Take some time away during the 4th of July holiday and enjoy time with loved ones surrounded by plenty of sand, sun, water, and fun. North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and especially Cape Hatteras, have something for everyone during a 4th of July trip. Relax and unwind wherever you please, or find something fun and exciting to do on-shore or off-shore during your Fourth of July in North Carolina summer vacation.
Avon Fishing Pier
After you’ve spent the day fishing, look toward the sky for a fireworks display. You can see the fireworks all along Avon Beach. The pier itself is open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. and stretches 665 feet out into the Atlantic. Make sure visiting the pier is part of your daytime activities, as the crooked bends in the pier are a testament to time and Mother Nature beating away at what is today the only operating pier on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The date and time of the festivities has not yet been confirmed.
Ocracoke Independence Day Celebration
You’ll have to do a little island-hopping for this. The village of Ocracoke on Ocracoke Island hosts a celebration full of family-friendly fun, fireworks, a parade, and more. Watch fireworks explode over Silver Lake Harbor just after the sun goes down. Stake your space around the harbor front docks with your beach towels, chairs, blankets, coolers, and other necessities.
Beaches
An island escape means time on the beach, especially during the 4th of July holiday. The warm weather and water mean you can spend as much time out in the sun on your beach days as you please. Lay out in the sun and sunbathe, get your exercise with a run or walk on the sand, watch the kids play or splash around in the water for a swim.
Beach Horseback Riding
Whether you and your loved ones are seasoned equestrians or it’s your first time on a horse, the beautiful backdrop of the beach and Atlantic Ocean waves of Cape Hatteras is a trail ride to remember. Call or email to make reservations with your chosen company, and be prepared to provide ages, height, and weight of riders so they can pair you with the horse that will be most appropriate for each person in your group.
Water Activities
In addition to the many beach activities that attracted you to Cape Hatteras this 4th of July, there are other fun water sports to experience, too. Paddle your way through calmer waters on a stand up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe with your traveling companions. Up the adrenaline and the speed when you take off on a jet ski. Riders out for a calm paddle will want to check out the pristine marshes and wildlife sanctuary of the area. Add in some lessons for a new skill while you’re at it: certified surf instructors will take you from land classes to catching your first wave in no time. Choose traditional surfing, wind surfing, or both. Once you’re comfortable with your skills, rent some gear and strike out on your own.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
A tour of the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a must-add to your 4th of July to-do list. The majestic black and white structure protects one of the most hazardous sections of the whole Atlantic Coast! It’s open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in-person on a first-come/first-serve basis. Visitors in search of the perfect view will want to be sure they can negotiate the 248-stair iron spiral staircase leading to the top.
Hatteras Island Ocean Center
Part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, the center stretches across Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Islands, Down East, and the Pamlico Sound. Nature lovers of all ages will find themselves right at home, and the center is within walking distance of central Hatteras Village. Explore on a kayak nature tour, go on “Turtle Patrol” and learn about the area’s sea turtles and see active nests, or learn about birding in the barrier islands.
Hatteras Weather Bureau Station
Cape Hatteras is full of history to explore. Along with the historic lighthouse, you may want to tour the historic wood-frame building, built in 1901. From 1902-1946 it provided data on conditions in the Atlantic Ocean from a fixed location farther into the ocean environment than any other on the Atlantic Coast at the time. After being decommissioned as a weather station, it became living quarters for Weather Bureau personnel in the area and has since been used as a research station by the universities in North Carolina investigating marine invertebrates.
Celebrate 4th of July in Cape Hatteras
While planning all the fun activities and adventures for your Cape Hatteras retreat this 4th of July, make booking comfortable accommodations a priority and book a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as one bedroom, all the way up to a six-bedroom single-family home so you and all your loved ones can enjoy an island adventure. Contact us today!
