Nags Head, North Carolina

The first resort area on the Outer Banks beaches, Nags Head is still drawing vacationers more than 150 years later. Known for its pristine beaches, Nags Head is also home to many attractions including the east coast's largest sand dune (Jockey's Ridge), shops, restaurants, night life, water sports and more. Jockey's Ridge State Park is the perfect spot to fly kites, hang glide or sand surf. Close to Roanoke Island, historic Manteo and Oregon Inlet, the term "Nags Head" is often used synonymously with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As one of the most developed towns on the Outer Banks, Nags Head is a wonderful place for vacationing or year-round living. Nags Head offers a mix of vacation accommodations, from small cottages to luxurious homes, from mom-and-pop cottage court efficiencies to upscale hotel rooms. For waterfront dining, Nags Head has more restaurants with a water view than any other Outer Banks town. For shopping, Nags Head offers a Tanger Outlet Center, the Outer Banks Mall, several strip shopping centers with a variety of stores and a wealth of souvenir/beach shops.


History
Legend states that early inhabitants of the area tied lanterns to the necks of horses and led the horses up and down the beach after dark to lure merchant ships. Sailors who saw the lights would mistake them for lights from ships and decide to come closr to shore. When they did, they would run aground and Nags Head residents would pillage the ship’s cargo.

Attractions
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Jennette's Fishing Pier
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Whalebone Welcome Center


Dining
Blue Moon Beach Grill
The Dunes Restaurant
Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern
Lucky 12 Tavern
Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant
Mulligans Raw Bar & Grille
Owens Restaurant
Pamlico Jack’s Pirate Hideaway
Pier House Restaurant
Pizzazz Pizza Company
Sam & Omie’s Restaurant
Stone Oven Pizza
Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant
Tale of the Whale Restaurant
Tortuga’s Lie Shellfish Bar and Grill
Yellow Submarine
 

Golf Courses
Nags Head Golf Links

Mini-Golf
Blackbeard’s Golf
Jurassic Putt

Shopping
Antique Mall of Nags Head
Cavalier Surf Shop
Christmas Mouse
The Cottage Shop
Cotton Gin
The French Door
Kitty Hawk Kites and Whalebone Watersports
Kitty Hawk Surf Co.
Outer Banks Mall
Tanger Outlets
TW’s Bait and Tackle
Whalebone Surf Shop
 

Watersports
Cavalier Surf Shop
Grog’s Watersports
Kitty Hawk Watersports
Outer Banks Boarding Co.
Nags Head Diving
Whalebone Surf Shop

Neighborhoods
Nags Head Acres
The Villas on the Roanoke Sound
North Ridge
Old Nags Head Cove
Waters Edge
The Village at Nags Head
Old Nags Head Place