Nags Head, North Carolina

Visitors have found the Outer Banks of North Carolina to be an idyllic vacation spot, but what they don’t know is that they are carrying on a tradition that began over a century ago when a North Carolina planter first set foot at Nags Head and discovered the charm of the area. In those days, planters from inland counties came to the area to escape the long, hot summers. In the 1830s, the first of these planters came to Nags Head and purchased over 200 acres of land. He then built the very first beach cottage.

Within 20 years, Nags Head had become a resort attraction, with about 20 vacation homes from the Albemarle Sound to the Atlantic Ocean. At this time there was a resort called the Nags Head Hotel at the foot of Jockey’s Ridge. For many years before and after the War Between the States, the hotel was the center of summer activity in Nags Head. Dance and dinners were held nearly every night. The hotel even built a railway for transportation of its guests to the ocean beach. The Nags Head Hotel was swept away by the shifting sands of Jockey’s Ridge in the 1870s.

“ Planters from inland counties came to the area to escape the long, hot summers. ”

Along with its unique history, what makes Nags Head such a great place to relocate is that it gives an “off-of-the-earth” feel. When visiting the island, you will feel right at home with friendly faces, a quiet environment and plenty of recreational activities to choose from. Nags Head is home to the largest sand dune, Jockeys Ridge, and between spring and fall you can catch visitors and locals hang gliding off the dune. You will also find tourists checking out the scenery from the top of the dune, where you will have a panoramic view of the ocean and sound with a glance—not to mention the Jockey’s Ridge State Park nearby for history buffs.

Residents of Nags Head have easy access to surrounding towns with the same small town charm. Nags Head is located just a short drive from Manteo, Hatteras, Kitty Hawk and Duck. A scouting trip to Nags Head on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is worth your time. Whether you are planning for an investment, vacation or relocation, you will enjoy the simple life that the Outer Banks has to offer.