On the long fingers of land that dangle into the waters, the northeastern-most county in North Carolina is shaped by its sea, sound, and river surroundings. With the square miles of water outnumbering that of the land, you’re never far from a sandy or marshy shoreline. Yet it’s more than water that defines the distinct regions of The Northern Outer Banks. On the barrier island side, resort-style Corolla welcomes visitors with sophisticated shopping, dining, and attractions, while the 4×4 beaches to the north offer nothing but wild horses and a smattering of beach cottages surrounded by sandy dunes. The county’s Mainland is reachable by boat, plane, or bridge and boasts farmland, vineyards, golf courses, barbecue, markets, and an easy, relaxed pace. As you plan your visit to this corner of coastal North Carolina, read on for where to see wild horses, sip local wine, and paddle around the watery landscape.
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Corolla Wild Horses: Catch sight of wild horses standing between the dunes or cantering in the surf. This majestic breed known as Banker horses are found in the 4×4 areas between Corolla and the Virginia line. You can sign up for a guided wild horse tour, led by expert horse watchers who have vehicles to handle the sand and can teach you about the horses and other local wildlife.
The wild horses all have their own distinct personalities – learn about their dynamics and the families within the herd during a guided wild horse tour. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Beaches: Wide, white-sand beaches lure vacationers for long, lazy days by the sea in spring, summer, and fall. In Corolla, numerous public beach accesses and bathhouses make beach days easy. For those with a permit, the 4×4 beaches to the north draw day-trippers and vacationers who want to drive their 4WD vehicles right up to the ocean.
Spot osprey, waterfowl, and other feathered residents at the Audubon Sanctuary and Center at Pine Island. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Trails: Throughout the year, nature trails lead deep into Corolla’s maritime ecosystem. At Currituck Banks Estuarine Reserve, two out-and-back trails take you through and over marshlands and emerge to overlook vast views of Currituck Sound. A trail at Audubon Sanctuary and Center at Pine Island winds along the sound shore and through maritime forest, offering frequent sightings of birds like heron, egret, osprey, shorebirds, and songbirds.
Follow the elevated boardwalks at Currituck Banks Estuarine Reserve to unbeatable views overlooking the sound. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education: For an overview of the region’s wetlands and wildlife, this center offers 22,000 square feet of exhibits dedicated to the region’s natural diversity. The center also offers free outdoor programs on topics like fishing, crabbing, beach explorations, and butterflies — open to all ages.
Seafood Spots: Fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, and oysters are local to eastern North Carolina, and it’s always appropriate to ask what’s fresh and in season when dining out. Coinjock Marina serves seafood, steaks, and sandwiches with a view that overlooks boats traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway. Another Mainland favorite is Frog Island Seafood, a seafood market and restaurant with fried seafood plates and oyster bar offerings. Outer Banks Boil Company’s original location is in Corolla, and you can pick up one of their steamer pots and cook your own seafood feast of shrimp, clams, potatoes, and corn on the cob, or have them bring it to you and let a chef handle the cooking and clean-up.
Grab a seat on the patio at Upside Restaurant & Bar and enjoy your meal with a view. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Date Night: Corolla’s fine dining options are refined yet casual. North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar is a mainstay for sophisticated seafood, steaks, and an extensive wine list. Mike Dianna’s Grill Room cooks Angus beef and other meats to order on a live hardwood grill, and their seafood dishes are renowned. To dine with a view, Upside Restaurant & Bar offers plentiful outdoor, sound-side seating for enjoying its creative cocktails and cuisine.
Top it off sweet! A scoop from Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream always hits the spot. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Family Friendly: Families and groups appreciate the casual atmosphere at Uncle Ike’s Sandbar & Grill, where the food is good and a game is always on (doesn’t matter which sport). On the Mainland, Currituck BBQ Company wows carnivores with eastern North Carolina-style barbecue and all the essential sides — banana pudding included — and those in the know order extra to-go.
Wine: A coastal winery creating sophisticated wines from European vinifera grapes, Sanctuary Vineyards on the Mainland offers vineyard tours, wine tastings, and many popular food-, wine-, and music-focused events.
With 17 beer taps and more than 60 different brews in the cooler, Corolla Beer Garden is a top choice for enjoying a cold refreshment in the shade. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Beer: Corolla’s well-organized beer scene includes Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company, complete with a tasting room and snacks, and Whalehead Brewery, with beer and frequent social events, plus a variety of pizzas, salads, and appetizers to polish off. Off the Wall Tap House’s self-pour tap wall lines up 20 beer offerings and a full-service restaurant that includes indoor and outdoor seating. Corolla Beer Garden by Historic Corolla Village is an enchanting, tucked-away outdoor space to rendezvous with your friends under live oaks.
The Northern Outer Banks’ very own distillery, Buffalo City Distillery, includes a cocktail lounge and inviting backyard for kids and dogs to play. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Spirits: Just off Caratoke Highway, Buffalo City Distillery crafts whiskey and vodkas from grains grown on its own farm. The tasting room bar is a hotspot for cocktails and socializing, plus music and trivia.
