Kitty Hawk, NC - See It Like a Native! Get the inside scoop on beaches and attractions for a one-of-a-kind OBX vacation. While city boundaries are vague, the side-by-side beach towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk each have a different feel and offer a slightly different flavor of the sea.
To get a solid introduction to the easy-going, unassuming personality of Kitty Hawk, drive along the oceanfront row on Beach Road (NC 12). You'll see beach cottages that have been around for generations. Yet the town has grown to offer many beach vacation rentals right on the beach, fronting the Beach Road, and sound side on the beautiful Albemarle Sound.
As with the majority of Outer Banks beaches, Kitty Hawk beaches are open to the public. Through the town's Ocean Rescue program, lifeguards patrol the beaches during the summer season.
You can find lifeguard stands at the following public access sites on these east-west roads along NC 12: Byrd Street, Eckner Street, and at the Kitty Hawk Bath House access. All other public access points are patrolled by roving lifeguards.
Things to Do in Kitty Hawk NC
Go paddling! Give Kitty Hawk Kayaks a visit, and gear up for kayaking on the ocean or the sound. Kitty Hawk Kayaks is the only full service paddling shop on the Outer Banks
They offer kayak tours, rentals, sales and lessons. You can try it all out with a free demo. Look for a bright blue building located on the 1/4 Mile Post at the foot of the Wright Memorial Bridge on North Croatan Highway (Hwy 158). Phone: (252) 261-0145.
The Promenade Water Sports & Golf is a fun park and water sports equipment rental that will outfit the whole family. They have a 600-foot pier, and rent parasail boats, jet skis, sailboats, kayaks, pontoon boats and fishing boats. There is miniature golf, a full size driving range, and a chip and putt course. The kids will also enjoy a children's park and video arcade. You'll find them just east of the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk at 105 Promenade Lane. Phone: (252) 261-4400.
Visit Kitty Hawk Woods - covering the western side of the beach community is a state-owned preserve of the maritime hardwood forest. This Outer Banks salt march with its winding creeks is home to an amazing habitat of wildlife, including river otters, deer, foxes, and an incredible population of birds, geese and swans. There are designated hiking paths and plenty of public parking. You can also ride through the woods on horseback. The 4-mile stretch of channel is perfect for kayaking or canoeing, yet the summer months on these waters do come with the hazard of water snakes, so novice paddlers should beware!
Sea Scape Links Golf Course - Reserve a tee time for a great day of golf at the beach. They have full pro shop, and if you left your clubs at home, you can rent a set. Relax at the Sea Scape Bar & Grill after a day on the course. Find them at 300 Eckner Street in Kitty Hawk, NC. Phone: (252) 261-2158.
Great Places to Eat
Argyles Restaurant - This is truly fine dining on the Outer Banks. The restaurant has a warm, quaint atmosphere complete with live piano music at the piano bar. Their chef features a menu ranging from Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi to free range angus prime rib. Argyles also features "3 at the Sea" bar specials every day, from 3 - 6 p.m. and is a well known setting for special occasions. Located at 4716 N. Croatan Hwy (US Hwy 158).
Black Pelican Restaurant - With an oceanfront view of the beach, enjoy an excellent meal from the dining room or the outside deck. The building was originally constructed in 1874 as a US Lifesaving Station, so the originality and charm of this restaurant is two-fold. From wood-fired pizzas to baked shrimp and crab, to excellent grilled New York strip steak with house mashed potatoes and fried onions, this is one of the best Outer Banks restaurants. Find them at Mile Post 4, oceanfront Kitty Hawk.
Spanky's Grille - Hand battered fired chicken, the best burgers on the beach, homemade crab cakes, cheese steak subs, and about any "sides" you can imagine, this little restaurant is one that the locals call their own. The helpings are big, and the quality of food is extremely good. This is a family owned restaurant that is proud of what they do. Touted as the Outer Banks "No. 1 lunch restaurant," Spanky's is located in Kitty Hawk at Mile Post 3.5, Hwy 158.
High Cotton BBQ - When seafood won't hit the spot, this is the place to go. High Cotton BBQ does Eastern North Carolina Barbecue as it's supposed to be! Get a bowl of Brunswick stew, a rack of BBQ ribs, or a combo plate of hand-chopped pork and pulled chicken. The diverse menu is all delicious, and you can get the "Big Package" that will feed families or groups up to 16 hungry people. Mile Post 2 on Beach Road.
Barefoot Bernie's Tropical Bar & Grill - Relax big time at Barefoot Bernie's. The decor is full of travel posters and tropical themes, the menu is filled with dishes from the world's best beaches - Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asian and American. You can order sandwiches, pizzas, salads, seafood, steak, pasta... you name it. They feature live music and bands on various nights - a fun place to go, check them out at Mile Post 4.5 North Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk.
Kitty Hawk, NC Beach Vacation Rentals and Hotels
The town has some of the best lodging on the Outer Banks, with a terrific variety of vacation rentals, hotels and B & Bs that are on or near the beach, and also properties that face the Albemarle Sound.
Hotels include the Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks, which is oceanfront on the Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road) with its own private pier, and the Holiday Inn Express, 100 yards from the beach on North Croatan Hwy (US 158).
Driving Tips for Kitty Hawk and Neighboring Beaches
If you're coming in to town from the west on US 158 by way of the Wright Memorial Bridge, peak season weekends and beach rental turn-day can make for slow driving. Try staying to the right as you cross the bridge, take US 158 south for a minute then turn left at the first available intersection onto NC 12 south (aka Beach Road and/or Virginia Dare Trail.) You'll dodge the bottleneck and the beach view is fantastic!
US Highway 158 extends from Nags Head north to Kitty Hawk, where you'll turn left on NC 12 to go further north to Duck And Corolla.
