Page 254 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

252  THE SOUTHEAST

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, protecting the Outer Banks’ northern coast
5 Charlotte 6 Outer Banks state’s license plates commemo-
rates the Wright Brothers’ first
* 810,000. n 501 S College St, (704) * 57,800. n 1 Visitors Center Rd,
331-2700. ∑ charlottesgotalot.com Manteo, (877) 629-4386. historic flight, which took place
∑ outerbanks.org here. The Wright Brothers
Thanks to an influx of banking National Memorial stands at
and insurance industry firms , the very site where Orville and
which revitalized the city in the North Carolina’s Atlantic coastline Wilbur Wright launched Flyer,
1990s and early 2000s, Charlotte is made up of a long chain of the first successful experiment
is a booming city, and the second narrow barrier islands known in powered flight in 1903.
largest in the Southeast after as the Outer Banks. Most of the A few minutes drive south at
Jackonsville, Florida. northern coast is protected as Jockey’s Ridge State Park,
The Levine Museum of the part of the Cape Hatteras hang-gliders participate in a
New South explores the history National Seashore, where long modern version of the Wright
of North Carolina – from the stretches of pristine beach, dune, Brothers’ adventures, while
Civil War, to slavery, to the Civil and marsh shelter wild ponies, “sandboarders” ride the largest
Rights movement and gives an sea turtles, and many varieties of sand dune on the East Coast.
informative overview of the waterbirds. The coastline’s many “Sandboarding,” or running
region. The Harvey B Gantt historic lighthouses, life-saving headfirst down the sheer 110-ft-
Center for African-American Arts stations, and pirate lore are as (34-m-) high sand wall, is a
& Culture, named after the first important a part of the Outer revered local tradition. The dune
African-American Mayor, honors Banks’ maritime her itage as is its is also a great spot to watch the
the contributions that Africans seafood industry. sunset. Fewer people venture
and African-Americans have Among the dozens of light- to the inland side of the island,
made in the South. Fifty eight houses, the 1847 Bodie Island where a slow kayak ride through
artworks by African-American Lighthouse is the only one still in the tidal marsh, or a walk
artists comprise the Center’s oper ation. A free ferry ride through the scenic maritime
permanent collection. Along transports cars and passengers forest at Nags Head Woods
with revolving exhibitions, and between Hatteras Island and Ecological Preserve, hold a
education programmes, the Center Ocracoke Island. Hatteras’s distinc- quieter appeal. Peculiar to
also offers a community outreach tive black-and-white spiral Cape barrier islands, these maritime
programme. Around the corner Hatteras Lighthouse, built in 1870,
from here is the Bechtler Museum is the tallest brick lighthouse in the
of Modern Art, which houses an world at 193 ft (59 m). The village
impressive collection of iconic of Ocracoke has a good selection
artists, such as Miró, Picasso, of inns and restaurants. Visitors can
Warhol, and Hepworth. connect with ferries (reservations
recommended) from here.
E Levine Museum of the In the early 20th century, bridges
New South built from the mainland brought in
200 E 7th St. Tel (704) 333 1887. the tourist trade, and now hotels
∑ museumofthenewsouth.org and resort-home developments
E Harvey B Gantt Center for line the northernmost coast from
African-American Arts & Culture Corolla all the way to Nags Head.
551 S Tryon St. Tel (704) 547 3700. In addition to the sun, surf, and
∑ ganttcenter.org sand, this tourist region offers
many historic attractions and
E Bechtler Museum of
Modern Art family amusements, in the town of
420 S Tryon St. Tel (704) 353 9200. Kill Devil Hills. The “First in Flight” The Firebird sculpture at the Bechtler
∑ bechtler.org slogan found on coins and the Museum of Modern Art
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp276–8 and pp279–81

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