Thanks to Corolla Wild Horse Tours for supporting this article. Our local wild Spanish Mustangs are a MUST SEE attraction in Corolla. Corolla Wild Horse Tours offers 2 hour guided adventures over off-road wetlands and beaches to view the Mustangs. Open-air, 15-passenger truck tours operate all day and kids in car seats are ok. See www.seecorollawildhorses.com or call 252-207-0511 for more information.
1. Climb Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Corolla Map It
The distinctive red brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers over the Corolla landscape and is a must-see for any visitor with a distinct love of history, Outer Banks icons, and all-around unparalleled views. The lighthouse grounds, which are well-landscaped with native foliage and feature an on-site gift shop in the former keeper's quarters, are open for explorers year round, while the lighthouse can be climbed seasonally for adventurous vacationers without a fear of heights. It's a steady and intimidating 220 step climb to the top of the historic 1876 structure, but reaching the small circular deck and First Order Fresnel light comes with a heck of a reward - namely, the view. Spanning all the way from the Virginia state line to the central Outer Banks, shutterbugs will want to take plenty of pictures of the sky-high vistas that can only be found at the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, a full 162' feet above sea level.
2. See Corolla's Wild Horses
Carova Map It
The most famous local residents in the Northern Outer Banks are notoriously shy and may be hard to spot, but are nevertheless an incredible and unforgettable sight for visitors who are lucky enough to cross their paths. The Wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs(Corolla's Wild Horses) are thought to date back more than 500 years as the descendants of shipwrecked Spanish mustangs, and today freely roam the beaches north of Corolla's paved town borders. Carova and 4WD beach explorers have the best chance of catching a glimpse of these beauties, which are slightly smaller in stature than modern horses, and visitors who are staying in the 4WD area may even encounter a view of the wild horses grazing in their own vacation rental home's backyard. Carova visitors will want to have a camera handy at all time in case these locals make an appearance, and despite their docile appearance, beach-goers will want to keep their distance, as these Outer Banks horses are unmistakably and ultimately completely wild. Visitors who want to learn their story can also make a stop at the Corolla Wild Horse Museum or sign up for a Corolla Wild Horse Tour for an in-depth look at these amazing OBX locals.
3. Watch The Sun Set at The Whalehead in Historic Corolla
Corolla Map It
The distinctive mustard yellow Whalehead in Historic Corolla has been an icon on the Outer Banks scene since it was first built in the 1920s as an opulent, private retreat, and has easily become one of the region's favorite attractions since it was opened to the public in 2002. A unique combination of attractions that includes a well-tended park, the historic "club" itself, and plenty of water access to enjoy an adventure on the Currituck Sound, visitors will soon discover that it's easy to spend an entire day at the Whalehead in Historic Corolla and never run out of things to do. Take a tour of the grand club's interior, which has been meticulously returned to its original glory years when it was first built by the wealthy Knight family, bring the kayaks along for a Currituck Sound paddle, or spread out a picnic blanket under one of the dozens of evergreen Live Oaks. An incredible site which cements Corolla's longstanding reputation as an elite yet rustic destination for the wealthy, the Whalehead in Historic Corolla is sure to impress Outer Banks visitors of all interests.
4. Go Boutique Shopping
Avid shoppers are thrilled when an occasional rainy or cloudy day hits the northern Outer Banks, as this is a prime excuse to take advantage of the multitude of shops that can be found throughout the towns of Duck and Corolla. In Duck, visitors will enjoy plenty of centralized parking and easy walking-distance access to a number of quaint and coastal plazas, like the Waterfront Shops, the Osprey Landing Shops, and the town's famed Scarborough Faire. Not to be undone, there are plenty of plazas to be found in neighboring Corolla too, including the Timbuck II Shopping Village and the Corolla Monteray Plaza Shopping Center. Browsers will find that all of the shopping centers in both towns feature coastal art galleries, summer clothing boutiques and surf shops, gift shops and jewelry stores, coffee shops and book stores, and a wealth of other locally owned establishments with one-of-a-kind and distinctive treasures. Off season and shoulder season visitors have the best chance of scoring the best bargains, especially on "Black Friday" and the fall months, when end-of-season sales give visitors the perfect opportunity to load up on deeply discounted, seaside themed gifts and holiday presents.
