Corolla day trip: wild horses, a red-brick lighthouse & more
Spanish mustangs on the beach, a climbable 1875 lighthouse and a 1920s hunting mansion — the perfect day trip, about 40 minutes north of Kitty Hawk.
Corolla is about 40 minutes north of Kitty Hawk. The classic day trip: a morning wild horse 4×4 tour, climbing the Currituck Beach Lighthouse ($13, seasonal), touring Whalehead, then dinner at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room or Whalehead Brewery.
Corolla sits at the northern end of the paved road on the Outer Banks, in Currituck County. North of the pavement, the beach itself becomes the road — and that is where the famous Corolla wild horses roam. Guided 4×4 tours are the easiest and most responsible way to see them.
In Historic Corolla Village you can climb the 220 steps of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and tour Whalehead, a restored 1920s hunting retreat on the sound. Plan a full day, and leave early in summer — NC 12 through Duck and Corolla gets congested.
Where to eat & what to do in Corolla
Mike Dianna’s Grill Room
Corolla steakhouse known for prime cuts, fresh seafood and a strong wine list.
Whalehead Brewery
Woman- and veteran-owned brewery pairing its own beers with brick-oven pizzas.
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.
23 mi · 40 minCurrituck 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.
23 mi · 40 minWhalehead 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.
23 mi · 40 minCorolla 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.
23 mi · 40 minCorolla Outback Adventures (wild horse tours)
Long-running guided 4×4 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Corolla wild horses without a tour?
Yes, the horses roam the 4×4 beaches north of Corolla, but you need a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and must follow beach-driving rules. Tours are easier. By law you must stay at least 50 feet away and never feed them.
Can you climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse?
Yes, seasonally — roughly late March through November. Tickets are $13 per climber age 4 and up, paid on site.
How long is the drive from Kitty Hawk to Corolla?
About 20–23 miles, typically 40 minutes, and longer on summer Saturdays.
Our oceanfront homes in Kitty Hawk
Two neighboring dog-friendly oceanfront homes at Milepost 3¾, with a third home nearby. Book one, or book all three for the same dates for up to 29 guests.
Crab House
Single-level living and an extra-large oceanfront deck, steps from the sand.
Mermaid
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.