Attractions - Buxton & Frisco
This page provides information for attractions in Buxton and Frisco, NC on the Outer Banks.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore/Hatteras Island Visitor Center
- 46379 N.C. Highway 12 and Lighthouse Road, At the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Buxton
- (252) 995-4474
The National Park Service’s Hatteras Island Visitor Center is located at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site. Maps, informational brochures and the park newspaper are available here, and staff can answer any questions you have about visiting Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Lots of parking and restrooms are on site. There’s also a bookstore with gifts. Inquire at the Visitor Center about the ranger-led history and nature programs that are held regularly from Memorial Day through Labor Day or visit www.outerbanksthisweek.com for complete information on their programs. The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer months and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.
Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center
- 53536 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-4440
The Native American history of Hatteras Island and the Native American culture of our nation are preserved at this must-see museum in Frisco. The founders of this museum, Joyce and Carl Bornfriend, have taken great care to preserve Native American heritage, and their collection of artifacts, exhibits and natural history displays is nationally recognized and respected. The galleries include information on Native Americans across the United States. Particularly interesting to Hatteras Island visitors are the artifacts from the Native Americans who once inhabited this island. A dugout canoe, which was found on the museum property, is displayed with tools, instruments and other items uncovered on the island in an archaeological dig conducted by East Carolina University; these items offer a glimpse into the island’s previous life.
The museum recently opened almost 1,000 square feet of new exhibits, including an art gallery and a new room overlooking a beautiful bird garden. The gift shop has a great variety of Native American–made items, including arts and crafts, walking sticks, dream-catchers, moccasins, jewelry, paintings, drums, pottery, handmade knives and much more. The facility also includes a bookstore and even an antiques gallery operated by Friends of the Museum.
While you’re here, be sure to walk on the museum’s nature trails that wind through several acres of maritime forest. Museum hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Winter hours may vary; call for confirmation. Cost is $5 per person, $3 for seniors or $15 per family. Guided tours for groups are available. Beginning Archaeology and Beginning Birding programs are offered every Friday afternoon from mid-June through September (included with admission). The museum sponsors a not-to-be-missed annual Inter-Tribal Powwow and living history weekend on Hatteras Island in April.
Indian Town Gallery and Gifts
- 50840 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-5181
Indian Town Gallery is one of the Outer Banks’ best art galleries. Most the art is made by Outer Banks artists, the majority of them from the island. The gallery also sells handmade crafts from locals and regional aritsts. One look in here and you’ll be convinced that the gift of creativity is abundant by the sea. This is the place to come for original works of art, some of them exclusive to this gallery, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodworks, photographs, blown glass, baskets and more. Most days you’ll find native painter Wayne Fulcher at work here. This gallery is also home to The Coffee Shop at Indian Town Gallery, offering expertly made coffee and espresso-based drinks, homemade scones and muffins and WiFi on your computer or theirs.
Sunsational Designs Gallery, Coffee and Beads
- 53255 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-5960
This gallery, owned by a native Hatteras Island family for more than 20 years, is not an ordinary art gallery. Sure, they offer paintings and other artwork by their family of artists, including the jewelry of Sarah Jackson, but they also offer rock art, buoy art and fun gifts like hats and T-shirts. They also sell hundreds of beads, so this is a great place to make your own custom jewelry. Sunsational now offers gourmet coffee and espresso-based drinks and specialty teas.
The Frisco Jubilee
- 52859 Piney Ridge Road and N.C. Highway 12, Little Grove Church
- Frisco
- (252) 995-3540
Every Saturday night from May 28 through October, be sure to catch Hatteras Island’s best musicians for a night of pickin’ and singin’ old favorites, classic bluegrass, gospel and Outer Banks originals at the Frisco Jubilee. Some of the musicians you might see include Martin Garrish and Friends, Speedy Price, Stash Lawrence, Mahlon Blue and John Couch, April Trueblood, Caitlyn Gray and Johnnie Baum. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are sold at the door for $10 each. Watch for special performances to be held in Rodanthe and Hatteras Village.
