Join the Ocrafolk SchoolThe Ocrafolk School is a week of island heritage workshops and fun. They offer courses such photography, pottery, painting and basket weaving. Offered annually and only in October, this is a week you'll never forget! Visit the website, www.OcrafolkFestival.org or call (252) 928-0217 for more details. Take a Bike RideOne of the best ways to get around on Ocracoke Island is on a bicycle. You can reach every neighborhood and business on a bike. Take a scenic bike ride around Silver Lake Harbor or explore throughout the village. Most of the rental bikes have a basket, so you can even do a little shopping on your bike. Take a Photography Adventure with Your CameraInstead of purchasing postcards to take home with you as souvenirs of your Ocracoke vacation, take a photography adventure with your own camera. Whether you choose to photograph the lighthouse, different species of birds, sunrises and sunsets, historic homes, boats or any of the other many highlights of Ocracoke, the natural beauty is sure to come through in your photographs. You can take your original photographs home and show them to all of your friends, or frame them and hang them in your home or office so you will always have a reminder of your stay! Go on an Adventure To View Local ShipwrecksBecause the Outer Banks, referred to as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," has record of more than 100 shipwrecks throughout history, you may stumble upon the remains of a shipwreck while enjoying our pristine beaches. Unidentified wooden remains can be viewed on the beach between the Pony Pen parking lot and the next northern paved parking area. For information on other remains, inquire at the National Park Service Visitor Center located near the ferry terminal in the village. Visit the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony PensHoused in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once wild horses are a large part of the island's history. In the past, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens! Enjoy the Ocracoke Community CenterActivities may include anything from fundraisers, dances, musical performances, exercise classes or community meetings. Check local bulletin boards or the sign in front of the center for events. The Community Center can be rented for private parties or receptions. Go Horseback Riding on the BeachYou've seen the movies with people riding horses on the beach. Why not try it for yourself during your vacation on Ocracoke? Share a ride with an experienced guide and bring a camera to capture the experience. Catch a Local Music Performance at the Deepwater TheaterThe Ocrafolk Opry is a colorful cast that delivers a slice of Ocracoke life through island music and stories. The Rumgagger pirate show amuses kids and adults alike with pirate music and humor. Molasses Creek is Ocracoke's own internationally acclaimed, high energy, acoustic folk band. Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro are Coyote. They enchant audiences with their folk, rock, and blues style. Noah Paley has been wowing live and radio audiences internationally since 1999. Performances are seasonal, see www.DeepwaterTheater.com or call 252-928-3411 for more information. Take Your Four Wheel Drive Vehicle on the BeachYou can drive on the beach in many parts of the Outer Banks in designated off-road beach access areas. You will need to have a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to prevent getting stuck. Some areas don't allow beach driving and some require permits to drive on the beach in certain seasons, so check with the local area officials to make sure you are following the rules. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (252) 473-2111 or stop by the National Park Service Visitors Center on Ocracoke. Catch a Wave Surfing in the Outer Banks Ocean WatersBecause the Outer Banks are set farther into the ocean with deeper waters than most other coastal regions, the surf of the Outer Banks is said to have the best breaks on the East Coast. The various shipwrecks and sandbars also create unusual wave patterns for the thousands of surfers who come to the area each year to ride the waves. As with any activity in the ocean, always go with a friend and be aware of water, weather and beach conditions. Educate yourself about rip currents by visiting www.EenaProject.com. | Ocracoke RestaurantsJolly Roger Restaurant, Pub & Marina of Ocracoke396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Coffee Co. and Island Smoothie 226 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Creekside Cafe 475 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Flying Melon Cafe 804 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Slushy Stand & Bicycle Rentals 73 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Back Porch Restaurant & Wine Bar 110 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Cafe Atlantic 1129 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Sweet Tooth 1015 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Station 990 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Sunset Sweets 272 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pony Island Restaurant 51 Ocean View Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Flying Melon Cafe 804 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ShoppingHarborside Motel & Gift Shop229 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Olde Ocracoke Gathering Place Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and School Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Captain's Cargo Gift Shop 324 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Secret Garden Gallery 80 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Bella Fiore Pottery 80 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Ragpicker 515 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Books to be Red 34 School Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Tree Top Studio & Sandy Hands Farm 402 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Variety Store & Hardware 950 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Candyland 201 British Cemetery Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Zillie's Island Pantry 538 Back Road (Near British Cemetery Road) Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Artworks 89 British Cemetery Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke AttractionsOcracoke Island Lighthouse1 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Jolly Roger Restaurant, Pub & Marina of Ocracoke 396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Preservation Society 49 Water Plant Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Teach's Hole Pirate Shop & Blackbeard Exhibit Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Anchorage Inn & Marina 205 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ActivitiesCoastal Helicopters, LLC158 Ocean View Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Fire Department Bingo Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Austin Boat Tours: Dolphin Cruises & Sunset Cruises 138 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Schooner Windfall Pirate Cruise 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 Morning Starr Beach Rides 1070 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pamlico Sound Waterfowl Hunting PO Box 674 Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ride the Wind Surf & Kayak Shop 486 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions 396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Youth Center 1037 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Ghost & History Walk 170 Howard Street Ocracoke, NC 27960 Portsmouth Island Boat Tours 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 |