Recreation

Barrier Island Fitness Center

• 1 Cypress Knee Trail, MP 1
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-0100

Barrier Island Fitness Center is a first-class facility in a tranquil setting in the woods of Kitty Hawk. They offer day and week-long passes. Enjoy the indoor pool and relax in the hot tub or sauna post-workout. The fitness room has free weights and cardio equipment. They offer aerobics classes. Tanning and massage services are available for a fee.

Beach Driving

A favorite local activity is cruising the beach when the season allows. In Nags Head, you can take to the sand with your wheels October 1 through April 30. But first you have to get a permit at the town hall. Call (252) 441-5508 for fees.

The suggested speed limit is 15 miles per hour. Enter only at designated ramps. Keep an eye peeled for beachgoers, especially kids and pets who tend to stray! Bear in mind that the wind and water can make a ruckus and impair your hearing and that of pedestrians. Folks also get groggy sunbathing.

Think normal road rules: Pass on the left, keep to the right and yield the right of way to pedestrians. Vehicles and drivers must be street legal — this includes wearing seat belts. If you are in the back of a truck, remain seated in the bed only. Jeep passengers have to remain seated as well. Open alcohol containers are not allowed.

Prepare your tires for the adventure by letting out the appropriate amount of air (and making sure you add it back when you leave the beach!). Pull out of the access way and deflate your tires leaving 20 pounds of pressure. While on the beach keep to the firm, wet section below the high tide line following in already-made tracks. Watch out for shelly, red sand and depressions with standing water. Always stay clear of dunes, and keep a look out for prohibited areas such as nesting sites. Remember to drive behind those folks who are surf fishing!

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 tans.

Biking & Skating

• Nags Head

Bicyclists and skaters are a common site trekking along the town’s multiuse path, which runs along the Beach Road from Eighth Street (KDH/NH line) to MP 21 (Old Oregon Inlet Road in South Nags Head). The path is for walking, jogging, bicycling and skating. The town designates this path as a tow-away, no parking zone for non-motorized activity only. Visitors can bring their own bikes and skates or rent them while here along with necessary safety helmets. State law requires that helmets be worn by those younger than 16 (including passengers) while riding on public roads or right-of-ways. It’s important to keep on the designated path and not navigate on the Beach Road or the Bypass. Those roads are just too busy, and in the case of the Beach Road, too narrow to be safe — especially for children. There are plenty of side roads to navigate, but watch out for sightseers, blowing sand that can thwart your vision and sandy patches that can cause you to skid. Ride on the right side of the road in single file only. Cross at stoplights, and don’t forget your hand signals. One rider per bike is a good rule of thumb. Night riding is not recommended, but if it’s necessary, use a front-lighted white lamp and rear red reflector. The Town of Nags Head requests that folks using in-line skates, roller-skates or skate boards confine their use to the multiuse path only.

Biking & Skating

• Throughout Kitty Hawk
• Kitty Hawk
• No phone

Kitty Hawk is an excellent town for biking. Along the Woods Road and Kitty Hawk Road you’ll find the Pruitt Multi-Use Trail, a paved path that is separate from the roadway and is ideal for biking, walking or rollerblading. To extend your ride into neighboring Kill Devil Hills, turn off of Kitty Hawk Road onto Moore Shore Road to connect to Bay Drive, a quiet road that follows the sound through a mostly residential neighborhood. Visitors can bring their own bikes or rent them while here along with necessary safety helmets. The state law requires that helmets be worn by those younger than 16 (including passengers) while riding on public roads or right-of-ways.

Birding

• Locations throughout Nags Head
• Nags Head
• No phone

Outer Banks is often referred to as a birder’s paradise. Within the town of Nags Head there are good areas for birding, such as Nags Head Woods and Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Both sites have information available on the types of birds you’re likely to see. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, an excellent spot for birding, is a short drive away.

Wings over Water is an annual festival, held in November, that is devoted to the natural side of the Outer Banks. It’s a fun and educational event, with nature-oriented field trips, seminars and kayak excursions. You can call (252) 216-WING for more information.

Blackbeard’s Golf

• 6714 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-4541

At Blackbeard’s Golf you can play 18 holes of mini-golf across streams and by the waterfall. The course is located right behind the Dairy Queen.

