Shopping - Nags Head
Shop Nags Head for a variety of treasures from handcrafted jewelry and surfboards to designer dresses and original Disney animation art.
Take home a souvenir T-shirt, seashell, lighthouse or hermit crab. Stock up on beach towels, boogie boards and other beach supplies.
Visit the antique mall at Central Square or shop outlet heaven at Tanger Outlet Mall. Specialty stores feature everything from Christmas wares and antique decoys to baby, boating, birding and angling essentials. You can find a variety of gifts in multi-room shops or nestled in restaurant, gallery or recreation hot spots. From fresh seafood catches at the market to oceans of swimsuit selections, Nags Head offers quality goods and services to enhance your daily, weekly or lifetime stay.
Remember that locals call Croatan Highway—aka U.S. Highway 158—The Bypass, and they refer to Virginia Dare Trail—aka N.C. Highway 12—as the Beach Road. Those simple names are just easier to remember!
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
- N.C. Highway 12, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Road
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-6301
Located at the southernmost end of Bodie Island (south of Nags Head), the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center store is filled with apparel, recreational gear and food such as hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, snacks, drinks and candy. Shop here for souvenir hats and T-shirts plus fishing rods, bait, tackle, beer, books, sundries, ice and more. Numerous offshore boats are docked here and it is a treat is to visit around 4 p.m. to watch these vessels come in and unload their deep-sea catches of the day. The Fishing Center books offshore, near-shore and inshore fishing trips as well as head boat trips on the Miss Oregon Inlet.
Outer Banks Bear Factory
- 3941 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-2340
Kids will have a lot of fun at this store where they get to design their own stuffed animal. First, they pick out an animal, from alligators to white tigers and, of course, bears. Then they get to stuff it, dress it and accessorize it. They give their critter a check up and, last but not least, a name. Ta-da! An instant new friend. If you’re looking for an unusual birthday party or celebration idea, Outer Banks Bear Factory does parties.
Outer Banks Boarding Co.
- 103 E. Morning View Place and The Bypass, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-1939
Outer Banks Boarding Co. is a boarder’s paradise with a friendly and knowledgeable staff and a great selection of equipment for surfing, body-boarding and snow, skate and skim-boarding. They rent wetsuits and surfboards of all kinds that are suitable for all skill levels — from the novice soft-top longboard to the board for the seasoned pro looking for the newest in surfboard technology. NSSIA-certified surf instruction and coaching is offered with owner Robert Farmer, owner/shaper Lynn Shell and pro surfers and team riders Jesse Hines and Noah Snyder. Follow them on Twitter to get their first-on-the-beach surf report every day. They pride themselves on providing great customer service here. They’ll even let you demo a surfboard, and if you buy it the cost of the rental is applied to the purchase.
Outer Banks Computers & Music
- 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-3002
Outer Banks Computers and Music sells new and used computers and offers computer services such as virus and Spyware removal. This is also a place to buy new and vintage instruments, and you can schedule guitar, mandolin, bass and violin lessons as well. They also repair instruments. If you are planning a wedding or other special event, talk to them about booking a DJ, solo artist or band. They also rent sound systems should you need one.
Outer Banks Furniture
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-9200
Outer Banks Furniture is one of the largest showrooms on the beach, catering to the rental market as well as to a local clientele. They offer a wide selection of furniture, rugs, window treatments, bedding and accessories. Free delivery is available on the Outer Banks, as is free design consultation. Out-of-state shipping is also available.
Perfect Image Hair Salon
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-2700
Perfect Image is a full-service hair salon offering cuts, color and highlights, perms, styling and updo’s for special events.
Polo Ralph Lauren
- 7100 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-0661
Polo offers men’s, women’s and children’s casual and sporty clothing as well as beach towels and bed linens.
Professional Opticians
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-6353
Professional Opticians tends to all your eyewear needs, offering designer frames and name-brand sunglasses like Ray Ban, Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim.
Rack Room Shoes
- 7100 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-9288
Here you’ll find name brand athletic, casual and dress shoes for the entire family.
Rock-A-Bye Baby
- 4711 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-2297
Here’s a great place to do some one-stop shopping for all your baby and child needs. They have new and like-new clothing, toys, furniture, equipment and accessories plus bathing suits, sunglasses, a huge selection of Melissa and Doug toys, pictures, smocked clothing, sun tents, hair bows galore and more. Baby equipment rentals are also available.
Sally Huss Gallery — Inspirations
- 300 E. Driftwood Street
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-8098, (877) 717-8098
There’s a reason why they call themselves “the happiest store on the beach!” You’ll find yourself smiling as you view the large selection of bags, wall art, jewelry and other items displaying the bright, colorful work of California artist Sally Huss. Everyday objects such as piggy banks, mirrors, clocks, wine racks and corkscrews have a fun, artistic flair added to them. The shop also has whimsical pottery made by local artists, stained- and fused-glass items, garden decorations and area rugs. Be sure to check out the collegiate section and their unique children’s items.
Salty Paws Biscuits
- 3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-2284
Salty Paws specializes in all-natural, fresh-baked pet treats.They also offer a large array of pet toys, decorative collars, pet safety items and gifts for the pet lover. They even have pet sitter contacts! Dogs are more than welcome in the store to shop along with you (and are also allowed in the other non-food stores in the shopping center).
