The Beach Escape That’s Worth the Drive in Every Season

The wild horses of Corolla have roamed the dunes in North Carolina for centuries, but it’s not just the Mustangs that make this quiet stretch of coast so idyllic. Step onto the sand and the noise of everyday life disappears—save for the steady roll of waves against the shore.

And every season gives us reason to escape reality, right? Fall pulls us into busy school schedules, winter chills us to the bone, spring brims with possibility, and summer is when our favorite memories are made.

But more than the season, it’s the place that makes those moments unforgettable. The Northern Outer Banks is that place. With wild horses roaming Corolla’s beaches, snowy egrets and herons skimming the sound, and white sand stretching for miles (20 to be exact), the Northern Outer Banks’ natural beauty is why people keep coming back.

Fall

Autumn lovers, look no further. A gentle breeze drifts off Currituck Sound, the sun still warm on your face, but overhead the wild calls of snow geese signal the season’s change. Follow marsh-lined backroads and you’ll find yourself on Knotts Island, a quiet birding haven accessible only by ferry, where migratory flocks stop to rest along the Atlantic Flyway.

If you’d like to spend the day chasing a different type of birdie, head to one of the area’s scenic golf courses. At The Currituck Club, fairways wind through maritime forests and along the sound, blending challenge with breathtaking scenery. Nearby courses like Kilmarlic, The Pointe, and Carolina Club offer their own mix of beauty and playability, making every round feel like an escape.

On The Mainland, farmstands aren’t limited to pumpkins, apples, and pecans. Fall harvests in the Northern Outer Banks include blue crabs and oysters, too. You can even try your own hand at crabbing. But, if you’d rather just enjoy the freshness rather than fish for it yourself, local favorite Bluewater Seafood Market, one of many seafood markets in the area, stocks all the essentials you need for an authentic oyster roast or low country boil.

 Winter

It’s the quietness of winter that makes this little slice of earth feel like yours and yours alone. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the Atlantic bundled in your favorite sweater as waves hit the shore. You may even catch views of the wild Mustangs of Corolla.

Whether on the sound side of Corolla Beaches, on the Mainland, or over on Knotts Island, thousands of snow geese descend in the area, filling the sky with a winter chorus that rivals any summer soundtrack. For sportsmen, the season also brings world-class waterfowl hunting across Currituck Sound—a tradition as old as the region itself.

Explore more of the traditions of the Northern Outer Banks. The Whalehead Club, a 1920s Art Nouveau mansion dresses up for the holidays with festive décor and guided tours that bring its Gilded-Age past to life.

After a day of exploring, spend an evening at Sanctuary Vineyards, where award-winning wines and winter specialties like mulled wine make for the perfect warm-up. Or, gather your family for a night at the Urban Kitchen or Broken Plate Kitchen, with local and fresh seafood, and hearty dishes reminding you of all the comforts of home while still feeling like an escape.

Best of all? Off-season rates make it easier than ever to linger a little longer. You can savor every purple-tinged sunset from the comfort of an Adirondack chair.

Spring

Spring is when the coastline comes alive. Since peak season doesn’t kick in until Memorial Day, April and May are sweet spots for mild weather, fewer crowds, and easier rental bookings.

Foaling season makes spring especially magical. Take a 4×4 along the beach or join a wild horse tour to see Corolla’s Mustangs, and you may spot newborn foals finding their footing in the dunes.

While the ocean water is brisk, the cooler mornings and warmer afternoons make outdoor exploring all the better. Kayak the Currituck Sound, hike maritime forest trails, or birdwatch at the Pine Island Audobon Sanctuary to catch flocks heading home.

Crepe myrtles and azaleas burst into bloom at Historic Corolla Park, making it a perfect picnic location. For your picnic, pick up a soft-shell crab sandwich from Fat Crabs Rib Company. Soft shells are a Northern Outer Banks delicacy and peak season is late April to June.

Summer

As you’d expect, summer is when the Northern Outer Banks shines brightest. Warm Atlantic waters and long, sunny days make beach time irresistible. Start the morning with a barefoot walk and coffee by the surf, spend the afternoon paddleboarding or jet skiing, then unwind in a beach chair as the sun dips low on the horizon.

Food is part of the magic, too. Stop by a local seafood market for shrimp, crabs, or the day’s fresh catch, then gather everyone for a backyard seafood boil at your rental—a summer tradition that’s as delicious as it is memory-making.

Pro Tip: Rentals fill quickly during peak season. To secure a spot closest to the beach, plan to book at least six months in advance.

From Corolla’s sandy shores to the Mainland’s farm stands and fairways, to Knotts Island’s peaceful hideaways, the Northern Outer Banks is never the same place twice. It’s an escape worth discovering any time of year.

Whichever season calls to you, find trip ideas and tips at northernouterbanks.com.

This is a paid partnership between The Northern Outer Banks and Philadelphia Magazine