Growing up in North Carolina, I have had the opportunity to travel to the Outer Banks on multiple occasions. Visiting the Outer Banks has allowed me to see each lighthouse, the wild horses in Corolla, go kayaking, and explore the Wright Brothers Memorial. With that being said, I had never visited the cute little town of Duck until this past week.

Duck is a small, northern town in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The name derived from, you guessed it, the amount of ducks living in the area. It is situated about 8 miles from Kitty Hawk (where the Wright Brothers Memorial is) and about 16 miles from Corolla (where you can see the wild horses).

Although this town is a little bit more populated than I typically prefer, it gives off a chill, homey, welcoming vibe. There are plenty of small bars, waterfront restaurants, water sport rentals, etc. Not to mention all of the local boutiques in the Outer Banks North Carolina with adorable handmade items! 🙂

Things to do in Duck – Outer Banks North Carolina

1. Visit the waterfront spa at Aqua Restaurant & Spa
2. Grab a dozen of the famous Duck donuts at their first ever donut shop
3. Watch the sunrise/sunset
4. Dinner at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar
5. Golf

1. Visit the waterfront spa at the Aqua Restaurant & Spa

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Every vacation needs a trip to the spa! What better way to increase your relaxation state than to get a full body massage, facial, or mani/pedi…whatever you like! Situated along the main road running through the town is the Aqua Restaurant & Spa. View their site through the link at:

aquaobx

We had a girl’s day out to this spa one evening getting massages/facials. The facial I received was a 50 minute facial using organic face products to help hydrate my skin. The other girls chose a 50 minute massage instead… a few of them fell asleep during their service if that tells you anything.

Here is the link directly to the spa: https://aquaspaobx.com/

2. Grab a dozen of the famous Duck donuts at their first ever doughnut shop

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Duck donuts originated in this Outer Banks North Carolina town when a family that visited yearly recognized the need for a fresh donut place. The first store opened in 2007 and is a huge attraction for travelers.

The donuts are known for their variety of flavors and combinations. We ordered the Outer Banks Dozen which included maple bacon, cinnamon sugar, vanilla icing with Oreo crumbles, etc.

Luckily, we stayed off of Christopher lane which just so happens to be directly across the street from Duck Donuts. Paul and I watched the sunrise and walked to the store right after. We were quite surprised to see a line before the store even opened! This is a must when visiting the Outer Banks! Whatever time you get there, know that good things come to those who wait and these donuts are something you’re gonna wanna wait for.

Check their site out at: https://www.duckdonuts.com/

3. Watch the sunrise/sunset

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Sunrise was around 5:58 am and sunset later in the afternoon, obviously. We were able to soak in the beauty of creation and the smell of salty ocean air…something that I have always loved.

The boardwalk is the perfect place to see the sunset and walk waterfront. It has many small shops, ice cream places, restaurants, etc. It’s the perfect place to get the ultimate Outer Banks North Carolina vibe. There were even a few live bands at some spots along the boardwalk. Check out the link below if interested in exploring this hot spot:

Town Park & Boardwalk

4. Dinner at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

On our last night in town we decided to go out in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic. (yes, we all wore our masks). We chose the Sunset Grille & Raw Bar after passing it and seeing how beautiful it was.

The restaurant offers indoor, outdoor, and bar seating. We ended up sitting outside as this was the first that came available. It was really hot when we first arrived (around 6) but as the sun started going down it felt really nice out. Plus, nothing beats the scenery overlooking the water.

Our first drinks we ordered came served in the cute cups above. Mine was the whale… adorable! I got Mahi Mahi served with mashed potatoes and mango salsa. It was delicious!

Check out their website at: https://www.fishbonessunsetgrille.com/Home

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5. Golf

A spa day for girls is equal to a golf day for most guys. SO, it’s only fair that I dedicate the last portion of this post to the sport.

Paul and his cousin spent two mornings on two different courses:

1. https://www.thepointegolfclub.com/
2. https://www.thecarolinaclub.com/

These are both on the outskirts of Duck in the Outer Banks North Carolina and take about 20-30 minutes to drive to them. The first course had better views but the second course was a little bit easier on the player.

Check out their websites by clicking on the links above.

Visiting the Outer Banks

Our trip to the small town of Duck in the Outer Banks North Carolina was a huge success. It is a great place for families to take their children, a dog friendly beach, and plenty of activities to choose from.

Let us know what your favorite thing to do when visiting the Outer Banks is by commenting on this post!

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