Top Things to do in Corolla
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10 Things to Do in Corolla That You Shouldn't Miss
You won’t find superstores or theme parks in Corolla. What you will find is a slow-paced vacation destination with vast, isolated stretches of beach. Corolla is the perfect place to gear down, relax and forget about your hurried life back home. While quiet dinners and strolls on the beach are mainstays of Corolla’s lifestyle, other more action-oriented recreation options include kayak tours, Jet Ski rentals, deep-sea fishing charters, and go-karting. No visit to Corolla is complete without climbing the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, a 158-foot high structure built in 1875 that still flashes at 20-second intervals to warn ships hugging the chain of barrier islands. Next on the must see list is the Whalehead Club, a 21,000-square-foot Art Nouveau home that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A truly unique experience in Corolla is taking a tour of the Spanish Mustang Reserve, where you can see wild Spanish Mustang horses grazing in their natural habitat. Horse lovers will also enjoy the Corolla Wild Horse Museum located within the restored schoolhouse of Corolla Village. Kids have an opportunity to paint their own wild Colonial Spanish Mustang. For some great family fun, play the Grass Course, a miniature golf course on all natural grass.
Restaurants in Corolla
1. Currituck Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Location of the only lighthouse in the state of North Carolina that is still located where it was erected.
Reviewed By larryrneal2016 - Warren, Pennsylvania
What a delight to see wild horses in their habitat. Not every day one sees a stallion with his harem frolic in the ocean or watch several of them in their own private sanctuary-"Wild Horse Estates". Although it is a bit pricey, give this activity top billing. They even offer a coupon in the visitor's guidebook.
2. Carova Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 342 reviews
Reviewed By larryrneal2016 - Warren, Pennsylvania
No pavement, so only 4WD vehicles allowed. Home of the wild horses, so be careful and read the information about the horses before you go. Rentals available, but take what you need so you don't have to drive miles to the closest store. There is a small "ferry" to Knotts Island if you so desire. To me, it be the perfect place to get completely away and just sit on the beach and watch the ocean (and the horses)
3. Whalehead in Historic Corolla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
Take a step back in time when you visit Whalehead in Historic Corolla! Originally built in the 1920s, this magnificent residence has been restored to its original grandeur and is open for tours year round. Located inside Historic Corolla Park, the museum is situated on 39 acres of pristine waterfront property, and is located in the heart of Historic Corolla. Open year-round for a variety of tours - choose from various House Programs, Children's Activities and Park Programs that are perfect for all ages! Check our online calendar for exciting events hosted in the beautiful Historic Corolla Park.
Reviewed By Zephyr_Travel - Fredericksburg, Virginia
Came for the Holiday Decorations and Tour. The house was well decorating inside and out, the tour is touch based audio stations throughout the house. The basement has all the historic exbitis, great artifacts from the 1920's and story of whalehead's place during significant century milestones. Tour price was under 10 per person. The grounds provide spectular viewing of the sound side with boardwalk, gazebo, and grassy areas. The currituck lighthouse is just arcoss the property, perfect for pairing a visit for half a day. Don't miss this area during sunset
4. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Used today to light the dark stretches of the southern coastline, this lighthouse was built in 1875 and today can be climbed by the spiral staircase that reaches up 150 feet.
Reviewed By kurokitty - Atlanta, Georgia
Really beautiful lighthouse -- we enjoyed strolling on the grounds but we had little kids and thus did not wait in the pretty long line to climb up the stairs of the lighthouse.
Enjoyed the park, there's a pond, bridge and a great place to have a picnic. Worth the scenic drive to this beautiful area.
5. Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By rathercook - rathercook
Took our grandson to the park to practice his bicycle riding on the grass without training wheels. When it started to rain, we went indoors. Lots of neat things to discover. Later in the week took him to the crabbing class and the fishing class.
Miss Sarah was great! Will definitely go again next year. Oh, and it's free!
6. Currituck Banks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
A small parking lot is provided for users of the maritime forest hiking trail. The trailhead is located by the informational sign west of the parking lot. Please close the gate behind you. It is there to keep wild horses from entering into Corolla. There is a 1/3 mile accessible boardwalk as well as a 1.5 mile (roundtrip) primitive hiking trail. Horses and other wildlife can be observed while hiking the boardwalk and trail. There is a 2 hour time limit for the parking lot. Anyone wishing to leave a vehicle temporarily so they can tour the 4 wheel drive area or walk to the beach must use the county beach access parking lots less than 1 mile south on Highway 12. Free public parking is located at the Heritage Park area and County parking lot near the lighthouse.
Reviewed By ITRT - Virginia
The most picturesque park in Corolla is the Historic Corolla Park, home to the Whalehead Club, Currituck Lighthouse and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. Whether you are looking for a place to fish and throw back, watch the sunset, attend a summer concert or wine tasting event, or explore the marsh lands and trails, this park does not disappoint. For water sport enthusiasts, the park offers free launching for kayaks, skiffs or stand-up paddle board. The park has something to suit the fancy of all types of vacationers. It is a “must see” when visiting Corolla on the Outer Banks.
7. Currituck Outer Banks Visitor's Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By giddensw - Benson, North Carolina
Every time we've ever been to the Currituck area we stop in for recommendations. ALWAYS impressed with how much the staff knows and how friendly they are.
8. Wild Horse Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 154 reviews
Located in the restored 1901 Old Corolla Schoolhouse, the Wild Horse Museum features interactive exhibits, photos and information on the Wild Mustangs of Corolla, NC. Learn about the history of wild horses that have roamed the Outer Banks for over 500 years, and still call these beaches home. Outside on the grounds, kids activities include horse painting, and once a week pet a live horse that comes to visit. Open year round Mon - Fri 10:00-4:00.
Reviewed By SimonSaint - Farnborough, United Kingdom
Went here and were greeted by an elderly gent who gave us an insight to the horses and their history. There is also a video running, seemingly all the time. You can also book SUV and Open top tours of the beach area for spotting the horses. This is a non profit organisation, any profits go to the care of the horses and is the only non profit in the area. So use this one!!
9. Timbuck II
Overall Ratings
4 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By ottoabc - Evington, Virginia
My wife and I like to visit Timbuck II every time we come to the OBX. We like the shops and the locals that work in/own the shops. They are interesting to speak with. There are a lot of different shops, eateries and amusements. It's just a great place to spend an afternoon. It has a shaded play area for the infants to run off some energy. Only, I wish the Seaside market was still there. They had GREAT fresh produce and WONDERFUL fresh seafood. Much better that in the stores and cheaper than the fish monger shops. Anyway, a great place for the family to spend an afternoon!!!
10. Historic Corolla Village
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Jessica O - Boston, Massachusetts
Corolla is as far north as you can drive on the Outer Banks of North Carolina without a 4x4 vehicle for access to the Currituck Outer Banks Preserve. The Historic Corolla Village is comprised of a lighthouse and various restored buildings and shops.
My husband and I visited in October. We especially liked the restored Corolla Schoolhouse, the Island Bookstore, and the Wild Horse Museum. Within easy walking distance is also the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. We also visited the nearby Corolla Library where we purchased two jigsaw puzzles as part of a used book sale fundraiser.
The entire area harkens back to yesteryear when life was simpler and unhurried. Even as millennials, we appreciated walking through a slice of life we’ve never known, pondering the pros and cons, riches and stresses of contemporary life.
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