Currituck County Attractions

Rural Center

The Currituck County Rural Center is maintained for the education, cultural and recreational enrichment of the public. Located in Powells Point, the Rural Center is open seven days a week and is free to all visitors. Horse lovers will appreciate the indoor and outdoor riding arenas, barns and open space. Children will enjoy the spacious playground area, and visitors of all ages will like the stocked fishing ponds, canoe/kayak launch with direct access to water trails to the Currituck Sound, boardwalk, picnic areas and other attractions. The Rural Center is operated by the N.C. Cooperative Extension, which may be contacted at (252) 232-2262. 

Currituck Outer Banks

Before driving onto the four-wheel drive area in Corolla, reach Currituck County's beach driving brochure, "Keeping the North Beach Safe".

With great beaches, historic sites, shopping, dining and great golf courses, the Currituck Outer Banks is one of the most popular places in the world to visit and live.

Located along the northeastern coast of North Carolina between Kitty Hawk, N.C. and Chesapeake, Virginia, Currituck County's climate is ideal for year-round golf, tennis, boating, camping, and beach vacation relaxation!

Corolla Wild Horses

For more than 400 years, the small, swift and sturdy Corolla Wild Horses have run free on the Currituck Outer Banks. These beautiful Spanish mustangs can still be seen roaming the beaches.To learn more about the Corolla Wild Horses, visit the Corolla Wild Horse website at www.corollawildhorses.com.

The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park

Built in the mid-1920's, the Whalehead Club continues to stand as one of the most spectacular landmarks on the Currituck Outer Banks. Owners, Edward Collings and Marie Louise Knight traveled to Corolla from points north and used Corolla Island as their winter residence from 1925-34. Boasting art nouveau architectural styling and accented with Tiffany lamps, cork-tiled floors, brass duck head and water lily hardware, this magnificent structure stood isolated for years on these remote barrier islands and has been fully restored.

The Whalehead Club is open year round. Location: just off Hwy. 12, Corolla. Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; admission is $7.00 per person (free to children under 9 years of age). Call 252-453-9040.

Currituck Heritage Park

For a relaxing day, visit Currituck Heritage Park, located at the Whalehead Club in Corolla. Take a stroll along the winding walkways that lead visitors to the original boathouse and pedestrian footbridge, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just north of the boathouse are two additional restored structures: the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Light Keeper's House. Built in 1875 and Towering 163 feet high, the lighthouse welcomes visitors to climb its 214 steps to the top. The keeper's quarters has been restored and is currently used as a private residence. Tours of the Currituck Lighthouse are held daily from Easter to Thanksgiving. Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; admission is $6.00 per person (free to children under 8 years of age). Call 252-453-4939.

Corolla Chapel

Both the quaint Corolla Chapel (built in 1885) and the Corolla Schoolhouse (built in 1890) have been restored. Inter-denominational services are held at the Chapel on Sundays. Corolla Chapel is located 2 1/2 blocks north of the Currituck Lighthouse at 1135 Old Corolla Village Road. Call 252-453-4224.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education increases the public's knowledge of Currituck's wildlife and habitats. The center provides programs through which the general public and educators can learn about wildlife, natural history and outdoor skills.

The center is located off of Highway 12 in Currituck Heritage Park, between the Whalehead Club and Currituck Beach Lighthouse.

Currituck Mainland

Currituck County has many antique shops, stores, and roadside markets with locally grown fruits and vegetables. Step back in time by visiting the Historic Currituck Courthouse and Old Currituck Jail.

For recreation, play a round of golf at one of the county's six 18-hole courses. Golfers of all skill levels can find the perfect course to fit their game.

The Intracoastal Waterway is 3,000 mi (4,827 km) long, partly natural, partly artificial, providing sheltered passage for commercial and leisure boats along the U.S. Atlantic coast from Boston, Mass. to Key West, S Fla., and along the Gulf of Mexico coast from Apalachee Bay, NW Fla., to Brownsville, Tex., on the Rio Grande. The Albemarle portion of the waterway in Currituck is among the waterway's most often used canals along the Atlantic route. This toll-free waterway is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The County's parks offer great places for family gatherings and recreation activities. Contact the Currituck County Parks and Recreation Department for information concerning park locations, youth sports, senior activities, and recreation sites.

Natural Attractions

The Currituck Banks Coastal Reserve

The Currituck Banks Coastal Reserve is an excellent example of an undisturbed barrier island and low-salinity estuarine system. A number of foot and jeep trails crisscross the Currituck Banks site, particularly in the southern half, and there is a Virginia Electric Power Company right-of-way, which may be followed. The trails that pass through the shrub thicket and maritime forest provide the best access with the least amount of damage to the habitats. The site lies in the northeastern corner of North Carolina, 10 miles south of the Virginia border and three-quarters of a mile north of the village of Corolla. Bounded by Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, the site encompasses 954 acres. The Nature Conservancy and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service own neighboring tracts.