In the new movie "Nights in Rodanthe," based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, the actors play two middle-age strangers caught in a storm and forced to hunker down at an inn.

A surgeon who has left his practice and a reluctant divorcee discover a little of what has been missing from their lives since their marriages failed.

The movie's exteriors were shot in Rodanthe, the small Hatteras Island village on N.C. 12.

"It's a romantic place for anybody," says Carolyn E. McCormick, managing director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo are known as the Tri-Villages -- three communities commonly referred to together because of their proximity. While the movie mainly features Rodanthe, the village itself is 2.5 miles long and has 178 year-round residents. So most visitors would probably wander off to the other communities to eat or shop.

Let's take a romantic tour of the Outer Banks villages.

You don't want to miss the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site, says Linda Molloy, the site's operations manager. The station, which was the first U.S. Life-Saving Service station in North Carolina, has breathtaking views. It was built in 1874 and saw service until 1954.

The lifesaving station, a forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard, was dedicated to rescuing people from the sea. The men who worked there were often honored for their valiant efforts.

The idea of stormy seas and strong, robust men launching wooden vessels in turbulent waters conjures up heroic images of man against nature. And what woman doesn't like a hero, a man showing his bravery?

The two stations and five outbuildings are open to the public.

"You're going to see authentic historic old buildings set close to the ocean," Molloy says.

Some people have been inspired to marry right on the premises.

"You can hold a wedding here, and some have renewed their vows here," Molloy says. "If they want to get married right on the sand with the waves washing over their toes, they can."

The site stretches out across seven acres, all the way to the ocean. You can climb on up to the observation deck, as the lifesavers did doing their shifts, scanning the water, watching for ships in trouble.

Stroll, sup, sip

The beach, with its stunning views, is a perfect setting for a stroll. Visitors can view incredible sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean or sunsets over Pamlico Sound.

If you're famished after all that walking in the sand, stop by the Atlantic Coast Cafe in Waves, which serves a mix of salads, wraps and seafood.

On a warm afternoon, sip on a Killer Lemonade and eat a wrap with lightly breaded fried shrimp, shredded cabbage, cheese and lime tartar sauce. Or maybe a hearty Hatteras Style Crabcake Reuben with sweet crab grilled on rye with slaw, Swiss cheese and a special sauce for your man.

You could share. A little bite of his for some of yours.

Another local hangout is the casual Top Dog Cafe in Waves, known for its innovative wraps, salads, fish tacos, grilled and fried seafood, steamed shrimp and pastas. The upstairs part of the cafe reminds one of the galley of an old pirate ship with its weathered wooden interior and nautical souvenirs. The high ceiling sports a crow's nest complete with a pirate and Jolly Roger flag.

Or maybe you'd rather pick up a sandwich or two and some cold beers and head back to the ocean. Then the Big Waves Market in Waves is the place. The market carries everyday groceries and a large selection of beer and wine and prepares gourmet sandwiches.

And the sun sets ...

Or consider spending the afternoon at the lighthouse.

Molloy, who has a small role in the movie as a local woman with a disfigured face, says the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton is iconic and a site not to be missed. Often called "America's lighthouse," it is the tallest brick beacon in the world, standing 208 feet tall, according to the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

Built in 1870, the black and white spiral-striped lighthouse is the international symbol of the North Carolina coast. It's a 30-minute drive from Rodanthe.

Finish the day with a quiet evening at your rented cottage on the beach. Stop by Jo-Bob's General Store, featured in the movie as the place where residents buy storm supplies.

The convenience store carries groceries, bait and tackle along with wine and fresh seafood. Pick up a pound of scallops, shrimp or crabmeat and a bottle of white wine for a nice relaxing dinner before you retire to the sound of the waves lulling you to sleep.

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