The lighthouse is currently under an impressive renovation- and even that is impressive! Go see it…read moreon every stage of this immense project and see the powerful historical part of the coast! The museums are also amazing and well managed. Can't wait to go back when it's completed!

A major bummer that the lighthouse is under repair, completely scaffolded and with none of its…read moreusual charm. It was supposed to be done later this year but with funding cuts, they no longer have an ETA. The gift shop is really nice and the folks working there were extremely apologetic and perhaps a little embarrassed. Still, it's a historic lighthouse and worth stopping by. Just check in first to see if they're finished the refurbishment. [Review 795 of 2025 - 4227 in North Carolina - 24355 overall]

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!

I think the museums along OBX are small collection-type. The collection here is rich and very…read moreinformative. I learned a lot of history, about art from different tribes. There was one room which was more of an exhibit and resembled a home. The museum generally focused on Native American history at large but was not super helpful in informing you about the Croatan or Roanoke groups which were local to the region prior to European colonization. I understand the historical record is rather sparse but it would have been nice to have more connection to the location we were in. Nevertheless, I learned quite a bit about the role of the code talkers during WWII, saw models of original canoes, and more which were all rather interesting!

Many excellent artifacts with great descriptions and historical context. Very friendly staff!read more

What a unique experience I had finding this place…read more I had posted on Facebook that I was in town from LA and a friend from 30 years ago, then at first met at my first job in California randomly responded about the Old Burying Ground and said I should visit it. We were downtown and hitting a couple spots, and I was mentioning to my friend that lives locally about her response and it came right at the same exact moment that we were passing the cemetery and she pointed it out, so we quickly stopped and backed up and parked, and took a venture inside, mainly to see the girl that was buried in a barrel of rum, holy cow when you see the age of some of these graves and realize how extremely old they are, and you really quickly getting a sense of the magnitude of the history of the place. It is well worth your time to visit and explore.

Beautiful , historic graveyard . If you love history this burying ground is definitely worth a stop…read more. Plan to spend around 30 minutes here , maybe longer if you take your time to read the tombstones . It's a well kept graveyard but be sure to watch your step as the terrain is uneven in some areas . If you really want to learn more about the town's oldest graveyard , you can take a tour offered by the Beaufort Historical Association . Go to the website or visit the Beaufort Historical Center on Turner Street for more info . It's a peaceful final resting place for hundreds of notable people , soldiers , seaman and most notably , the Rum Girl .

Beautiful Fort and unique American history. Take the tour! It is free, educational, and…read moreinteresting. It was only about 30 minutes and our tour guide was wonderful.

Immensely beautiful park! The dunes are giant! We went a few times at sunset and things were pretty…read morequiet. The park is well maintained and the scenery is just stunning. We plan to return and spend more time there in the future.

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.

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.

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.

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]

Had no place to park motor home overnight that would allow me to run generator or plug-in. I have…read moremedical equipment that needs power 24/7 and no power also means no A/C. NO accommodations for RVs passing through without reservations made months in advance. The park ranger lied that I was asked to vacate a parking lot at the airport that was marked 24 hour parking. Was given $155 ticket for parking overnight. A beautiful area, to bad the rangers aren't more accommodating.

Nice national park site. Beach area is clean and easily accessible. Camping is no frills but gets…read morejob done. Entry visitor center closed because of fire. Nice junior ranger program. Not a destination but worth a stop in area.

The Battle of Newport Barracks Civil War Memorial in Downtown Newport represents the life at a…read moremilitary barracks during the Civil War. Admission is free but they do accept donations. A parking lot is available as well. The Newport Barracks was a Civil War Outpost that guarded a railroad trestle bridge. The railroad was used as a supply line to get supplies and equipment to New Bern. 900 Union soldiers tried to hold off 2500 Confederate soldiers who were there from Wilmington trying to regain control over New Bern. They fought for over ten hours before retreating but set fire to the depot and the railroad and bridges to destroy equipment and supplies. .

This is a great representation of a Civil War Confederate Camp. They have a cannon, several tents…read moreand other items from camp life. I especially like the cooking examples as well as the wash area and blacksmith shop. They have buildings there made of local materials and with craftmanship which has withstood the test of time. I will take some of these ideas home to put into practice in my own yard. The demonstration camp is a sobering reminder of the hard work and ultimate sacrifice Americans gave during this turbulent time in our history. Remembering is important. This camp provides and opportunity for Americans and visitors of all ages to see back in time and reflect. Well worth the time while in Newport, whose old town has other treasures to discover!