Cape Hatteras National Seashore begins roughly 10 miles south of the memorial. Stretching southward for 70 miles these narrow, sandy islands provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities. 

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site located on Roanoke Island about 17 miles southwest of the Memorial may be reached via U.S. 64/264. This is the site of England's unsuccessful first attempt to colonize the North American continent. Sir Walter Raleigh's settlement disappeared shortly after its establishment and is known as the Lost Colony.