Nags Head and Area Shopping Outer Banks NC

The Fudgery

3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5
Nags Head
(252) 480-0163

Your mouth will water as you watch handcrafted fudge being prepared on thick marble slabs. It’s tempting — bet you can’t resist!

The Glass Bead

3701 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5,
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-3600

With a huge selection of beads of every size, shape and color, this bead store is any jewelry-makers dream. It would be so easy to get lost in here for hours. If you don’t know what you’re doing but want to learn, they have formal lessons every Saturday and feature a variety of workshops all year, but their helpful staff will show you how to do something anytime you need help as well. They have a good selection of beading supplies like tools, findings and finishings as well as how-to and inspiration books. A nice big working table makes it a fun place to hang out and finish a project as well.

The Music Store

2200 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 6
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-8376

This music store is run by musicians and has been since 1987, so the service is helpful and informed. They have everything from new and used guitars to drum sets and amps. They also sell and rent band instruments. The Music Store carries all the best instrument manufacturers, and they can order items they don’t already have in stock. Stop here for music accessories like guitar strings, picks and drumsticks.

The Pink Pirate

7332 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 715-1414, (877) 353-PINK (7465)

Do you know a girlie girl…or are you one yourself? Then, this is your shop! Not your typical beach store, it’s filled with all things polka dotted and zebra striped. You’ll have lots of fun with all the cool tote bags and luggage (these bags really stand out at airport baggage claims!). They also have custom T-shirts, sunglasses and personalized jewelry and gifts. You won’t find hermit crabs to adopt, but pop in and you are sure to find some fun gifts and souvenirs to remember your vacation.

The Pit Surf Shop-Bar & Grill

1209 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-3128

The Pit Surf Shop is one of the friendliest shops around. They take special care when catering to beginning surfers, helping countless first timers tune into the board most suited to their age, physical condition, knowledge and experience. With a huge stock of boards ideal for learning to ride (whether you’re looking to rent or ready to buy), numerous experienced surf instructors and a full surf school on site, The Pit staff is ready to help you get started today. Veteran surf travelers and locals alike also turn to The Pit for high performance shapes, gear and accessories that are fine-tuned for local barrels or exotic surf travel destinations. But this surf shop is not just for surfers; it is also home to the shop-within-the-shop SkimCity, the largest retailer of skimboards, skim clothing, skim accessories and skim DVDs in the world. Skaters love the wide selection of street, park and longboard skateboards. Of course The Pit will also keep you looking cool, out of the water or in, by continually filling the shop with the hottest brands of surf culture and beyond, plus all of the accessories you are looking for like sunglasses, hats, wallets, purses and surf DVDs. They can even outfit your pad with beach-inspired home decor like candles and carved wall hangings that will remind you of the ocean. In a final twist that makes this shop like no other, The Pit also has a killer restaurant on site serving surf-inspired pizza, burgers and wraps that also hosts bands and DJs at night! See Restaurants.

The Summer House

3105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-0965

A bright and happy little shop, The Summer House moved to the beach this year from their location in Currituck. It’s a nostalgic place that does a beautiful job of mixing vintage home décor items with new ones that have that time-worn cottage look. You’ll find things for the garden, cute signs, cupboards, furniture and more. Items move fast as they’re so appealing, so stop by often. Shop owner Melody also offers some local artisan crafts such as jewelry and candles, and she also does stationery, invitation and note card printing on site.

The Sun Shack Bo-Tiki & Tanning Salon

3105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-2886

The Sun Shack is a tanning salon with a decidedly tropical feel offering traditional tanning beds and mist tanning (great for getting rid of tan lines for that strapless top). More than that, though, they also have a large retail space that is just filled with funky women’s clothing and dresses, PJs and T-shirts, and a killer selection of trendy New York-style hobo bags, tiki accessories, sandals, tropical drink mixes, bar gifts and cottage accents.

Tommy Hilfiger

7100 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass MP 16
Nags Head
(252) 441-4435

This is the all-American Tommy Hilfiger brand outlet store with clothing for men and women.

Top Nails

5400 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 1
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-1014

Show off your tan and your sandals with a manicure and pedicure from Top Nails.

Trading Post

305 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-3292

The Trading Post stocks anything and everything for the beach from bathing suits to beach supplies, chairs, umbrellas, lotion, shades, souvenirs and convenience items. It’s been a part of the Outer Banks scene for many a year.

Try My Nuts

710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-9022

This store is all about nuts, including gourmet roasted nuts, chocolate-covered nuts, honey-roasted nuts and others in all flavors and varieties. Try their white trash and dirty white trash concoctions: a mix of pretzels, crisp cereals and pecans covered in white and milk chocolate. Or try the wasabi-covered peanuts, which are especially tasty. They also sell chocolates and candy, an unbelievable assortment of hot sauces, grilling spices and meat rubs and drink mixes. Already-packaged gift boxes and baskets make great gifts. For the easily amused, there are humorous T-shirts and boxer shorts and creative packaging and labels. Check out their Duck and Corolla locations as well.

Van Heusen

7100 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass MP 16
Nags Head
(252) 441-8553

Van Heusen is known for their dress shirts, and you can find a large selection of both long and short sleeve shirts here as well as pants, belts and more at outlet prices.

Wal-Mart

5400 Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 1
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-6011

Surely you’re familiar with Wal-Mart. This is the only location on the Outer Banks.

Wave Riding Vehicles

4812 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 2.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-7952

Wave Riding Vehicles has been on the beach since 1980, and in that time their wave of porpoises logo has made their surfboards one of the most recognizable on the East Coast. The shop is huge, with equipment for all the board sports: surfing, bodyboarding, skimboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. They offer surfboard rentals and a full line of surfboard repairs. In clothing, WRV carries top name brands as well as plenty of unusual and hard-to-find labels. The women’s section in particular is full of boutique choices of clothing and accessories. They also have tons of swimwear for women, men and kids. In addition to this location in Kitty Hawk, they also have stores in Virginia Beach and Haleiwa, Hawaii.

West Marine

5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
Nags Head
(252) 441-1101

This full-service shop offers a comprehensive selection of everything you’ll need for fishing and boating. They also have outdoor apparel and sunglasses.

Whalebone Seafood

101 Gray Eagle Street and The Bypass, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-8808

Purchase in-season seafood at this locally owned market. Get crabs, steamed shrimp and more!

Whalebone Surf Shop

2214 South Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10
Nags Head
(252) 441-6747

Locally owned and operated since 1975, Whalebone has all the gear you need to outfit the whole family for the beach. They stock all the major surf brands with a large variety of sportswear, sandals and cool Whalebone logo tees. This is a great place to find a new swimsuit, with a full line of women’s suits and separates, children’s suits and tons of swim trunks for men. You’ll find all the sun protection you need with high-quality sunglasses and sunscreen. Before you hit the surf, head to Whalebone for the best boarding equipment; they sell surfboards made by the best shapers in the world as well as skimboards and bodyboards. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will help find the right board for you. Whalebone is open year round. See Recreation for more about surfing lessons and board rentals offered here.

Wilson’s Leather Outlet

7100 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-2266

Leather goods sold here include purses, briefcases, coats and wallets.

Yellowhouse Art Gallery

2902 S Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 11
Nags Head
(252) 441-6928

An Outer Banks icon for more than 40 years, this wonderful old cottage features a collection that fills eight rooms. Find local art prints and original paintings, local photography, antique maps and prints, original antique engravings, original Civil War prints, botanicals and nature prints and Outer Banks maps (modern and antique). Custom framing is available in the Annex.