29+ BEST & FUN THINGS TO DO IN COROLLA NC | BEACH & MORE!

Posted on February 1, 2024February 1, 2024 by Admin

There’s never a bad time to visit North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and Corolla, North Carolina is the ideal place to spend a weekend or summer vacation. With the Atlantic Ocean to one side and the Currituck Sound to the other, Corolla is located on the northernmost portion of the Outer Banks. Corolla now boasts one of the most distinctive settings ever. Below are the 29 fun things to do in Corolla

Corolla was and still is regarded as a rather secluded area of the state due to its geographic location. There were no paved roads leading to Corolla until 1988. Only a ride through the beach or a gravel route along Currituck Sound would get you there.

Corolla offers it all, including breathtaking beaches, immaculate swimming, wild horses, and an eclectic mix of eateries, boutiques, and museums. Corolla is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for an easier vacation to the Outer Banks (OBX).

WHERE IS COROLLA NC LOCATED?

The northernmost settlement on the Outer Banks is Corolla. The Ocean Trail, often known as NC Hwy 12, is the only route that enters and exits Corolla. Duck is the closest town to Corolla, followed by Nags Head and Kitty Hawk.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN COROLLA NC

Look no further if you’re planning a trip to Corolla since this is the ideal travel guide! Everything there is to do in and around Corolla, including our top Corolla eateries, accommodations, and more, is included in the article below!

1. EXPLORE THE HISTORIC COROLLA VILLAGE

When visiting Corolla, you really must visit Historic Corolla Village. There are several fantastic restaurants, interesting historical sites and museums, and distinctive stores in this area of town.

✅ THE ISLAND BOOKSTORE

The address is Corolla, NC 27927, 1130 Corolla Village Road.

Nearly every book imaginable fills the walls of the full-service independent bookstore The Island Bookstore. They have author signings during the summer and have a sizable children’s department along with travel guides to the region.

✅ HISTORIC COROLLA CHAPEL

1136 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

The stunning Corolla Chapel is located at the far north end of Historic Corolla Village. The chapel was constructed in 1885, and in 2002 an expansion was added to accommodate a larger gathering. Visit for a photo shoot or attend a Sunday service.

✅ COROLLA PIZZA & DELI

1152 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Since 1989, Corolla Pizza & Deli has made a fantastic pit break along the way. They deliver or take out hand-tossed Sicilian-style pizzas, salads, sandwiches, calzones, and more.

✅ COROLLA VILLAGE BARBECUE

1129 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Despite being a little hole-in-the-wall hut, Corolla Village Barbecue is worth visiting! They provide delicious Southern sides and sauces, as well as some of the greatest traditional BBQ meals in the area.

THE SHACK COFFEE SHOP AND THE COROLLA BEER GARDEN

1148 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

A creative coffee establishment with a lovely outside space and a mobile wine and beer truck is The Shack Coffee establishment and Corolla Beer Garden. They provide pastries, light bites, and an excellent assortment of beverages. Kids are welcome there during the day (until 7 pm).

2. HISTORIC COROLLA PARK / CURRITUCK HERITAGE PARK

1160 Village Lane, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

The center of Corolla is home to Historic Corolla Park, also known as Currituck Heritage Park. Numerous prominent attractions in the town, numerous walking pathways, and stunning views of the town and the ocean can all be found in this 39-acre park.

✅ CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHTHOUSE

The address is Corolla, NC 27927, 1101 Corolla Village Road.

This stunning red brick lighthouse is a landmark and a breathtaking sight, rising above the town.

To see vistas unlike anything other, visitors are welcome to ascend the 220 steps to the top of the lighthouse.

✅ THE WHALEHEAD CLUB MANSION

1100 Club Road, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Facing Currituck Sound, the magnificently restored Whalehead Mansion is a stunning example of Art Nouveau architecture from the 1920s. Originally constructed as a hunting hideaway in 1925, this home reopened as a historic museum in 2002.

✅ OUTER BANKS CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION

1160 Village Lane, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is a little structure with a few nature-related displays about the Outer Banks and Corolla. A brief film that provides more background on the region’s history is also shown.

✅ THE CURRITUCK MARITIME EXHIBIT

1101 Corolla Light, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

The Currituck Maritime Exhibit, a more recent addition to Historic Corolla Park, offers further interesting details about Corolla and its animals, with a particular emphasis on the sea and sea boats. Numerous refurbished boats and interactive exhibits are available.

✅ COROLLA WILD HORSE FUND MUSEUM

A nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and assisting Corolla’s wild horses is the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Museum. In addition to exhibitions, there are interesting gift shops and instructive exhibits.

