Our favorite things to do:

Eat out:

Insider's Guide to the Outer Banks organized from North to South: http://www.insiders.com/outerbanks/main-restaurants.htm  (We've added our favorites and the favorites of our friends to the list below)

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Visit the Sanderling Spa

The Sanderling Spa is open from 8:00am - 8:00pm Monday through Saturday and 9:00am - 6:00pm on Sundays. We recommend that you make your reservation at the Sanderling Spa as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please mention the Dolphin Inn when you make your reservation.

http://www.thesanderling.com/spa.aspx

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Golfing in and near the Outer Banks 

There are six courses within 15 miles of the Dolphin Inn and there are nine courses within a 20 miles.

We’ve tried to capture the pertinent information from the Golf Courses’ websites and added the distances for your benefit.  We’ve also split them into Outer Banks vs. Mainland Golf Courses and sorted them by distance to the Dolphin Inn.

Golf on the Outer Banks

  1. Duck Woods Country Club - An excellent golf course, the Duck Woods Country Club, is located just a few minute drive from the Dolphin Inn.  The Duck Woods Country Club is a private, membership organization. In 2005 they completed their new club house.  Some public golf play is permitted with fees for greens and cart use.  Try to reserve your tee time at least 10 days in advance. Distance 1.28 miles (12 North, Left on East Dogwood, Left on South Dogwood).  50 S. Dogwood Trail, Southern Shores, NC 27949.  (252) 261-2609.  http://www.duckwoodscc.com.
  2. Sea Scape Golf Links - Located one block from the ocean in beautiful Kitty Hawk, Sea Scape Golf Links truly represents the diverse nature of the Outer Banks.  http://www.seascapegolf.com/  (252) 261-2158.  300 Eckner Street, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. Distance: 3.9 miles South (South on Rt 12, South on 158)
  3. The Currituck Club - At The Currituck Club, Rees Jones has brought to life his philosophy of golf course design - to create an environment for the game of golf that is challenging, fair and aesthetically pleasing, using as his canvas the type of land where golf began.  Distance 12.9 miles North on Route 12.  620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC 27927.  (252) 453-9400. http://www.thecurrituckgolfclub.com/   
  4. Nags Head Golf Links - At Nags Head Golf Links, you'll discover a true Scottish links style championship course nestled into the natural, windswept environment of the Outer Banks.  Where sand dunes, wild sea grasses and rugged coastline create holes that Golf Digest calls "Among the most beautiful in the eastern United States."  Distance 16 miles (South on Rt 12,  South on 158).  5615 S. Seachase Drive, Nags Head,  NC  27959.  (252) 441-8073.  http://www.nagsheadgolflinks.com/
  5. Ocean Edge Golf Course - Public, nine-hole executive course that also permits 18-hole play. Ocean Edge is open all year. This 1,400-yard, par 30 Hatteras Island course covers 23 acres of dunes. - Distance: 71 miles (2 hour drive) NC 12, Frisco, Hatteras Island. (252) 995-4100

Golf nearby on the mainland (generally less expensive and most are easy to get to)

