Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging, Cape Hatteras, Hatteras Island, North Carolina

Area Attractions

About The Area
Lighthouse
Surf Fishing
Charters
Water Sports
Activities
Churches
Day Trips
Shopping
Ice Cream
Restaurants
Seafood Markets

About the Area

Buxton at Cape Hatteras is the perfect destination for those who desire a seaside vacation in its purest form: pristine beaches, quaint villages, miles of undeveloped marine forests, and opportunities for some of the best fishing, kayaking, surfing, and other outdoor activities.

The area in front of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is also a world-renowned surfing destination. Other attractions in Buxton include horseback riding, nature trails, tennis, miniature golf and a "bird petting zoo." Cape Point, one of the island's most popular fishing spots, is accessible from Buxton by four-wheel drive.

Between Buxton and nearby Avon, you'll find Canadian Hole, one of the most famous windsurfing spots on the East Coast. The Canadian Hole is the most popular and well known windsurfing spot on Hatteras Island. The site is named for the many visitors from Canada who flock to the island to ride the wind in the Pamlico Sound.

Avon is a popular windsurfing and kite surfing destination, and shops offering lessons and rental equipment abound. Other family activities include miniature golf, pier or beach fishing, parasailing or banana tube rides, sport wall climbing, kayaking and even nightly entertainment (during the summer) in some restaurants.

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Activities

Beach Fires—On the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, ground fires are permitted on the beach below the high tide line, and a permit is not required. The fire must be attended by an adult and completely extinguished before leaving the site of the bonfire.

Horseback Riding—Explore trails through the only maritime forest on the Outer Banks, including the Buxton Woods, the NC Coastal Reserve, and the National Park Service by horseback. More >>

Putt Putt—Visit Uncle Eddy's Miniature Golf in Buxton. 252-995-4059

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Churches

Buxton United Methodist Church
48221 Buxton Back Road & NC Hwy 12
(252) 995-4306

Church of the Living Water
47794 Buxton Back Road
(252) 995-5158 or (252) 995-5286

Hatteras Island Christian Fellowship
48576 NC Hwy 12 (at Cape Hatteras Secondary School Auditorium)
(252) 995-6901

Lighthouse Assembly of God
48060 NC Hwy 12
(252) 995-5696

Our Lady of the Seas Catholic Church
48478 NC Hwy 12
(252) 995-6370

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Day Trips

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site—Located at the north end of Roanoke Island, this is where Sir Walter Raleigh's explorers and colonists established settlements in 1585. The site includes a visitor’s center, nature trail, and interpretive programs. It is also home to Waterside Theatre, where you'll find The Lost Colony, a symphonic outdoor drama. More >>

The Lost Colony—Take in this thrilling outdoor drama that explores the 400-year-old mystery surrounding the fate of the first English colony in the New World that vanished without a trace, leaving historians and archaeologists with one of America's most perplexing mysteries. More >>

Roanoke Island Festival Park—Here you will find the Outer Banks History Center, a gift shop, and the Elizabeth II Historical Site. Enjoy a film about Native Americans and their relationship with the early explorers and settlers. At the pocosin-side amphitheater, music, dance, and theater productions are scheduled throughout the year. More >>

Jockey's Ridge State Park—The tallest active sand dune in the eastern United States (110-140 ft.). The park comprises 484 acres with a park museum, picnic area, 1.5-mile nature trail, and a boardwalk trail accessible to the handicapped. This is the third most popular park in the state. More >>

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge—Experience marine fowl up close, including the Greater Snow Goose, wildfowl during the winter, and wading and shore birds during the autumn. The refuge is located adjacent to NC 12 between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe. Handicapped trails accessible. Parking, observation platforms, and information headquarters are located 7 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Free. Open daylight hours seven days/week. More >>

Buxton Woods Nature Trail—This ¾-mile trail is located just south of the lighthouse on the right side of the road and navigates in and around the maritime forest of Buxton Woods. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, box turtles, green anoles, and southern dusky salamanders live in this habitat, as well as two species of rare butterflies—the northern hairstreak and giant swallowtail—and the messalina underwind moth. Access the trail at the picnic area.

Nags Head Woods—Explore the Outer Banks natural areas. The Nature Conservancy offers a variety of summer trips and educational programs in the forest. Summer adventures include kayak trips, bike-hikes, geology hikes, early morning migratory bird walks, and cultural history walks. More >>

Wright Brothers Memorial—Visit the site of the first powered flight, which includes a visitor’s center with exhibits and lectures of the Wright Brothers. See a reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer and 1903 Wright Glider, campsite living quarters, and the flight grounds. Tours and lectures every hour. Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. during summer. Closed Christmas Day. More >>

Elizabethan Gardens—A 16th century-style gardens created as a memorial to the ill-fated Lost Colony by the Garden Club of North Carolina. Ornamental gardens and statuary, wildflowers, and shrubs. Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., June-Labor Day, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Admission charged. Located adjacent to the Lost Colony and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. More >>

Hatteras Lighthouse and Visitor's Center—The most prominent symbol of the Outer Banks is the "candy striped" lighthouse. The tallest brick lighthouse in North America is open for climbing Easter through Memorial Day 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Labor Day to Columbus Day 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The visitor’s center holds a history of the area and light, and is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. More >>

North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island—This aquarium, located in Manteo, is one of three state facilities dedicated to the study and appreciation of fish and marine life native to North Carolina. Touch tank, large shark gallery, shoreline board walk, films, and informative lectures. Admission $3 adults, $1 children. Open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day. Regular hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. More >>

Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center —Located in Frisco, the museum houses a nationally recognized collection of Native American artifacts and historical and educational displays. It is not limited to Native Americans of the Outer Banks. There is a self-guided nature tour through the woods and a gift shop. More >>

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum—Dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks and the 1,000 known shipwrecks that rest off this coast. Located in Hatteras Village, the museum has a portion of its exhibits and a gift shop open while the interior construction continues. More >>

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Shopping

Indian Town Gallery
NC Hwy 12, Buxton: 252-995-5181, about 4 miles south of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
In addition to a vast collection of original and printed artwork, this barrier island gallery carries a unique array of collectibles, gifts, jewelry and Cape Hatteras lighthouse memorabilia.

This Little Cottage
53460 NC Hwy 12, Southside Center, Frisco: 252-995-3320. Everything for your lifestyle. Home furnishings, fine linens, baby & toddler gifts, hip, casual clothing, bath & body and unique accessories.

Zofia's Art Gallery
NC Hwy 12, Avon: 252-995-7871, next to Dairy Queen
Original artwork by Zofia Lategano. Fish prints classes, paintings, photos, jewelry.

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