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    Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

    4.6 (7 reviews)

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    Jon L.

    This is a great place to start if you want to get a sense of the history of this island. There is a film and display that talks about the Ocracoke Brogue...yes, the locals do talk differently here. It's hoi tide on the sound soide. There was a Confederate Civil War fort here. It was also a base of operations during WWII. It's also known as the David Williams house. It's free, donations only.

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    11 months ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen - Adopt a pony

    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen

    4.5(13 reviews)
    6.8 mi

    The horses of Ocracoke Island, known as Banker Ponies, are believed to be descendants of Spanish…read moremustangs brought ashore after shipwrecks in the 16th century. One theory traces their arrival to the 1565 wreck of the Tiger, commanded by Sir Richard Grenville, who may have unloaded livestock onto the island. These ponies roamed freely for centuries, becoming part of the island's culture and even serving in beach races and as work animals. In 1959, they were penned to protect them from increasing car traffic after the highway was built. Today, the remaining herd lives in a protected enclosure managed by the National Park Service, preserving a living link to Ocracoke's maritime past. Sadly, there weren't any ponies this morning when I stopped by. [Review 783 of 2025 - 4215 in North Carolina - 24343 overall]

    Our favourite beach access is directly across from the Ocracoke Pony pens, where the horses that…read moreare no longer able to care for themselves due to injury, age, et al, are cared for and guarded. You can still adopt a pony (donate) just like the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, and anything you give goes towards their care, medical, and food. After you arrive from the ferry, it's a very short drive and you'll come up on the pen to the right. Do not interfere with or feed them, but if you're lucky and the staff are feeding them you might have the opportunity to assist. There is a platform for better viewing, as they are gorgeous, sentient creatures, and you can sit peacefully and admire them from a safe distance.

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    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen - Pony pen

    Pony pen

    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen - Ponies

    Ponies

    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen

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    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse - Ocracoke Island Light Station

    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

    4.2(53 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    This was the number one thing I wanted to see on Ocracoke and now that I've seen it, I'm happy! I…read morelove lighthouses, having visited 128 lighthouses across the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and even a lightboat in Sweden. Do lighthouses in Oklahoma (Lake Hefner), West Virginia (Summersville) and Vermont (Shelburne) count? They do for me! Ocracoka's lighthouse is easy to access with parking lots nearby and it's maybe a one mile walk from the ferry terminal. It was built in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter and is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest still standing in the state. It was constructed to guide ships safely through the treacherous Ocracoke Inlet into Pamlico Sound, a vital route for maritime trade and military supply lines. Standing 75 feet tall with a conical brick structure, the lighthouse was automated in 1955, and while visitors can access the base during summer months, the tower itself is not open for climbing. Its enduring presence and simple elegance make it one of the most beloved landmarks on the Outer Banks. [Review 775 of 2025 - 4207 in North Carolina - 24335 overall]

    Well it's another lighthouse. There is free parking a block down, or park at the church just past…read morethe lighthouse for a donation. There is a boardwalk to the lighthouse that keeps your feet dry. Can't climb the stairs. Basically this is a 5 min visit, take some pics, read the history sign, then leave. I guess once the light keepers house is done with restoration there may be a museum to see?

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    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse
    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse - Ocracoke Island Light Station

    Ocracoke Island Light Station

    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

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    North Carolina Estuarium - Ducks and turtles and fish

    North Carolina Estuarium

    4.4(12 reviews)
    67.0 mi

    What great place to tour and staff was so nice.. once we paid and started tour the gentleman put a…read moreball up a tube that went into this cool artistic display of how a rain drop forms and the lifecycle.. it went into a cloud around room which simulated atmosphere and into rivers and big bodies of water it was cool. Then we sat in on 12 min film on estuaries.. then self guided tour .. for $5 it's worth price of admission . Lots of rooms to go thru.. live animals like snake , crab, alligator to see.. and you can walk outside on the deck see beauty of the waterfront area. Enjoyed my visit and highly recommend to anyone in area.

    The North Carolina Estuarium is located in Downtown Washington, NC. It is the first estuarium in…read morethe world and focuses on the environment. The NC Estuarium offers ferry rides on the Tar and Pamlico Rivers at various times during the year. I really enjoy the rides as you might see some wildlife besides the plant life. The captain provide fun facts along the way too. The museum is 12,500 square foot and serves as an education center. It provides a great overview of the estuaries and coastal rivers which are an important part of the ecosystem where fresh water and salt water mix. 90% of NC seafood comes from estuaries. We need to keep these waterways clean. In the lobby the display is large and shows the different parts of North Carolina. The NC Esturium is part museum and part aquarium. The aquarium focuses just on estuary species. It has over 200 exhibits and a lot are hands on. The part about the hurricanes was informative and showed the damage done from the rising sea levels. I highly recommend visiting this unique museum.

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    North Carolina Estuarium
    North Carolina Estuarium
    North Carolina Estuarium

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    Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum - museums - Updated June 2026

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