Before 1875, ships sailing by the North Carolina coast faced a 40-mile "blind spot" between Bodie Island and Virginia's Cape Henry. Then, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla was created.

For many, it involves roaming down North Carolina Highway 12 and stopping by artsy beach towns with waterfront shopping and dining. Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Corolla ... It's marked by America's tallest ...