5.Stroll Through Duck Town Park and Boardwalk
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At just 11 acres in size, the Duck Town Park packs a lot of outdoor entertainment and incredible natural landscapes within a small, soundside locale. The park is an engaging destination for nature lovers of all varieties, including bird watchers, water lovers, walkers and joggers, and anyone just looking for a cool, breezy destination off the beach, and features picnic shelters, shaded gazebos, and plenty of hiking trails that lead through the maritime forest. Best of all, the Duck Town Park serves as the launching point for the expansive waterfront boardwalk which meanders along, and even hovers over, the miles-wide Currituck Sound, providing incredible sunset views and some of the best bird watching opportunities in the northern Outer Banks. Take a leisurely stroll around dusk to soak up Duck's romantic side, and enjoy incredible waterfront scenes at the very edge of this barrier island.
6. Explore Carova in a 4x4 Vehicle
Corolla Map It
Check out our article about driving on the beach.
There are few beaches along the East Coast that are as rustic, desolate and isolated as the 11 miles of shoreline that lies just north of Corolla, and longtime northern Outer Banks fans wouldn't have it any other way. The Carova area, also known informally as the "4WD Beaches," can only be accessed by a 4WD vehicle, as the name would suggest, from a sand ramp located at the very edge of Corolla's town borders. Though there are ample rental homes in the region, ranging from soundside cottages with fantastic Currituck Sound access to 18+ bedroom oceanfront mansions, there are no commercial businesses, no restaurants, no major amenities, and virtually no distractions apart from the miles of undeveloped seashores. This region is known for its exceptional solitude, great shelling, solid surf fishing, and occasional visits by the local wild horses, and visitors will find no shortage of open space to spread out a beach towel. Vacationers who didn't bring a 4WD vehicle along to explore the shore can even rent a Jeep for the day, or embark on a guided tour of the area which covers the sand from the town line to the Virginia state line, located miles away.
7. Enjoy Waterfront Fine Dining
The restaurant selection in Duck and Corolla is varied and decadent, with plenty of fantastic options for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner experience that will top the list of Outer Banks memories. For a more casual outing, vacationers will find plenty of waterfront bars that offer quick lunches and cool afternoon cocktails after a hard day at the beach, but the region really shines when it comes to decadent fine dining dinners that specialize in fresh local seafood. For an upscale evening out, check out local waterfront favorites like Aqua Restaurant, Kimball's Kitchen, or The Blue Point Bar and Grill. Many establishments are open late in the summertime, with seasonal live music, and couples will most certainly want to book a table around dusk to ensure the best chance to catch a waterfront sunset that compliments the overall spellbinding experience. Reservations are often encouraged or even required in the height of summer, so be sure and book early to ensure a spot at a scenic, waterfront table.
8. Try Currituck Sound Watersports
It's hard to beat the Atlantic-facing beaches in Duck and Corolla, but visitors would be remiss to miss the exceptional waterfront adventures that can be found in abundance in the Currituck Sound. This expansive and generally gentle body of water offers miles of outdoor fun for water enthusiasts of all varieties, and a trip on the sound is a perfect opportunity to dive into a favorite sport, or discover an entirely new way to enjoy the wide open waters. Stand up paddle barding and kayaking are two easy waterfront sports that are both readily available, and can be launched from virtually any locale along the Duck and Corolla soundside. Rentals are available by the hour or the day, while specialized sunset or eco-tours are perfect for newcomers who don't want to miss out on the fantastic views and abundant bird watching that this region is known for. Seafood lovers will want to try their hand at kayak fishing, crabbing or even clamming, which are all favorite soundside angling activities, while high-adrenaline adventurers can rent a jet ski for the afternoon, or sign up for a parasailing or banana boat tour that covers miles of this open water terrain. Regardless of how a visitor breezes through the water, the gorgeous sunsets, exceptional wildlife watching, and serene waterfront landscapes will surely make anyone a new and devoted Currituck Sound fan.
9. Listen to Live Music
Upcoming concerts are listed on our events page.
