Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

by Kathryn Lively

What comes to mind when you think of the Outer Banks? Obvious answers may include the stunning, white shorelines of the North Carolina coast, the tranquil breezes and lush tall grass filled with wildlife. You may think, too, of the wild mustangs that trot along the shore, answering to no master. You may think of history: the flight experiments at Kitty Hawk or the famous Lost Colony outdoor drama, the longest running play of its kind, in Manteo.

How often, though, do you think of Currituck County? True, you may tend to think of the Outer Banks in terms of the towns strung together along the beach, yet many of the more populous destinations in the area are situated along the southern shores. During the peak seasons, hotels and RV parks are cramped, and restaurants have lines of hungry people wrapped around the parking lots. While the Outer Banks can offer a relaxing vacation for the family, sometimes it seems every family in the nation shares your ideas, on the same day.

Yet, Currituck County is situated in the northern end of the Outer Banks, the state’s best kept secret.

Visitors to Currituck County are always welcome to enjoy a relaxing family vacation, as the area offers something for everybody all year round. The Currituck Outer Banks were settled by the early Colonists in 1688, one of the earliest settlements in the New World, and to this day the beaches are clean and beautiful, and offer spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Currituck is a sportsman’s paradise. Home to the renowned Currituck Club, visitors can enjoy a day of golf in between days of surfing and sailing. Fishing enthusiasts may charter a boat at Coinjock Marina and enjoy a day in the sun, on the sea. For those who like to hike, the Charles Kurault Trail in Knotts Island provides ample opportunity for exercise and viewing the wild in their element.

Don’t assume, either, that Currituck is a sleepy beach area that shuts down at sunset. Quite the contrary, while Currituck is still a bit isolated so as not to be cramped with tourists, the area does enjoy a healthy nightlife. Restaurateurs are flocking to the area to establish cafes with fine cuisine and entertainment. Plan your vacation ahead of time by checking with the Department of Tourism at VisitCurrituck, and you may be able to attend a wine tasting or seminar at any of our wineries in beautiful Knotts Island.

Of course, no trip to the Outer Banks would be complete without a visit to two of Currituck’s most popular landmarks - The Currituck Lighthouse and The Whalehead Club. For over a century, the lighthouse has guided ships safely across the Chesapeake Bay, while the Whalehead Club (the former private residence of Edward Collings) serves to remind us of the glamour and stately pride of the resort area.

Visitors are welcome to stay in Currituck and see the whole Outer Banks - we are very close, so driving is never an issue. Be sure to send for free brochures so you can plan ahead for a relaxing, fun vacation.

By Kathryn Lively

Stretched along the peaceful northern shores of the Outer Banks, Currituck County may give some the impression of a sleepy little area where one can simply lie on the beach and soak up the sun year round. Granted, the best family vacations in the Currituck Outer Banks are spent on the coastline, yet Currituck is hardly the wilting flower of North Carolina. Quite the contrary, this is a place that is always in full bloom, with annual celebrations dotting the calendar. All are welcome to enjoy the people of Currituck in their celebrations.

Corolla Island Spring Social

One of the liveliest annual events is held at the historical Whalehead Club in mid-April. The Corolla Island Spring Social celebrates the roaring 1920s and the height of wild, Gatsby-esque decadence and delight. Guests come dressed in their spats and fringed flapper best and dance the Charleston all night long, reliving the bustle of the golden age of resorts, when the wealthy flocked to the North Carolina shore to lounge in luxury. Today, the social benefits the restoration of the Club with silent and live auctions, so future generations can enjoy the history and good times to come.

Wild Horse Days

Untethered and unfettered, the wild mustangs of the Outer Banks roam the beaches and answer to no master. Each year in June the people of Currituck gather for Wild Horse Days, a series of events designed to benefit these majestic creatures. Food, fun, activities for the kids, and awareness of the horses mark Wild Horse Days, with proceeds going to funds used to preserve the remaining herds.

The serene beauty of the northern Outer Banks has inspired many an artist, and each summer guests are invited to the annual arts festival to view and purchase the works of over 100 artists. Roam the ground of the Whalehead Club and take in the beauty of local and regional art against the beauty of Currituck County.

Knotts Island Peach Festival

Life in Currituck is just peachy, and each July thousands of visitors come to Knotts Island to pick, eat, and savor the sweet peaches grown in local groves. Lots of food and live entertainment is at hand to enhance the mood of this favorite time of year.

Currituck Wine & Food Festival

Few outsiders realize that the Outer Banks is ripe with vineyards, and each October the Currituck Wine and Food Festival provides the opportunity to sample the best of vine. Local restaurants offer delicious treats to sample while you enjoy Muscadine wine, a regional specialty, and other libations.