Featured Outer Banks Towns: Duck & Corolla

The towns of Duck and Corolla are unique in that they offer guests a quiet, upscale resort-feel destination nestled between quaint shops and eateries. If you`re staying in Duck or Corolla or are interested in making a day-trip escape to the area, there are plenty of relaxing, fun, historic, and yummy things to do. We`ve listed a few restaurants and activities to explore below.

With new, exclusive access to the Wild Horse Sanctuary, they take you through three distinct ecosystems in search of local wildlife and the Outer Banks Wild Spanish Mustangs.

Feel the ocean breeze and taste the salty beach air as you cruise through the Carova outback in their exclusive OPEN AIR Hummer tours. With more terrain, no two tours are ever the same; so, if you like history, ecology, adventure, and quick-witted comedy, they have you covered!

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Set on 39 pristine acres along the Currituck Sound in Historic Corolla Park, Whalehead is a beautifully restored 1920s-era Art Nouveau-style mansion-turned-museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With its bold yellow paint, copper roof, and mahogany doors, Whalehead invites you to explore a fascinating period in Outer Banks history. In 1992 nearly every inch of the home has been carefully restored to its original glory—the way it looked when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, first opened the doors as a lavish hunting retreat in 1925. The wealthy Knights spent their winters here hunting, relaxing and entertaining. Today, stepping inside is to step back into another time and place.

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Climb the 220 steps to the top of the majestic, red brick lighthouse. First lit on December 1, 1875, the beacon filled the remaining "dark spot" on the North Carolina coast between Cape Henry and Bodie Island lighthouses.

It is one of the only lighthouses in America that still houses its original first-order Fresnel lens. The light continues to flash today at 20-second intervals, serving as a navigational aid. The beacon, which can be seen for 18 nautical miles, comes on at dusk and ceases at dawn.

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At The Currituck Club, Rees Jones has brought to life his philosophy of golf course design – to create an environment for the game of golf that is challenging, fair and aesthetically pleasing, using as his canvas the type of land where golf began.

Their spectacular championship course was rated one of the "10 Best New Places You Can Play" by Golf magazine, and in May of 1999, Golf Digest recognized The Currituck Club as one of the "Top 25 Courses in North Carolina."

Their Club also houses seven tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, kiddie playground, fitness center, bike trails, lawn games, beach shuttle and more.

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Nor`Banks Sailing & Watersports` beautiful location and top-of-the-line equipment, together with a friendly and professional staff make it one of the premier water sports centers on the Outer Banks. Nor`Banks` sound front location has a huge grassy lawn, restrooms, showers, a 200 foot pier and plenty of room for you to spend the day.

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Coastal Explorations is a small, adventure oriented touring company in Corolla, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, they strive to base their activities on our aqueous surroundings.

Each of their guides is chosen based on their friendly, outgoing personalities, their love of the outdoors, and their knowledge and skill. Their group sizes are kept small so that you have a more personal experience while on the water. They make sure that you get an authentic feel for the waters and culture that are so unique to the Outer Banks area.

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Corolla Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars is Corolla`s newest attraction! The 27-hole Corolla-themed mini-golf course offers challenging play for all ages. The Spin Zone bumper cars put a smile on everyone`s face whether you are watching from the side lines or participating in the bumper fun!

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AQUA Spa is an oasis of serenity on the Outer Banks with a full menu of spa treatments. Renew and relax with a massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure while knowing they use only the very best organic products. Your massage therapist will create a customized massage based on your individual needs. Their skincare expert will focus on your unique skin care needs and provide a luxurious facial so you look and feel your beautiful best. In their nail salon, you will receive an indulgent experience during your spa manicure and pedicure while admiring their waterfront views. With a wonderful selection of signature and customized spa treatments to enjoy, you will emerge from your spa day blissfully relaxed and energized!

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The Waterfront Shops in Duck is a unique waterfront shopping village with over 27 boutiques, restaurants, eateries and more. Their waterfront boardwalk meanders along the shores of The Currituck Sound and connects to the new Town Boardwalk that has become the focal point and showplace of the Town. At the centerpiece of their Boardwalk is the new expansive Town pier that can accommodate many boats which makes water travel to our complex possible.