If a cool drink and a little outdoor entertainment is a vacationer's idea of heaven, then Duck and Corolla will truly be a coastal paradise. The small town community has a surprisingly vibrant music scene, with plenty of outdoor venues that are unimposing and wide open to the public. Both The Whalehead in Historic Corolla in Corolla and the Duck Town Park feature weekly summer afternoon and evening live performances, while a large number of local restaurants and bars feature bands and performers on any given summer night for a little dining with a musical ambiance. The summer Outer Banks music season arguably cumulates on Columbus Day Weekend in Duck with the renowned annual Duck Jazz Festival. This celebration of all things jazz features two whole days of incredible music, attracts more than 7,000 musicians and jazz lovers every year, and is an ideal way to dive into the local music scene. The Mustang Music Festival on Columbus Day weekend brings live music to Corolla each year for the benefit of Corolla's Wild Horses. Regardless of how you soak up the local sounds, music lovers will find plenty of ways to unwind, kick back, and enjoy the local OBX music scene in these otherwise small and subdued coastal communities.
10. Relax On The Beach
On the Outer Banks, the beach is always the star attraction, and the northern section of shoreline that stretches from Duck all the way to the Virginia border in 4WD accessible Carova is among the Banks' best. With few crowds in any given part of the communities, wide sandy beaches, and plenty of waves for surfing and body boarding, the beaches in Corolla and Duck are essentially hard to beat. Visitors won't find hopping boardwalks, busy public accesses and parking lots, or concession stands on these shorelines, but they will find miles of room to roam, exceptional fishing, good shelling, (especially after a storm), plenty of bird watching, and an altogether serene atmosphere that will melt anyone into a vacation state of mind.
Thanks to Corolla Wild Horse Tours for supporting this article. Our local wild Spanish Mustangs are a MUST SEE attraction in Corolla. Corolla Wild Horse Tours offers 2 hour guided adventures over off-road wetlands and beaches to view the Mustangs. Open-air, 15-passenger truck tours operate all day and kids in car seats are ok. See www.seecorollawildhorses.com or call 252-207-0511 for more information.
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Avon Farmers Market
June 24th, 2025 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM -
Mustang Mornings at the Farm
June 25th, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM -
Beach Apparatus Drill
June 26th, 2025 2:00 PM
Walk into this shop and you’ll be delighted by all the glittering and sparkling from the way the mirrors and lighting show off jewelry from over 100 different designers and local artisans. Artfully-designed cases line the walls, filled with gorgeous sterling silver and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. Most of the cases have explainer notes about the designers or properties of the gemstones inside. Some of the lines carried in the store include Charles Albert, fine sterling silver jewelry with semi-precious gemstones, fossils and minerals; Sarda, sterling silver jewelry with brilliant colored gemstones and a classic look; Starborn Creations, one-of-a-kind sterling silver jewelry with druzy quartz and more hard to find gemstones and minerals, as well as 2,000 year old Roman Glass jewelry and local sea glass jewelry. You can even have pieces of your sea glass made into custom jewelry at very reasonable prices!
There's a reason why so many aspiring and professional photographers flock to the Outer Banks. Ocean sunrises, sound sunsets, and miles of quiet wildlife in between create some breathtaking landscapes, ideal for photographers, painters, or plain-old vacationers who love an astounding view.
Surf or Sound Realty invites you to explore our collection of over 600 premier vacation rental homes on Hatteras Island, featuring the largest selection of oceanfront accommodations. Nestled within the breathtaking Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Hatteras Island is a serene oasis, known for its family-friendly charm and consistently earning its place on the Top Ten lists of Best Beaches in America.
Take a long and lingering trip along the coastline that includes two ferries, 21 coastal villages, and miles of stunning scenery in every direction with a trip along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. Known as one of the most beautiful stretches of pavement (and water) in North Carolina, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway is an attraction in its own right, and is a perfect destination for a lazy day-trip or weekend getaway where all the adventures take place on the road.
Twiddy & Company is here to provide all the help and southern hospitality you've come to anticipate when planning your beach vacation. We invite you to let us share our unique understanding of this coastal landscape; unlike any place in the world. We will assist you in finding the vacation rental that best suits your group's style and preferences to make your time on the Outer Banks as relaxing and memorable as possible.
