• Cape Hatteras Lighthousecape hatteras lighthouse image by David Dorner from Fotolia.com
  
  Hatteras Island is a barrier island off the North Carolina coast with seven island villages hosting more than 3 million visitors annually. Hatteras Island is part of North Carolina's Outer Banks, running more than 42 miles in length. The island is home to about 4,000 full-time residents, as well as a federal park and federally protected wetlands.
  
  

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore is home to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The black and white, spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the icon for Hatteras Island, open to the public through supervision of the National Park Service. A lighthouse museum and history of the Outer Banks is located inside the Double Keepers' Quarters Building on the same property with the lighthouse. The Hatteras Island Visitor Center is also on the lighthouse property, with a gift shop, maps, restrooms and information on ranger-led nature programs conducted regularly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is an admission fee for climbing the lighthouse and entering the National Seashore.
  
  Cape Hatteras National Seashore
  1401 National Park Drive
  Manteo, NC 27954
  252-995-4474
  nps.gov/caha/index.htm
  
  

Chicamacomico Life Saving Station

• The Chicamacomico Life Saving Station is America's most complete exhibit of the life-saving stations that were built along the coast in the late 19th century to respond to shipwrecks and rescue survivors. The 1874 station was the first operational life-saving station built in North Carolina, open until 1954. The 1874 Station is joined by the 1911 Station and a village home built in 1907.
  
  The Life Saving Station is open Monday to Friday from mid-April through Thanksgiving weekend. An admission is charged.
  
  Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site
  23645 N.C. 12
  Rodanthe, NC 27968
  252-987-1552
  chicamacomico.net/
  
  

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

• The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is in the shape of a ship with portholes and curved timbers. The North Carolina Division of Cultural Resources operates the museum focusing on the maritime history and shipwrecks of North Carolina's Outer Banks from 1524 to 1945. Items on exhibit include the 1854 lens to the lighthouse, a German enigma machine and other maritime history.
  
  Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
  P.O. Box 284
  Hatteras, NC 27943
  252-986-2995
  graveyardoftheatlantic.com
  
  

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

• The refuge's Visitor Center, on the northern end of Hatteras Island, provides an introduction to the ecosystem and wildlife of the refuge. Activities on this 13-mile barrier island include canoe tours and guided bird walks conducted during spring, summer and fall. Pea Island visitors also surf, surf fish, hunt shells and kayak. Driving on the beach is not allowed.
  
  Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
  N.C. 12
  Hatteras Island, NC 27982
  252-987-2394
  fws.gov/peaisland/