The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is situated on 298 acres of maritime forest in the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area. The 35,000-square-foot building houses aquariums ranging from 300 gallons to 12,000 gallons, a touch tank, interactive exhibits, classrooms, meeting rooms, a large auditorium and a gift shop. Outside is a natural marsh area and two nature trails.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island Manteo, NC (252) 473-3493

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, NC (910) 458-8257

The Lost Colony Symphonic Drama

Tucked away at the north end of tiny Roanoke Island is an attraction that first lured visitors to the remote barrier islands more than 60 years ago.

The Lost Colony outdoor symphonic drama, an example of old-fashioned American ingenuity. A production that was intended to run for just one season has since played to more than three million audience members and is still going strong.

North Carolina's Lighthouses

Ocracoke Island can only be reached by ferry. A ferry leaves Cedar Island, north of the Morehead City / Beaufort area, five times each day; call 1-800-BY-FERRY for schedule and rate information; call (252) 225-3551 for reservations. Another ferry operates out of Swan Quarter with two round-trips daily; call (252) 926-1111. A free ferry run by the state and leaving every half hour during the summer links Hatteras Island and Ocracoke.

The first Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1803 on Shell Castle Island inside the Ocracoke Inlet not far from Blackbeard's hideout. Destroyed by lightning in 1818 it was replaced by the current light in 1823 on the banks of the inlet near Ocracoke Village.

Ocracoke Light remains among the oldest lighthouses still active on the southern coast.

Battleship North Carolina

Standing with quiet dignity and majesty across the river from downtown Wilmington, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA beckons visitors to walk her decks and envision daily life as well as fierce combat that her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.