✅ CAMA SOUND BOARDWALK

A charming small boardwalk that winds through some marshy areas is called the CAMA Sound Boardwalk. The kid-friendly and handicapped-accessible trek is somewhat less than half a mile in length.

3. VISIT THE WILD HORSES AT CURRITUCK BEACH

In Corolla, the wild horses of Currituck Beach are unquestionably the most well-liked attraction. How these horses, descended from Spanish Mustangs, traverse the area is the subject of numerous theories. The conventional wisdom holds that horses survived colony shipwrecks in the sixteenth century and made them ashore.

You need a 4WD vehicle to observe the horses. Among the guidelines are the following: The wild horses will gladly graze on the wild beach grasses; DO NOT feed them. For your safety as well as the safety of the horses, please stay 50 feet away from any wild horse. Finally, if your tour permits you to bring your dog, please ensure that it is leashed and kept away from any wild horses.

✅ WILD HORSE ADVENTURE TOURS

The guides for Wild Horse Adventure Tours are amiable and extremely knowledgeable. Take a ride in one of their 13-passenger Hummers for a unique experience.

✅ COROLLA WILD HORSE TOURS

Experience a two-hour journey across 25 miles of off-road driving in a 15-passenger open-air safari vehicle.

✅ BACK COUNTRY SAFARI HORSE

Since 1993, Back Country Safari Horse Trips has been conducting trips for the past 20 years. They offer an interesting safari truck and well-informed guides.

✅ BOB’S WILD HORSE TOURS

Operating since 1996, Bob’s Wild Horse Tours was the region’s first wild horse tour company to employ open-air tour vans. Their trucks have 15 passenger seats at a time and can fit child safety seats.

✅ COROLLA JEEP ADVENTURES

Corolla Jeep Adventures lets visitors pick their adventure by providing a variety of transportation options, such as Jeep Tours, ATV Tours, Safari Truck Tours, and 4×4 Kayak Tours.

✅ HUMMER ADVENTURE TOURS

Climb into a 13-person open-air Hummer to take a close-up look at the wild horses.

✅ BACK BEACH WILD HORSE TOURS

Back Beach Wild Horse Tour offers visitors an unforgettable experience with safari-style vehicles. They are kid-friendly and include informative guides.

✅ COROLLA OUTBACK ADVENTURES

Corolla Outback Adventures has been providing rides to view gorgeous wild horses for more than 50 years. Larger groups, such as those attending weddings, clubs, or school excursions, will find this company to be excellent.

4. THE CURRITUCK BANKS RESERVE NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESERVE

Over 950 acres of ocean, grasslands, maritime forests, marshes, and dunes make up the Currituck Banks Reserve. Hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and people wishing to fully immerse themselves in Corolla’s natural side will find it to be a highly popular destination. With any luck, you might even be able to see the wild horses that live in specific parts of the reserve. When looking for activities to do in Corolla, this is a lovely spot to explore.

The Maritime Forest Trail and Currituck Banks Boardwalk is one of the reserve’s most well-liked routes. This pleasant, level 1.9-mile out-and-back trail provides a wide variety of views of the surrounding wildlife and natural surroundings.

5. ENJOY THE BEACH

Many people come to this remote part of the Outer Banks to escape, primarily to Corolla Beach. Corolla’s beaches are incredibly beautiful, with gentle waves and fine sand. Everything you would need for a leisurely day by the sea is available at stores like Just for the Beach and the Corolla Surf Shop.

✅ DRIVING ON THE BEACH | 4WD ACCESS BEACHES

It’s an exhilarating and unusual sensation to drive on the beach. It’s a beloved pastime that both residents and visitors enjoy doing together. Driving on the beach requires observance of the regulations and caution.

Recognize that you should only drive a 4WD car on certain beaches and that you should deflate your tires before visiting the beach. The Historic Corolla Park has a free-air station.

Swan Beach is a 10-mile beach that is occasionally allowed for beach driving.

🏖️Carova Beach | Beach driving is available all year round.

15 PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS POINTS

Corolla Village Road | Features a bathhouse and showers / Parking

Shad Street | Parking Exclusive

🏖Sturgeon Walkway | Special Parking

🏖️Perch St. | Parking Exclusive

🏖️ Bonito Street | No Parking

Parking Only at Sailfish Walkway 🏖️

Yaupon Lane | Parking, Showers, and Bathhouse 🏖️

6. ENJOY WATERSPORTS

There are many opportunities to enjoy your favorite watersports in this beach town. Everything you would need, including rental locations, guides, gear stores, and more, is available in Corolla.

