Things to Do With Your Dog in the Outer Banks

There’s So Much for You and Your Pet to Do in Each OBX Town

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Planning to visit the Outer Banks with your pet? We have a wide selection of vacation homes that are pet-friendly to accommodate your four-legged family members. We also have the inside scoop on the best things to do on an OBX vacation with your dog.

Speaking of Scoops…

Dog Friendly Ice Cream Shops

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Dogs love ice cream too, and, luckily, there are many OBX ice cream shops that offer pup cups. Staying in Corolla? Get your dog a frosty treat at The Chill Spot.

Does your dog prefer froyo? Surfin’ Spoon in Nags Head has a variety of flavors and toppings that dogs, as well as their owners, will enjoy. For dogs that prefer their sweet treat warm, Duck Donuts has a bacon-topped donut available at their OBX locations in Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head.

dog eating ice cream
happy dog on beach

Bring Your Dog to the Beach

Dig holes! Roll in the sand! Swim in the ocean! Run, run, run! If your dog has never been to the beach, be prepared to witness pure happiness. The beach is a giant playground for your pet. During the summer heat, the sand can get hot enough to burn your pup’s paws, so taking your dog to the beach closer to sunrise or sunset are ideal times.

Pay attention to the surf conditions, as the waves can sometimes get a bit large for swimming for our furry friends. Always bring plenty of fresh drinking water to the beach for your dog. Be sure to fill in any holes that your dog digs. Leash laws vary on the beach in each OBX town. If you are staying on the 4×4 beaches, be aware of vehicles and horses on the beach when playing with your dog.

girl and dog surfing
Couple with dogs

Take Your Four-Legged Friend for a Stroll Around Town

Pet-friendly walking paths and trails can be found throughout the Outer Banks. Duck Town Park and Soundside Boardwalk offer pets and their owners the opportunity to explore the soundfront via boarded walkways over the sound. The walkways connect to many soundside businesses for easy access to shopping and dining. The boardwalk also connects to the park, which hosts many pet-friendly events on the lawn throughout the year.  

Corolla Village is a hidden gem of a place to walk your dog. Grab lunch at Corolla Village BBQ –  your dog will appreciate any BBQ bits that happen to fall to the ground. Stroll over to explore the grounds of Whalehead and the Currituck Lighthouse. Step out onto the gazebo over the sound at Whalehead to catch a famous OBX sunset.

Dogs at Duck Town Park

Enjoy Live Music

Duck Town Park isn’t the only place offering pet-friendly live music. It’s possible to take a walking tour of Duck with your dog and enjoy free live music at several stops.

Sweet T’s Coffee, Beer & Wine is a beverage mecca. Grab your favorite cold or hot drink and settle in among the live oak trees for some tunes.

Once your drink is empty, head next door to the Tap Shack, which is located in the yard behind Cravings Steak & Seafood. Live music happens every evening during the season (and many evenings during the shoulder seasons) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Tap Shack.

A short walk to the south will take you and your dog to the coolest backyard on the OBX at The Roadside Bar & Grill, offering live music with a laid-back vibe.

Go to Yappy Hour

Outer Barks in the Waterfront Shoppes in Duck offers a weekly “Yappy Hour” on Tuesdays. Hosted by The Blue Point’s Back Bar, our furry friends can enjoy special treats and crafts. Don’t forget to stop by Outer Barks while you are nearby for a wide selection of pet-friendly gifts.

See the Wild Horses

If you choose to vacation on the 4×4 beaches, you will probably encounter one or more of the Corolla Wild Horses at some point during your stay. Sometimes they stroll right through your vacation home’s yard, sometimes they are frolicking in the surf, and sometimes they are a bit more elusive. We love seeing pictures of dogs curiously looking at the horses(keep ‘em coming!).

There are so many things for you and your pet to do no matter what town in the OBX you are staying, from Corolla to Duck to South Nags Head. We have over 300 pet-friendly homes, all up and down the northern Outer Banks. Browse our pet-friendly homes and start planning your vacation today!

Beach dogs on walkway
Twiddy & Company

Twiddy & Company

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