When it comes to where to stay on the Outer Banks, everyone has an opinion as to the 'best' town. Of course, 'best town' is subjective. Every town is best for someone, but all towns are best for everyone. This article will give you an overview of the towns so you can figure out where you want to stay on your next OBX vacation.
Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head
Though these are three separate towns, they are so similar, they have been listed together. They are centralized, filled with both chain stores as well as mom and pop places. They are also filled with activities such as golf, laser tag, mini-golf, airboats, skateboard parks, and more. They have tons of restaurants and are only minutes away from the town of the Manteo.
The beaches are public and provide public accesses, parking lots, and in some cases, even bath houses. They also have the highest percentage of lifeguards on the Outer Banks. The main difference between these towns is the treatment of dogs on the beach in season. Nags Head welcomes leashed dogs year round while the other two towns have certain times when pets are allowed. Please visit our Traveling with Pets page for details. These towns are great for:
- First timers
- Young families
- On the go families that love activities
- Anyone who wants to be close to everything and have a wide array of choices
- Pet owners
South Nags Head
Though many consider this area a part of ?regular? Nags Head, it?s different enough to need its own section. South Nags Head is filled with classic updated Outer Banks homes. The beach is wider (usually) and is great for fishing. There are far fewer lifeguards and public accesses in South Nags Head. Shops and restaurants are absent except for the Fishheads at the Outer Banks Fishing Pier (one of our Fun N Sun partners). Fortunately, it?s only about a 10 minute drive to shops and restaurants.
You are close to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, the visible Shipwreck of the Laura A Barnes and Oregon Inlet in case you want to go charter fishing. The Pea Island Wildlife Refuge is nearby and often give ranger led birding tours. Manteo is also fairly close, and it?s easy to take a day trip to Hatteras to visit the Chicamacomico Lifesavers or ride horses on the beach in Frisco. Leashed dogs are welcome year round. South Nags Head is great for:
- Nature/history lovers
- Anyone looking for a relaxing vacation to decompress
- Fishermen
- Pet owners
- Families looking to get away from it all
Southern Shores
Largely a residential neighborhood, this town sits right between Kitty Hawk and Duck, providing easy access to both. There are no stores or restaurants in this part of the Outer Banks, but you are less than a five minute drive in either direction to both. Most of the homes are nestled among trees providing a homier feel. The beaches of Southern Shores are all private access to residents and guests only. They are the least crowded beaches on the Outer Banks. They also have the strictest rules about dogs on the beach in season. Southern Shores is great for:
- Families who love quiet
- Those who want a real ?residential? feel to their home
- Anyone looking to be centrally located to the activities without vacationing in the thick of them
- Families looking to relax and decompress
Duck
Largely a residential neighborhood, this town sits right between Kitty Hawk and Duck, providing easy access to both. There are no stores or restaurants in this part of the Outer Banks, but you are less than a five minute drive in either direction to both. Most of the homes are nestled among trees providing a homier feel. The beaches of Southern Shores are all private access to residents and guests only. They are the least crowded beaches on the Outer Banks. They also have the strictest rules about dogs on the beach in season. Southern Shores is great for:
Duck was voted one of the top 10 dog friendliest beaches by US Today, since they are allowed to be off leash on the beach. Duck?s best feature is its quaintness. There are no chains in Duck, only small boutique steps stores and family run restaurants. There?s even an independent bookstore. The mile and half of â??Downtown Duckâ?? is connected by bike paths, and a wooden sound front walkway connecting all the sound front shops and restaurants.
Their park is one of the best on the Outer Banks, featuring a playground, a picnic area, and public sound access and parking. In season, they have shows in the park?s amphitheater, or on the green. Many of these shows are low cost or even free. The beach access in Duck is all private, but comes with your house. Since you can?t get to the beach unless you?re staying in Duck, the beach is much less crowded. Duck is a great town for:
- Families who want to get away from it all
- People who love playing in the sound (kayaking, swimming, etc.)
- Pet owners
- Anyone who wants an authentic small town experience
- Anyone who wants the ability or walk or bike places
Corolla
Corolla is a world unto itself with its own chain grocery stores, famers markets, shops and restaurants. It also has one of the only true oceanfront restaurants on the Outer Banks. Its home to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Wildlife Education Center, and the Whalehead Club, (a restored 1920?s hunt club.) You can even visit the visible shipwreck the Metropolis. Further up, you?ll reach the four wheel drive area, where the wild horses live. You can even take a tour with your Fun N Sun pass.
The waves of Corolla are smaller; it?s been called a great place to learn n to surf. Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach year round. Public accesses are available, but not as common they are in the Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, or Kill Devil Hills area. Because of this, the beaches are far less crowded year round. There is also a public boat ramp. It has some activities too, such as mini golf, bumper cars, peddle boats, racecars and one of the last grass miniature golf courses left in the world. Once you get to Corolla you?ll never want to leave. Corolla is great for:
- History/nature lovers
- Those wanting a more laid back vacation
- Anyone planning to spend a lot of time on the beach
- Families who loved the Outer Banks 20/30 years ago
- Boat owners
No matter what you?re looking for on an Outer Banks vacation, one of these towns will be ?best? for you. Now that you know a little about them, you can figure out which one.
