Things to Do in Kitty Hawk & the Outer Banks
First-flight history, the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast, lighthouses, wild horses and miles of beach — with drive times from our oceanfront homes.
Our top 10 Outer Banks experiences
| # | Experience | Why go | From the house |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wright Brothers National Memorial Kill Devil Hills | The National Park Service site where the Wrights made the first powered flights in 1903, with a reproduction of the 1903 Flyer, the marked flight path and a granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill. | 5.5 mi · ~12 min |
| 2 | Jockey’s Ridge State Park Nags Head | The tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast, a free state park where you can climb the dunes for sunset, fly kites, or wade on the shallow soundside beach. | 10.5 mi · ~18 min |
| 3 | Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve Kitty Hawk | A state-protected maritime forest of ridges, swales and marsh just west of the bypass, crossed by quiet hiking trails and a paddle route along High Bridge Creek. | 2 mi · ~6 min |
| 4 | Avalon Pier Kill Devil Hills | A classic wooden fishing pier with a tackle shop and snack bar, and a pier cam that surfers check before paddling out. | 3 mi · ~7 min |
| 5 | Bodie Island Lighthouse Nags Head (Bodie Island) | A black-and-white banded 1872 lighthouse rising over marsh, with a boardwalk overlook that is great for birding and sunset photos. | 21 mi · ~32 min |
| 6 | Corolla Outback Adventures (wild horse tours) Corolla | Long-running guided 4×4 tours onto the beaches and back trails north of Corolla, where the wild horses roam and paved road ends. | 23 mi · ~40 min |
| 7 | Duck Town Park & Soundside Boardwalk Duck | An 11-acre wooded park and town green connected to a boardwalk of nearly a mile along Currituck Sound that links Duck’s shops and restaurants, with famous sunsets. | 10 mi · ~20 min |
| 8 | North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Manteo | A state aquarium with a large shark tank, river otters and a sea turtle rehab center, an easy rainy-day outing for all ages. | 17.5 mi · ~30 min |
| 9 | Currituck Beach Lighthouse Corolla | An unpainted red-brick lighthouse from 1875 whose 220 steps reward climbers with sweeping views of Currituck Sound and the northern beaches. | 23 mi · ~40 min |
| 10 | Monument to a Century of Flight Kitty Hawk | A free outdoor sculpture of stainless-steel wings and granite panels that traces 100 years of aviation milestones after the Wright brothers. | 2.2 mi · ~6 min |
Map of things to do
Orange dot = our oceanfront homes on the Kitty Hawk Beach Road.
Beaches & ocean
Kitty Hawk Bath House Beach Access
The town's best-equipped public beach access, a short hop south on the Beach Road, with a bathhouse and a guarded stretch of sand in summer.
Good to know: Restrooms with showers and about 50 parking spaces (2 ADA). A lifeguard stand is here Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10am-6pm. Free parking fills early on summer weekends.
Kitty Hawk Public Beach Accesses (Lillian, Bleriot, Wilkins, Hawks, Luke, Byrd and others)
A string of free, town-maintained walkovers along the Beach Road, so guests can usually walk or make a short drive to the ocean.
Good to know: Parking: Lillian St 35 spaces (3 ADA), Bleriot St 26, Hawks St 11, Wilkins St 9. Seasonal port-a-johns at Bleriot and Luke; port-a-johns at Byrd St. Guarded stands at Byrd, Eckner, Bleriot and Lillian plus the Bath House (summer, 10am-6pm), with roving ATV guards.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Coquina Beach & Whalebone area)
The start of more than 70 miles of undeveloped, federally protected beach, where Coquina Beach and the Bodie Island marshes give guests a wilder, uncrowded shoreline.
Good to know: Free beach access. Off-road vehicle routes need an NPS ORV permit. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed for climbing in 2026 for restoration, though its grounds stay open.
History & landmarks
Monument to a Century of Flight
A free outdoor sculpture of stainless-steel wings and granite panels that traces 100 years of aviation milestones after the Wright brothers.
Good to know: Free and easy to combine with a stop at the welcome center for maps and brochures. Takes about 20 minutes.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
The National Park Service site where the Wrights made the first powered flights in 1903, with a reproduction of the 1903 Flyer, the marked flight path and a granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill.
Good to know: Open daily 9am-5pm. $10 per person age 16+ (15 and under free); the park's own annual pass is $35. Card only (cashless), or buy ahead on recreation.gov. Free on Aug 19 and Dec 17.
