Élan Vacations Activities Page

There is no doubt that the Outer Banks is full of activities for your family vacation. Sometimes it is difficult to decide what you want to do once you get here. Not to worry, Élan vacations has created a list of many of the area’s favorite activities and attractions. It can be found here: http://www.elanvacations.com/Outer-Banks-Activities.asp . As you can see, it is not a small list. There are so many great things to do and see, we had a hard time limiting the list.

One of the perks of staying with Élan Vacations is our concierge service. Simply check in and tell us what you are in the mood for. Our OBX experts will take it from there. They will make sure that you get to go fishing when you want, get the best tee time, and have reservations for the finest restaurants in the area. They are also a good source to ask what the local’s favorites are. Instead of asking, what the most popular restaurant is, ask them what their favorite place is, and you will be in for a treat. After a few moments speaking with our knowledge staff, you will feel like a local because of the tips you have learned.

To ensure that you are able to do the activities that you want, you should speak with our concierge when you make your reservations. This will give them plenty of time to make sure that the times and dates you are requesting for tee times, restaurant reservations and other activities are available.

Free Activities in the Outer Banks

This summer, if you are looking for a vacation that won’t dwindle your bank account severely, the Outer Banks is for you. Once you arrive, you will find that there are many free activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The Outer Banks is rich in history, beaches, sun and more fun than you can imagine. Here are some of our favorite FREE activities that you can enjoy while vacationing.

One of the top reasons family’s visit the Outer Banks is for the beaches. The best part is they are free! Unlike beaches elsewhere in the country, parking is free. That’s right, no parking meters! Save your change for something else. Year after year, the beaches in the Outer Banks are top rated by some of the travel industries best publications.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park also offers an abundance of free activities. From hiking the tallest natural sand dune in the Eastern United States, to flying kites and picnicking, this park will keep you and your family entertained for hours.

For those more interested in the science of the ocean and the surrounding area, visit the Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck. Here you can learn about waves and the many devices and vehicles that scientists use to study them. Because these waves and shoreline are so treacherous, this area is also named the Graveyard of the Atlantic. It has claimed over 2,000 shipwrecks and you can learn about them at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras.

Visiting the Outer Banks doesn’t have to be an expensive vacation, as long as you know where to look. Activities are abundant and fun is also free!

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Just north of Manteo lies a treasure that no visitor to the Outer Banks should miss. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200 species of birds and other wildlife. Among the most special of species is the endangered red wolf.

By the early 1970’s the few remaining red wolves were captured and the red wolf was declared extinct in the wild. As a result of a five year experiment to rebuild the population, the red wolf has been reintroduced into the wild, and their numbers are increasing steadily. This task would not have been possible without the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge. Now the population is thriving, with new litters of pups born each year. For more information about the red wolf, please visit http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/.

This wildlife refuge offers visitors loads of opportunities to experience nature. Guests can access the park for many different recreational activities. The park offers hiking, birding, fishing, kayaking and more. Whatever your interest, there is something for you in this park.

The physical address of the park is:
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Milltail Road
East Lake, NC 27953

Directions from many areas can be found here: http://www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/directions.html

The refuge is open all year long during daylight hours.