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Bob`s Bait and Tackle is located in Duck and serving the Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores area and Outer Banks. They also provide Outer Banks fishing charters. They have a huge selection of rods, reels, lures, tackle, and bait for fishing on the Outer Banks.  Personalized courteous service. Daily fishing reports, pier, beach, sound, and offshore. Fresh, live, and frozen bait. They have rod and reel rentals, crabbing supplies. T-shirts and hats.

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Let Corolla Bait & Tackle arrange your fishing activities while on the Outer Banks! They have Charter boats for any type of fishing, from peaceful sound fishing to offshore adventures. They offer a full-service tackle shop with every major brand of tackle for fresh and saltwater, fresh bait, crabbing supplies, gear and more. At Corolla Bait & Tackle and Outer Banks Charter Fishing, you can go offshore, inshore, backcountry, or relax with the whole family to fish and crab aboard their leisurely designed 25 foot pontoon boat in the Currituck Sound.

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Over 60 exciting shops, restaurants and recreation overlooking the Currituck Sound on the Northern Outer Banks of North Carolina!

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Visit this large clustering of shops to fulfill a wide variety of needs and desires. The center provokes everything from adventure to relaxation Corolla style. Hook your self up with a horse tour, get rigged up with fishing supplies, cast a line in a catch and release pool, skateboard at the park. Reserve a kayak or Jeep for a beach tour. All your beach rental needs can be met from an accommodation or bicycle to a Segway or scooter.

You will find hot coffee, cool ice cream, sizzling pizza, delectable seafood and cheesy steaks. Enjoy mouth-watering fudge, an Italian feast, saucy ribs or fresh bagels. Shops offer gifts, books, music, jewelry, clothing and surfboards. Hey, the center even has a convenience store, bakery and fruit stand!

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Since 1996! Corolla Surf Shop rents surfboards, body boards, skim boards, wetsuits, bikes and Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUPs), with free delivery in Corolla on orders over $100. They are stocked with swimwear, bikinis, rashguards (sun shirts), surf accessories (surfboard wax), sunglasses, OBX stickers, surfboards, SUP`s, bodyboards, skimboards and skateboards.

They are the home to the Corolla Surf School! Featured in the New York Times Travel Section! You can reserve your rental equipment and book a surf lesson before you come to the Outer Banks.

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Crafting REAL NY/NJ style kettle boiled bagels since 2001. Proudly serving homemade breads, muffins, and pastries. Full deli featuring Boar`s Head meats & cheeses, and delicious locally roasted coffee from The Kind Cup Corolla.

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When you`re on the Outer Banks, be sure to stop in Treehouse Coffee for your morning or afternoon coffee fix! Proudly serving North Carolina`s famous Counter Culture coffee, they offer pour overs, cold brew and espresso. Treehouse Coffee is located in the beautiful Scarborough Faire Shopping Village in Duck, nestled amongst the tree lined boardwalks. Treat yourself to a coffee and enjoy it in their cozy shop, or take it to go as you browse the other unique shops or stroll the boardwalk.

We are also excited to now serve a full breakfast menu in our adjoining Rope Ladder Kitchen. Serving up scratch made southern biscuits and more, our comfortable space allows you to relax and enjoy a biscuit sandwich, granola, or one of our breakfast specials. You won`t leave hungry!

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Don`t let the "breakfast & burgers" in their name fool you - they`ve got plenty of options to feed a variety of tastes. From soups and salads to sandwiches, and kids` baskets, you won`t leave hungry!  Their ingredients are fresh and the dishes are made to order with care and attention to detail, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

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Welcome to Duck Donuts Corolla, where they believe every day is a great day for a donut. They are a locally-owned donut shop in Corolla that skips the display cases and opts to make your duckadent treat to order. Whether you want something off the menu or prefer to customize your own donut with their variety of toppings, coatings, and drizzles, you`ll get to see your donut made fresh and delivered to you warm. Pair it with a cup of coffee and your day will be off to a great start.

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Homemade doughnuts, espresso, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and more!

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At The Blue Point, solid roots in the traditions and ingredients of the South paired with a kitchen culture of experimentation and whimsy leads to food that`s exciting yet familiar. They cook with ingredients sourced from the Outer Banks and surrounding communities and use traditional methods like curing, pickling, and smoking to create plates that delight the palate while honoring their history and surroundings. Sharp. Southern. Locally Sourced.

Nightly specials, a constantly-evolving wine list, and a full menu of custom cocktails and mocktails live alongside the beloved dishes that have made The Blue Point an Outer Banks favorite since its doors opened in 1989.

