2025 Nags Head Shopping Guide

With more than 7,500 square feet, TW’s new store in Nags Head is chock full of a wide selection of fishing and hunting gear. Racks of popular clothing lines,  including Aftco Bluewater Wear, Salt Life and Pelagic, and sunglasses and hats are available in the attractive and sunny store. Hunting apparel from Browning and Columbia, as well as supplies like ammunition and other hunting accessories are in stock along with an extensive range of fishing rods, reels and tackle.   Fish-y gifts, jewelry and décor, and fun clothing items for infants and women, can also be purchased.  There’s even a fully-stocked beverage cooler so anglers can pick up their cold drinks before heading out for a long day on the water.  

This creative professional seamstress shop, new in 2012, is owned by Kelly Cassady, a young woman who earned her stripes with a degree in fashion design from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and an internship in New York City.  But Cassady has also worked in the costume shop of The Lost Colony and been sewing since she was 13 years old, so she has a broad understanding of her craft.

Vacation Fitness delivers your fitness experience directly to you: What is uniquely called a Fit Locker (Medicine Ball, Sand Bag, Kettlebell, Jump Rope, Battle Rope, TRX Suspension Trainer, Slam Ball), is waiting for you when you arrive at your vacation home. An agreement with Ocean Atlantic Rentals in the Outer Banks handles the delivery and pickup of the equipment.

Enjoy a little treasure hunting during an Outer Banks shopping expedition with a visit to this shop that has plenty of creative and one-of-a-kind items to discover. Vintage Vibe OBX is a chic antique shop that features miles more than the traditional collectables, and visitors of all tastes will have a fun time exploring the crowded aisles to see what’s new and unique with every visit.

Grab all the gear you’ll need for a sunny Outer Banks vacation at this apparel and gift shop that has an inherent coastal vibe. The Vitamin Sea Beach Shop is stocked with a wealth of goodies that can be enjoyed on the coast and at home, making it a great destination to pick up souvenirs as well as all of the equipment required to enjoy the Outer Banks shoreline.

This outfitter, one of 316 in the U.S. and abroad, offers boaters of every stripe just about anything they need to keep their vessel ship-shape, whether it’s used for work or for fun. The store has rows and rows of shelves with boat supplies and equipment for everything from a fishing boat to sailboats to kayaks. There are even some kayaks for sale.  Clothing in stock includes not just the requisite T-shirts and shorts, but also high-quality jackets that are truly wind- and water-proof.  A good selection of electronics, including autopilots, radar and fish-finders are in stock, as well as maintenance, plumbing, electrical and engine supplies. Often, if it can’t be found here, it can be delivered from supply warehouses.  And if it’s not in stock, whatever item you need can no doubt be found in the more than 1000-page West Marine annual catalogue available at the store.  

Renovated in 2012, this spacious seafood market just off the Bypass sells local caught seafood and its own homemade sauces. Owned by a branch of Daniels, an old Outer Banks family of fishermen, the operators know where to find the freshest fish in season. They also  have fresh frozen seafood available off-season, including northern Snow Crabs and Outer Banks shrimp.  But in the summer, you’ll find fresh sea scallops, live blue crabs and lots of fresh finfish, like yellow fin tuna, flounder, and mahi-mahi. Crabs and shrimp can be steamed. The market also makes its own spicy cocktail sauce and special salsa. If you’re lucky, you’ll happen to come on a day when there’s some homemade key lime pie available. The store also sells potatoes, corn and white onions, and all the fixings needed to make fish tacos, as well as spices and breading. 

Owners Jim and April Vaughn operate a surfer’s surf shop, with a great selection of wetsuits, sportswear, swimwear and accessories for men, women and youth from all major surf brands. Upstairs, there’s an exceptional range of surfboards to choose from. Whalebone Surf Shop specializes in bringing in the best board shapers from around the world. The shop also offers surfboard rentals and surfing lessons in the summer months.  

Established in 1977, Whalebone Tackle has everything an angler or commercial fisherman needs. This is a straight-ahead tackle store, nothing fancy or pretty about it. But what it has is staff who thoroughly know their stuff, not just about what they stock, but how it’s used, where to fish, what’s in season, what’s being caught, what the regulations are, how to get to the best fishing spots and what to expect from the weather. Most days, the owner himself is on hand to give his take on the latest. Besides the standard gear you’d expect, from names like Shimano, Berkely Gulp, Flambeau, Power Pro, Calcutta, Eagle Claw, Igloo and much more, the store also sells T-shirts, sunglasses and numerous fishing accessories. Whalebone has earned a fine reputation for its custom-designed rods for charter boats, especially those used to catch tuna and marlins. The tackle store also repairs equipment.  

The quintessential tourist store, Wings is stocked floor to ceiling with beach-related clothing and nearly every other possible  beach-y item imaginable. With store locations from Corolla to Hatteras Island, this is the place visitors depend on to get low-priced Outer Banks T-shirts and souvenirs. Locals are not as prone to shop here, but it’s not unusual to see a resident run in to buy some sand toys or a beach chair. In addition to boogie boards and bathing suits, there’s flip-flops, umbrellas, sun dresses, beach balls, OBX items, sun hats, costume jewelry, sunscreen, lighters, magnets, key chains . . .  the list goes on. The stores are a little gaudy, and the merchandise is not known for its high quality, but whatever you purchase will at least get you through your vacation without your wallet taking too much of a hit. 

Located just a short stroll from the Nags Head beaches, Yarn and More Inc is a fun stop for knitting enthusiasts from the Outer Banks and miles beyond, thanks to its lengthy selection of yarn, accessories including needles, hooks, and notions, and regular classes for beginners who want to pick up a fun new hobby while visiting the Outer Banks.

Works by local artists in every medium are available to purchase at this wonderful art gallery, but there are also historic offerings like authentic Thomas Nast wood engravings, Civil  War-era maps and surveys and old Outer Banks charts.   Located in an old cottage across from the beach, every room in this gallery is a feast for the eyes. As soon as you enter, you’re inundated with images of the Outer Banks: pelicans, sand fences, ocean waves, sea grass and sunsets. Gorgeous nature photographs taken by gallery owner Eve Turek , tastefully framed, line one wall, but prints are also for sale. Images by other Outer Banks photographers can be seen throughout the multiple rooms, and artwork  ---- acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil and ink, collages, even aluminum ---- is offered in many styles and subjects. Children’s books by local author Suzanne Tate are also sold here. Custom framing and matting is available in a building behind the gallery.