The town of Duck in North Carolina is a small and quaint beach town, one of the best holiday areas to stay during your visit to the Outer Banks. Those looking for an active holiday and to spend time outdoors will not be disappointed with Duck’s offerings; from hiking, surfing, kayaking and kiteboarding, the activity options seem endless here. For those needing a more laidback vibe to their holiday, enjoy days spent on the sand, quick dips in the ocean or yoga classes in the presence of salty air. With a population as small as 369 people, the town thrives during the holiday season, with holiday homes and home rentals filled with vacationers looking to soak in the sunshine and swim in the seas. Read on to find our list of the best things to do when you visit the quirky town of Duck, North Carolina.
1. Parasail and take in views from above
Posted by Duck Parasail on Sunday, 29 June 2014
Some of the most exciting activities in the town of Duck and the Outer Banks come in the form of water sports and parasailing activities that you can indulge in. Take in the views of the town and its beautiful beaches when you go parasailing with Duck Parasail. With boats leaving every hour on the hour, you can fly high above the town and have an unparalleled holiday experience. Other options of activities include renting jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks, and SUPs. For those looking for a more serene activity, the sunset sail experience is one to look out for.
Corolla & Duck Parasail
Address: 1446 Duck Road, Duck, 27949
Website: Corolla & Duck Parasail
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 25 USD
2. Head out for some waterfront shopping
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Waterfront Shops Duck on Saturday, March 20, 2021
The Waterfront Shops in Duck offers a variety of shopping boutiques, restaurants, eateries and a variety of retail options to keep you entertained. Explore handcrafted art, homeware goods, the speciality women’s stores and upscale menswear designs that are all available at the Waterfront. Take a break from retail therapy and meander through the waterfront boardwalk along the shores of Currituck Sound and walk towards the New Town Boardwalk. In addition to the shopping outlets, Duck’s Waterfront Shops has an assortment of wildlife in its ponds, including egrets, ospreys, herons, waterfowl, martins, turtles and fish that make this area their home.
The Waterfront Shops
Address: 1240 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949
Website: The Waterfront Shops
3. Spend your day out on the water
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports on Saturday, August 8, 2020
Explore the open seas paddle boarding, kayaking or sailing with the reputed Nor'Banks Sailing and Watersports company. Having opened its doors in 1979, Nor’Banks continues to innovate and grow to provide new activities and new equipment every season. Have fun and pick up new skills going tubing, wakeboarding and waterskiing when you are in Duck. The Village Table and Tavern is a new restaurant on site that is also ideal for chasing away those post-activity hunger pangs that may come your way.
Nor'Banks Sailing and Watersports
Address: 1314 Duck Road Duck, NC 27949
Website: Nor'Banks Sailing and Watersports
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
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4. Take a boat fishing or crabbing
Indulge in a local favourite activity when you take a boat out to go fishing and crabbing. Fishing in Duck is exceptional and provides some of the best big-catch fishing north of Florida due to the proximity of its shores to the Gulf Stream. Crabbing can be a fun family activity; in addition to getting the youngest to the oldest involved, crabbing can be especially rewarding in Duck since it has a particularly generous supply of Blue Crabs in the Outer Banks. For both fishing and crabbing, be sure to chat with the locals to get their advice on how to book your boat or charter, particularly during the busy summer season.
Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports
Address: 1314 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949, USA
Website: Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports
5. Rent a bike in Duck
Rent bikes or bring your own but biking in Duck Town is a must-do activity during your visit. With designated bike paths and a relatively flat ground throughout the town, bike from the start of the town past Sanderling to the beginning of Corolla. Explore the side streets, scenic boardwalks and seaside views as you manoeuvre your way through this quaint North Carolina town. From a family-friendly expedition to a trek of over 150 miles (241 km) on the coastal roads od Outer Banks, don’t miss out on the very best way to explore the town.
Duck Village Outfitters
Address: 1207, 4561, Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949, United States
Website: Duck Village Outfitters
6. Enjoy a tranquil stroll along Duck Town Boardwalk
Enjoy the scenic views and breathtaking sunsets from the Duck Town Boardwalk. The hues of a summer sunset or a winter sunrise are often the highlight for visitors to the town of Duck. The walking trail along the Boardwalk provides beautiful perspectives of nature, indigenous wildlife and a variety of classic shop and food favourites along the way.
Duck Town Boardwalk
Address: Duck, NC 27949, USA
7. Sample fresh seafood at The Blue Point
In 1989, The Blue Point opened its doors as a destination for dining in Duck. It is casual and inviting, warm and homely, serving contemporary cuisine with the freshest local catch in town. Sample the best seafood Outer Banks has to offer year-round, with recommended items that include jumbo lump crab cakes, Rosebay oyster stew in the winter and scratch she-crab soup in the summer. The Blue Point has an in-house bakery and pastry arena, putting out freshly baked bread, biscuits and desserts which include house-churned ice creams and sorbets. Time your visit with a pre-drink on their patio to watch a beautiful sunset, enjoy the evening breeze and indulge in an ample wine and cocktail list before your dinner reservation.