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Located in the heart of Duck, Sunset Grille is not only a great place to watch the sunset while having dinner or drinks, but also the perfect soundfront venue! A huge waterfront deck, two interior floors of dining, and three unique bars await you. Totally remodeled in 2022 with all new interior decor and furnishings.

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Uncle Ike`s full menu is served in both the dining room and their bar, offering lunch and dinner, seven days a week, from mid-May to September with plenty of off-season hours. In both the dining room and the bar, they offer a variety of tasty starters, salads, sandwiches, and delicious creative entrees to please all palates. The inspiration for their diverse menu items is comfort food done really well. They add a healthy Outer Banks beach flair, which makes Uncle Ike`s a "must" for first-time visitors and repeats vacationers alike. They also offer steamed bar, vegetarian, kid-friendly, and gluten-free options. At Uncle Ike`s, everything is fresh, and made to order, so, please be patient. Good things take time!

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Classic Italian family recipes including hand-tossed gourmet pizza, homemade sauces, bread, and desserts. La Dolce Vita is a celebration of family, friends, and coastal Italian cuisine. Favorite items from their menu are the mussels, crab and shrimp penne vodka, seafood diablo, bone-in veal parmesan, and house-made lasagna. They offer nightly seasonal specials including a delectable selection of homemade desserts! Tables on their sound view deck are surrounded by flowers, so come while away the afternoon or get there in time to catch the sunset. The whole family is always welcome – they are handicapped accessible and have high chairs and family-friendly booths.

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It`s the destination for fabulous seafood chef-inspired entrees, the big game, and the best nightlife in Corolla! They are a family-friendly restaurant with something for everyone! They offer an array of chef-inspired dishes from New Orleans, shrimp, and grits by Chef Bryan Maher, teriyaki glazed salmon, lobster mac & cheese with pork belly, and pulled pork kimchi tacos. Be sure to check out their raw bar featuring a variety of oysters, clams, crab legs, and more! They also have a kid`s menu!

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They have been a locals` favorite seafood establishment for over 22 years. Daily dinner specials feature fresh local fish and creative sauces. Their Raw Bar features steamed shrimp, Maine lobster, littleneck clams, regional and specially selected oysters, and snow crab legs.

They take pride in preparing all sauces and dressings, hand-grating their cheeses, and hand-cutting their croutons and crostinis. They hand-cut their pork chops, filet mignons, and fillet all of their fresh fish. They use only the freshest produce and ingredients available.

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Mike Dianna`s Grill Room is home to the finest seafood, USDA prime beef, amazing live entertainment, and more! Come have brunch or dinner with them in Corolla on the beautiful Outer Banks. They are located in the Tim Buck II Shopping Center in Corolla.

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Mama Easley`s Grub Hut is tucked away in a corner of the Timbuck II Shopping Village, and although it`s a little hard to find, it`s worth the hunt. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is seasonally sourced to create savory American eats such as corn chowder, burgers, and shrimp baskets. You will want to return for their fried green tomatoes and fish and chips.

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Serving customers on the Outer Banks since 1994, Big Buck`s Ice Cream is dedicated serving you "The Best." They offer a full line of super-premium ice cream products, all made from scratch with only the best ingredients from around the world.

Located in Timbuck II Shopping Center, Corolla, NC, Buccaneer`s Walk Shopping center, Kitty Hawk, NC (right next to Captain Franks) and the Manteo Waterfront.

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Delicious fresh fudge hand-turned daily. They also have hand-dipped ice cream, freshly squeezed lemonade, smoothies, and assorted handmade treats.

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If you`re looking for something a little different than your average hangout, try The Beer and Wine Garden. They`re set back from the road, surrounded by a huge oak tree, and almost hidden if you don`t know where to look for them...but that`s the fun of it - they like it that way and they think you will too!

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At The Juice Jar the goal is to provide healthy, delicious, and refreshing foods that are usually organic and always fresh. Try their signature Açaí bowls, a great way to start your day. After a morning workout, surf, or yoga session, add organic hemp protein to your smoothie and rebuild those tired muscles. Don`t forget the juice. All of The Juice Jar`s products are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to give you that extra boost to nourish your body. Whether you`re on vacation, headed to work or just need a mid-day pick me up, stop by The Juice Jar, enjoy a tasty creation, and keep it fresh.

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