✅ COROLLA SURF SHOP

Address: Corolla, NC 27927, 807 Ocean Trail

The best surf shop in Corolla for all of your surfing needs is Corolla Surf Shop. They provide everything from bodyboard rentals and lessons to surfboards, paddleboards, bikes, wetsuits, and more. They also offer a retail store with beach and surf supplies, apparel, and other items.

✅ COROLLA WATERSPORTS

Address: Corolla, NC 27927, 798K Sunset Blvd.

The best store for water sports is Corolla Watersports. They provide about every kind of watersport you can think of for rent and lessons, making them Corolla’s largest watersports destination. Check out Corolla Watersports for kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, pontoon boat rentals, sunset cruises, fishing excursions, and much more.

✅ NORTH BEACH WATERSPORTS

1066 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Offering some of the newest boats and rentals in Corolla, North Beach Watersports is a more recent watersports firm. They provide a great selection of affordable watersports.

✅ COASTAL EXPLORATIONS

1118 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Exciting outdoor tour operator Coastal Explorations provides guided trips throughout the Outer Banks. They offer rentals, twilight tours, kid-friendly trips, and kayak tours.

✅ LIGHTHOUSE PARASAIL (SAME LOCATION AS ABOVE)

1118 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

A family-run business that welcomes guests and families of all sizes to experience the pleasures of parasailing. Over 55,000 satisfied passengers have flown with their well-trained captain, who has opened everyone’s eyes to the beauty of the ocean.

✅ OBX BAIT & TACKLE

815 Ocean Trail B, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

You should visit OBX Bait & Tackle for all your fishing needs if you want to go fishing and have an amazing experience. They have maps, fishing guides, fishing equipment, and a wealth of knowledge.

7. SHOPPING AT TIMBUCK II SHOPPING VILLAGE

785 Sunset Blvd., Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Visit Timbuck II, a sizable commercial center featuring more than 60 eateries, galleries, retail stores, and other attractions. These are a few of our top picks for Timbuck II Village stores to visit.

✅ KITTY HAWK KITES

One of the best outdoor recreation centers is Kitty Hawk Kites. They provide rentals, private lessons, group lessons, and tours in addition to their enormous assortment of kites, toys, flags, and games.

✅ KITTY HAWK SURF CO

There are Kitty Hawk Surf Company facilities throughout the Outer Banks, one of which is in Corolla. They carry everything you could need for surfing, including goods, rentals, used boards, and more.

✅ THE MYSTIC GIFT, SALTY SKIES

A unique gift store, The Mystic Gift offers a wide selection of treasures, books, jewelry, handmade goods, and much more.

✅ THE FUDGERY

Your next destination should be The Fudgery if you’re in the mood for something sweet. They have cases stocked with chocolates, caramel apples, and homemade fudge, among other goodies. Make sure to schedule your visit appropriately, as they tend to sell out quickly!

✅ MISS KITTY’S OLD-TIME PHOTOS

On your journey, Miss Kitty’s is an entertaining spot to visit. They provide a great assortment of backdrops for vintage-style family portraits as well as a wide range of costumes for babies, children, and adults. Visit the gift shop afterward to purchase mementos and souvenirs.

✅ GRAB A COFFEE AT LA DOLCE VITA

A neighborhood favorite for freshly made Italian food, coffee, and sweets is La Dolce Vita. They specialize in hand-tossed pizzas, fresh breads, Italian seafood meals, and sweet desserts. Their freshly ground coffee is the best for miles around.

✅ FIRST LIGHT

First Light is a laid-back restaurant open for lunch and dinner. First Light has fantastic seafood dishes and a full bar, but it’s most known for having one of the best breakfasts in town.

✅ OUTER BANKS BOIL COMPANY

Outer Banks Boil Company prepares and serves their famous seafood boils on the go. For gatherings of ten or more, they also provide catering services.

8. PINE ISLAND AUDUBON SANCTUARY

300 Audubon Dr., Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

2,600 acres of the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary are hidden away in Corolla’s northeastern region. Hundreds of plant and animal species can be found thriving in this location, which is one of the few unspoiled areas of land in the Outer Banks. Hiking the 2.5-mile trail or joining a public kayak excursion are two ways to explore the area.

Pine Island Sanctuary Audubon

9. TAKE A YOGA CLASS AT COROLLA YOGA

1100 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Relax while on vacation by doing yoga by the sea. Motivating yoga instructor Chelsea Miller provides one-on-one and public group beach classes.

10. ENJOY GOLF

There’s no better way to unwind on a trip than by playing golf. Everyone will be delighted by the two stunning golf courses located in Corolla near the shore.

