Tar Heel Trading Company has been representing American quality on the Outer Banks since 1979! With locations in Tim Buck II Shops in Corolla and Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck. They feature the work of over 200 local, regional and nationally known American craftsmen in a fun, hands-on setting. Specializing in North Carolina handmade pottery, handmade jewelry, wall sculpture, blown glass, woodcrafts, kaleidoscopes, wind chimes and much more. All are carefully selected and reasonably priced.
- The roll cage is built into the frame of the vehicle for ultimate protection.
- Seats have seatbelts and restraint systems for child seats.
- All seats are actual car seats -no boat-style bench seats or plastic bucket seats are used in our vehicles.
- An additional upper windshield with a top made with a combination of fine mesh and clear plastic enables occupants a 360-degree view while also providing protection from UV rays and unexpected inclement weather.
- Mini Golf
- Corolla Raceway
- Kite Flying
- Educational Programs
- Wild Horses of Corolla
- Dennis Anderson’s Muddy Motor Sports
- Crabbing in the Currituck Sound
- Kayak Tours
- Family Photo Opportunities
- The S.E.A.L. Program
- Three miles of secluded beaches
- Beach accesses on every block
- New walkovers at Barracuda, Perch and Sailfish beaches
- 4 public beach parking lots (Shad, Sturgeon, Bonito, and Sailfish)
- Lifeguards at Bonito, Herring, Sailfish and Sturgeon beaches
- Quiet streets for walking or biking
- Municipal water (most areas)
- Private beach access
- Stocked ten-acre fishing lake
- Olympic-sized community pool
- Kiddie pool
- Tennis courts
- Private roads and security
- Tall, stable duneline
- Oceanfront pool
- Soundside pool
- Tennis Courts
- Playground
- Basketball courts
- Nature trails
- 10 acre fishing lake
- Fitness center (cardio and free weights)
Sound Feet Shoes
H2OBX Waterpark
OPENING FOR THE SEASON ON MAY 25, 2024!
From buried treasure and legendary pirates to windswept dunes and wild horses, the epic story of the Outer Banks comes to life at H2OBX Waterpark with more than 30 rides, slides and attractions. If relaxation is more your speed, spend a leisurely day enjoying resort-style amenities, kicking back on the Adventure River or lounging under a shaded cabana. Whether you need a quick snack or a refuel after surfing on the FlowRider, eat like a local with traditional NC BBQ at Heavenly Hawgs or coastal favorites at Outer Banks Eats and Dune Devil Desserts.
Corolla Adventure Park
Hummer Adventure Tours
Our 13-passenger, open-air Hummer starts life as a Hummer H1. We then upgrade many of the mechanical components to the military spec equivalents, recondition the engine and drive-train, and extend the frame and body by two feet. Our Hummer H1 vehicles have been customized with your safety in mind. All designs have been over-engineered to build the safest and most comfortable ride possible.
After customization, the Hummer is capable of seating 13 passengers with more leg room than any standard SUV. Individual seats that are 21 inches wide (no bench seats), in a stadium seating configuration, offer ultimate comfort and visibility for all.
EnvirOBX Island EcoAdventures
Things to Do With Kids in Currituck County
When it comes to planning out an adventurous family vacation comprised of nature and exciting programs, look no further than Currituck County and its Outer Banks in North Carolina. The county has 20 miles of pristine beaches, protected parks and plenty of kid-friendly attractions like go-karts and bumper cars. Plus there are a few surprising attractions that await small travelers. Here are the best things to do with your kids in Currituck County, North Carolina.
Tucked away in historic Corolla, families can play a kid-friendly game of miniature golf at Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars. On the mini-golf course, families will find funny Corolla themes such as a miniature model of Whalehead and statues of wild horses. The venue has an extended bumper car area for families to chase each other under the blacklights. The bumper cars are designed to be kid-friendly, providing more cushion and less jolt upon collision. The golf course accommodates kids of all ages and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Those with the need for speed will want to check out Corolla Raceway by Sanders Bay where both kids and adults can enjoy driving a super fast go-kart. The raceway features a large and spacious track for families to compete. Smaller children will be given a junior kart to play with other age-appropriate children. A bumper car rink is included at the raceway along with video arcades, a game room and a concession stand.
