Press Kit

Natural and Historic Attractions Surround The Sanderling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Allie Schatz (336) 721-1610 x104
allie.schatz@garagebranding.com

Serving as an excellent location for business and leisure travelers, The Sanderling is surrounded by some of the most famous natural, historical and recreational attractions in the United States.

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

The Sanderling's Eco-Center, located on the resort property, provides a variety of adventure activities and equipment rentals for guests interested in exploring the great outdoors on the Outer Banks. The Sanderling has teamed up with Carolina Outdoors, a division of Kitty Hawk Kites, to include activities such as kayaking, rollerblading, biking, kite flying and yo-yo demonstrations, and off-site hang-gliding. Guests can explore the Audubon Nature Preserve on a guided kayak tour.

Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary is a 3,400-acre private sanctuary for birds and wildlife. Located just north of The Sanderling as you enter Currituck County on both sides of N.C. Highway 12. Private access is granted to The Sanderling's guests and includes the jogging and nature trails. Jogging trails also go through the entire Sanderling community on the ocean side.

Jockey's Ridge State Park has over 400 acres, includes the highest sand dunes on the East Coast, and offers nature programs, hang gliding, climbing and picnic facilities. Located adjacent to N.C. Highway 158 between Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

Nags Head Woods a 700-acre maritime forest maintained by the Nature Conservancy, provides a visitor center, hiking trails and bird watching. Mysteriously, cool and nourishing fresh water pools bubble up out of the sandy loam to create an enclosure that is home to a variety of rare plants and animals. Located adjacent to N.C. Highway 158 near Nags Head.

North Carolina Aquarium is situated on 14 acres overlooking the Croatan Sound. The 68,000-square-foot building houses aquariums ranging from 300 gallons to 28,500 gallons, two touch tanks, interactive exhibits, classrooms, meeting rooms, research space, a large auditorium and a gift shop. Outside is a nature trail, shoreline boardwalk with observation decks and mounted telescopes, and an excavation area where visitors can dig for fossilized shark's teeth. Located on Roanoke Island near Manteo off Highway 64.

Bodie Island Marshes is a world-famous bird watching area. The marshes surrounding Bodie Island Lighthouse offer a self-guided nature trail. This is an excellent area for coastal bird-watching - even during the winter months. Glossy ibis, heron, egret and other wading birds abound from spring until autumn. Located adjacent to N.C. Highway 12 between its intersection with U.S. 64 and Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is located on the north end of Hatteras Island. This refuge was established in 1938 for the protection of wildlife, especially migratory waterfowl. Stretching 12 miles from the Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe, it encompasses 6,000 acres of land and 25,700 acres of boundary water of the Pamlico Sound, where hunting is off limits. Snow geese and many species of wildfowl including wading, shore and upland birds live in the refuge. Observation platforms are provided. Located just south of Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge off N.C. Highway 12.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a long stretch of beach, sand dunes, marshes and woodlands. Driving south on N.C. Highway 12 through Hatteras Island, with the Atlantic Ocean on the left and the Pamlico Sound on the right, will give you a good idea how rugged and pristine this area of the Outer Banks has remained throughout the years.

Cape Point and Buxton Woods is an area which includes a ¾-mile nature trail through Buxton Woods, a Visitor's Center, lighthouse, shipwreck and fishing. Located near the south end of Hatteras Island off N.C. Highway 12 at Buxton.

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS

Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Duplex Keeper's House, which is still in action today, was put into commission in 1875, and is the northernmost lighthouse on the Outer Banks. Located off N.C. Highway 12 in Corolla just north of The Sanderling.

Wright Brother's Memorial & Visitor's Center is the site of the first engine-powered airplane flight. Exhibits include the famous Wright Memorial and re-constructions of early flying machines. Located off U.S. 158 in Kill Devil Hills.

Fort Raleigh lies on 144 acres on Roanoke Island and includes the sites of Sir Walter Raleigh's first attempts at English colonization in 1585 and 1587. Roanoke Island is reached via U.S. 64 towards Manteo.

Elizabethan Gardens is a project of the Garden Clubs of North Carolina. The formal gardens are an example of 16th century palace grounds. Located on Roanoke Island off N.C. Highway 64 past Manteo.

The Lost Colony is a symphonic outdoor drama of "The Lost Colony," an unsolved historical mystery concerning the disappearance of Sir Walter Raleigh's first colony in America. This is a seasonal event and reservations are advised. Located on N.C. Highway 64 near Manteo on Roanoke Island. Phone: 252-473-3414 or 800-488-5012.

Roanoke Island Festival Park is a walk through history, featuring films and interactive exhibits, a recreated sailing vessel of 1585, the Elizabeth II, a visual arts gallery, seasonal concerts and nature walks. Located across from Manteo waterfront on Roanoke Island.

Bodie Island Lighthouse and Visitor's Center, which was built in 1872, is horizontally striped and continues to be in operation today. Seashore and natural history exhibits are offered during season. Located off N.C. Highway 12 just north of Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge.

Hatteras Lighthouse and Visitor's Center is the tallest brick lighthouse on the American coast and has been in operation for more than 175 years. The Visitor's Center houses a museum and bookstore, and includes many activities provided by the National Park Service. Located on N.C. Highway 12 near Buxton.

Ocracoke Lighthouse and Vistior's Center is the southernmost operational lighthouse on the Outer Banks, and is the second oldest working lighthouse in America. The Ocracoke Visitor's Center has an information booth, book shop and exhibits. Located on N.C. Highway 12 at the south end of Ocracoke Island.

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