Walking Guide to Historic Corolla Village

Historic Corolla Village is a charming area with a rich Outer Banks history. Located on the sound side of Route 12 in northern Corolla, just under a mile from where the paved road ends, Corolla Village includes well-known structures, such as the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club. Many smaller, lesser-known buildings have been restored and house local businesses. Each building has its own character and unique architecture. We invite you to take a stroll down Corolla Village Road, where you can meander and enjoy the coastal charm. Our Historic Corolla Village walking map covers the soundside area west of Route 12, extending from Historic Corolla Park to Persimmon Street.

Whalehead Club

Whalehead is a beautifully restored 1920s-era mansion set on 39 pristine acres along the Currituck Sound in Historic Corolla Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Whalehead was carefully restored to its original glory in 1992, as it appeared when the Knights first opened the doors as an extravagant hunting retreat in 1925.

Historic Corolla Park Playground

This amazing playground features coastal-themed play structures, including a large goose slide and a nautical playset. A pavilion is adjacent to the playground, making it easy to take a break from the sun or enjoy a picnic lunch.

Currituck Maritime Museum

This family-friendly museum spotlights several restored boats that have defined Currituck maritime history through the years. In addition to the physical boats on display, a powerful visitor experience is delivered through stunning photography, breathtaking videography, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and educational programs.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education invites you to explore coastal North Carolina’s wildlife, natural history, and cultural heritage. This educational facility features both indoor and outdoor attractions, special seasonal programs for visitors, and a wide range of exhibits within its 22,000-square-foot center in the heart of Corolla.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Since 1875, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse has kept mariners from danger, night and day. There are 220 steps leading to the top, and the lighthouse is open for climbing seasonally. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is the northernmost of the five lighthouses on the Outer Banks. Throughout the years, the Lighthouse’s Keepers have stories of their own that will be of interest to Outer Banks history buffs, visitors, and locals alike.

The Keepers’ House

The Keepers’ House has accommodated more than two dozen families, as their duties of “Lighthouse Keeper” were carried out. Identical Keepers’ Homes were built at three other light stations: Morris Island and Hunting Island in South Carolina, and Piedras Blancas in California. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse still has onsite lighthouse keepers, who live in the Keepers’ House and work on the lighthouse grounds.

The Lighthouse Museum Shop

The Little Lighthouse Keeper’s House at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse is a museum shop that delights anyone who loves lighthouses, and not just the one that lights the northern Outer Banks.

Photo taken by Gabriel Doncel.

Corolla Historic Boat House

No longer in use, this historic boathouse stands as a relic of Corolla’s earlier seafaring time. The boats once held in this building are now on display in the nearby Currituck Maritime Museum.

Coastal Explorations

Coastal Explorations is an outdoor touring company dedicated to providing adventure, education, and entertainment fueled by the resources in its own backyard. Rentals and tours include kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Corolla Schoolhouse

The old schoolhouse in Corolla was built in the late 1800s, closed in 1957, and then reopened for local children once again in 2012. Today, Water’s Edge Village School provides local education for K-8 students in its remote coastal community, a place rich in natural resources and environmentally-focused organizations.

Gard House

A fine example of traditional “Nags Head Style” vernacular, a striking contrast to the white clapboard cottages indigenous to Corolla Village. Built in Kill Devil Hills by the Gard family of Elizabeth City as a vacation retreat in 1936, the house was sold to the Twiddy family in 2000, who moved the home to its current location.

Austin House

This modest one-story house was originally a barracks house and workstation for the Navy. The house was later sold to Gene and Shirley Austin. Gene was a caretaker of the Whalehead Club and keeper of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse from 1964 to 1990. Today, it remains a private residence.

Spry Creek

Named after the creek just northwest of the shop, Spry Creek is owned by native Outer Banker Karen Scarborough Whitfield and her husband John, who converted Karen’s dad’s old garage into a fun and interesting boutique for gifts and accents for yourself, garden, and home.

Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station

Built in 1878, the Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station was one of eleven stations erected along the Outer Banks at the turn of the century. Life Saving Station #13 was located on the oceanfront in Kill Devil Hills to the east of what is now the Wright Brothers Memorial. Relying on the bravery of local volunteers, the Life Saving Service responded to the frequent shipwrecks off the coast. The station was purchased by the Twiddy family in 1986 and moved to its current location in Corolla, where it was restored.

Twiddy & Company

Founded in 1978, Twiddy & Company is the premier vacation rental and sales company on the Outer Banks. Today’s company is a campus-style collection of more than six professional offices that stretch from Duck to Corolla and a dozen historically preserved and active buildings. The company manages more than 1,100 beautiful vacation homes.

Corolla Village BBQ

Open during the summer season, this window-service nook offers classic BBQ plates, sandwiches, and homestyle sides. Picnic tables and a playground are located nearby.

Kind Cup Coffee & Art

Local art, coffee, goods, and crafts are just some of the wonderful items you can purchase inside this historic building. Built in the early 1900s and known fondly as “The Parker House,” the Parker family planted their roots in the heart of the Village and made this house their home.

Lighthouse Medical Care

Conveniently located in Historic Corolla Village, this facility offers treatment for a variety of complexities. This Corolla Village home was built in Outer Banks vernacular style.

Lorenz Fine Photography

Beach, family, and wedding portraits. Call (800) 646-5812 to schedule an appointment.

The Juice Jar

Corolla’s original juice bar, specializing in organic juices, smoothies, and açai bowls. This local favorite is open seasonally.

Island Bookstore

A small independent bookstore with a fantastic selection of reading material. The store is built on the former footprint of a general store. The two-story building is intended to replicate the building which inspired its design. Open nightly on Friday and Saturday for the Corolla Christmas Village event.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is committed to protecting, conserving, and responsibly managing the Corolla Wild Horses that live and roam on the northern Outer Banks. The Fund’s facility in Historic Corolla Village includes a museum with displays and a gift shop.

Corolla Chapel

The chapel was built in 1885 and served the Community until 1958. It was not used again until 1987 when a new congregation was established. In 2002, a large addition was built to accommodate the growing attendance. The interior of the new addition was built to resemble the style of the original section, and even replica pews were installed. Corolla Chapel is the only year-round Church in Corolla (Interdenominational).

Corolla Village Inn

Tucked into a quiet corner of Corolla Village, the inn offers nightly rentals on the Outer Banks. It welcomes travelers searching for a comfortable yet classic space, friendly staff, and an appreciation for attention to detail.

Corolla Beer Garden

Nestled under the shade of beautiful live oak trees, Corolla Beer Garden is a chill spot to hang out and enjoy a cold beer. Live music is on tap many afternoons and evenings during the summer months.

Corolla Convenience Plaza

This small complex offers Corolla Pizza & Deli, Corolla Scoops & Sweets, Corolla Convenience, Corolla Post Office, gas pumps, and Corolla Outback Horse Adventures.

Banana Dog Cafe

Situated in the parking area of the Wild Horse Inn, this cheerful coffee trailer offers espresso-based beverages, tasty signature drinks, refreshers, and more. Open seasonally.

Wild Horse Inn

This charming, family-friendly inn offers lodging, as well as a lounge and café. The backyard was furnished with lazy afternoons in mind.

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