The Tar Heel Motel is located in Nags Head, NC on the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks. We love our place at the beach and look forward to sharing it with you!
The Tar Heel Motel is located between two public beach accesses, Glidden St is our closest access and Gull Street is the beach access to the south of us.
Glidden Street Beach Access – a short walk, approximately 220 feet to the north of our location – offers paved parking, handicap parking, outdoor showers, a wooden walkway and pet waste bags.
Gull Street Beach Access -located approximately 0.1 miles to our south this access offers paved parking, handicap parking, sand access and pet waste bags.
** Photos are of the Glidden Street beach access, images are provided by our friends at OBXBeachAccess.com
Sam and Omies – An authentic Outer Banks restaurant that opened in 1937! Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Looking for something to do while you’re staying with us? Located in the heart of the Outer Banks, the Tar Heel Motel is close to a variety of local attractions.
Jennette’s Pier: Located 0.5 miles from the Tar Heel
A FISHIN’ TRADITION SINCE 1939 – Hook into world-class fishing, youth adventure camps, and an exceptional banquet facility all at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Enjoy clean, wide beaches, a public bathhouse, and free parking. Inside the pier house, come face to face with native fish species while peering into one of our large aquariums.
Explore interactive science exhibits and learn about renewable energy. Come see why Jennette’s Pier is a family favorite.
Jennette’s Pier offers fishing and walk-on pier passes. Visit: https://www.ncaquariums.com/jennettes-pier for hours of operation and pricing.
Bodie Island Lighthouse: Located approximately 7.4 miles south of the Tar Heel.
Constructed in 1872, and 156 feet tall is the Bodie (pronounced “baa dee”, like body) Island Lighthouse. Tucked away between tall pine trees and freshwater marshland, the Bodie Island Light presents anything but a typical lighthouse setting. Though not as well-known as its neighbors, it remains an important part of local history and a favorite spot for visitors. And still every evening, amidst the water towers and blinking radio antennae of modern development, its powerful light beams out across the darkening waves, keeping silent watch over the treacherous waters known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
Read more about the history of this lighthouse and view park hour information on the National Park Service website.
Roanoke Island Festival Park and Maritime Museum: Located approximately 6.5 miles from the Tar Heel.
Experience a new adventure in an old world at Roanoke Island Festival Park. This 25-acre historic site allows guests of all ages to experience first-hand what life was like for the first English settlers in 1585. Historic costumed interpreters are featured throughout the Settlement Site and the Elizabeth II ship to demonstrate how the first settlers lived, worked and played on Roanoke Island. For a hands-on history lesson, visit American Indian Town and the Adventure Museum that feature interactive exhibits that all ages will enjoy.
Whether you’re enjoying the museum or the outdoors, Festival Park offers a stunning location with piers, nature trails and picturesque views at every turn. Experience an unforgettable adventure on the Outer Banks at Roanoke Island Festival Park – where history comes alive.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park: Only 4.5 miles north of the Tar Heel you’ll find the largest sand dune on the East Coast!
Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast and is a premier location for kites, sightseeing, and sunsets, with a view arcing from the ocean to Roanoke Sound. A visitor center with a museum and a 360-foot boardwalk with exhibits explain the dune’s ecology and are a gradual entry to the massive dune field. Hang gliding lessons are available through a vendor in the park.
Enjoy climbing and playing on this huge dune. Hike to the top for spectacular views of coastal Carolina. When hiking on the ridge, look for fulgurites, which are glass tubes when lightning hits the sand. (But please do not remove them from the park.) Shoes are recommended to protect tender feet from sandspurs and hot sand. Visit the Jockey’s Ridge State Park website for additional details.
North Carolina Aquarium: Looking for something to do indoors? Try the NC Aquarium, located approximately 9.5 miles from the Tar Heel.
Experience a whole new adventure as you explore the waters in and around the Outer Banks. Exhibits educate visitors as they journey through coastal freshwater habitats to find river otters, turtles, and American alligators. Conservation efforts can be witnessed first-hand in the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center. Wander into a sunken treasure ship as a variety of marine animals swim all around. Touch a stingray, wonder at sea jellies, and marvel at history. Watch sharks cruise by in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. Free daily programs, as well as fee-based tours and outdoor adventures, are offered throughout the year. Check the aquarium’s website for pricing, hours of operation, and for reservations – they are required at this time.
We know that sometimes it’s not just you that needs to recharge. If you’re looking for a place to plug-in try one of the charging stations listed below.
Address: ChargePoint Charging Station, 7100 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959
Address: Tesla Supercharger, 2012 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Address: Tesla Destination Charger, 305 Fernando St, Manteo, NC 27954
Image is of Tesla Supercharger at Harris Teeter Grocery Store in Kill Devil Hills, NC – photo by Laurie Y. courtesy of https://pluginsites.org/
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