Currituck County’s open beaches and Outer Banks make it ideal for kite flying. On Austin Street in Corolla, a popular Flying Smiles Kite shop sells high quality and limited edition kites in the shape of animals (some designed by store owners). Kitty Hawk Kites is an outdoor recreation area with adventurous attractions like hang-gliding and flyboarding. However, Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kite flying, where experts will assist your family in this activity. Thrill-seeking families with older children may want to amp up their experience by kiteboarding instead.
Children can enroll in several educational programs at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. The center has various lessons and activities targeted to children of different age groups, like Fish Sticks, where experts will teach young children the basics of fishing. Sound Sampler is a 1.25-hour program for kids to explore the marshland for insects and fish. Sea Turtle Activities invites children of all ages to dress up as sea turtles and play various turtle-themed games.
One of the biggest perks of Currituck County is its famous wild mustang horses that have inhabited the area for more than 500 years. The horses are believed to be descendants of Spanish explorers that had to abandon them due to a shipwreck in the 1500s. On the beach of Corolla, the horses roam freely and are easy to find, making for splendid photo opportunities. Families cannot pet or approach the horses, but they can join an off-road tour to see the horses up close. To learn more about the horses or buy a souvenir, Corolla Wild Horses Museum is within walking distance from its beach, where kids can ride on a tamed mustang at the museum.
At Dennis Anderson’s Muddy Motor Sports, families can watch hair-raising shows of monster trucks, including the world famous Grave Digger that pummels smaller cars with ease. The venue hosts monthly and annual mud bogging events for thousands of fans to enjoy and root for.
Children of all ages can participate in crabbing along the Outer Banks. Currituck Sound is an easily accessible place to catch your family’s dinner with a few key items that can be purchased at a local bait and tackle shop. Families can opt to go to Knott’s Island, which is only 45 minutes away by ferry. Despite the time and distance, the island is known to be a treasure trove of delectable crabs.
The best way to explore the Outer Banks is by kayak. In Currituck County, Kitty Hawk Kayaks & Surf School can give lessons to both kids and adults and take them through scenic routes to see wildlife like ospreys, turtles and fish. Families can also rent fishing supplies at Kitty Hawk. Plan ahead to reserve a late afternoon tour to catch the sunset as you and your family paddle back to the shore.
Whether your family is exploring estuarine reserves, kayaking along the Outer Banks or viewing wild horses in Corolla, Currituck County is full of memorable photo opportunities. Purchase disposable cameras to allow your children to get creative and snap shots throughout trips at the beach, parks or historic villages. Another place for scenic views is Carova, where it’s common to see families of red foxes romping around the dunes.
S.E.A.L. is a program to immerse your kids into beachside nature while teaching them the basic safety rules. The program stands for Safety Education and Aquatic Learning and the program is geared toward children age 7-14. Biologists and instructors will give lessons on the ocean’s wildlife and safety protocols like first aid, CPR and mock lifeguard rescues. The programs are held at Corolla beach so families are welcome to stick around for more beach fun.
Whalehead Beach
Whalehead Beach in Corolla, NC is a serene beach community on the Outer Banks of North Carolina that features large, beautiful vacation rental homes. Known for its nearby unspoiled beaches and close proximity to Corolla attractions, shopping and restaurants, visitors to Whalehead Beach enjoy its large lots and laid-back Southern family atmosphere. Located on three miles of secluded shoreline, this private beach community consists of three streets which run alongside the Atlantic Ocean. With convenient beach accesses on every block, beachgoers find it easy to make their way to a relaxing day of sun and fun on the Outer Banks.
Whalehead Beach Amenities
Swan Beach
Swan Beach has an interesting name, because when people come out to this secluded stretch of the North Outer Banks they are not looking for graceful winged creatures. Swan Beach is known by locals and tourists in the know as one of the best places in the Outer Banks to watch the wild horses in their natural habitat. When you book your vacation in Currituck, you may be interested in a trip up Swan Beach. The soft sand feels great on your feet, but bear in mind that it’s not an easy destination.
