If you're looking to experience a true slice of Americana, then the Outer Banks region of the Tar Heel State is the place for you.

The Outer Banks is a 100-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, covering approximately half of the state's coastline.

At the moment the region is enjoying a booming tourism industry and with beautiful weather and picturesque views, it's not hard to see why,

The Outer Banks was home to the first British colony back in the 16th century. The first person of English descent, Virginia Dare, was born at Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island on August 18, 1587.

However, all did not go to plan and the settlers later went missing under mysterious circumstances.

To this day it's unclear whether the white families were massacred or they simply moved on to another area of the country, but the story of those first colonists is told in the excellent play The Lost Colony, which is performed at the Riverside Theatre on Roanoke Island every year during the summer months and is the oldest running outdoor symphonic drama in America.

Orville and Wilbur Wright also called North Carolina home for a time.

The two brothers were based in Kill Devil Hills, and on December 17, 1903 made their first successful flight in a motor-driven aircraft.

To celebrate this life-changing invention, The Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills pays tribute to their ingenuity and features a fascinating archive of aviation, a beautiful monument to the brothers and is a perfect destination to bring the kids for the day.

Another aspect of Outer Banks life that will appeal to the big kid in all of us is their history of piracy, and along the region you can pick up all manner of skull and crossbones merchandise and novelty goods.

During the 17th and 18th centuries many pirates would stop off on their journey to and from the Caribbean, but the treacherous seas proved too dangerous for some, causing a large number of shipwrecks and earning the area the nickname the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic'.

One of the most famous pirates in the world was Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard.

He was based on Ocracoke Island and that is where he ultimately met his end.

Nowadays Ocracoke is a beautiful yet remote island filled with nothing but miles of sand and a few guesthouses for tourists keen to get away from it all, but back in November 1718 it was the centre of a bloody battle between Blackbeard and Royal Navy Lieutenant Robert Maynard.

Maynard eventually beheaded the pirate, who had died from blood loss, and dumped his body in the ocean for the sharks.

After learning about the horrific death of Blackbeard, and if you're still convinced a sailor's life is for you, then you should take a trip to the Roanoke Island Festival Park.

Here you can visit the 69ft-long sailing vessel the Elizabeth II, which served as home for those who travelled to the New World in 1585.

On the boat you'll be greeted by local historians dressed in traditional 16th century garb, speaking with English accents and ready and willing to answer all questions.

All in all, it serves as a fun day out, if a little bizarre.

If you prefer a more active holiday then why not visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Standing at 208ft high, it holds the title of the tallest brick beacon on the American coast. After a lengthy hike up to the top you'll find the view is genuinely breathtaking in more ways than one!

Jockey's Ridge State park is also good fun and is home to the tallest living sand dune on the East Coast.

Here you can either hike to the top or if you're braver than this writer, you can go hang-gliding off of the top.

If you're still in an action man mood after all of that, a kayaking trip around Roanoke Island should give you the adrenaline rush that you're craving.

The Outer Banks is also famous for its seafood and the pick of the restaurants has to be the relaxed and friendly Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern.

There's everything from shrimp to scallops on the menu and it's all served up with typical Southern charm, so you'll have to give the diet a miss to really enjoy what's on offer.

Local cuisine seems to favour crab, shrimp and Mahi Mahi (or dolphin to you and me) deep fried and served with a side order of 'hush puppies' (fried corn bread balls) - not very slimming or indeed politically correct in the case of Mahi Mahi, but it's all very tasty.

With its laidback locals, unspoilt beaches and warm climate, it's easy to see why North Carolina is the third largest film production state behind New York and California, as the whole area looks like something out of a movie.

The Outer Banks region is such a unique mix of British and Native American culture.

There are towns called Nag's Head and Buxton nestled beside places like Chicamacomico and Ocracoke, yet the whole area is as American as mom's apple pie.

If you fancy something a little different this summer, then The Outer Banks could be the answer you're looking for.

Just watch out for those pirates!