Currituck’s Outer Banks and mainland are well known for beautiful beaches, majestic horses, and amazing sunsets. Here’s an insider tip you might not know, though: our many parks provide visitors with wildlife sightings, tranquility, and family opportunities not found on your run-of-the-mill vacation. Read on and learn why our parks are hidden gems worth discovering.
1. Perfect Places for Family Get-Togethers
When bringing the entire family on vacation to the The Northern Outer Banks, the Sound Park in southern Mainland Currituck is the perfect place for a day-trip or pit-stop. With pavilions and gazebos, it’s the ideal place for a casual picnic or even a family reunion. Complete with grills and restrooms, the convenience factor is high, right up there with the visual beauty. Located directly on the Currituck Sound, the Sound Park offers visitors a wide-open view of the water and wildlife, and features a paved walking trail as well as playgrounds with baseball and softball fields, a skate park and volleyball courts to keep children and adults of all ages happy and busy during a family day at the park.
2. Historic Adventure
If you’re looking for a little adventure and a taste of the history of the The Northern Outer Banks, look no further than the Historic Corolla Park. Open 365 days a year, the park features not one but THREE of the most popular attractions on the Currituck OBX: The Whalehead Club, The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
With a little something to do for everyone, the Historic Corolla Park is an adventure in itself for just about every member of the family. Explore the historic house museum at Historic Whalehead for a glimpse into the past and a taste of the style and lavish design of the early 1900’s, perfect for those interested in design, architecture, and history. Stop by the Wildlife Education Center with your children for a chance to learn about the coast’s wildlife, natural history and cultural heritage. And finally, explore the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, one of the Outer Banks’ five historic lighthouses, and if you come during the on-season, take advantage of the unique opportunity to climb the 214 stairs to the top for a panoramic view from sound to sea…a photographer’s paradise!
3. Found off the Beaten Path
Many The Northern Outer Banks and Mainland parks are tucked away, off the beaten path, for opportunities to get away from the hustle and bustle and relax and enjoy the company of your traveling companions. Take the ferry over to Knotts Island and enjoy the Knotts Island Ruritan Park, complete with a skate park, senior center, playground and a pavilion with grills and restrooms for a private picnic day convenient for the entire family.
Carova Beach Park, located in Corolla, not only boasts a large pavilion perfect for picnicking and grilling, but a volleyball pit, 2 horseshoe pits, and a 500-foot waterfront boardwalk, perfect for those warm summer month getaways.
Maple Park, on the Mainland, is tucked inland and features all of the amenities you would want in a family day park, including a fishing lake, a skate park, and walking trail.
4. A Breath of Fresh Air
While vacationing on the Currituck OBX, the Currituck County 4H Rural Center is an excellent place for a much-needed pit stop, or to simply unwind from the road trip. With convenient picnic pavilions, the CCRC provides visitors to the The Northern Outer Banks and Mainland a perfect place to break out the car snacks and packed meals and have an enjoyable meal together to break up the monotony of driving in a beautiful, serene sound front setting.
Located in the southern portion of Currituck Mainland, the CCRC also boasts a playground, kayak launch, fishing ponds and sporting fields. Be sure to swing in for a breath of fresh air, a stretch of the legs, and the perfect opportunity for the kids to expend some energy during your vacation to the Currituck OBX. For more information on the CCRC, click: here.
So during your next vacation to the The Northern Outer Banks, check out some of these parks and discover why these hidden gems could bring a day of fun, excitement, history and relaxation to your Currituck OBX getaway. You can find details on all The Northern Outer Banks and mainland parks here.