✅ THE GRASS COURSE

1024 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

a thrilling take on mini-golf for adults including a 20-hole, grass-based, all-natural course. It’s minigolf without the glamour and extravagance of standard minigolf courses. In the clubhouse, they also provide burgers, hotdogs, and ice cream.

✅ THE CURRITUCK CLUB

620 Currituck Clubhouse Dr., Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

A 500-acre championship 18-hole course featuring breathtaking views of the ocean and coastal woodlands. The semi-private Currituck Club offers a banquet, tournament, and an all-grass driving range. A fitness facility, an outdoor pool, rental houses, a pickleball court, and many more amenities are available on the property.

11. COROLLA ADVENTURE PARK / COROLLA OUTBACK ADVENTURES

1215 Ponton Ln, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

The best adventure park and jungle gym in Corolla is Corolla Adventure Park. In addition to eight zip lines, axe throwing, an outdoor bar, a nature path, garden seats, and additional games, they have over 72 obstacles spread across 12 different circuits.

12. COROLLA ADVENTURE GOLF AND BUMPER CARS

The address is Corolla, NC 27927, 808 Ocean Trail.

Corolla Adventure Golf offers traditional family entertainment. They offer bumper cars, a snack bar, and a 27-hole mini-golf course with a Corolla motif.

Adventure Golf Bumper Cars for Corolla

13. COROLLA RACEWAY

Address: Corolla, NC 27927, 796 Sunset Blvd.

The Corolla Raceway’s single, double, and Jr. tracks offer endless family-friendly entertainment. Go-Karts. Take pleasure in a thrilling excursion to the arcade, racing around the track, and bumper cars all in one location.

14. SEGWAY OF THE OUTER BANKS

1121 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Using a Segway is a fantastic way to discover Corolla! To rent a Segway for a more convenient trip around the town, go to the Corolla Segway station.

15. BLUEWATER SEAFOOD MARKET

The address is Corolla, NC 27927, 501 Old Stoney Road.

One of the greatest locations to get daily fresh-caught fish is Bluewater Fish Market. They also have fried or steamed seafood selections, as well as seafood buckets to go.

MORE RESTAURANTS IN COROLLA NC

Corolla boasts some amazing restaurants, especially for a small town. These are a few of our top picks.

✅ Lighthouse Bagels

Address: Corolla, NC 27927, 807 Ocean Trail

Lighthouse Bagels has been providing the Outer Banks with some of the greatest bagels available since 2001. They are open seasonally and provide a ton of options, including normal bagels, bagels to go, and bagel sandwiches.

✅ Uncle Ike’s Sandbar & Grill

Address: Corolla, NC 27927, 1159 Austin Street #111AB

Uncle Ike’s is a laid-back, neighborhood pub and restaurant. Every night of the week, they offer entertainment, breakfast, handcrafted drinks, and American-style cuisine (including seafood) on a family-friendly menu.

✅ Broken Plate Kitchen

The address is Corolla, NC 27927, 813B Ocean Trail.

Broken Plate Kitchen is a quaint little restaurant that serves some very good food. Their main offerings include traditional American fare, seafood specialties, and platters with a Caribbean flair. They have delicious lunch and dinner options.

✅ Mama Easley’s

799 Sunset Blvd., Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Mama Easley’s is a great place to go if you’re searching for a casual, traditional, and tasty seafood restaurant. Make sure to stop for one of their renowned corn chowders or shrimp baskets before you depart.

✅ Off the Wall Tap House

603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

A straightforward, rustic-style bar is given a unique experience by Off the Wall Tap House. On their beautiful outdoor terrace, guests can enjoy more than twenty different beers from their self-serve beer wall.

Along with a comprehensive menu that includes burgers, nachos, seafood, and other items. Pets and children are welcome.

✅ Urban Kitchen

Address: Corolla, NC 27927, 603B Currituck Clubhouse Drive

The best seasonal farm-to-table dishes and sweets can be found at Urban Kitchen, a stylish yet laid-back New American restaurant.

✅ Island Smoothie

603 C Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC 27927 is the address.

Nothing beats a cool smoothie while lounging on the beach. Real fruits and vegetables are combined with all-natural ingredients to create the freshest smoothies at Island Smoothie. Wonderful sandwiches, wraps, acai bowls, and coffee drinks are all available.

✅ Bacchus Wine and Gourmet

The address is Corolla, NC 27927, 501 Old Stoney Road.

Craft beers, wines, exotic cheeses, gourmet sandwiches, and wraps may all be found at Bacchus Wine and Gourmet, a deli and market.

ANNUAL EVENTS IN COROLLA, NC

For additional things to do in Corolla, let’s have a look at some of our favorite events that happen there.

✅ Under the Oaks Festival (June 20-21, 2023)