Pirates, Indians and patriots: 3 sites to take in North Carolina’s past
Ocracoke, Blackbeard’s final battle
Leave the present when you take the ferry from the mainland to the Outer Banks island of Ocracoke, and visit Ocracoke Village, boasting three centuries of maritime history. While this is where notorious pirate Blackbeard met his end, it’s also home to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the oldest in the state, built in 1823, and still used today. There’s a small British cemetery on the island, the final resting place of British sailors whose ships were sunk by German submarines during World War II.
Ocracoke Village. 252-928-6711, ocracokevillage.com , @ocracokevillage.
Oconaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee
You won’t need a time machine or magic stones for a passage back to the 1760s. A visit to Oconaluftee Indian Village places you far from the 21st century as your Cherokee cultural guide leads you on an interactive adventure detailing the tribe’s history. You’ll see traditional Cherokee dwellings and mingle among villagers hulling canoes, weaving baskets and beading. Don’t miss the impressive blowgun demonstration. Note that the village is open from April 12 to Nov. 12.
218 Drama Road, Cherokee, N.C., 1-866-554-4557, cherokeesmokies.com , @VisitCherokee.
‘Horn in the West,’ Boone
Boone is home to the popular Revolutionary War drama told under the stars in an amphitheater surrounded by nature. “The Horn in the West” tells the tale of Daniel Boone and the mountaineer patriot militia’s pivotal roles in the war.
Don’t miss the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum adjoining the amphitheater. Learn about pioneer life in a typical mountain community around the time of the Revolutionary War as you wander among the beautifully preserved log cabins and, if you’re inclined, learn to throw a tomahawk like a pro.
591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, N.C., 828-264-2120, horninthewest.com , @HornintheWest.
