Leaving the hustle and bustle of life behind for a while is a good idea when you know it’s time to reset and rejuvenate. A vacation to the Outer Banks is a beautiful way to gift yourself the scenery, fun, and flavors you deserve while taking time to unwind in Corolla elevates the experience even further! Far from the lights and noise of big cities, Corolla offers travelers a laid-back destination to enjoy where they can embrace beautiful beaches, wildlife watching, and a slower pace that lets them relish every single moment. If you’re heading this way with three days to spare in the name of fun, the following insider’s guide to vacationing in the Outer Banks is a great place to start when you can’t wait to make it the trip of a lifetime.
Getting to and Around Corolla
Making your way to Corolla means setting your travel sights on the northern end of the Outer Banks. Here, you’ll find yourself situated between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Currituck Sound to the west. In between, there are amazing beaches waiting to be discovered and wild and remote landscapes that are hard to find anywhere else on the map.
Getting to Corolla comes with some transportation options as it’s reachable by boat, plane, or vehicle. If you’ve been spending time visiting other communities across the Outer Banks, you can always boat in and make Corolla your home base in one of our Corolla OBX rentals for the next three days. Some travelers choose to charter a small plane in but the majority make their way in this direction with a vehicle. Reaching Corolla from the North typically means heading down U.S. Highway 64 and Highway 158 from Virginia.
Once you reach Kitty Hawk, you’ll take N.C. Highway 12 North directly to Corolla. This two-lane highway can be a bit stop and go in the summertime, but if you’re traveling this way during the off-season, you can take the opportunity to drive in at your own pace and enjoy the scenery along the way. You’ll pass through Southern Shores and Duck on your way to Corolla using this route, providing options to stop and check out these areas before settling in for your Corolla stay.
Day 1
The first day of your Corolla stay begins on the sand after you’ve enjoyed a tasty breakfast in the comfort of your luxurious vacation rental booked through Shoreline OBX. Don’t overlook the value of spending a morning on the beach on day one of your say. This sets an important tone for your journey and let’s face it—you deserve it! The beach in Corolla is inviting and scenic, giving guests plenty of space to enjoy sunbathing, sandcastle building with the kids, or simply enjoying time watching the waves roll in.
Beach access locations are readily accessible from all of our vacation rental homes so it’s always easy to access the beach if you have a vacation rental in Corolla. It is also popular to access the beach for 4WD driving on the beaches north of Corolla in Carova Beach. You do need 4WD and you need to drive slow and be aware of respecting the Corolla Wild Horses. It’s a beautiful drive.
Once you’ve had your fill of fun under the sun, it’s time to treat yourself to a little bit of well-deserved retail therapy. Whether you’re looking for apparel, jewelry, accessories, home goods, or one-of-a-kind souvenirs, you’re going to want to focus your time around the Historic Corolla Village. This charming destination is brimming over with historic architecture as well as shops and eateries to explore. It’s a great place to browse for yourself or friends back home.
When you’ve filled your bag with amazing purchases, it’s time to head over to the Whalehead Club after lunch. This mansion, which dates back to the 1920s, is an impressive sight from the outside and even more enthralling when you take time to tour the interior. The Whalehead Club overlooks the Currituck Sound and is often a top destination for visitors to explore with good reason. While the club was once a hangout for the wealthiest of hunters in the area, it’s since become a testament to time with more than 21,000 square feet of space to explore. A walk through the club is a look at a time gone by thanks to the meticulous attention to detail paid to the mansion’s furnishings, art, and finishes.
Your tour puts you in the perfect place to walk over to the Currituck Beach and take a moment to relax on the sand. If you’re looking for something a bit more adrenaline-pumping, there are options to book a kayak or paddleboard tour on the Currituck Sound at this point in the day. The team over at Coastal Explorations on Corolla Village Road is a great choice when you’re looking to reserve your place on a guided outdoor adventure experience. They also offer kayak rentals if you’re more in the mood to adventure on your own.
Tonight, you’ll treat yourself to a delicious and refined meal at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room. Located at 777 Sunset Boulevard in the Timbuck II Shopping Center, Mike Dianna’s Grill Room is known for its elegant setting, friendly service and wide variety of fresh seafood and steaks that make every evening out here a palate-pleasing experience! While they’re not required, reservations are highly recommended at this Corolla eatery.
Day 2
The second day of your Corolla stay takes you to the Currituck Banks Reserve. This is a must-visit for nature lovers who are looking to enjoy an off-the-beaten-path destination where the surrounding nature is wild, protected, and inspiring. Even the drive to the reserve is one-of-a-kind with stunning views to admire along the way and options to stop and take photos if you happen to have a passion for landscape photography. A plethora of seasonal and year-round birds call the Currituck Banks Reserve home so you’re definitely going to want to have your binoculars on-hand for this experience. The reserve hosts a network of nature trails which are ideal for identifying the diverse plant life on-site as well. The Currituck Banks Reserve is as beautiful as it is peaceful, making it a great place to begin your day of fun.