Bushin Kan Karate

• 5118 Lindbergh Avenue, MP 1.5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-6636

Keith Seal has created a family dojo that offers training in the martial arts as a way of life, encompassing tradition, self-discipline, physical fitness and the search for spiritual enlightenment. In addition to the traditional karate training, this dojo offers an awesome adult conditioning class as well.

Cavalier Surf Shop

• 4324 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7349

One of the oldest surf shops on the Outer Banks, Cavalier is a family-run operation and known for providing good customer service in sales and rentals. You can buy or rent hard or soft-top surfboards, bodyboards, skimboards and wetsuits. They also offer private or group surfing lessons. Lessons last either one or two hours, include surfboard rental and focus on safety and surfing etiquette. They are a great way to get started if you’ve never surfed or an opportunity for more experienced surfers to hone specific skills. In the shop, you’ll find lots of surf and sport clothing and accessories for boys, men and women.

Children at Play, Inc.

• 3809 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-0290

This unique children’s museum was founded on the idea that the Outer Banks could use an additional place for children to explore, learn and use their natural creativity through play. They work to develop young children’s levels of physical fitness, health and creativity through hands-on learning activities that stimulate intellectual growth and curiosity. The interactive exhibits have Outer Banks themes and include a lighthouse, submarine and an aviation exhibit. They also have the “Ace Wonder Wall” with latches, switches and plumbing that kids can flip, ring, pull and build on. The Central American Market exhibit brings some bilingual cultural awareness to the youngsters. During the off-season they have Science Thursdays that include hands-on learning experiences that teach about such things as digestion, paleontology and the water cycle. This year they also made worm habitats and watched caterpillars turn into butterflies. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cloud Nine

• 3022 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP11.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-2992

Colorful and creative, Cloud Nine is a happening stop these days for shoppers and artisans and has been for more than 20 years. Buy beads to create your own jewelry, or bring in a piece of beach glass or a found treasure and they’ll create it for you. The owner, Ginny, is a talented jewelry artist who shares her knowledge and provides lots of helpful info. Ask about their jewelry-making workshops. The shop is recently expanded to offer more beads, worktables and finished jewelry plus books and tools for the aspiring designer. Choose from a selection of gold and silver jewelry and other beaded delights, apparel, incense, body oils and around the world finds. They carry a great selection of local artwork, and Ginny can tell you a bit about each artist.

Coastal Edge

• 1600 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9.5
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 449-5560

In the summer, you can rent surfboards at Coastal Edge Surf Shop. The shop also sells surf, skim, skate and bodyboards.

Coastal Kayak Touring Company, North Beach Outfitters

• 1240 Duck Road, Waterfront Shops, Duck
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-6262, (252) 441-3393

You haven’t seen the Outer Banks until you’ve seen it from the water, and Coastal Kayak can take you there. They offer trips to four different areas of the Outer Banks: Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary (between Corolla and Duck), Kitty Hawk Woods, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on Hatteras Island and the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on the Dare County mainland. The Kitty Hawk Woods trip is the closest to the Nags Head area. Tours last two to three hours. The guides offer kayaking instruction if you need it, plus they narrate about the local history and ecology along the way. Single and tandem kayaks are available. Children are welcome as long they are at least 30 pounds, but certain trips are better for kids than others. Reservations are required.

Colington Speedway

• 1064 Colington Road
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 480-9144

Colington Speedway is fast-paced fun. They have three tracks and a variety of go-carts, including the new open-style Scorpion Cart and Kiddie Carts for the younger set. Colington Speedway is open at noon starting mid-June to Labor Day.

CrossFit Outer Banks & Outer Banks Weightlifting

• 906 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
• (252) 202-4839, (252) 202-1878

If you’re serious about fitness, this is your place. This gym, on the Bypass in Kill Devil Hills, is home to Kettlebellers and CrossFitters, some of whom compete nationally. Of course, not everyone who calls this gym home competes like this, but there is a consistent theme of giving your all to your overall health, including what you eat, how hard you work out and how positive you keep your attitude. You’ll find CrossFit and cardio equipment here along with strength-training machines and free weights. CrossFit Outer Banks offers a variety of classes from beginner to advanced and Kid’s Fit as well. If you do any of these workouts consistently, you’ll be in the best shape of your life. A variety of Certified Personal Trainers are also available for private and group sessions to help you reach any goals. Walk-ins are welcome at this gym, and they offer day and week passes.