Island Farm
A living-history farm that recreates 1850s Roanoke Island life, with costumed interpreters, heritage animals, a working garden and period buildings.
Good to know: Season April-November. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-3pm. Adults $11, ages 3 and under free.
Roanoke Island Festival Park
A state historic site across from the Manteo waterfront, centered on the Elizabeth II, a recreated 16th-century sailing ship, plus costumed interpreters, an American Indian town and a settlement site.
Good to know: 2026 season runs Mar 17-Dec 31. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm; last tickets 4:30pm. Adults $15, ages 3-12 $13. The boardwalk closes from Oct 26, 2026 for replacement.
The Lost Colony (outdoor drama)
America's longest-running outdoor symphonic drama, performed on summer nights at a soundside amphitheater, about the vanished 1587 English colony.
Good to know: Summer evening performances (2026 was the 89th season). Bring bug spray. Check the site or box office (252-473-6000) for 2027 dates.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
A black-and-white banded 1872 lighthouse rising over marsh, with a boardwalk overlook that is great for birding and sunset photos.
Good to know: Climbing runs late April to early November (Tue-Thu only in October-November): $10 adults, $5 seniors and kids 11 and under. Tickets are sold only on recreation.gov on the day of the climb, from 7am. The keepers' quarters visitor center is closed until mid-2027 after fire damage; the grounds are open.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
An unpainted red-brick lighthouse from 1875 whose 220 steps reward climbers with sweeping views of Currituck Sound and the northern beaches.
Good to know: 2026 climbing season Mar 21-Nov 30. Daily 9am-5pm, plus Wed/Thu until 8pm in June-August. $13 per climber age 4+, paid on site (no advance tickets). Grounds and parking are free. Closed in thunderstorms and on Thanksgiving.
Whalehead in Historic Corolla
A restored 1920s Art Nouveau hunting mansion on the sound, set in a park with walking paths and a footbridge next to the Currituck lighthouse.
Good to know: House tours Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Summer ghost tours need reservations. Call 252-453-9040.
Nature, parks & trails
Paul Pruitt Multi-Use Path (The Woods Road)
A paved, car-free path of about 2 miles that runs through shady Kitty Hawk woods, with a 0.8-mile spur along Twiford Street through Kitty Hawk Village.
Good to know: Non-motorized use only. Pairs well with a stop at Sandy Run Park, which is along the same road. Paul Pruitt Park (5160 The Woods Rd) has a small playground.
Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
A state-protected maritime forest of ridges, swales and marsh just west of the bypass, crossed by quiet hiking trails and a paddle route along High Bridge Creek.
Good to know: Free. Closed sunset to sunrise. Leashed pets only. Park in the residential right-of-way and respect neighbors. Kayakers launch from the Bob Perry Road public ramp.
Sandy Run Park
A free town park where a wide, accessible boardwalk loops about half a mile through maritime forest and ponds, with picnic gazebos, a playground and fitness stations.
Good to know: Open daily 7am-8pm. Catch-and-release pond fishing needs an NC fishing license. There is a kayak launch. Good for strollers and wheelchairs.
Nags Head Woods Preserve
One of the East Coast's largest remaining maritime forests, protected by The Nature Conservancy, with shady trails that wind past freshwater ponds, tall dunes and soundside marsh.
Good to know: Free. Trails open dawn to dusk. Register at the outdoor kiosk. Trails are foot traffic only, and there is a 0.5-mile ADA boardwalk loop. Bring bug spray in summer.
Duck Town Park & Soundside Boardwalk
An 11-acre wooded park and town green connected to a boardwalk of nearly a mile along Currituck Sound that links Duck's shops and restaurants, with famous sunsets.
Good to know: Free. Playground, kayak/canoe launch, crabbing area and amphitheater with free summer events. Dog-friendly. Duck Jazz Festival is in October. Parking at the park; NC 12 through Duck is slow on summer afternoons.
Duck Trail (NC 12 multi-use path)
A paved path of about 6 miles that runs the length of Duck beside NC 12, ideal for biking between village shops, cafes and the boardwalk.
Good to know: Shared with pedestrians, and busy at midday in summer. Bike rentals are available in Duck and Kitty Hawk.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
The tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast, a free state park where you can climb the dunes for sunset, fly kites, or wade on the shallow soundside beach.
Good to know: Free. Main access opens 8am and closes 6-9pm depending on month (9pm May-Sept). Visitor center 9am-4pm. Sand is very hot by midday in summer, so bring shoes and water. Navigate to the street address — map apps can mis-route.
