Outer Banks Area Guide: Kitty Hawk & Beyond
Restaurants, beaches, attractions and essentials — all mapped from our oceanfront homes in Kitty Hawk.
Everything on one map
Orange = our homes · dark teal = restaurants, attractions and essentials. Tap any marker for details.
Getting to Kitty Hawk
By car: Most visitors drive in over the Wright Memorial Bridge on US-158. From the bridge, our homes are about 3½ miles south — take US-158 (the "Bypass") to Kitty Hawk Road, then turn south on N Virginia Dare Trail (the "Beach Road").
| From | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk International Airport (ORF) | ~82 mi | 1 hr 40 min |
| Virginia Beach, VA | ~85 mi | 1 hr 45 min |
| Richmond, VA | ~170 mi | 3 hr |
| Raleigh, NC / RDU | ~200 mi | 3 hr 30 min |
| Washington, DC | ~270 mi | 4 hr 45 min |
| Charlotte, NC | ~360 mi | 5 hr 45 min |
Approximate, without traffic. Summer Saturdays can add an hour or more at the bridges — arriving before 11 am or after 5 pm helps.
Essential links
Kitty Hawk Beach Rules & Safety
The town's official beach page, with access locations and parking, lifeguard stands, and rules for the sand.
Good to know: No beach fires and no driving on the beach. Fill in holes and don't build sand mounds. Gear (canopies, chairs, umbrellas, coolers) can't be left out overnight. Swimming is banned under red flags ($250 fine).
Kitty Hawk Dog Rules
Dogs are welcome on Kitty Hawk beaches year-round, with leash rules that tighten during summer daytime hours.
Good to know: Friday before Memorial Day through the day after Labor Day, 10am-6pm: leash 6 ft or shorter. Other times: leash up to 12 ft, or off-leash only if under control within 30 ft with a leash in hand. Pick up waste. Current rabies tag required. Fine up to $50.
Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue (Lifeguards)
Seasonal lifeguard coverage on Kitty Hawk's beaches, from fixed stands plus roving ATV patrols.
Good to know: Memorial Day-Labor Day 10am-6pm; Labor Day-Sept 30 10am-5pm. Stands at Byrd St, Eckner St, Bleriot St, Lillian St and the Bath House. Call 911 for ocean emergencies.
Rip Current Safety (National Weather Service)
How to spot and escape rip currents, the top surf hazard on the Outer Banks. The NWS Newport/Morehead City office issues the daily local rip current risk at weather.gov/mhx.
Good to know: If caught, don't fight the current: swim parallel to shore or float and signal for help. Swim near a lifeguard.
Road Conditions: US 158 & NC 12 (DriveNC)
NCDOT's live traffic and closure map — essential for NC 12 overwash on Pea Island and Hatteras and summer bridge backups on US 158.
Good to know: NC 12 can close at high tide during storms. Saturday turnover traffic on US 158 into the Outer Banks peaks late morning to mid-afternoon.
The Outer Banks Hospital
The only full-service hospital and 24/7 emergency department on the northern Outer Banks.
Good to know: Main line 252-449-4500. Call 911 in an emergency.
Outer Banks Health Urgent Care – Kitty Hawk
The closest walk-in clinic to the house, for minor injuries and illnesses such as stings, cuts and earaches.
Good to know: Open daily 8am-7pm, no appointment needed.
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
The nearest major commercial airport, about 1.5–2 hours north via US 158 and VA-168.
Good to know: Allow extra time on summer Saturdays. Raleigh-Durham (RDU) is about 3.5 hours away.
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Dare County's official tourism site, with event calendars, lighthouse and park info, and trip planning.
Good to know: Toll-free (877) 629-4386.
Aycock Brown Welcome Center
The first welcome center after the Wright Memorial Bridge, with free maps, brochures, restrooms and staff who know the area.
Good to know: Open 9am-5pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Monument to a Century of Flight is right behind it.
Dare County Evacuation & Reentry
The county's official guidance on hurricane evacuations and the staged reentry that follows a storm.
Good to know: Visitors must leave promptly when a visitor evacuation is ordered. Hurricane season runs June 1–Nov 30. Statewide preparedness: readync.gov.
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.