What to do and see in Hatteras, United States: The Best Places and Tips

April 14, 2018 Matilde Konrad

Hatteras is an unincorporated village and census-designated place (CDP) in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, on the Outer Banks island of Hatteras, at its extreme southwestern tip. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 504. Immediately to the west of the village of Hatteras is Hatteras Inlet which separates Hatteras Island from the neighboring Ocracoke Island. North Carolina Highway 12 passes through the community linking it to Frisco to the east and Ocracoke to the west (via a ferry across Hatteras Inlet).
Restaurants in Hatteras

1. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, Hatteras Island, NC 27920 +1 252-995-4474
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The nation's tallest lighthouse was moved to a different location to preserve it.

Reviewed By az_rosie - Wisconsin

Unfortunately, we visited in April, before the lighthouse is open for the season. However, we were able to go inside the light keeper's home where there is a nice museum with information. Make sure to visit the beach, just on the other end of the parking lot. It was a beautiful spot.

2. Equine Adventures

52173 Piney Ridge Rd, Frisco, Hatteras Island, NC 27936 +1 252-995-4897
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 193 reviews

Equine Adventures

Horseback riding on the beach. Ride through the Buxton Maritime forest out to the pristine beaches of Hatteras Island. We offer 2 hour guided horse tours daily. Reservations are required and are available online as well as by phone.Open year round. Join us for a ride and see the island from a different perspective. All levels of riders accommodated and appreciated.

Reviewed By Stephistarr - Carlisle, Pennsylvania

The entire experience was fantastic! there was some rain the two days prior to our ride and the owner personally contacted us to make sure we knew about the minor road flooding. The directions were very easy to follow and location was clearly marked. The staff is very courteous and super helpful. They make you feel right at home. No matter what level of riding experience you may have, they make sure you are matched up with a great horse. The horses are well taken care of and are very well mannered. The guides make sure everyone is comfortable and review the rules prior to heading out. The first part of the ride is through the trails in the costal forrest (which is beautiful and full of wildlife), then the terrain opens up onto the beach! We rode down the beach and saw sea turtle nests (which are protected and clearly marked). We were able to trot and canter down the beach, if we chose to. The guides stop at the beach to take pictures for you, they took quite a few pics and they all turned out great! Then it is back to the trail for a leisurely ride back to the barn. Our horses were fantastic, responsive and sure footed. It was a great overall experience, one that will for sure be a family tradition every time we visit the outer banks! I cannot say enough about the phenomenal experience we had! Equine Adventures is top-notch!!

3. North Carolina Ferry

Hatteras, Hatteras Island, NC 28449 +1 800-293-3779
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 178 reviews

North Carolina Ferry

Reviewed By Nancy N - Central Florida, Florida

We took the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke then from Ocracoke to Cedar Island. I was surprised at how clean the ships were. The bathrooms were cleaner than most restaurants I've been to. I was told not to drink from the water fountain so bring your own water. It was a very enjoyable crossing!

4. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

North Carolina Highway 12, Hatteras Island, NC 27954
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 472 reviews

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

A national seashore preserve that has the most extensive stretch of undeveloped seashore along the Atlantic coast.

Reviewed By Astros80 - Arlington, Texas

I first visited the Cape while stationed in Norfolk many years ago. The outer banks is worth the drive, and the time to get there. If you have time, go see the lighthouse and just stroll around the whole area and enjoy the ocean. Worth every moment!

5. Frisco Beach

Frisco, Hatteras Island, NC
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 130 reviews

Frisco Beach

Reviewed By sanju_222323 - New Jersey

This is nothing diff than other beaches at outer banks shore. But as this is more of the south, water is a bit warmer than kitty hawk-KDH beaches. Laidback atmosphere... less crowded... privacy. You can rent beach houses near by it. You can surf kayak, do water sports here.
OBX beaches are so long that you won't find crowded at all. You can swim, kayak-surf, do water sports. Get down and have some relaxing moment.
Note: beware of RIP current
PS- there are 2 routes to this beach. One is taking left from Frisco gun and rod shop, but that will include a hike. Go 1 mile south and you ll get boardwalk direct to the beach.