The Blue Point
Address: 1240 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949
Website: The Blue Point
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 5pm - 9pm; Mon: 5pm - 9pm
8. Roll out your yoga mat for classes led by Duck Village Yoga
Duck Village Yoga is a community venture that caters to yogis of all levels, offering a range of classes from basics and gentle to advanced and fast-paced. You can choose from studio-led Vinyasa flow, and warm heated classes to private beach yoga sessions on early mornings to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the town during your morning workout. Duck Village Yoga emphasizes community aspects of yoga, valuing your practice no matter your progress or position. Take part in one of their training sessions, workshops, retreats and special events throughout your time at Duck.
Duck Village Yoga
Address: The Waterfront Shops, 1240 Duck Road
Website: Duck Village Yoga
Price: From 20 USD
9. Gather for a movie under the stars
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Keeping an eye on the sky, but set up has begun for a Movie on the Green. Tonight we will be showing the Disney Pixar...
Posted by Town of Duck on Tuesday, August 13, 2019
After a warm summer sunset, the Duck Town Green hosts Movies on the Green, a series that manages to bring locals and visitors together to relax on their lawn chairs, with blankets and coolers. 2019’s summer shows include Star Wars: A New Hope, The Princess Bride, Up and The Little Mermaid. Be sure to check the Town website and social media handles for updates and if the weather does not cooperate, the movie will be shown inside the Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall.
Movies on the Green
Address: Duck Town Green, 1200 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949
Website: Town of Duck
10. Catch a performance at Duck Amphitheater
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Characters from The Lost Colony are coming to the Duck Amphitheater stage on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. for an interactive...
Posted by Town of Duck on Monday, July 15, 2019
The Duck Amphitheater is a great space to check out when looking for the best performances and entertainment shows in Duck Town. From music shows to magic shows, the Duck Amphitheater brings classic local and national performances to town. Many shows are free entry and can make for a great outing during the day for children and teenagers. From the highly entertaining talent performances to comedy and theatre productions and children’s interactive theatre shows, the Duck Amphitheater is not to be missed during your visit to the town.
Duck Amphitheater
Address: 1200 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949, USA
11. Sip coffee and read at Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books
Visit Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books and Downtown Books for your share of coffee, cakes, books and literary events. Bookshelves are lined with books of all genres and titles, from fiction to history to children’s books and more. Sip on the popular artisanal roasted coffee while you make your way through the stocks of these independent bookstores.
Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books
Address: 105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, the Waterfront Shops, 1240 Duck Road
Website: Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books
Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)
12. Rent a beach buggy and explore Duck Town
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Beach buggies are a popular and exciting way to spend an afternoon in Duck. Drive around exploring the sandy areas of the town which stretches from the northern beaches of Corolla, south to the Town of Manteo, and all towns in between. Stop for lunches, sea swims, surfing and kayaking during your day at the beach and arrange for conveniently located rentals across any of the beach towns in the area.
Outer Banks Beach Buggies
Address: 8604 Caratoke Hwy Powells Point, NC
Website: Outer Banks Beach Buggies
13. Capture fun family moments
Capturing natural smiles in a fun atmosphere is 12th Street Portraits, a photo studio started by two mothers who know the importance of capturing precious moments. Arrange to spend some time with these two talented photographers, either in their studio or outdoors in your natural environment, to create photos that you will treasure for years to come.
12th Street Portraits
Address: Outer Banks, North Carolina
Website: 12th Street Portraits
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Price: From 25 USD
14. Browse gourmet goods at The Spice & Tea Exchange of Duck
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Posted by The Spice & Tea Exchange on Friday, 3 May 2019
Find your best selection of teas, from traditional black to classic greens and unique Oolongs at The Spice & Tea Exchange of Duck. Their spice blends and salt teas (think smoked and infused varieties) are the ideal companions for home cooks. The gift crates provide a well-balanced selection of items, ideal to take home to sample the best of the store. You will likely be tempted to keep one for yourself rather than part with it, even if it is for a loved one!
The Spice & Tea Exchange of Duck
Address: Scarborough Lane Shoppes, 1171 Duck Rd D-4, Duck
Website: The Spice & Tea Exchange of Duck
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 8pm; Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
15. Rejuvenate your mind and body at The Spa at Sanderling Resort
Visit the award-winning spa at Sanderling for a complete wind-down time and relaxation after days spent running on the beach and exploring the surrounding area. For true holiday relaxation, experience both physical and mental rejuvenation at the Spa. Here you can choose from an array of massages, body and facial treatments. From seasonal specials to group offerings and packages, make your day at the Spa count when you visit the Sanderling Resort.
The Spa at Sanderling Resort
Address: 1461 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949
Website: The Spa at Sanderling Resort
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
Visit the family-friendly town of Duck
The small town of Duck offers plenty of charm and variety for your whole family. From water sports and outdoor activities to the theatre and children’s entertainment options to the highest quality seafood and restaurants, Duck serves as your next family holiday for its spectacular views and charisma.
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