  1. Holly Ridge Golf Course - Holly Ridge is under the management of Wright Flight Golf, including PGA professional Danny Miller. The front nine winds through a peaceful forest of native trees and picturesque ponds, while the more open back nine are affected by winds. Distance:  10 miles.  8818 Caratoke Hwy (Rt 158), Harbinger, NC, 27941.  (252) 491-2893
  2. Kilmarlic Golf Club – Sits among 605 acres of maritime forest and sprawling wetlands.  12.5 miles North on 158 (i.e. on the Mainland).  (252) 491-4220.  http://www.kilmarlicgolfclub.com/
  3. The Pointe Golf Club - The Pointe Golf Club is recognized as one of the most player-friendly golf courses on the Outer Banks and a "must play" on any Outer Banks vacation. Groomed for the pro but available to the public.   Distance 12.5 miles North on 158 (i.e. on the Mainland). 308 Pointe Golf Club Dr, Powells Point, NC 27966.  (252) 491-8388.  http://www.thepointegolfclub.com/  
  4. The Carolina Club - The Carolina Club is one of the "Locals' Choice" for great golf on the Outer Banks. Groomed for the pro but available to the public, this magnificent 7,000 yard, par 72 championship golf course may well be the highlight of your stay on the Outer Banks. Distance 20.2 miles North on 158 (i.e. on the Mainland).  127 Carolina Club Dr, Grandy, NC 27939.  (252) 453-3588.  http://www.thecarolinaclub.com/  
  5. Goose Creek Golf & Country Club – Distance 19.32 miles.  6562 Caratoke Hwy (Rt 158), Grandy, NC 27939.  (800) 443-4008 or (252) 453-4008.  www.outerbanksgolfgoosecreek.com
  6. The Sound Golf Links at Albemarle Plantation - This masterpiece on the shores of Albemarle Sound in historic Hertford, North Carolina features plush fairways and immaculate greens that run along age-old marshes and through cypress groves draped in Spanish Moss.  Distance 75 miles (2 hour drive). 101 Club House Dr Hertford, NC 27944.  (252) 426-5555 or 1-800-535-0704.  http://www.albemarleplantation.com/golf.html
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Kayak or watch the sunset on the Sound

We have purchased the green parking pass which allows you to park in areas designated as Southern Shores Civic Association Parking.  These include the three marinas on the sound, the Sea Oats playground, and several parking spots near the beach.  You can go to our favorite marina spot by making a left from the driveway.  Turn left at the first traffic light onto East Dogwood Trail.  Turn left at the T onto North Dogwood Trail.  The first entrance to the marina is within a few hundred feet on the right.  Look for a marina symbol on the sign.  To get to the other side of the marina, continue on North Dogwood Trail and then make a right on Sassafras Lane (the first street after crossing the canal).  Then bear right on the dirt road when you get to the circle at the end of the street.  Both of these locations have some nice views of the sound and are a great place to watch the sunset or enjoy the picnic tables.  The sound is also a fun place for kids.  It remains shallow far out into the sound and there are no waves. 

You can rent a kayak or two, launch directly into the sound from behind the rental location and then kayak 2.5 miles to the marina.  The marina has a boat launch facility and the green SSCA parking pass allows you to park there without being towed.  Take your cell phone in a waterproof pouch, water, sunscreen, and a decent map.  If you get to the causeway bridge, you've gone 2.5 miles too far.  We recommend driving to the Marina before setting out so that you know what you are shooting for.  When you are kayaking south it is directly due East (i.e., to the left of) the Peninsula.

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Go Deep Sea Fishing

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Plan a day trip to Manteo on Roanoke Island 

http://www.outer-banks.nc.us/tourism/roanoke.htm

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Spend a morning in Corolla:

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Take a day trip to Ocracoke Island

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Take a morning to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk

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Kids getting restless?

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Still need more?

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Fly to and From the Outer Banks

  • Washington DC to OBX - Linear Air launches the first private air service from the Washington, DC area to the Outer Banks. Offering convenient weekend service from the Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, VA to the Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo, NC – right on the Outer Banks!   Low Introductory pricing at $219 per seat each way! Lock in this low introductory rate while it lasts with a Linear Air ticket book. For more details call 1-877-254-6327.  http://www.linearair.com/obx

  • Norfolk to OBX - Fly Direct to the beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Leave the parking, the lines and the traffic behind and enjoy the efficiency and service provided by SEA AIR. They offer friendly, professional charter flights to and from most airports East of the Mississippi, as well as scheduled shuttles from Norfolk in-season:  http://www.flyseaair.com/
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Worship services

  • Duck United Methodist Church, Duck Village   261-1525
  • All Saints Episcopal, 40 Pintail Tr. (off S. Dogwood)  441-6674
  • First Baptist Church of Kitty Hawk, MP 4, US 158 261-3516
  • Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, 301 W. Kitty Hawk Rd.  261-1168
  • Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church, 803 W. Kitty Hawk Rd.  261-2062
  • Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, MP 4.5  261-2801

For a complete list see: http://www.outer-banks.nc.us/newsinfo/church.htm

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Outer Banks Web Cams

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Friends of the Dolphin Inn

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