Across Wright Memorial Bridge from the Outer Banks, Highway U.S. 158 travels through a pastoral peninsula cradled between the Currituck and Albemarle sounds. You’ll pass a gas station here, an old white farmhouse there, old schoolhouses, and enticing farmstands as you journey through the communities of Point Harbor, Powells Point, Jarvisburg, Grandy, Coinjock, Barco, Currituck, Sligo, and Moyock. This is The Northern Outer Banks’ Mainland, slower paced and more residential than its oceanside neighbor, Corolla — and full of surprises.
Quiet overlooks in Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge provide views of marshland and waterfowl. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
A 5.5-mile ferry ride across the Currituck Sound leads to the small community of Knotts Island, 8,000 acres of which is protected national wildlife refuge. Along your route, endangered migratory birds fly overhead, and tranquil marshland unfurls like patchwork over cobalt blue waters. It feels like a scene from National Geographic, not the outer edge of the state line.
Back on the coastal Mainland and over to the beaches in Corolla, you’ll find surprises of all sizes in the most unexpected places. Whether you’re creating new traditions, like tackling aerial adventures at a high-ropes course, or revisiting old memories, like docking and dining along the Intracoastal Waterway, our state’s northeastern corner holds promises of relaxation and play. Read on for our recommendations of what to see and do throughout The Northern Outer Banks.
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Across the state line from buzzy Virginia Beach, Knotts Island reminds visitors they don’t have to travel far to find themselves in the coast’s most wild places. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Turn off U.S. Highway 158 at Courthouse Road in Currituck. The road winds up to the historic courthouse … and the NCDOT car ferry to Knotts Island, a remote peninsula only accessible by ferry or a very long drive into Virginia and back into North Carolina. Take the 45-minute passage across the Currituck Sound, where you’ll spot a smattering of remote islands, seabirds, and your nearing destination.
In 1960, more than 8,000-acres of marshland was allocated to create Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, a major draw to the island. Threatened and endangered species like peregrine falcons and bald eagles live in the refuge year-round, and tens of thousands of migratory birds — mallards, teal, gadwall, wood ducks, tundra swans, and snow geese — come each year to winter.
Look for osprey and migratory ducks in the national wildlife refuge. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
It’s a place where you can connect with the natural surroundings, whether you prefer to do so while hiking, kayaking, bicycling, fishing, or photographing the flora and fauna. Take your camera and binoculars on the .3-mile long Great Marsh Loop Trail and the Kuralt Trail Overlook.
After your excursion, duck into Knotts Island Market. An unassuming gas station and convenience mart is home to one of the best (and only) lunches on the island, plus fishing tackle, bait, housewares, office supplies, hardware, souvenirs, greeting cards.
Grab a sandwich and sweet treat from the deli at Knotts Island Market. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Beeline for the deli counter with crowd-favorites, like the steak or Italians subs. Don’t overlook the salads in the deli case. “Everything’s made there,” Heather Johnson says, who manages the market and whose mother, Beverley Gilliam, owns the Knotts Island institution. “The chicken salad is made from scratch, but my coleslaw is the go-to.”
The market also serves as a community hub and gathering place. A cohort of older men meets each morning for coffee and conversation, and folks call for the local 411. “If the power goes out or if an ambulance rides by, they call the store to ask, ‘What’s going on?’” Johnson says with a chuckle.
Whether or not you’re a neighbor, Johnson wants everyone to feel welcome at the market. “It’s very, very personable. We try to connect with everybody.”
Follow the raised boardwalk through the Currituck Banks Estuary Reserve and Trail. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
In Corolla, as you face the endless Atlantic with miles of beach around you, it’s easy to imagine you’re on the edge of the world. The wild horses that wander the dunes and frolic in the surf are a living reminder of Spanish colonists who visited centuries ago.
On your first morning here, bike along the multiuse path to Currituck Banks Estuary Reserve and Trail. The 965-acre reserve includes habitats ranging from brackish and freshwater marshes to grasslands. Take the third-mile boardwalk to Currituck Sound or head north on the Maritime Forest Trail and you might see local inhabitants — white tailed deer, marsh rabbits, bald eagles, and kingfishers.