Scammell’s Corner Surf Shop & Ice Cream Parlor
- 6406 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 15.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 715-1727
Here’s a new surf shop in town that feels like it’s been here forever. Family-owned and operated, they have custom boards hand-shaped by Tom Neilson, plus custom board fins, and they also rent boards and do surf lessons. Not a surfer but love the waves? You’ll find boogie boards and skim boards too. They sell clothing and swimsuits from Lucy Love, Body Glove and Synergy. You’ll find great handmade Island sandals from Hawaii, teak tables and chairs, tie-dye items, custom-designed T-shirts, Himalyan rock salt lamps and lots of gifts for all your friends back home. Did we mention the ice cream? Try 48 amazing hand-dipped flavors in cups, cones, sundaes, banana splits, shakes or floats. They even make their own rootbeer.
Scoops Ice Cream
- 3941 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4485
Sweet tooth acting up? Or do you need something more substantial? Turn in here to fill your hunger spot and devour deli sandwiches, snacks and homemade ice cream, or take home an ice cream cake.
Sears
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-2064
A modest-sized outpost of the national Sears chain, this store displays name-brand appliances, home-entertainment systems, and garden and lawn care equipment.
Seaside Art Gallery
- 2716 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-5418
Art lovers and collectors must stop in Seaside and wander through the 13 rooms of incredible fine art and other treasures. The Smith family opened the gallery in 1961 and still operates Seaside today in its original location. The gallery showcases 2,000 original works by local and world-renowned artists, including original work from masters such as Picasso and Rembrandt as well as coastal paintings, fine art prints, sculpture, pottery, porcelains, Mexican silver jewelry, Hummel figurines and animation art by Disney and Warner Brothers. The owner is a fine art and animation art accredited appraiser. Seaside also has a fine estate jewelry collection. Seaside hosts several exciting art shows annually, including the International Miniature Art Show and artist demonstration shows.
Secret Spot Surf Shop
- 2815 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4030
Outfit yourself to surf, skate or sun. This shop is an old-time favorite offering custom-made Secret Spot surfboards as well as used boards, boogie boards and more. Check out the retro collection of surfboards on the ceiling. You also can rent a board or get a surf report, and lessons are available. The whole family can shop for summer apparel, including bathing suits, shoes, shorts and Secret Spot T-shirts. They specialize in stuff for babies and kids, so if you have little ones, this is your place. Other cool findings include the selection of summer dresses for women and girls, the collection of tropical gifts and surf art and their killer selection of sunglasses.
Shear Genius Salon
- 2510 S. Croatan Highway,The Bypass, MP 10
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-1119
Shear Genius Salon moved to a new location last year, just a bit up the road from their previous place. They have more than 31 years of service in the community and are dedicated to improving and enhancing your image by providing holistic products and programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. They offer the finest in hair, skin and body care treatments in balance with nature. You can find AVEDA, M’lis and Jane Iredale mineral skin care and makeup here.
Shipwreck
- 7746 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-5739
The Shipwreck is one of those old-time treasures of a shop that’s been around for decades. Out front you’ll see an old boat filled with driftwood, and inside there’s bin after bin of shells along with nautical gifts and shell jewelry. Come here for a friendly chat, too, with Outer Banks natives Joyce and Joanne.
Something Fishy
- 2506 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-9660
This fun, colorful shop features dozens of local and regional artists contributing “fishy” jewelry, gifts, custom beach-themed signs for family homes, and many handcrafted home accents. They have recently expanded to offer a larger selection of home decor items like rugs, pillows and kitchen linens, all in bright island colors and prints, as well as a new garden accent selection with statuary and fountains. They also have fishy wall decorations, tropical beachwear and straw hats.
Sound Feet Shoes
- 4711 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-8954
For more than 20 years Sound Feet has been the Outer Banks’ premier shoe store with comfort brands like Naot, Birkenstock, Uggs, MBT, Crocs, Merrell, Keen, Dansko, Sperry, Mephisto, Ecco and Toms. They carry a large selection of sandals from Reef, Rainbow, Teva, Sanuk, Chaco and Olukai. They also have the major brands of athletic and skate shoes. The whole family can find shoes here, and the staff is well-trained to help you get the perfect fit.
Southern Soldier Antiques
- 2910 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 715-0144
Don’t let the name fool you, this antiques store is full of much more than war memorabilia! With everything from shipwreck coins, Civil War relics, authentic Baltic amber jewelry, stained glass, art, vintage clothing, collectible glassware, a wide selection of 18th- and 19th-century furniture, decor and so much more, you’ll feel like you’re in a museum where you can buy the displays. Created by a young family with a good eye for that special piece, this shop is a must see for the antiques buff and fun for the whole family.
Souvenir City
- 6900 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-7452
Plenty of fun beach stuff is found here, including hermit crabs, T-shirts, chimes, candles, beach towels, lighthouse memorabilia and fireworks.
SSR Music
- 4711 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-0048
Located within Radio Shack, this is a great CD store that offers a wide variety of musical styles. They also carry vinyl records and they’ll do special orders.
Sugar Shack
- 7340 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-3888
Sugar Shack is located right next to Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant. This is the place to pick up the freshest seafood around. Choose from steamed seafood like shrimp, lobster and king crab legs, or pick up a steamer bucket with a variety of steamed seafood. You can also eat here — the fresh fish sandwiches and boats (including Shack chips and slaw) they make here are some of the best we’ve ever eaten anywhere! Everything is cooked to order. You can dine inside or out, and either way you’ll have a fantastic view of the sound. They also stock beer. The Sugar Shack is a great way to feed a crowd at home, and they deliver within a 6-mile radius.
