Pace is slower on Outer Banks

IF YOU GO

Outer Banks information: (877) 629-4386, outerbanks.org



Elizabethan Gardens: (252) 473-3234, elizabethangardens.org



North Carolina Maritime Museum of Roanoke Island: (252) 475-1750, ncmaritime.org



North Carolina Aquarium, (866) 332-3475, ncaquariums.com



Manteo Booksellers, (866) 473-1222, manteobooksellers.com



Roanoke Island Festival Park, (252) 475-1506 (24-hour events line), roanokeisland.com



Sam & Omie's, (252) 441-7366, samandomies.net

The slower, more leisurely pace of life on North Carolina's Outer Banks suits restaurateur Mike Kelly.

"We still get things done here," he said, "but we may be a little slower than the rest of the world."

Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors descend upon the Outer Banks to kick back like Kelly and enjoy the area's unspoiled beauty. The 130-mile chain of barrier islands is home to some of the most natural, undeveloped beaches in the country. The windswept beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore were listed by beach expert Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach) as No. 7 on his 2009 Top Ten List of domestic beach destinations.

The shoreline along the Outer Banks provides panoramic vistas that are difficult to duplicate. "This place is eye candy," Kelly said. "Sunsets on Jockey's Ridge, you can't beat them. It's great therapy."

The colorful sunsets on Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head are just one reason to visit the popular 426-acre site. The 90-foot sand dune is popular for kite flying and sand artistry.

Another of Kelly's favorite spots is Nags Head Woods, a 1,400-acre maritime forest in Kill Devil Hills. The eco-friendly habitat is home to more than 300 different plants and 50 species of birds.

"We have a diverse wildlife," Kelly said. "Everything is open and natural."

Other natural areas include the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on the north end of Hatteras Island, a popular stop for birds on the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge boasts hundreds of species of birds including swans, shore birds and wading birds. For fun, check out the turtle pond or peer through the free binoculars at the observation platforms overlooking the refuge.

When it comes to water-related activities, you'll find plenty from which to choose. The area is known for crabbing for blue crabs, jet skiing, and ocean and sound kayaking as well as parasailing, boating and surfing. It also features some of the best angling waters in the country, whether you enjoy surf or pier fishing, or fly or sound fishing. You also can charter fishing expeditions.

The underwater landscape along the Outer Banks, known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, lures scuba divers with its more than 1,500 sunken ships.

The area's historical attractions are as intriguing as its beaches. Be sure to stop by the Wright Brothers National Memorial, where you'll learn about the brothers' famous flight on Dec. 17, 1903. A 60-foot granite monument marks their legendary achievement. The visitor center includes exhibits as well as a full-scale reproduction of the Wright Flyer.

The Outer Banks also offers an abundance of restaurants for every palette. If you'd like a casual, local favorite, stop by Sam & Omie's in Nags Head for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Often visitors to the Outer Banks will make the mistake of not venturing over to Roanoke Island, a tranquil getaway across the causeway. The island features the quaint town of Manteo as well as the fishing village of Wanchese. A throwback to earlier, gentler times, Manteo is filled with picturesque cottages, charming Victorian homes and peaceful water views.

Manteo's small-town atmosphere is what attracted Horace Whitfield. He's lived or worked on the island for 36 years. "Manteo is a respite from the beach," he explained. "It's friendly. Visitors can walk around and meet the people who live here."

Manteo's downtown waterfront area is peppered with small boutiques, cafes and gift shops that specialize in local artisans and unique selections. Take a moment to slip into Manteo Booksellers and grab a comfy chair. You'll find the old-fashioned store reminiscent of the corner bookstores that were so plentiful in days gone by.

Manteo also houses some of the area's most pleasing bed and breakfast retreats, everything from the traditional Tranquil House Inn on the waterfront to the more rustic Roanoke Island Inn.

During your visit, take time to explore Roanoke Island Festival Park with the Elizabeth II, a representative 16th-century ship, or the North Carolina Maritime Museum of Roanoke Island with the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. Other fun stops include the North Carolina Aquarium, and the Elizabethan Gardens, which features a walking trail that takes you into a world of rare roses, tea shrubs, camellias and azaleas.

"There is a different flavor to the island," Whitfield said. "It's a place for new discoveries."