First of all, if you haven’t been to the Outer Banks you MUST go. It’s an East Coast staple and an awesome beach community. Now the island contains over 100 miles of shoreline with a huge variety of beaches along the way. My list here focuses on the northernmost areas, as this is where I have spent most of my time here, however, there are some amazing areas from top to bottom of this place. Wanna find some fun things to do in the Outer Banks? Read on 😉
Alright so if you’re driving in from the North, you’ll cross over the HWY 158 bridge and you’ll get to a divide where you can continue straight, veering right to head south towards Nagshead, or take the left lanes toward Corolla. We’re heading left here folks. My favorite place to stay on this side of town is Duck, this is also where our adventure begins. A couple awesome things about Duck, it’s famous for being a dog friendly beach and there are also no public beach accesses here. The beach is only for home owners and renters in the area so they don’t get overrun. There are also a lot of things to do in Duck and being so small, you can walk to most places or ride a bike.
Here are a few resources for booking your stay in Duck: Airbnb || Southern Shores Realty || Sun Realty NC || Beach Realty
(You could also choose a place Southern Shores or Corolla if you so choose)
I have been going to the Outer banks with my family every year since I was little. We have always stayed in Southern Shores or Duck and I can tell you, these places have upped their game in recent years. I went back last year (for the first time in a few) and had the BEST time. There were a couple new bars, places to see music, and I had the best breakfast burrito of my life. Now I know we go to the beach to hang with friends or family and bake on the beach but for me, I like to get out of the house and I like to have things to do at night. (At least some nights 😉)
Last year I discovered all kinds of cool things to do, collected them for your reading pleasure, and took lots of pics, of course. So let’s get started, here are 5 awesome OBX tips for you:
See a band at the Tap Shack
Alright so you have your house, you’ve spent all day at the beach and you’re ready for some fun. Enter: the Tap Shack. Located right off Duck Rd, this shack has all the things. Its a tiny outdoor bar next to an outdoor stage with all kinds of games, from ping pong to darts and pool to giant Jenga. Grab a beer and settle in for a show.
When I was here over the summer, I wasn’t expecting anything too crazy (music-wise) because, well, this is kinda out of the way. On my first night we went down to check it out. A reggae band was on and the music was great. I don’t necessarily listen to reggae on my own but it was nice for the occasion. Then I hear them announce that the main act, Magic City Hippies would be on soon and I freaked out a little bit. What?? A band that I know and love is here?? At this adorable little stage? For free??? This is a band I would’ve paid 40 bucks to see when I was living in New York!
Sure enough, they were making a pit stop on their way to perform at Electric Forest and I had made it just in time. The show was AWESOME and the crowd was small, it was perfect. I checked the schedule out later and sure enough, really good bands come here! So check it out here, maybe someone you love will be playing. Either way, they have fun music in general and its a great spot to hang and mingle, maybe make some new friends.
See the calendar and other info on their Facebook page here.
1209 Duck Rd. Duck, NC 27949
Get breakfast at Treehouse Coffee Co.
When staying in Duck you will undoubtedly stumble upon Scarborough Faire, a unique shopping village, where you will find a variety of things from restaurants, clothing stores, fudge, ice cream, and beachy knick knacks. Feel free to spend a day shopping around if that is something you are into, its a fun little place. If this isn’t really your thing, you MUST go here for breakfast at Treehouse Coffee + Rope Ladder Kitchen and Biscuit Co. Tucked away to the left of the main entrance, this place has the BEST breakfast you will find anywhere near here, maybe anywhere at all. I don’t know how they do it but the chicken biscuit and breakfast burrito are to die for. Not to mention they have great coffee, so there’s that. Breakfast is served from 8am-noon daily.
1177 Duck Rd. Duck, NC 27949
Drive on the beach in Carova
Did I mention you need to bring your 4WD vehicle? Well you should, because this is way too fun. Carova is located at the very tip of the island, past Corolla and its it’s own little 4WD-only area. This is a bit of a drive from Duck, about 25-30 minutes, but totally worth it even if just going for the day. Pack a lunch and load up everything you need for the day. Also, you will need a pass. The area started to get overrun a few years ago so now you must purchase a pass in order to park and hang out here. You can access the area and drive through for free but you aren’t allowed to stop without the pass. 😕 Fear not, it isn’t crazy expensive, $50 for a 10-day pass or $150 for the season. Apply for your pass and read more info here.
Last year was the first time I even came close to this area, I had just gotten a Jeep Wrangler so I was stoked to try this out. It was a little nerve wracking for me at first as the sand is so soft and I was so worried we were going to get stuck! Don’t worry it only feels that way. You’ll be fine just be sure to lower your air pressure in your tires to around 20 PSI before you hit the dunes. There is a station to air up once you get off the sand. (There are tows and other people to help you out if somehow you do get stuck.)
While you’re up here be on the lookout for the wold horses! These beauties run free around here and if you’re lucky enough, you might just get to see some. Note, it is illegal to approach them or try to feed them so, of course, be respectful. We spotted some last year and it was so cool. Check out my Instagram Story highlights (Summer) to see them!
Grab a beer at the Shack Beer Garden
Everything is a shack around here it seems. On your way out of Carova, you will run right by this. It is a little hidden but right off the main drag. This place has the coolest vibe, like a little tropical hideaway, with an outdoor bar tucked under a giant oak tree. They have all kinds of unique furniture to add to the vibe, the bar stools are old metal shipping canisters and the patio furniture is made from beautifully carved wood. With over 60 craft beers to choose from, 12 rotating local taps and of course, wine, you will find something awesome here. Another plus, after dark, it is adults only and they have live music!
Check it out here. 1148 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927
Get fresh seafood from a local roadside market
As you drive from Carova to Duck (and vice versa), you will see a few of these sitting along the road. They have fresh seafood and local fruits and veggies ripe for the picking. Alright, they’ve already been picked but you get the idea. Not only are these fun to explore but you will get the BEST seafood here and you can just take it home and cook it up yourself. Huge discount from the restaurants and I always end up liking it better. You will likely also find some boiled peanuts (a southern staple), maybe some local cornbread and definitely all the spices you could ever need to make the perfect seafood meal at home.
Now you will see a few of these around but the one we stopped by is called Seaside Farm Market. Check it out here.
787 Sunset Boulevard Timbuck II Corolla
A couple little bonus tips:
-Watch the sunset over the sound side- you can do this at the Duck Town boardwalk or follow Google maps on a back road along the sound side will you find a spot to sit and enjoy it
-Go jet skiing on the sound- we always go to Sunset Grill’s pier where they rent jet skis by 30 minutes or an hour. You don’t usually need a reservation and the cost is average $65 for 1/2 hour, $99 for one hour. Its so exhilarating and you feel like you are out in the middle of nowhere 😉 more info here.
-Check out Duck Donuts, order the BEST cake donuts you’ll ever have and watch them get made here.
So there you have it, my list of some unique things to do the next time you find yourself in the Outer Banks. I feel like we can miss out on some cool stuff when we go to the beach because we just kinda do the same stuff. I wanted to put these out there because I could not believe how much fun I had last year and want you all to do the same! Enjoy!
Check out more info on the Outer Banks here.
PS if you’re looking to try another beach in North Carolina, try this well kept secret.
xx,
Hannah
No Comments