Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Outer Banks
Dare County's Outer Banks covers an area of 800 square miles, of which 409 square miles are water. This makes the area perfect for a wide variety of water activities including jet skiing, ocean and sound kayaking, diving, surfing, parasailing, windsurfing, sailing, boating and of course, swimming. Outdoor outfitters provide rentals for equipment and activewear.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, standing at 208 feet, is the tallest in the United States. The lighthouse is painted in black and white spirals, with a red base. Its light its can be seen for 20 miles, warning ships of the submerged sand bars where so many ships have foundered. (252) 995-4474

Located next to Fort Raleigh, the Elizabethan Gardens are a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh’s "lost colonists." The gardens feature a sunken floral garden and herb, wildflower and rose gardens that surround priceless pieces of antique statuary. (252) 473-3234

The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama -- America’s oldest outdoor drama, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Green, that tells the story of "The Lost Colony," an unsolved historical mystery. Presented nightly, except Sundays, at 8:30 p.m., from early June to late August. thelostcolony.org

Raleigh
The North Carolina Museum of Art houses the art collections of the State of North Carolina. The paintings and sculpture in the state's art collection represent more than 5,000 years of artistic heritage, from ancient Egypt to the present. The collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, with works by Van Dyck, Jan Brueghel and Raphael, is internationally recognized. Significant American paintings include works by John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and Georgia O'Keeffe. www.ncartmuseum.org

The Raleigh Little Theatre was named " Best Theatre Organization in the Triangle"  by Spectator magazine. Features 14 comedy, musical and dramatic productions annually. Memberships and individual tickets available. Classes offered for children and adults. (919) 821-4579