Coffee: The Kind Cup, an adorable Corolla Village coffee shop, features excellent coffee drinks and the works of more than 30 local artists. On the Mainland, Blue 42’s Brewing Barn is a coffee shop and community gathering place where you’ll delight in well-made coffee, baked goods, craft beer, and getting to know the local regulars.
H2OBX Waterpark: For families looking to splash and play, all ages can zoom down waterslides, float along a lazy river, and body surf in the wave pool, plus there’s a kids’ zone and the popular surf simulator. Various concession offerings, cabana service, plenty of shade, and a clean atmosphere mean you can spend an entire day in the water — sans sand!
You don’t need a beach or ocean to splash and play at H2OBX Waterpark. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Watersports: For more aquatic thrills, several outfitters offer watersport adventures in the ocean and sound. Two places to look for a wealth of watersport adventures, from Jet Skiing and parasailing to boat rentals and standup paddleboarding, are Corolla Water Sports and North Beach Watersports, both on the sound in Corolla.
Take in views of The Northern Outer Banks Mainland and beaches when you catch air during a parasailing trip. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Eco Tours: Explore alongside a knowledgeable guide and keep your eyes peeled for frequent wildlife sightings during one of Coastal Explorations’ kayak tours. Tours are offered throughout the day and last around two hours. However, for added adventure and unbeatable views, book one of the sunrise, sunset, or full moon tours.
Bring your board or rent one from Corolla Surf Shop or Kitty Hawk Surf Co. to be out on the water in no time. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Surfing: The Atlantic waves on The Northern Outer Banks are ideal for surfing most of the year. Bring your own board and hit the waves, or if you’re new to the sport, book a lesson with Kitty Hawk Surf Co. or Corolla Surf Shop.
Golfing: The Northern Outer Banks offers the largest concentration of golf courses in eastern North Carolina. The Currituck Mainland has five golf courses: The Carolina Club, Holly Ridge Golf Course, Kilmarlic Golf Club, The Pointe Golf Club, and The Golf Club at Eagle Creek, each taking advantage of the coastal landscape and offering its own distinctions between the courses. In Corolla, The Currituck Club is a world-class links-style course with natural features, sound views, and the added challenge of barrier island breezes.
Farmers Markets: The Northern Outer Banks Mainland is renowned for its farmers markets, from simple roadside produce stands to full-blown markets boasting on-site bakeries, food kiosks, gift shops, seasonal pumpkin patches, live music venues, and more. For many vacationers, it’s a tradition to stop by a favorite market to stock up on fresh vegetables, fish, pies, and fudge on the way to their beach week.
Stop at Morris Farm Market in Barco to stock up on snacks, farm-fresh produce, baked treats, and more. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Carolina Charm Plants & Gifts: At this whimsical lavender farm, you can pick your own lavender and shop among lavender products, fresh-cut flowers, gifts, and copper-topped bird houses (bird mansions, really).
The Cotton Gin: This long-standing store, with locations in Corolla and throughout the Outer Banks, sells sells name-brand, modern clothes and accessories, plus the wines of its sister business, Sanctuary Vineyards.
Find your next beach read at Island Bookstore. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Island Bookstore: While away the afternoon as you browse shelf after shelf of titles in this two-story bookstore in Historic Corolla Village.
Corolla Surf Shop: Here, you can procure surfboards, wetsuits, and all the surf-inspired beach and streetwear to look like a local on The Northern Outer Banks.
Historic Corolla Park: A spectacular soundside greenspace, this park is home to the bright yellow, Art Nouveau Whalehead and the red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The preserved mansion, originally built as a hunting club in the 1920s, is open for tours, and you’ll see some of the original furnishings, including the Steinway piano and Tiffany lamps. Across the footbridge, the lighthouse towers 162 feet over Corolla. It is open for climbing from spring through fall. All ages are welcome to scale the 220 steps to the top for a heart-stopping view of the sound-to-sea landscape.
Take in 360-degree views of the beach and Mainland from the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Historic Corolla Village: For a feeling of old-time Corolla, wander through the adjacent Historic Corolla Village on the north side of the lighthouse, where the 20th-century buildings and dirt roads look much like they did 100 years ago. The schoolhouse and chapel still serve those purposes, and the village homes have been repurposed as charming stores, a coffee shop, a juicer, and the Corolla Wild Horse Museum.
Explore the area’s nautical past at the Currituck Maritime Museum. Photography courtesy of The Northern Outer Banks
Currituck Maritime Museum: Discover stories of the region’s maritime history, from boat building and duck hunting to fishing and life-saving. The free museum offers a wealth of history, along with hands-on exhibits for younger visitors.
Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Museum: On the Mainland, be sure to stop by this museum within a historic schoolhouse. Inside the restored building, you’ll find archives dating back to 1868 that preserve the stories of past students and teachers, as well as life in rural Currituck County.
A little white schoolhouse once served as a hub for Black students and farming families in Currituck County. Lovingly restored and filled with memories, it remains an enduring point of pride.
Whether you’re visiting Corolla for the first time or 30th, these six essential activities make The Northern Outer Banks getaway an adventure for any age.
Since its completion in 1875, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse has stood witness to the community of Corolla, which grew up under the spindle’s eye.
This story was published on Mar 25, 2025
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