With beach, marsh, sound and maritime forest environments condensed down to one location, things to do in Corolla, NC, include exploring this natural paradise. Appreciating the great outdoors in Corolla goes beyond playing in the Currituck Sound or on the beach. Take an off-road adventure north of the highway’s end, and put yourself in a prime position for glimpsing the wild horses in their natural habitats. Climb the lighthouse and drink in views of the sound, ocean, island and mainland all from one vantage point. Enjoy a tranquil retreat with a stroll down the boardwalk that wraps around the sound. Keep your eyes peeled for the area’s distinctive flora and fauna, then head to the wildlife education center to identify the unfamiliar sightings.
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Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
1101 Corolla Village Road, Corolla
The red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers above the Historic Corolla Village. Visitors to this Outer Banks attraction can climb the winding staircase, 220 steps in all, to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Outer Banks. Inside the lighthouse, at the base and on the first two landings, there are museum-quality lighthouse exhibits. On the way up or down, stop to learn about the history of coastal lighthouses, the Fresnel lens, shipwrecks and the lighthouse keepers.
The 162-foot lighthouse was first lit on December 1, 1875. Onsite keepers, who lived in homes at the base of the lighthouse, operated the lighthouse until it was automated in 1937. With automation, the lighthouse no longer required a regular keeper. The lighthouse and its outbuildings fell into disrepair for decades until a nonprofit group called Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc. (OBC) stepped in to save the site in 1980. OBC renovated the keepers’ buildings to re-create their past glories and restored the lighthouse to make it safe to climb. In July 2003 The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded OBC ownership of the lighthouse.
It costs only $10 to climb the lighthouse. Payment conveys an understanding and acceptance of the lighthouse's posted waiver of liability (the tower construction predates modern building codes and safety regulations). Children must be 4 years old to climb, and children ages 4 to 12 years old must have adult supervision. Parents or guardians must sign a waiver for children ages 13 to 17 to climb alone. Children younger than 4 may enter free but only if in a carrier. Visitors stand in line to pay admission outside the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open daily from mid-March through December 1. Climbing hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During extreme weather, the lighthouse is closed to climbing. Parking is free. Leashed dogs welcome on the grounds.
The nearby Double Keepers’ House is used as a private residence, but it makes for great photographs. You can go inside the small Keeper’s House, moved to the site in 1920 from Long Point Light Station in the Currituck Sound, which is now a Museum Shop and stocks everything lighthouse-related you could ever imagine. T-shirts, hats, books, postcards, blankets, taffy, ornaments, jewelry, magnets, figurines and more fill this former keeper’s residence.
The red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers above the Historic Corolla Village. Visitors to this Outer Banks attraction can climb the winding staircase, 220 steps in all, to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Outer Banks. Inside the lighthouse, at the base and on the first two landings, there are museum-quality lighthouse exhibits. On...read more
The red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers above the Historic Corolla Village. Visitors to this Outer...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
Today's Corolla Outback Adventures evolved from the original family business that began as Bender's Beach Service in 1962 when the paved road ended at Duck. This unique tour travels the same roadless beach into Corolla's “outback,” where wild herds of horses are still free to roam. The 20-mile round trip includes exclusive access into the wild horse habitat on land the Bender family donated for their...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
Located in the heart of Timbuck II, Corolla Parasail partners with Corolla Water Sports – the original and one of the most comprehensive watersports’ locations on the Northern Outer Banks – delivering plenty of excitement. Their location in Timbuck II is a choice destination for those interested in parasailing, watersports (including Jet Ski, kayak, standup paddleboard and pontoon boat rentals), miniature golf, shopping and restaurants...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
In the old days Corolla villagers raised their own food, caught it in the sea or shot it out of the sky. Everyone had a vegetable garden and fruit trees to provide fresh produce, and most everything was canned and preserved to save for the stark winter months. Because Corolla Village was on the more-protected sound side of the island, the gardens and plants were...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
The Corolla wild horses are recognized as a significant cultural and historical resource by the state of North Carolina and were designated as the North Carolina State Horse in 2010. The herd is protected and monitored by the nonprofit Corolla Wild Horse Fund Inc. of Corolla. To learn more about the horses call or visit the Corolla Wild Horse Museum and Store at...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
This beautiful boardwalk and trail leads from the road to the sound, traversing through maritime evergreen forest, swamp forest and brackish marsh. Along the 2/3-mile out-and-back route, you’ll see live oaks and loblolly pines, yaupon, holly, bayberry and wax myrtle, plus, closer to the water, sedges, cattails, black needle rush and giant cord grass. You may see signs of animals, like scat or tracks, or...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
Permanent exhibits at this education center focus on conservation, waterfowl and hunting heritage, natural history, local heritage, ecology and fishing. Highlights of the exhibits are an extensive decoy collection and a real-life marsh diorama. The 22,000-square-foot building houses an auditorium with a video program plus an exhibit hall and classrooms. The location of the center is on the sound between Whalehead and Currituck Beach Lighthouse. It...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Corolla, NC
Whalehead is an historic house museum on the northern Outer Banks. The grand residence, dressed in bold yellow and striking copper, stands on a vast green lawn bordering the Currituck Sound. At first sight of the more than 21,000-square-foot Art Nouveau home, so out of place in the Outer Banks landscape, it’s immediately apparent that it has an intriguing past and a fascinating story to...read more
