Currituck County and Corolla offer endless amounts of fun for all ages. If you’re spending time on the Currituck Outer Banks and want to make sure you get the full experience, keep reading. Here are the Top 10 things you must do in Corolla and mainland Currituck. See if you can do them all!
Watch the Corolla Wild Horses
One of only three remaining populations of wild horses on East Coast beaches, the wild horses of Corolla are a novel and majestic sight to see. Populations of Banker wild horses have lived here for more than five centuries, their presence owed to becoming stranded by early shipwrecks. About 100 wild horses call the northernmost Outer Banks from Corolla to Carova home. The best way to see them is via guided tours in 4x4 vehicles.
Hit the Beach
Corolla boasts more than a dozen public beach accesses, and the wide beaches provide plenty of space to claim your own slice of paradise. Spacious Corolla attracts smaller flocks of beach-goers than the southern beaches of Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills because of the nature of its sprawling residential areas and smaller population. With a beach parking permit, you can take a 4x4 vehicle onto the beach north of Corolla – go to ParkingOnTheBeach.com to get one.
Visit the Attractions at Historic Corolla Park
With one stop at Historic Corolla Park, you can visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Whalehead, Currituck Maritime Museum and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education and enjoy events or relaxation time in the soundside park setting. Though major tourism and vacationing didn’t crop up in Corolla until the late 1980s, the area has a storied history of fishing and waterfowl hunting dating back to the early 1800s. The history of Corolla is notable because of its singularly remote quality, which drew adventurous seafarers or huntsmen here even before the Cur[1]Currituck Beach Lighthouse was built in 1875 or the Whalehead in 1922. Discover these historic structures and local museums for a newfound appreciation for what is now a luxurious destination but was once a rustic escape.
Take the Family to H2OBX Waterpark
If you happen to pass through Mainland Currituck on your drive to the island, you cannot miss the H2OBX Waterpark with its huge waterslides, wave pool, lazy river, surfable wave simulator and more. Make plans to head to the park during your vacation. It’s less than 10 minutes over the Wright Memorial Bridge and an incredible option for those looking for a change of pace from the beach. You’ll soon see why it’s billed as the #1 Family Attraction on the Outer Banks.
Sip at Sanctuary Vineyards Winery
Wine lovers should definitely take a short trip to the Mainland to enjoy a wine tasting and charcuterie snack at Sanctuary Vineyards. The winery is on a charming soundside farm where they grow vinifera varietals and handpick their grapes at the peak of ripeness. In addition to European-style wines, Sanctuary offers Acoustic Sunset events every Thursday at the winery. They are also a part of Corolla Cork & Craft on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. (June through September) at Historic Whalehead.
Sample Brews and Spirits
If you’re more interested in beverages on tap or on the rocks, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Buffalo City Distillery in Point Harbor offers farm-to-bottle whiskey and vodka made with locally grown grains. Their Mainland tasting room is always lively with music, trivia or other events. In Corolla, you can experience the self-pour tap wall and casual fare at Whalehead Brewery or a cold one in the six-barrel brewhouse of Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company.
Go Golfing
With six golf courses in Currituck County, there are plenty of places to tee it up. On the Mainland, you’ll find Holly Ridge Golf Course, The Pointe Golf Club, Kilmarlic Golf Club, The Carolina Club and Eagle Creek Golf Club. In Corolla, there’s the world-class Currituck Club. For family fun, Corolla also has three mini golf courses – Pirate’s Island Golf, The Grass Course and Corolla Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars.
Savor Local Flavor
Nothing beats a restaurant meal after a long day at the beach, especially at original dining establishments that you can’t find anywhere else! There are no commercial chain restaurants in Currituck – everything here is independently owned and quintessentially Outer Banks. If you love seafood, you’ll love the local wild-caught yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi, locally harvested oysters, wild-caught shrimp and more. And be sure to get a taste of eastern North Carolina barbecue in Currituck County too!
Shop Like a Local
Make your way to the Seaside Farm Market in Corolla or any of the many farm markets and stands on the Mainland for regional in-season produce or seafood as well as other homemade products. You can spend an entire day browsing the niche boutiques and shops in the TimBuck II Shopping Center and other shopping centers in Corolla, and be sure to wander through the shops in quaint Historic Corolla Village, too.
Get on the Water
The distinct beauty of Corolla and Currituck Outer Banks is best experienced in the up-close and immersive experiences of its waters. Water activities and water adventure rentals are available for every age and experience level: kayaking, surfing, standup paddleboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, boating, fishing and more.
Currituck County Welcome Center
(877) 287-7488 | (252) 435-2947
106 Caratoke Highway, Moyock, NC 27958
Corolla Visitor Center
(252) 453-9612
500 Hunt Club Drive, Corolla, NC 27927
About the Author Gabrielle Giannone
Gabrielle Giannone is a contributing writer for OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved from Virginia to the Outer Banks in early 2023. Outside of writing and exploring the area, she is a server at three local restaurants and a fine art painter.
