Exploring Educational Opportunities on the Outer Banks

Ready to explore and learn by the sea? The Outer Banks offers hands-on adventures for all ages! Climb historic lighthouses, wander maritime forests, visit interactive museums, and spot wild horses on the beach. Discover shipwrecks, pirates, and coastal ecosystems while soaking in the ocean breeze.
Stay in a cozy rental and turn your trip into a fun, educational escape.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Corolla
One of the few unpainted brick lighthouses on the East Coast, this 162-foot beacon has guided mariners since 1875. Climb the 220 steps for sweeping views, and visit the restored keeper's house and museum.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Buxton
Famous for being the tallest brick lighthouse in North America, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been relocated to avoid shoreline erosion. It's a symbol of the Outer Banks' resilience. Discover all OBX lighthouses on our lighthouses page.

Bodie Island Lighthouse & Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
Nags Head & Manteo
Bodie Island offers ranger-led tours and gorgeous photo ops. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, in Manteo, is a charming replica with a small onsite exhibit.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
Hatteras Village
Explore shipwreck artifacts, lifesaving history, and pirate lore at this free museum at the edge of Hatteras Island. Great for families and maritime enthusiasts.

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
Rodanthe
Step into one of the first U.S. Life-Saving Service stations. Restored buildings and summer reenactments bring the Mirlo rescue and other heroic tales to life.

Corolla Wild Horses
Corolla
Descendants of 16th-century Spanish mustangs roam the dunes and beaches near Corolla. Guided 4x4 tours are available through Wild Horse Adventure Tours and Corolla Wild Horse Fund, with history woven into the experience.

Currituck Banks Reserve
Corolla
Adjacent to Corolla, this 965-acre reserve features boardwalks, dunes, maritime forest, and marsh habitats where wild horses often graze.

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Manteo
Located on Roanoke Island, this aquarium highlights the diverse ecosystems of the Outer Banks, from coastal wetlands to deep sea habitats, with interactive exhibits and marine life displays.

Jennette's Pier
Nags Head
Inside the pier house at Jennette's Pier, a 3,000-gallon aquarium showcases local marine life with a custom backdrop designed to resemble an underwater coquina rock shelf.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
Corolla
Learn about local habitats, decoy carving, and fishing traditions. Free and family-friendly.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Hatteras Island
One of the best birding destinations on the East Coast. Stop by the visitor center or join a guided birdwatching walk.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Near Manteo
Just west of Roanoke Island, this refuge is home to red wolves, black bears, and countless migratory birds. Join a Red Wolf Howling event or kayak the canals.

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival
Outer Banks-Wide
Held every October with an Encore weekend in December, this event offers over 60 programs in birding, paddling, nature photography, and more.

Kayak Eco Tours
Outer Banks-Wide
Coastal Kayak Touring Company and Kitty Hawk Kites offer guided paddles through marshes, sounds, and maritime forests, often with naturalist guides.

Outer Banks Adventures & Watersports
Nags Head / Manteo
Explore the Outer Banks like never before on an airboat. A top choice for visitors and locals alike, with opportunities to learn about the thriving ecosystem, marine wildlife, and the unique history that the NC coast has to offer.

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
Nags Head
A rare example of old-growth forest on a barrier island. Home to frogs, birds, foxes, and more. Trails range from stroller-friendly to rugged.

Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
Kitty Hawk
Explore dense woods and brackish marshes via kayak or on foot. Less traveled and very peaceful.

Buxton Woods Nature Trail
Buxton
Located near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, this preserve features boardwalks through one of the largest remaining maritime forests in the state.

Wright Brothers National Memorial
Kill Devil Hills
Stand at the very site of the first powered flight. The memorial includes a museum, replica hangars, and monuments to the Wright brothers' achievement.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Manteo
Explore the story of the Lost Colony and Civil War Freedmen's Colony. Walking paths lead through the historic grounds.

The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama
Manteo
Performed each summer at Waterside Theatre, this play reenacts the mysterious disappearance of the 1587 English settlement.

Roanoke Island Festival Park
Manteo
Board a replica 16th-century ship, meet costumed interpreters, and explore interactive exhibits about Native American and colonial life.

Historic Downtown Manteo
Manteo
Stroll past century-old homes, visit the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, and shop local galleries. A self-guided historic walking tour is available.

Dare Arts
Manteo
Browse local art like pottery, glass, textiles, and woodworking. Workshops, exhibits, and hands-on classes are common throughout the year as well.

Currituck Arts Council
Corolla
Check out seasonal workshops, rotating art exhibits, and festivals focused on local heritage and craft.

Seaside Art Gallery
Nags Head
One of the largest privately owned galleries in the Southeast, featuring national artists and special events.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
Manteo
Hosted annually in September, this event blends food, drink, and local history.

Outer Banks Seafood Festival
Nags Head
Held in October, this event highlights the working watermen of the OBX with fresh seafood, chef demos, and cultural exhibits.

Duck Jazz Festival 
Duck
Free, outdoor performances in the Duck Town Park Amphitheater in October.

Holiday Tours in Historic Manteo
Manteo
During December, Manteo hosts holiday-themed walking tours, home tours, and the Christmas Island celebration.

Make your KEES Outer Banks stay even more meaningful by pairing comfort with discovery. Whether you're birdwatching in the marsh, attending a performance under the stars, or climbing a lighthouse, you'll leave with more than memories; you'll leave with a deeper connection to this incredible stretch of coast. 

Let the OBX be your classroom, playground, and home away from home. And don't forget, we offer an Educators Discount on select homes!