Once you have settled in at your Corolla vacation home, you may consider taking a day trip or two to explore all the Outer Banks has to offer. One could easily stay in Corolla for the entire week and have a wonderful vacation, but many guests like to venture beyond Corolla for some extra adventures! There are a variety of easy day trips from Corolla that offer different cuisine, great shopping, plenty of fun, and maybe even a little education along the way. The Outer Banks has a plethora of activities and day trip stops for the young and young at heart!
Town of Duck
Once you head south on Route 12, you first come to the Town (some prefer to call it Village) of Duck (www.townofduck.com). The Town of Duck just completed a sound-front boardwalk that runs in front of all the shops, eateries and activities in the town. They also have a Town Park and Amphitheatre that are worth checking out. Visiting Duck is fun trip that’s just about 18 miles south of the Corolla area!
Wright Brothers Monument - Kill Devil Hills
Continue traveling south down North Carolina Route 12 to Hwy 158 in Kill Devil Hills, and you will find the Wright Brothers Monument. Here you can learn all about the first seconds of flight and how the brothers made it possible for today’s travel. This is a monument and a piece of history that we are very proud of in the Outer Banks.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
The next stop on your trip could take you through Nags Head to Jockey’s Ridge, the largest sand dune on the east coast! Enjoy watching or participating in hang gliding, kite flying or climbing to the top of the dune and enjoying the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and sunsets over Roanoke Sound! This is a place unlike any other, and not to be missed on an Outer Banks vacation!
Jennette's Pier
Also in Nags Head you will find Jennette’s Pier. This is a great place for fishing, people watching, beaching lounging, or enjoying one of the many programs offered. It’s also a great place to spend the day!
Roanoke Island
Your day trip adventure can continue southward and westward as you cross over the Manteo Causeway to Roanoke Island and Manteo. Roanoke Island is a Day Trip in itself with the Lost Colony, Roanoke Island Festival Park & the Elizabeth II, the Island Farm, the NC Aquarium and all the shops and fun places to see at the Waterfront in Downtown Manteo.
Bodie Island Lighthouse | Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
If you don’t mind traveling just a bit further, you can head back across the causeway and head south on Route 12 to the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. We suggest climbing to the top of the Bodie Island Lighthouse (what a view!) and you can also learn about the construction of the Bodie Island Lighthouse and how the lighthouses helped mariners navigate through the Graveyard of the Atlantic in the late 1800’s! You can also stop by the Oregon Inlet Fishing center and check out the day’s catch, and you may even want to book a fishing charter!
With so many things to see and do on the Outer Banks, we just wanted to give you a few options if you decide to head south for the day. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have questions about any of the day trip stops above. Taking a road trip all the way down to Hatteras Island and to the Hatteras Lighthouse, or even on to charming Ocracoke Island, is another option as well. But you might want to plan that for after your stay in Corolla, because of the distance.
We hope to see you in Corolla soon!