There are many child and family-oriented things to do in Hatteras. The island is one of North Carolina’s most family-friendly beaches. Families can explore nature to their heart’s content and enjoy plenty of attractions and activities as well. The thing many families love about Hatteras Island is that it’s a throwback to a simpler time, making this a great place to teach children about simple pleasures and the quiet life.
Featured for Your Visit
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
23645 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the life-saving stations that were built along the Atlantic coast in the late 19th century to attend to shipwrecks and to rescue survivors. The 1874 Station was the first operational U.S. Life-Saving Service station built in North Carolina, serving until 1954. Chicamacomico has been partially restored, thanks to numerous volunteers who formed a nonprofit organization to save it, and it is now a fine museum and historic site; all structures are original buildings.
On a visit here you’ll see the 1874 Station, the 1911 Station, two cookhouses, water tanks and a cistern, a stable, a tractor shed, the smaller boathouse and a village home built in 1907. In the museum, you’ll learn about the U.S. Life-Saving Service Station and some of the rescues that occurred here. Artifacts, uniforms, rescue equipment, displays, video presentations and self-guided tours help complete your knowledge of place and history. These stations have many stories to tell. Life-Saving crews at Chicamacomico performed many daring rescues, including one of the greatest rescues of WWI, that of the British tanker Mirlo in 1918. When the Mirlo was sunk by the German submarine U-117, Chicamacomico’s crew rescued 42 of 51 British sailors. The gift shop is full of unique nautical items and works by local craftspeople plus books and old-fashioned toys.
The historic breeches buoy demonstration is held every Thursday at 2 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 100th anniversary of the Mirlo rescue was commemorated on August 16, 2018, with a centennial event.
Check their website for special program information, admission fees and hours of operation and to see what is happening on any given day. Chicamacomico is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit raising all of its own funds; it has no federal, state or other budget.
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the life-saving stations that were built along the Atlantic coast in the late 19th century to attend to shipwrecks and to rescue survivors. The 1874 Station was the first operational U.S. Life-Saving Service station built in North Carolina, serving until 1954. Chicamacomico has been partially restored, thanks to numerous volunteers who...read more
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
Saltair Images Art Studio specializes in step-by-step paint parties, children's arts and craft classes and group art activities. The art activities are suitable for all levels of artistic ability, and they're really fun. The owner, Trish, is an artist and former teacher, which is the perfect combination for offering fun art classes for all ages.read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
The proximity of the Gulf Stream, Continental Shelf and Labrador Current make Cape Hatteras a dynamic environment that attracts a plethora of sea birds. Capt. Brian Patteson, who has been leading pelagic bird trips since 1986, takes trips to the Gulf Stream to see these birds on his 61-foot boat, Stormy Petrel II. Each trip is staffed by two to five leaders, each of whom...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
Simply OBX is a Hatteras souvenir and beach gear superstore. You'll find T-shirts and towels, kites and flags, jewelry and henna tattoos. There's also a selection of gourmet foods. Everything in the store costs $9.99 or less. This giant store is hard to miss in Avon, but you'll know you're there when you see the giant chicken out front. New in the store is a...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
South Island Arcade is a simple game room offering games of chance, video games and air hockey. It's open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. almost daily in the summer months, with reduced hours in the winter. You'll find it in the shopping center next to Island Convenience in Rodanthe. read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
Step aboard Captain Buddy O'Neal's 25' Carolina Skiff, and you'll get a taste of Kinnakeet life. Captain O'Neal is U.S. Coast Guard licensed and has decades of experience on the water, so you know you're in good hands for a day on the sound. He'll take you fishing and clamming, sightseeing, cruising, picnicking, island hopping and sunset watching. Each trip is customized for the
...
read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, weather observations gathered near Cape Hatteras were important for forecasters all along the East Coast. The Hatteras Island weather station was so critical that in 1901 the U.S. Weather Bureau constructed a dedicated Weather Bureau building in Hatteras village, one of only 11 such buildings constructed in the nation at the turn of the century. The building...read more
Child & Family Oriented in Hatteras
For a chance to see the offshore boats unloading the day’s deep-sea catches, head down to one of the Hatteras Village marinas between 3:30 and 5 p.m. When the boats come in, the fishing mates unload the day’s catches onto the docks so the fish can be taken away and cleaned. Most days you’ll see something, usually yellow-fin tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo or some...read more