Dock of the Bay Marina

• 4200 Bob Perry Road
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 255-5578

Dock of the Bay is a fuel dock and ships store. They have all your boating excursion needs covered with fuel, bait and tackle, wine and beer, snacks, ice and more. They are located at the end of Bob Perry Road, close to the public boat launch.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

• 1818 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 6.5
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 480-1838

Enterprise Rent-A-Car provides cars of several sizes for rent, including open-air Jeeps.

Even Keel Massage Therapy

• 3022 S. Croatan Highway, Pirate’s Quay, The Bypass, MP 11
• Nags Head
• (252) 480-3581

This team of state and nationally certified massage therapists specializes in therapeutic and medical massage techniques including myofacial release for relaxation, injury recovery and pain management. Feel free to call them for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Family Recreation Park

• 602 S. Mustian Street
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-9199

The County Family Recreation Park is located on Mustian Street. To get there, turn west off the Bypass onto Colington Road, then turn left onto Mustian Street. The park is located beside the Kill Devil Hills Water Plant. There are fields for playing baseball, softball and soccer, tennis courts, a playground and a rec center with indoor courts, game rooms, exercise rooms and space for classes.

Farmdog Surf School

• 2713 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
• Nags Head
• 252) 441-1939

Farmdog Surf School at Outer Banks Boarding Company is the place to get NSSIA-certified surf instruction and coaching. Certified instructors include owner Robert Farmer, Lynn Shell, Jamie Baittinger, Whitney Hines and pro-surfers and team riders Jesse Hines and Noah Snyder. They are all stoked to give surf instruction to anyone excited to learn. Typical lessons for beginners include learning the lingo, safety and surf etiquette, stance, wave dynamics, paddling, catching and riding. Easy, right? Whether kids and adults looking to learn the basics or more experienced surfers are looking for help on technique, form and stunts, the Farmdog team is on it! They provide the boards and gear you need to get started, with private and group lessons available. Their website is packed with good information, rates and videos. Go sign up and have fun!

Fishing Unlimited

• Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-5028

You can cruise the waterways in one of the 23-foot pontoon boats and 16-foot skiffs that are rented here at Fishing Unlimited’s causeway location. If you are in the mood to wet a line, you can crab or fish in the sound from Fishing Unlimited’s 600-foot pier in South Nags Head (see the Fishing section).

Galaxy Golf

• 2914 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 11
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-5875

This space-themed mini-golf course includes 36 lighted holes. Aliens younger than 4 with a paying adult play free at this one-stop intergalactic hop.

Hairoics

• 1314 S Croatan Highway, MP 9
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-7983‎

Hairoics opened the doors of their new location in Kill Devil Hills last summer to the loud applause of the community. With a loyal following since 1990 they have many of the top-rated stylists, nail techs, estheticians and massage therapists on the beach and believe in taking care of the individual needs of their clients creatively. If you’re feeling the need for some pampering, book yourself a spa day with manicure, pedicure, facial, massage and cut and color or any combination of those services. Enjoy a day with your girlfriends or plan to have your wedding morning bridal party hair and makeup done here. They also have a great boutique filled with products for hair, bath and body.

His Dream Center

• 205 E. Baltic Avenue
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-1155

This Christian life center offers a variety of services and recreation including live drama during the summer in their 250-seat auditorium. Friday nights feature Christian family movies followed by a coffeehouse with live music and snacks for purchase. Once a month enjoy karaoke. Browse their on-site Christian bookstore for bestselling books and a wide variety of CDs, DVDs and gifts. The First Flight Church Assembly of God service is held on Sunday. Rental space is available to the public for weddings and community activities.

Integration Massage & Bodywork

• 5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, MP 2
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 256-0137

Whether it’s from a job, finances or family life, stress takes a toll and causes muscles to tense up, jaws to clench and backs to ache. Massage and bodywork calms the nervous system, promotes circulation, eases muscle strains and constrictions causing pain and helps to still the racing thoughts that may cause muscles to tighten in the first place. Owner and therapist David Henderson has 11 years of experience working with the needs of a diverse clientele. He uses a combination of deep intuition, experience and training in the sciences of anatomy, physiology and bodywork. He offers an eclectic blend of styles including craniosacral therapy, lymph drainage, Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage. He has a team of male and female therapists that works with him. They work with couples, groups and even on your best canine friend! He has a beautiful treatment room at the Outer Banks Yoga studio in Kitty Hawk and also works out of the Outer Banks Sports Center in Nags Head. If you prefer, he or his team will travel to you.