The Elizabethan Gardens
Ten acres of formal English-style gardens, statuary and shaded walks on the shore of Roanoke Sound beside the Lost Colony site.
Good to know: Closed in January. Feb-mid-Nov: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm (4pm close from Nov 2, 2026). WinterLights holiday light show runs select evenings Nov 20-Dec 29, 2026, 6-9pm. Buy tickets online.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund – Wild Horse Museum
The nonprofit that protects Corolla's Spanish mustangs runs a small museum and shop explaining the herd's history and how to view the horses responsibly.
Good to know: Museum open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm in season. Currituck County law requires staying at least 50 feet from the horses, and feeding them is illegal.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
A barrier-island wildlife refuge famous for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, with a half-mile trail to an observation tower over North Pond.
Good to know: Visitor center open daily 9am-4pm. Trails open year-round in daylight. NC 12 across Pea Island flooded in a late-September 2026 nor'easter, so check DriveNC.gov before going.
Family fun & rainy days
Lost Treasure Golf
A themed adventure mini-golf course with a jungle-explorer storyline and a little train ride to the first hole, a reliable rainy-evening or after-beach pick for kids.
Good to know: Seasonal hours that are longest in summer, so check before going in the off-season.
H2OBX Waterpark
The region's big outdoor waterpark just over the Wright Memorial Bridge, with slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a kids' splash zone.
Good to know: Summer-only. The 2026 season is over; the site says it reopens in 2027, and 2027 season passes go on sale in November. Buy tickets online in advance.
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
A state aquarium with a large shark tank, river otters and a sea turtle rehab center, an easy rainy-day outing for all ages.
Good to know: Open daily 9am-5pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Buy timed tickets online in summer. There is usually a short maintenance closure in January.
Hang gliding, surf & water sports
Kitty Hawk Kites – Jockey's Ridge Crossing & Hang Gliding School
The Outer Banks' best-known adventure outfitter, offering beginner hang gliding on the Jockey's Ridge dunes, plus kayak, SUP, surf, kiteboarding and e-foil lessons and a large kite store.
Good to know: Dune hang gliding lessons from about $149 and tandem flights from about $199; reserve online. Despite the name, there is no store in Kitty Hawk — the closest locations are Nags Head and Duck (1226 Duck Rd).
Piers & fishing charters
Kitty Hawk Pier
A 1950s-era fishing pier, restored by the oceanfront Hilton Garden Inn after Hurricane Isabel, that is mainly for hotel guests but sells a limited number of daily passes.
Good to know: Operated with the oceanfront Hilton Garden Inn; a limited number of daily passes have historically been sold to non-guests — call the hotel to confirm before you go.
Avalon Pier
A classic wooden fishing pier with a tackle shop and snack bar, and a pier cam that surfers check before paddling out.
Good to know: Opens 6am daily. Fall hours run to 10pm Sunday-Thursday and midnight Friday-Saturday. Fishing is half price for ages 17 and under. A small walk-on fee applies for non-anglers.
Nags Head Fishing Pier
An old-school Nags Head pier under new ownership, refreshed for 2026, with a pier-house cafe and beach bar where anglers can have their catch cooked.
Good to know: Pier and tackle shop open daily 6am-10pm. Cafe serves breakfast and dinner; the Off the Hook bar is open from 11:30am. Pass rates are on the site's Info & Rates page.
Jennette's Pier
A 1,000-foot concrete pier run by the NC Aquariums, combining serious fishing with ocean-education exhibits and a guarded beach next door.
Good to know: Hours: May-Oct 6am-10pm; Nov and Apr 7am-9pm; Dec-Mar 9am-5pm. Walk-on $2. Fishing $15 adults, $10 ages 12 and under. Rod rental $12. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Pirate's Cove Marina
A full-service sportfishing marina on the causeway with a fleet of about 21 charter boats running inlet, nearshore and Gulf Stream trips.
Good to know: Book charters online or at 252-473-3906 well ahead for summer. Watch the afternoon dock to see the fleet unload its catch. Marina office 8am-5pm.
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
The legendary charter-fishing hub at the north foot of the Marc Basnight Bridge, sending boats inshore for families and offshore for tuna and mahi.
Good to know: Book charters well ahead for summer; half-day inshore trips suit families and beginners. Headboats are available. Bait and tackle shop, and fish cleaning for a fee. Call (800) 272-5199.
Golf
Sea Scape Golf Links
The closest 18-hole course to the house, a hilly links-style layout routed through dunes and maritime forest with glimpses of the ocean.