For bird lovers, the Outer Banks is hard to beat. This delicate chain of barrier islands is not only home to dozens of different native shorebirds, but also thousands of migrating birds who make a rest stop on the Outer Banks every year. Add to this the fact that the islands have hundreds of miles of deserted beaches, maritime forest, and marshlands for species to quietly flourish, and it's clear that the Outer Banks is literally for the birds.
Serving our customers on the Outer Banks since 1994, Big Buck's ice Cream is dedicated serving you “The Best.” We offer a full line of super-premium ice cream products, smoothies, chocolates, and custom-made ice cream cakes! 2 locations are open all year: Duck and Manteo, at The Waterfront Shops. We offer a full line of Espresso Drinks from Hot Vanilla Cappuccinos and Hot Chocolate to Iced Caramel Lattes & Frozen Mochas, all made to order. Big Buck’s fresh fruit smoothies are lactose-free and made to order. Also offering lactose-free sorbets made from the best fruits available. Old time favorites are sure to please! Choose from a delicious collection of milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits. Savor the moment with our Homemade Chocolate! Chocolates are made daily in each location. We offer a large selection from Dark to Milk to White. Milk Chocolate Oreos & Almond Toffee, Dark Chocolate Berries and Cherries Clusters & Hand-dipped Peppermint Patties with a Drizzle of White Chocolate, Extra-Dark Sea Salt Caramels & our famous homemade caramel chocolate pretzels oh & don’t forget the ever-popular caramel pecan turtle, just to name a few treats! Belinda Pleva grew up serving ice cream out of her parent’s shop. She loved being part of what she calls “a happy business.” “I love it when people come into the shop and you hand them something, and it makes them smile,” Pleva says. “That moment when you hand an ice cream cone over to a little kid and their eyes just light up. That’s what I love about the ice cream business.” In 1994, Pleva opened up her own ice cream and chocolate shop, Big Buck’s Ice Cream, in the brand-new Timbuk II Shopping Center in Corolla. Business was good, but something was missing. “I was never satisfied with the ingredients in the ice creams and chocolates you could purchase back then. I wanted to serve my customers delicious flavors with ingredients they could actually pronounce,” Pleva says. Pleva took a trip to Italy to study the gelaterias. She fell in love with the incredible flavors, and when she returned home to the Outer Banks, she began working tirelessly to perfect the flavors in her own ice cream. Big Buck’s homemade ice cream combined the flavors of the Italian gelaterias and the richness of American ice cream. It quickly became a tourist favorite. After having the same unsatisfactory experience with the readymade chocolates she was selling, she also took a trip to Brussels to learn more about making handmade chocolates. Pleva brought the chocolate-making experience right back with her, and the result was the finest quality of chocolates on the Outer Banks. After her huge success in the Corolla shop, Pleva was able to open up three more shops—one in Kitty Hawk, one in Manteo and one in Duck.
Explore Hatteras Island at its natural best with a visit to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Covering 13 miles of Cape Hatteras National Seashore land, this attraction is hard to miss, although there aren't many giant signs, hotels or businesses to point the way. Instead, visitors will find a completely undeveloped parcel of land, that's well-stocked with gorgeous views and serene nature trails that are ideal for off-the-beaten path excursions.
For more than 30 years, Resort Realty has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks vacations. From Corolla to Hatteras Island, Resort Realty offers nearly 550 Outer Banks vacation homes that range from cozy 1-bedroom condos to exquisite 13-bedroom luxury estates. Whether you’re counting down to a beloved family vacation, getting away for a long weekend, or planning a special event, our homes represent a variety of lifestyles and locations, with amenities and furnishings such as elevators, private pools and gourmet kitchens to more simple pleasures like wraparound porches, dune-top gazebos, and oceanfront hammocks made for afternoon naps.
Swimming is a local sport that never goes out of style on the Outer Banks, and with literally miles of ocean and sound waters to paddle around, there's no shortage of refreshing locales to enjoy a dip. Vacationers will find they have their choice of swimming destinations, from the fun and challenging ocean waves, to the shallow splashing waters of the sound, to the assortment of public and community pools found all along the islands.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is a "Must See" attraction for any Outer Banks aviation enthusiast, history lover, and virtually any Kill Devil Hills vacationer who wants an up-close look at the towering granite structure that towers over the town's landscape.