6. Hatteras Island Ocean Center

57204 North Carolina Highway 12, Hatteras, Hatteras Island, NC 27943 +1 252-564-9575
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 75 reviews

Hatteras Island Ocean Center

The Ocean Center provides a wide variety of recreational and educational activities for people of all ages. Please come view the exhibits, experience the wetlands and coastal forest, attend our programs and events, and use our ocean access.

Reviewed By chebean - Jacksonville, Florida

What a fantastic educational experience for my family and i! It was raining that morning and learned from staff that the presentation would be indoors. I was a little sad at first but Matthew and his crew kept us all engaged throughout the entire presentation whom each had so much information to share! We even got to dissect owl pellets and discover what little animals they might had eaten. I wish we weren't so hungry for we would had participated in the Marsh Madness. We learned so much to make improvements in our environment as a whole so that our future children may enjoy the outdoors. Classes like these are a great way to start and highly recommend to people of all ages!

7. Frisco Native American Museum

Highway 12, Frisco, Hatteras Island, NC 27936 +1 252-995-4440
Excellent
45%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
4%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 69 reviews

Frisco Native American Museum

Reviewed By James N - Greeley, Colorado

Though the museum does have some interesting artifacts and items to see, it doesn't focus much on the local tribes of the area. The museum itself is pretty shabby, ie artifacts displayed in an old Timex watch case?? Information about what you are looking at is scarce, sometimes questionable, or even non-existent. The display for Native American members of the U.S. military contains historical inaccuracies such as the weapons displayed are wrong for the time period, and when I saw that they have cold war era soviet military memorabilia displayed amongst an overwhelming display obviously meant for and to be a U.S. display I wasn't sure if I should laugh or just accept I was swindled when I paid to enter. Overall, while interesting in many ways, it is kind of sad that some of these rare items are displayed so poorly.

8. Red Drum Pottery

53561 Nc Highway 12, Frisco, Hatteras Island, NC 27936-5000 +1 252-995-3686
Excellent
86%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Red Drum Pottery

A wonderful little diverse shop specializing in beautiful locally made pottery, jewelry, hand made bags, soaps, and many other odds and ends gifts. Daily fresh roasted coffee and an array of cafe drinks are available for your pleasure. Paint on pottery and Raku classes are also offered through scheduling. It is located on top of The Martin Parker Theater which hosts weekly family friendly shows full of music and comedy! It's a must stop destination on your trip to beautiful Hatteras Island. Thank you in advance for your support, and don't forget to check us out on Facebook!

Reviewed By CherylT1995 - Chester, Virginia

LOVE this place! We've passed by the Red Drum on many vacations over the years and can't believe what a treasure we've been missing. VERY nice pottery by multiple artists along with framed wall art, jewelry and a wonderful little coffee/espresso kitchen to order a beverage while you enjoy the exhibits and shop! Will definitely return on our next trip!

9. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

59200 Museum Dr, Hatteras Island, NC 27943 +1 252-986-2995
Excellent
30%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 398 reviews

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Reviewed By InnerBanksGary - North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

Thousands of ships have sank (sunk?) off NC, and this museum puts it in perspective. Some exhibits seem to be incomplete (in the main room about Billy Mitchell) kinda started in the middle of the story. A good hour in a nice facility.

53255 Hwy 12, Frisco, Hatteras Island, NC 27936 +1 252-995-5960
Excellent
34%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 3 reviews

Sunsational Designs Gallery & Beads of Paradise

Reviewed By Ramblin66 - Fort Worth, TX

My kids wanted henna tat's and this place was both local to us and highly rated. We were not disappointed. Service was very friendly, cheery even. The place is small (but well air conditioned!) and I was amazed how well organized all the beads were. They had a good selectin of henna designs and were able to fit us in right away. 1 week later and the henna is fading a bit but still visible. All said it was an entertaining stop and the kids were very happy.

I'm not any kind of bead person, but while I was there a child was having her hair braided and beaded. Everything looked to done professionally and with the same cheery attitude.

Definitely recommended.

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