but all of them also seen to be bound by some process which is out of their control. What I need is someone of authority that can explain why Home depot is unwilling to stand by their own return policy and to understand and take action to refund my purchase cost and remove this defective refrigerator from my home. I was advised by my Home Depot Case Worker that I would receive a call from the store manger last Friday February 2, 2024. I did not receive that call. I called again yesterday, Monday 2-5-24 and was advised the store manager Karen Austin had "been on vacation for three (3) days". I was told that she would be in the office yesterday evening and would likely give me a call then or today. I called today and was advised by an associate that she did not know when she will be in and that she was out of town " with other Managers". I feel like I am being given the run around and being avoided by Home Depot. I have also spoken with the Manufacturer, GE, and they have attempted and continue to attempt to find a GE Authorized Service Provider to see what is wrong and perhaps see if this unit is repairable. This is a brand-new refrigerator and I do not feel like I should have to pay for this full warranty repair. They assigned a supposed service provider, and they were scheduled for between 8-12 today, Tuesday 2-6-2024 and no one has called nor has anyone shown up. I called back to GE is having difficulty finding a repair service provider to accept this job? They have now turned over this issue to their " Locating Team" to find a Service Provider. They have advised that this effort can take 3 to 5 business days. We have been without this refrigerator working for a week today with no resolution date in sight. We have been forced to purchase another GE Refrigerator here locally at a significantly higher cost just so we could keep our food from spoiling. I have documents, pictures, videos, times, dates, wait times on the phone, etc. etc. documenting this debacle. I respectfully request that someone somewhere within Home Depot call me to set up a date whereby this (second defective refrigerator ) will be removed from our kitchen and my purchase price refunded in full. I am not asking for food loss ( approximately $150.00), time from work loss, etc. I a only requesting that Home Depot stand by their Return Policy as advertised. I would be quite willing and able to provide all documents and even more details of my efforts and interactions with various persons during this ordeal. We are not trying to get a

I have had the pleasure of working with and giving presentations with the chamber for years. They…read morehave a top flight team is truly committed to the business success of the local businesses and the community. I highly recommend becoming actively involved as a business for this chamber.