Good to know: Book tee times in advance during summer and fall golf season.
Duck Woods Country Club
A traditional, tree-lined country club course in the woods of Southern Shores, one of the oldest golf clubs on the beach.
Good to know: Primarily a member club. Call the golf shop (252-261-2609) to ask about guest or visitor tee times.
Kilmarlic Golf Club
A highly regarded mainland course a few minutes past the bridge, routed through marsh, pine forest and wetlands with a well-kept, upscale feel.
Good to know: Tee times online or at (252) 491-4220. Visitor play is encouraged.
Nags Head Golf Links
A windswept soundside links course where Roanoke Sound views and the breeze are part of every round.
Good to know: Book online through the club's tee-time link or call 252-441-8073 to confirm visitor play.
Breweries
Outer Banks Brewing Station
A brewpub in a lighthouse-style building that brews its beer with help from its own wind turbine, serving full meals and hosting live bands and DJs.
Good to know: Open Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am to midnight (2am on band nights). Kitchen 11:30am-9pm. Shows are 21+. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Weeping Radish Taproom at Firetender
North Carolina's oldest microbrewery has returned to Manteo with a taproom inside Firetender, pouring its Bavarian-style lagers next to a stone-oven kitchen.
Good to know: The original Grandy farm location no longer serves food — head to the taproom inside Firetender at Hotel Manteo. Check current hours before you go.
Shopping
Scarborough Faire Shopping Village
A cluster of independent boutiques, galleries and gift shops linked by shaded wooden walkways in the heart of Duck.
Good to know: Shop hours vary by season; most stores are open daily in summer.
Outlets Nags Head
The beach's outlet center, with brand-name apparel, shoes and housewares, handy on a rainy day or on the way back from Manteo or Hatteras.
Good to know: Formerly Tanger Outlets. Check the site's Hours page.
TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla's main shopping and dining village, with dozens of shops, eateries and seasonal family amusements under live oaks.
Good to know: Kitty Hawk Kites and other surf and gift shops are here. Summer traffic on NC 12 north of Duck is heavy, especially on Saturdays.
Wild horse tours & day trips
Corolla Outback Adventures (wild horse tours)
Long-running guided 4x4 tours onto the beaches and back trails north of Corolla, where the wild horses roam and paved road ends.
Good to know: Tours last about 1:45-2 hours. Book online and reserve early for summer. Children must be 5+ and over 45 lb (seat-belt law). Other tour operators also run from Corolla.
Things to do FAQ
What is Kitty Hawk known for?
Kitty Hawk is famous as the place the Wright brothers chose for their flight experiments — the 1903 first flight actually happened a few miles south at Kill Devil Hills, now the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Today Kitty Hawk is known for its quiet residential beaches, maritime forest and central location on the Outer Banks.
What is there to do in Kitty Hawk on a rainy day?
Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial visitor center, the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island, play mini golf at Lost Treasure, catch a brewery lunch at Outer Banks Brewing Station, or shop the outlets in Nags Head.
Where can I see the wild horses?
The Corolla wild horses live on the beaches north of Corolla, about 40 minutes from Kitty Hawk. The easiest way to see them is a guided 4x4 tour; by law you must stay at least 50 feet away.
Can you climb the lighthouses?
Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is open for climbing seasonally (roughly late March–November). Bodie Island Lighthouse offers seasonal climbs with same-day tickets on recreation.gov. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed for climbing in 2026.
Is there free stuff to do near Kitty Hawk?
Lots: the beach, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Kitty Hawk Woods, Sandy Run Park, Nags Head Woods, the Monument to a Century of Flight, Duck's soundside boardwalk and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge are all free.
What is the best thing to do with kids on the Outer Banks?
Fly a kite on Jockey's Ridge, see the 1903 Flyer replica at the Wright Brothers Memorial, crab off the Duck boardwalk, and spend a rainy afternoon at the NC Aquarium.
Hungry after all that? See our Kitty Hawk restaurant guide.
Our oceanfront homes in Kitty Hawk
Three dog-friendly oceanfront homes side by side at Milepost 3¾ — book one, or all three for up to 29 guests.
Crab House
Single-level living, an extra-large oceanfront deck and a gated yard for your dog — steps from the sand.
Big Deck Beach House
A 500 sq ft oceanfront deck, gourmet three-oven kitchen, wet bar and a king suite with a jetted tub.
A Carolina Conch
Classic two-story Outer Banks cottage with wraparound ocean views, carport parking and baby gear on hand.