Do you remember the television show from the 1960’s called “The Andy Griffith Show”? It centered around Andy, a sheriff in the small town of “Mayberry”, and his family and friends and the wonderful times that they all had together. When we look at this tv show now a days we long for the “simpler time”, when life was slower, and people seemed to care for each other. While this is a fictional TV show, there is a place that certainly reminds us of “Mayberry”…it’s Ocracoke Beach. Located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, it’s a great place for your family beach vacations. In this article we will describe some of the features of Ocracoke, and why we think it should be on your list of “great places to visit”…
North Carolina is a very modern state, so why is Ocracoke able to maintain this ode to “Days Gone By”? One reason could be that Ocracoke is a bit harder to get to. There is no direct road, no tunnel, no bridge… To get to Ocracoke you need to have either a private boat, or a private plane, or go via one of the public ferries that visit the island on a daily basis.
If you hate the idea of shopping, we suggest you “give it a go” on Ocracoke Island. There are no fast food joints or crowded shopping malls to assault your eyes here. “Downtown Ocracoke” is an array of simple stores and shops, and each of them has it’s own style and character. If you need groceries, there are two main variety stores that you can visit. There is a post office available to send a package or postcard back home. If you like flying kites, there is a shop that is dedicated to this sport…and island favorite. Oh, and we just love the relaxing walk through the tree-lined roadway…it’s a nice way to beat the summer heat…
One of the main tourist attractions at Ocracoke is it’s historic lighthouse. Built by Noah Porter, a builder from Massachusetts, in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina (and the second oldest in the US). It is 75 feet tall, with a diameter ranging from 25 feet at the base to 12 feet at the top. You can see the light from the top of this lighthouse 14 miles out to sea. A US Park Ranger is on duty in the summer, and while they are there, you can enter the base of the lighthouse. No climbing of the lighthouse is ever permitted.
In conclusion, Ocracoke is a great place for your family beach vacations. It has a “feel” about it that is very hard to explain or describe. All we can say is that you will just have to go there and experience it for yourself. Beware though…you may leave your heart behind… 
If you are interested in , you should definitely check out the article on at www.Creative-Family-Beach-Vacations.com
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