Shopping

Austin Fish Company

• 3711 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7412

Austin’s features a variety of seafood including crab meat, shrimp, oysters, clams, fish, scallops, crabs, live lobsters, lobster tails and snow crab legs. They’ll steam your shrimp and crabs for you, and they’ll also vacuum pack, freeze and ship your catch. This year Nags Head Produce built a new farm stand adjacent to Austin’s and is offering fresh, local, seasonal produce. While Austin’s was already worth the trip, this addition makes them an easy one-stop shopping destination for dinner!

Awful Arthur’s Beach Shop

• 2100 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 6
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 449-2220

Located next door to the world famous Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, you can buy Awful Arthur’s T-shirts, sweatshirts and beachwear here as well as great gifts for friends back home. They have everything you need for the beach like chairs, umbrellas, books and more. At the beach shop you can pick up grocery and convenience items, beer and wine.

B&B Antiques

• 3810 N. Croatan Highway, Buccaneer Walk Shops, The Bypass, MP 4.5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 333-5501

Betsy and Brewster have a great little antique store filled with an eclectic collection of antiques, furniture, objects d’art and other interesting items—like their stuffed peacock. Ladies, direct your hubby to the “man-cave” where he can hunt for bar paraphernalia, old tools, hunting collectibles and books. They also have wonderful Navajo turquoise and coral jewelry set in sterling, costume jewelry, rugs, glassware, Mexican pottery, glass net floats and a collection of local art, prints and oil paintings.

Bailey’s Ice Cream Parlor

• 5330 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-1050

Bailey’s serves both hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream. This is a refreshing stop on a hot summer day. Try one of their specialty sundaes or pick up an ice cream cake.

Beach Beer & Wine

• 1006 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-6048, (800) 635-2764

Beer, wine, sunscreen, T-shirts, beach toys and any of those other things you may need – it’s all here. They’re located right across from the public beach access and next to Just for the Beach Rentals.

Beach Braids

• 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 13
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-6970

Get the ultimate vacation souvenir with a colorful hairwrap, some cornrows or a temporary tattoo. Beach Braids is the only Outer Banks shop offering natural henna tattoos in addition to black henna tattoos. Natural henna is a reddish-brown color instead of black. Beach Braids has a Mendhi artist on staff, and they also offer “Hollywood” tattoos with a wide range of designs. This store also sells custom, handmade jewelry. Beach Braids is professional and organized with skilled staff and a comfortable waiting area. Appointments or walk-ins are accepted, and large groups can easily be accommodated. This business is open in the spring and summer season only. They also have a studios in Duck and Corolla.

Beach Memories

• 2236 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7277

Shop here for all your scrapbook supplies. Scrapbooking is a great way to archive your memories by displaying photos and memorabilia. Beach Memories has scrapbook pages for all occasions like weddings, birthdays and of course vacations. She also carries specialty items for attractions on the Outer Banks such as the lighthouses, aquarium, The Lost Colony, the Wright Brothers and more.

Beach Soul and Hairwraps

• 3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 449-9066

With some of the coolest temporary tattoos and hair wraps on the beach, as well as lots of fun activities for kids of all ages, Beach Soul is a great stop during your vacation. They have a fun make-your-own sand art box that the boys really get into, and don’t miss their fun color changing T-shirts and nail polish – just add sun! They also have local art such as windchimes, photography, ceramics, jewelry and paintings as well as tank tops, visors and more.

Beach Waves Too Salon by the Sea

• 7531 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Caribbean Corners
• Nags Head
• (252) 480-9992

Beach Waves Too is a full-service hair salon with a great view of the sound. Call for an appointment.

Bear Drugs

• 4711 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-1252

Bear Drugs is a locally owned compounding drugstore. The pharmacists are helpful, and they stock diabetic and home healthcare supplies.

Bear Drugs

• 4200 Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 2.5, Connected to Regional Medical Center
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-7999

Bear Drugs is a locally owned compounding drugstore. The pharmacists are helpful, and they stock diabetic and home healthcare supplies.

Belk

• 1732 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 7
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 480-2355

The Belk department store offers clothing, swimwear, shoes and accessories for the whole family. In the summer the swimsuit selection is huge, and year round Belk offers great sales. They also have a house wares department and cosmetics counters.

Bellalago Salon

• 5400 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 1
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 255-0635

In association with Top Nails, this is a full service salon offering everything from haircuts and color to massage. They also offer bed tanning and Mystic spray tan.

Ben Franklin

• 2117 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7571

Ben Franklin is a great stop for beach items such as floats, towels, boogie boards, hats and sandals. You can pick up souvenirs and sundries and browse a host of attractive swimsuits and beach dresses for women. There also are swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts and pants for the whole family.

Beyond the Beach

• 5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1.5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 255-1100

Located just over the bridge on the beach road, this is the sister store to Beach Bums in Currituck. Offering fun and funky art and home décor items, from witty cocktail napkins to serving pieces, this is a fun and colorful place to explore. Plus she offers unique jewelry, has beautiful candles and much more. 

