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Nags Head is a beach resort location on the Outer Banks of the state of North Carolina. People often use the names Nags Head and Outer Banks interchangeably, despite the fact that Nags Head covers only a few miles of the expansive barrier island chain properly known of as the Outer Banks. This is due to its status as the most heavily developed and frequented location along the Banks.

Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea. Tales of land pirates that lured ships ashore in stormy weather may be the possible origin of the town's name. Or it may have been carried across the sea by English explorers who were reminded of a similar location of the English coast, a high point on the Isles of Scilly, the last sight of old England that the earlier explorers were to see on their voyage to the New World.

The true origin is obscured, but legend and lore insists that early 18th century bandits known as Bankers, realized how profitable piracy was for sea-going scoundrels such as Blackbeard, and developed their own unique method as land-based pirates. Mules, or Nags as they were known in the area, with lanterns tied to their necks were walked up and down the beach at night. Merchant skippers in the off-shore waters would mistakenly think the lights were of other ships closer to shore. They would then change course and run aground, with the Bankers pillaging their cargoes.

Around 1830, Nags Head became known as a plush resort area and so remains today. Jockey's Ridge is the last vestige of the giant moving sand dunes that once towered over the beaches and greeted the first explorers, as the area is now highly developed, featuring a variety of rental properties, restaurants, and bars.

It's a great place to visit.

Nags Head, North Carolina

• Official website of Nags Head, NC
• Webcam of Nags Head, NC