Swan Beach in the OBX is about three miles north of the beach access ramp in Currituck, which means if you park where the road ends you’ll have to do some hiking! No worries, though, if you have a 4×4 vehicle you can ride out on the sand, or you can book a horse-watching tour with the many companies in Corolla that guide visitors to where the horses are found.
You’ll love the Swan Beach area for its serenity and beauty. This part of the OBX borders the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, so you may also see marsh birds and other animals native to North Carolina enjoying the sunshine. It’s like stepping back in time to when the early settlers first encountered our coast. There are a few vacation homes for rent in the area, which require a 4×4 vehicle to access, so if you really want to get away from it all you can bring the family and celebrate a reunion or holiday at beautiful Swan Beach. Enjoy a perfect sunrise, then hop over the dunes into the water! Keep an eye out around your rental, too, because you may have a few four-legged visitors. Be aware that local laws forbid you to make physical contact with the wild horses, but definitely bring a camera.
Learn more about beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina:
Ocean Lakes
The neighborhood of Ocean Lakes can be found at the northern end of Corolla’s Ocean Sands beach community in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This 600 acre vacation rental beach community features beautiful ocean views and miles of pristine beaches to enjoy with your family and friends. Ocean Lakes is the newest section of Ocean Sands, and guests to this area enjoy amenities such as a fully stocked ten-acre fishing lake, community pool with sun decks, and tennis courts. Most of the beach rental homes in this area are 4-8 bedrooms. Corolla attractions, shopping and restaurants are all just minutes away as well.
Ocean Lakes Amenities
Ocean Hill
Ocean Hill is Corolla’s last paved community before the 4×4 beach area. Vacation rental homes range from 5 to 9 bedrooms and weave their way through the natural surroundings on both the oceanside and the soundside. At the Villages at Ocean Hill community, amenities include two community pools (oceanfront and lakefront), tennis courts, basketball courts, playground, fitness center (fee based) and a 10 acre lake for fishing. The Estates at Ocean Hill offers guests vacation homes located on the Oceanside in Corolla. Most homes are within walking distance to the Historic Corolla Village and have views of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
Located near Corolla restaurants, shopping, and attractions, visitors enjoy Ocean Hill because of its pristine family-friendly beaches relaxing small-town southern atmosphere. Breathtaking soundside sunsets are enjoyed almost every evening in this serene vacationer’s paradise.
Ocean Hill Amenities
North Swan Beach
Have you longed for a vacation off the beaten path, literally? When we think of such a vacation, a trip to the mountains may come to mind, but did you know you can enjoy a week or two in semi-seclusion in any of the off-road communities in the Currituck Outer Banks? North Swan Beach, for one, is only accessible via 4-wheel drive vehicles, and here you’ll find many luxury vacation homes for rent. This is a great destination for small beach weddings, family reunions, and retreats for small groups looking for an alternative to busy vacations with packed itineraries. Here, you take each day at your leisure and enjoy and surf and sand.
When you book a vacation rental on North Swan Beach in Corolla, Outer Banks, you set the stage for memories that will last forever. Our off-road communities provide the best of both worlds – you can unwind all day on one of the beautiful Corolla beaches away from crowded sections of the shore, and you’re not far from fun activities like the Currituck Lighthouse, wild horse sightseeing tours, and great places to shop. Many of Currituck beach houses are equipped with luxury amenities like gourmet kitchens, Jacuzzis, and huge decks. You can have food catered by a top OBX chef or head into Corolla for groceries. Create a home away from home for your family.
Did we mention the wild horses? North Swan Beach is close to the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge and is home to sloping dunes where the Currituck wild Mustangs love to play. If you’re lucky you can sit out on the deck and watch them trot along the shore. Local laws prohibit contact with the wild horses of Corolla, but bring a video camera and take lots of pictures. You definitely don’t see wild horses exploring your back yard every day – it’s a great experience to share with the kids!
For a vacation just far enough from the crowds but close to great dining and shopping, North Swan Beach is a must. Get the extended family together for a week of fun and sun!
Learn more about beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina: