Nags Head Hotels
Nags Head Restaurants
Nags Head Real Estate
Nags Head Attractions
Nags Head Golf
Nags Head North Carolina NC Street View Maps Pictures
View Larger Map
Early maps of the area show Nags Head NC as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea. The origin of the town's name is obscure but it may have been named after Nag's Head Island, an island in the River Thames in England at Abingdon. Another possible source of the name Nags Head was in reference to the lights hung on mules' heads by "wreckers" who would lead ships to be shipwrecked near shore where the economically challenged could loot the ships of their valuables.
Around 1830, Nags Head became known as a resort area, and so remains today. Jockey's Ridge is the last vestige of the sand dunes seen by the first explorers, as the area is now highly developed.
Nags Head Attractions
Located in Nags Head is the largest sand dune on the East Coast, Jockey's Ridge. The sand dune has migrated over the years from wind and erosion, and has buried a miniature golf course along the way. A castle is still visible and is a major landmark. Also buried is The Old Nags Head Hotel. The area surrounding Jockey's Ridge is good for biking, or hiking. Jockey's Ridge has been popular with Hang-gliders since the advent of the sport, as well as kite flyers and sand gliders. The Nags Head Ridge includes an informative museum with exhibits on sand, weather, and area animals. The Nags Head creatures outside are numerous and includes bird species, foxes, mice, squirrels, occasional deer and friendly wild rabbits. One of the Nags Head most exciting features of the Ridge is its capriciousness. Annual Nags Head visitors find that lagoons can spring up, and the sand can shift making for a fresh experience every time. From the top of the Nags Head Ridge, the ocean as well as the sound can be seen. Jockey's Ridge has a sound beach on the Roanoke Sound side that visitors can swim in.
The Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is 1,092 acres (4.42 km2) and lies North of Jockey's Ridge and east of Roanoke Sound. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.
As in any other beach town, the Nags Head ocean and shoreline are the major attractions, providing beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and a variety of water sports. A series of historic cottages overlook the beach in sections. There are three piers, Nags Head Pier, Jennette's Pier (destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and currently under reconstruction), and Outer Banks Pier which are popular for fishing. The town of Nags Head also features miniature golf courses and small amusement centers with go-karts and bumper cars for family entertainment.
0 Comments. What Do You Have To Say / Reviews About:
Post a Comment