I stopped in here for domestic and international stamps while on the OBX on vacation. The employees…read morewere really nice. It was during the holidays so it wasn't too crowded. I was able to get my stamps and mail postcards quickly. There seemed to be ample parking, and at least two drop-off boxes inside.

I have aways have a good experience there. Friendly at the front desk, helpful..I rent a Post…read moreOffice Box for convenience.

The Kill Devil Hills Library (formally called "Dare County Library in Kill Devil Hills") is small,…read morebut adequate for this community. They have free and fast WiFi (no password required), PCs available for checkout, big tables, chairs, and free parking. Oh, and books. I don't know how busy it is during high season, but when I visited in October on a weekday afternoon, it wasn't crowded at all. All the PCs were in use, but there was plenty of room to sit at the tables (only one of which has easy access to power). Overall, I like this library. The only shortcomings in my book are that the staff aren't terribly computer-savvy (I had to help one of their patrons with an issue he was having with a PDF file that stumped the whole squad of librarians) and they don't allow food or drink.

I'm making a concerted effort to patronize my local library over purchasing books from Amazon etc…read more This is no NYPL but it does the trick. They are able to order books from other libraries in their network and are extremely helpful. Support your local library!

I have never been to a more friendly, helpful post office in 40 years. The gentleman behind the…read morecounter was extremely friendly and very willing to help. It was such a pleasant experience in these crazy times. I'm sorry I didn't get his name but kudos to you and I hope your happiness is contagious!!!!

its a typical post office...sometimes a wait, sometimes not. Passport photos done here were simple…read moreand easy. register online.

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!

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.

BLUF: To the casual observer the Mother Vine may just resemble misplaced and untamed vegetation…read moregrowing haphazardly in the front yard of a private home; however, this legendary plant is significant, historic and mysterious. Seemingly, the Mother Vine is a scuppernong grapevine that grows on an elevated trellis in the front yard of a private home. Simplistically the vine is often referred to as the oldest cultivated grapevine in the country and that is why it is deemed to be significant, historic and treasured. The origins of the grapevine are highly nuanced and a bit mysterious so the exact history eludes me. Most reports are that this particular vine is over 400 years old but I did read one story that said testing revealed this actual vine is about 300+ years old. Whether it was the Croatan Native Americans or English settlers that first cultivated the vine is also up for debate. Whatever the case, this vine is old and it's great that it still survives. Something else that is really neat about this vine is that it is cared for mostly by neighbors in the residential community in which it resides. As noted above, the vine is located in the front yard of a private home. I read an article from a few years ago that said the plan was to transfer the property to the Outer Banks Conservationists but I am not clear if that is the title for the property or the care for the property. Property records indicate the property is still privately owned and I didn't see where the Other Banks Conservationists website made mention of the property or vine so I'm not sure if a transfer was made or if that is still in the works. In any event we were sure to be extra courteous as we tip toed around the front yard to ooh and ahh at the vine. We visited mid-morning on a Saturday and aside from being deeply appreciative that this site was open, we were also grateful for there being a few parking spots and a sign welcoming visitors. In addition to the vine, we also took the short path down to the Roanoke Sound shoreline. I appreciate all the efforts of the family on whose property this vine resides, the neighbors and other individuals and organizations to protect this vine and to make it open to the public. Thank you!

Visiting the Mother Vine is such a special experience, especially if you're someone who loves and…read moreappreciates wine. Mother Vine is located on a private property on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks. The owners of the property and caretakers of the vine have gone above and beyond to create a beautiful experience for anyone who wants to visit. After driving through a beautiful, quiet little neighborhood, you arrive at the property. There are plenty of signs on the property indicating that this is the place to visit Mother Vine. There's also a little parking area that the property owners created specifically for visitors. One lovely little detail that I wasn't expecting was a sign pointing to a path that leads out to the waterfront. That's actually how I began my visit. I parked, and then walked out to the waterfront with my cup of morning coffee and took in a quiet, breathtaking Outer Banks sunrise. That alone was truly an experience I will never forget. After spending a little time by the waterfront, I went over to visit Mother Vine, which is located in the front yard of the property. The vine will be a different experience depending on what time of year you're visiting. I went in the winter months and got to see it when it's brown and all of the remaining grapes were dried and browning. There was beauty in that for me. You could also choose to visit in the warm weather months, when the vine is lush and green. On the day that I visited, I was the only one there, and the morning was so easy and lovely. I'm so grateful to the kind homeowners who opened up this gem to the public. If you find yourself in the Outer Banks, this is a wonderful and free experience. Just please remember to be respectful of both the historic vine and the family who resides on the property if and when you stop by.

Someone at a gas station said that this was a good place to research local history. Lots of books…read moreand pictures. Free. No smoking allowed. Plenty of parking. Air conditioned. Ask to see the "Andy Griffith Collection".

Interesting to see but I wouldn't go too far out of your way to see it…read more The best part about this monument is it's open to the public free of charge.

This is nicely done and you get detailed of all the 1st and advances in aviation. We spend time to…read moreread everything and learned a lot. This is a must to get a better understanding of all that happen with 100 ish year of flight