Wild Horses of the Outer Banks

During your next vacation to the Outer Banks, one adventure that you should definitely not pass up is seeing the wild horses. As you may know, North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to hundreds of horses. These horses, also known as Banker horses, Shackleford ponies, and Ocracoke ponies, are said to have descended from a breed of Spanish horses and arrived to the barrier islands during the 16th century.

The Banker horse, although somewhat small, weighing approximately 800 to 1,000 pounds, is a tough breed. They have endured hurricanes, hot and humid summers, and winter storms. They live on the tough sea grasses and at times, limited access to fresh drinking water. The horses are docile and quite friendly, although it’s not encouraged to try and approach them.

Overpopulation, inbreeding, and protection of their habitat from being overgrazed, are managed by the National Park Service, the State of North Carolina, and several private organizations.

To see the horses, you can often drive along the beach and side roads if you have a 4WD vehicle. If you don’t, there are many guided tours to choose from. A few of these are below.

• Back Country Outfitters and Guides
• Beach Jeeps of Corolla
• Bob's Wild Horse Tours
• Corolla Outback Adventures
• Wild Horse Adventure Tours
  

At Élan Vacations, we hope you have an enjoyable vacation and take the time to share the beauty of these horses with the entire family.

Outer Banks Fun Facts

When visiting a destination on vacation, it is fun to know some valuable information about the area, so you can get the full experience. Many vacation destinations are rich in history and fun facts. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is no exception. Here are some interesting facts and “firsts” that are found in the Outer Banks.

Firsts

On August 18, 1587, the first child was born in the New World. Virginia Dare was born at Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island. The leader of the colony traveled to England for help and upon his return found that the colony was gone. The disappearance of the colony has remained a mystery ever since.

In 1902 the first application of radio communication was used in the Outer Banks. This application was created by Reginald Fessenden, who later established the first commercial Trans-Atlantic two-way radio-telegraph service in 1905.

Of all events, the most famous is probably Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first flight. On December 17, 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful motor driven flight. Now a monument is dedicated to them in the area and they can be thanked for giving birth to modern flight.

Facts

Jockey's Ridge State Park, located in Nags Head, is the home of the highest sand dune on the East Coast with peaks at more than 90 feet.

The oldest and shortest lighthouse in North Carolina is the Ocracoke Lighthouse. It's the second oldest operational lighthouse in the United States.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which stands at 208-feet, is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.

And here’s one that should entice sport fisherman to come to the area. Besides the Virgin Islands, the Outer Banks is the best place to catch Atlantic Blue Marlin over 1,000 pounds!

If you are interested in learning more about the Outer Banks, visit with your family. The best way to learn is to hear it from a local, and explore where these events happened first hand.

Getting Married in the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a beautiful place. For so many, memories of family vacations and fun go hand in hand when they think about the OBX. It is no wonder why so many people choose to get married here. The Outer Banks features accommodations for large groups and settings that are rivaled by no one.

The fabulous beaches make for great photo opportunities, and the abundance of activities will keep your guests happy during down time. Guests can choose from world class golf, great shopping and a plethora of fine dining opportunities.

If you need help planning your wedding, there are many service providers in the area that can meet your needs. The Outer Banks features many florists, bakeries and other services to make your special day perfect. To find a service provider, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau has provided a list of vendors that can be found here: http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/wedding_information/

If your wedding group needs accommodations, Élan Vacations can provide rentals that sleep up to 14 people. Each vacation rental home has its own unique character and charm with amenities that will keep you spoiled. For more information about vacation rentals or help with your wedding, please contact a specialist today at http://www.elanvacations.com/contact.asp.

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.