Ocracoke Island

Ocracoke Island, accessible only by air or water, wants to be that sleepy fishing village of yesteryear. Too many travelers have discovered it for that to be true anymore, but Ocracoke still has a quirky island charm. Leaving the ferry dock, you’ll find yourself in a beehive of overnight vacationers and day-trippers pouring into the restaurants, shops, and inns ringing Silver Lake Marina. Beyond the village lies a pristine 13-mile stretch of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, one of the few spots in the South where you can experience sand, surf, and sky in total solitude.

More information: ocracokevillage.com