In the 1960′s there was a television hit called “The Andy Griffith Show”. The show centered around a small town sheriff and his family and friends in the fictional town of “Mayberry”. It hastened back to a simpler time, when life was slower, people more caring, and everyone knew your name. While “Mayberry” is totally fictional, there is a place that will certainly remind you of it. Where is that place? Ocracoke Beach, which is located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It’s a great place for family beach vacations. In this article we will be focusing on why we think Ocracoke is one of the “Top Beaches of the World”, and a “must see”. We warn you though…this place will move you in ways you will not expect.
Why does Ocracoke maintain this ode to “Days Gone By” when the rest of North Carolina has marched on? One reason could be the simple fact that it’s much harder to get to Ocracoke. There is no direct bridge, road, or tunnel. If you don’t have your own private boat or plane, the only way to get there is to either swim (we’re kidding…) or take one of the public ferries that run to the island and back 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.
As we conclude our article we would like to mention what we think of Ocracoke. We love it! That about wraps it up in a nutshell. It has a feel about it that is hard to describe. It hastens back to a time when life was simpler, and problems were fewer. You will just have to go there and experience it for yourself. Make sure you come back in one piece…you might just leave your heart there… 
Want to find out more about Ocracoke, then visit Charles Vaughn’s site on Creative Family Beach Vacations.
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