Next up is a trip to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse after a tasty lunch enjoyed in good company. This historic lighthouse is a must for Corolla visitors and a landmark you’re likely to see on postcards and promotional materials for Corolla with good reason. Stretching 162 feet toward the sky, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse hosts an easy-to-spot red brick exterior and dates back to 1875. Today, the lighthouse still produces a light beam that is visible across 18 nautical miles. A visit here is historically meaningful but for a scenery seeker, it’s also a destination known for its spectacular views. You’ll need to climb your way to the observation deck to access the amazing vistas, but the effort is worth your while. From the top, you’ll get unsurpassed access to the coastline and a stunning bird’s eye view on everything surrounding the lighthouse too.
The last stop on your to do list today is a trip to the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education which is a particularly wonderful family-friendly stop, but just as engaging for travelers of all ages and interests. The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is located right on Highway 12 and is a one-stop resource for exploring displays and exhibits showcasing the diverse ecosystems that make up Corolla and the greater Outer Banks region. In total, the center hosts 22,000 square feet of exploration space for guests to enjoy as well as gorgeous oak tree-dotted surrounding grounds where many choose to enjoy a picnic after a visit.
After all of your adventuring, you’ve earned a delicious dish or two for dinner at Okinawa Sushi & Grill. Located at 788 Sunset Boulevard, Okinawa Sushi & Grill is open from 4:30 pm until 9:30 pm daily for dinner and is a great place to enjoy fresh, natural dishes that are designed to inspire the tastebuds. The diverse lineup of sushi and sashimi options are sure to please while you can find plenty of other seafood and vegetable dishes to try as well. The beef bowl is a fan-favorite option at Okinawa Sushi & Grill while the fusion rolls, rainbow rolls, spicy California rolls, and dragon rolls are equally appealing. No matter what you order, you’ll find you can count on enjoying an authentic taste of Japan right in the heart of Corolla every time you’re here.
Day 3
The last day of your stay in Corolla pairs history and amazing wildlife watching as you set out to enjoy a wild horse tour. The team over at Corolla Wild Horse Tours takes extreme care in putting together one-of-a-kind sightseeing experiences that put guests safely up close to the herd of wild Spanish mustangs that call Corolla home. These majestic creatures have roamed the beaches of this barrier island since the time of the explorers. While some believe the horses are the descendants of shipwreck survivors others link their presence to being left behind when Spanish explorers moved onto other destinations. Either way, the population continues to thrive and seeing the horses in the sand dunes, munching on coastal grasses near the waves is certainly a treat. Many of the wild horse tours offered in the area are enjoyed in a 4×4 off-road vehicle to efficiently travel across the remote dunes. Tours never get you close enough to approach the horses which would disrupt their natural patterns, but you’ll be able to securely observe them in what might just be the highlight tour of your stay.
When you’ve enjoyed your wild horse tour and taken your photos, it’s time to head over to Just for the Beach Rentals at 520 B Old Stoney Road. This is where you’ll pick up your beach bike rental for the afternoon and get ready to enjoy some time pedaling along the shoreline at your own preferred pace. Just for the Beach Rentals also has boogie boards for rent as well as grills, surfboards, and beach chairs giving you every reason to customize your afternoon out. Because you’re already in Corolla, the company offers drop-off and pick-up services when you don’t want to hassle with getting your gear where you’re going. They’re open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm daily so there’s plenty of time to make the most of the fun.
You’ll want to make the Timbuck II Shopping Center your last stop when you’re in town because this is where you’re going to find the souvenirs you need to take back home to family and friends. The Timbuck II Shopping Center is located at 785 Sunset Boulevard and is open daily from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm. The center hosts more than 60 unique shops on-site as well as restaurants and viewing areas overlooking the Currituck Sound.
When you’ve found everything here you need to purchase, make your way to Sooey’s BBQ & Rib Shack for dinner. This is a fantastic place to enjoy Southern BBQ at its best in a family-friendly setting. The menu features everything from Southern fried chicken and smoked beef brisket to pulled pork sandwiches that are guaranteed to be mouthwatering. Pair it with a beer or a handcrafted cocktail and you’ll be well on your way to ending your three-day stay in Corolla on a delicious note.
Book Your Outer Banks Adventure in Luxury and Style Today
No matter when you make your way to the Outer Banks, the team at Shoreline OBX has the beautiful and inviting accommodations you need to top off your journey in luxury and style. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our exciting Outer Banks rental options available across the Outer Banks including our Corolla vacation rentals that keep you close to the fun and living in elevated standards of coastal comfort. We’re happy to handle the details while you focus on the adventure ahead and our team can’t wait to see you in the Outer Banks of North Carolina soon!