Big Eye Seafood

• 3213 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-5755

Big Eye Seafood brings fresh Outer Banks seafood directly to you. Pick up local shrimp, scallops, tuna, flounder, mahi-mahi and hard shell and soft shells crabs in season. They have everything you need to prepare a delicious seafood dinner as well as lots of take-out items like sandwiches, dolphin boats and home-made crabcakes with hand-picked jumbo lump and back fin crab meat served with a cool lime sauce. A favorite item is their tuna sandwich done either grilled, jerk or blackened with wasabi mayonnaise. Everything here is handmade and local. Try their homemade remoullade sauce (or any of their others). They’re so good. Call ahead so they have it ready when you are!

Billy’s Seafood

• 1341 Colington Road
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-5978

At Billy’s Seafood they stock plenty of fresh local seafood, so pick some up to prepare your own feast at home tonight. They’re a great stop for fresh local soft-shell crabs in season and they also have convenience items, seasonings, beer and wine.

Birthday Suits

• 2000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-5338

In business for more than 25 years on the Outer Banks, Birthday Suits is a favorite for swimwear — in fact, it’s been voted Best on the Beach for swimsuits for many years in local polls. For kids, there’s everything from swim diapers and toddler suits to board shorts and competition swimwear. Men will find surf trunks, board shorts and briefs from sizes 28 to XX large. For women, there are mix-and-match separates, bra-sized swimwear and long-torso, maternity and mastectomy suits, all in the coolest styles. Birthday Suits carries designer and California surf brands, sun-protective rash guards for kids and adults, clothing and beach-inspired accessories like sunglasses, flip-flops, hats, jewelry and purses. Love the OBX logo? You’ll find all kinds of OBX brand accessories and clothing here. Note that this shop is currently under reconstruction following a fire last fall, but they’ll be open by July 1, so keep your eye out!

Black Tie Affair

• 3105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 449-4889

Black Tie Affair is a unique boutique offering dresses for all occasions, fashion accessories, tuxedos and a wide selection of traditional and unique invitations, gifts, favors and more.

Brew Thru—Kill Devil Hills

• 3101 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-9190

Brew Thru, the original drive-thru convenience stores, has become an Outer Banks tradition over the past 30 years. Their Kill Devil Hills location at milepost 5.5 offers ice-cold beer, wine, beverages, snacks, gas and much more!  A vacation to the Outer Banks would not be complete without one of their legendary annual T-Shirts. Having sold more than 3 million shirts since 1977, the Brew Thru T-shirt is the #1 selling souvenir on the beach.

In 2006, Brew Thru introduced its first walk-in location. The Brew Thru Outlet is located next to this Kill Devil Hills drive-thru and features all of their past vintage T-shirt designs dating back to 1977, a wide variety of cigars and tons of Brew Thru memorabilia. The Brew Thru Outlet lets customers really shop and explore and is perfect for the beer and Brew Thru enthusiasts.

Brew Thru—Kitty Hawk

• 4728 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 2
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-3948

Brew Thru, the original drive-thru convenience store, has become an Outer Banks tradition over the past 30 years. They offer ice-cold beer, wine, beverages, snacks and much more! A vacation to the Outer Banks would not be complete without one of their legendary annual T-shirts. Having sold more than 3 million shirts since 1977, the Brew Thru T-shirt is a collectible and is the #1 selling souvenir on the beach.

Brew Thru—Nags Head (2 locations)

• 3700 S. Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road) and 2203 S. Croatan Highway (The Bypass), MP 10 & 13
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-5108 and (252) 480-2739

The original drive-through beverage store has been on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years and has become a tradition for visitors and locals alike. The Nags Head locations offer ice-cold beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks and much more. Almost bigger than their fun reputation are their world-famous T-shirts—they’ve sold so many (more than 3 million since 1977) that they now create annual editions that are considered collectibles. Check out Ebay if you think we’re kidding! Stop in and get your own! It’s the #1 selling souvenir on the beach.

Cahoon’s

• 7213 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-5358

This vintage, family-owned grocery store offers fresh meats, a great selection of fine wines and a variety of groceries. They have gourmet cheeses and pates, homegrown vegetables, herbs, spices, sauces and marinades. And, while you’re here, pick up all the fishing tackle you need. They really have it all!

Carawan Seafood

• 5424 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 1
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-2120

Carawan Seafood is family owned and operated and has been supplying fresh seafood to Outer Banks locals and visitors for more than 25 years. They specialize in local seafood, like North Carolina shrimp, fresh crabmeat and many varieties of locally caught fish. They also have lobster and king, snow and Dungeness crab. You’ll find a big selection of wine and beer. Skip the grocery stores if they’re packed with people and pick up everything you need here: marinades, organic veggies, herbs and fresh breads. You’ll even find already-prepared soups, pies and cakes. Check out the gift shop for nautical and Southwestern gifts and locally made jewelry. Carawan Seafood is open year round.

Central Garden Center & Nursery

• 6285 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 1/4,
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-7195

Central Garden Center is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the beach for more than 40 years. They offer plants for all seasons and are very knowledgeable about those that are best suited to the harsh beach environment. You’ll also find beach grasses, some tropical plants and mulch. Pick out a piece of driftwood from their collection to bring a little of the beach to your garden back home. They also have concrete statuary, and they offer landscaping services.