If you’ve seen one lighthouse, you’ve seen them all. Right?
Wrong, at least when it comes to the number of incredible lighthouses on display in the Outer Banks.
Whether you want a day more protected from the sun or want an education trip for your kiddos, visiting a lighthouse is a great option. Check out these featured, highly rated lighthouses on your Outer Banks vacation!
1. Bodie Island Lighthouse
Located on Nags Head, the Bodie Island Lighthouse is one of the most iconic attractions in the Outer Banks. Originally built in the 1870s, the lighthouse is actually operated by the National Park Service as a protected site.
Climb to the top of the lighthouse to catch a glimpse of history and to spy some beautiful seabirds.
2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Located in Buxton, NC (part of the Hatteras Island villages), the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the epitome of an American lighthouse. In fact, it’s one of the most iconic and widely recognized lighthouses in the country.
Instead of featuring red and white, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse features black and white stripes and sits at a whopping 208 feet tall. Learn about the history of the Graveyard of the Atlantic and change up your beach vacation with a trip to this historic site.
3. Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
A bit further away in Manteo, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse looks over the Roanoke Sound. Compared to the other lighthouses on this list, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is significant because it’s new — only a decade old, in fact. Learn about how lighthouses are still used in today’s shipping industry.
4. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse resides in Corolla, North Carolina, and it’s still used as an active lighthouse.
The grounds of this lighthouse are also worth noting, as they are well-maintained and feature a beautiful oceanside view.
Even if you only check out one or two lighthouses, make sure to include these historic sites in your Outer Banks vacation. Especially if you have kids, the trip can be worth the history lesson and the escape to a less-crowded area than the beach.