Swing by Timbuck II to shop for hand-woven hammocks at Nags Head Hammocks. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Step up the intensity and head to Corolla Adventure Park, where you can reach new heights on the ropes course. At this jungle gym in the sky, climb rope webs, teeter on twisty tops, and speed down zip lines. Compete with your travel companions or challenge yourself to move to the next level of obstacles.
Round out your afternoon at the rambling collection of shops and restaurants at Timbuck II Shopping Center. With beloved businesses like Kitty Hawk Kites alongside locally owned gems like Gray’s Outer Banks Lifestyle Clothing Company and The Cotton Gin, you can shop for clothing, home goods, gifts, and jewelry. Stop for lunch at Corolla Bowls, and return in the evening to drive go-karts at Corolla Raceway.
Stock up on kites, beach games, and casual attire at Kitty Hawk Kites’ location in Timbuck II. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Close your beach day at Broken Plate Kitchen for a fresh spin on American staples and Jamaican favorites, skillfully created with Caribbean herbs and spices. “Although still by the beach, our ambience is a harmonious blend of semi-elegance and relaxation,” Amaloi Crossman says, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Sean Cadien.
With its soft lighting, classical music, and simple but elegant decor, the atmosphere stands apart from traditional beach-town dining spots. Popular dishes include authentic Jamaican jerk chicken and coconut-encrusted shrimp and scallops, fried and served with coconut rice and beans.
Shop for whirligigs, bird houses, and other garden accessories at Carolina Charm. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Just north of the bridge, Carolina Charm, a family-owned, full-service garden center sells the expected — garden decor, annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs — and the unexpected — fresh-cut flowers and lavender grown on-site and products infused with this lavender. The store, located in the former Griggs family farmhouse, was built in 1892 by the current owner’s great-great grandfather.
Visit Buffalo City Distillery’s tasting room and pick up a memento to take home. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
A half-mile north, you’ll find Buffalo City Distillery, craft producer of whiskeys, vodkas, and gin distilled from grains grown on its farm near Lake Mattamuskeet. At the distillery’s Dare Forest Lounge, sip their products straight or in seasonally inspired cocktails. Tours of the distillery include an overview of the area’s bootlegging history, and the dog- and child-friendly backyard makes it an ideal stop for families.
Sip a glass of home-grown Albariño as you stroll through Sanctuary Vineyards. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
At Sanctuary Vineyards, descendants of Jacob Francis Wright, who shipwrecked near Duck seven generations ago, have created an oasis of wine made with grapes hand-picked on the family farm. Although the Wright family farmed here for more than a century, the vineyard’s first vines were planted in 2002. At the tasting room, enjoy a variety of wines like Pearl, an award-winning white made with Albariño grapes, and Morton, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.
When U.S. Highway 158 reaches the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), you’ve arrived at the tiny community of Coinjock. Since its opening in 1978, the waterfront Coinjock Marina Restaurant has lured locals and yachtsmen sailing the 3,000-mile ICW. Diners can enjoy the famed prime rib on the deck and watch as boats cruise past.
Head to the Coinjock Marina to see yachts cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Looking for a day on the links? That’s easy to do with the Mainland’s five golf courses. Set among more than 600 acres of maritime forest, Kilmarlic Golf Club features a highly rated course designed by Tom Steele, golf cabins, and its clubhouse restaurant, Black Tartan Tap Room. The Pointe Golf Club, a public course, offers chipping greens, a practice bunker, putting green, and short game practice area. At The Carolina Club, golfers play among scenic wetlands and water. Golfers of all skill levels will feel right at home at Eagle Creek Golf Club and Holly Ridge Golf Club, both family friendly options.
Practice your swing at The Pointe Golf Club in The Northern Banks’ Mainland. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
You’ll find more family fun at H2OBX Waterpark. Kids, from toddlers to teens, will love the 30-plus waterslides, water play areas, rides, and attractions, and parents will appreciate the state-of-the-art park, variety of dining options, and the on-site bar serving craft beer and wine.
Reserve a cabana for the crew and lounge in the shade. You can also place orders directly from your cabana with Outer Banks Eats and Flyboys. “We really do pride ourselves on offering that elevated resort experience,” Wendy Murray says, the park’s director of marketing and sales.
Where will you go first? From beachside hikes and ferry rides to locally crafted spirits and fine wines, every flavor of adventure awaits in The Northern Outer Banks. Click here to start planning your visit.
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