The 200 miles of open beachfront protecting the North Carolina coast make up a beloved destination. Vast beaches, historic lighthouses, and rich and varied flora and fauna make this landscape a beauty to behold. From the Lost Colony to the site of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, from sunrise to sunset, this stretch of coast holds memorable scenes for all ages and interests. Photographer Wes Snyder captures the unique beauty of the Outer Banks in this unparalleled collection of images that celebrates this remarkable destination.

Little-known stories of North Carolina’s celebrated barrier islands, with photos included. The history of North Carolina's Outer Banks is as ancient and mesmerizing as its beaches. Much has been documented, but many stories were lost—until now. Join local historian Sarah Downing as she reveals a past of the Outer Banks eroded by time and tides. Revel in the nostalgic days of the Carolina Beach Pavilion, stand in the shadows of windmills that once lined the coast, and learn how native islanders honor those aviation giants, the Wright brothers. Downing’s vignettes venture through windswept dunes, dive deep in search of the lost ironclad the Monitor, and lament the decline of the diamondback terrapin. Break out the beach chair and let your mind soak in the salty bygone days of these famed coastal extremities.

Connecting communities from Corolla in the north to Ocracoke Island in the south, scenic North Carolina Highway 12 binds together the fragile barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. Throughout its lifetime, however, NC 12 has faced many challenges—from recurring storms and shifting sands to legal and political disputes—that have threatened this remarkable highway's very existence. Through the unique lens of the road's rich history, Dawson Carr tells the story of the Outer Banks as it has unfolded since a time when locals used oxcarts to pull provisions from harbors to their homes and the Wright Brothers struggled over mountainous dunes. Throughout, Carr captures the personal stories of those who have loved and lived on the Outer Banks. As Carr relates the importance of NC 12 and its transformation from a string of beach roads to a scenic byway joining miles of islands, he also chronicles the history of a region over the last eighty-five years, showing how the highway and the residents of the Outer Banks came to rely on each other.

Profiles the land, the nature, and the people of the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Features more than 100 stunning images from photographer Steve Alterman.

See why the Outer Banks is one of the most unique and cherished places in the U.S. The complete guide to North Carolina's stunning coast—some of the most beautiful in North America—is better than ever in this revised, updated, and beautifully redesigned edition. Detailed reviews of lodging, dining, and recreation, plus outfitters, campsites, trails, and point of historic and cultural interest make this book the indispensable companion to the incomparable Outer Banks region. Renowned travel writer Renee Wright makes it easy to get the very most out of your journey to this majestic destination. In addition to the overwhelming beauty of North Carolina's shores, the Outer Banks preserves history and traditions lost to more urban areas of the eastern United States. So, whether it's wild Banker ponies, historic Kitty Hawk, or hidden beaches that visitors would otherwise never find, the gems of the Outer Banks are yours to discover.

In this never-before-assembled collection of lost landmarks, historian Sarah Downing evokes the Outer Banks of yesteryear. Drawn from the vast collections of the Outer Banks History Center and from locals mourning the forever changed character of the area, these vintage images reflect the hotels, stores, restaurants and bandstands that appeared in the boom time following World War II but have since been lost to progress. An honorary native, Downing has preserved the Pirate's Ball at Nags Head Casino, Doc Watson playing at the Sound Side on Kitty Hawk Bay and grits at the El Gay in this collection of hangouts and haunts of yesterday's summer.