Our Top Tourist Attractions In Kill Devil Hills, NC
There are plenty of cool tourist attractions in Kill Devil Hills, NC. From family activities to date night, here are a few things to consider doing while on vacation in Dragonfly Dunes or the Hockman Beach house in Kill Devil Hills.
Stand up Paddle-boarding and Canoeing
If you’re in for an adventure on the sea try paddle-boarding or canoeing at Outer Banks Kayak Adventures. There are 3 popular tours offered there. Explore Kitty Hawk Woods Maritime Forest, Roanoake Island, or Alligator River Wildlife Refuge. If you have little ones, the Kitty Hawk Woods tour is the way to go. The Roanoke Island tour is a historical tour perfect for the older kids. You’ll learn about the 16th century. The Alligator tour is said to be the most adventurous tour perfect for the entire family. No experience is needed. The staff provides all the equipment you’ll need along with a paddle lesson just before getting on the water.
Distance to this attraction from our beach rental:
This trip is only a 16 minute drive from our beach cottage down 158 East. Click on the image below to see a map of the trip from the beach house.
Hiking for the Family at Nag’s Head Woods
Owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy, Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, features over 5 miles of trails broken into seven unique hiking trails. They are open for foot traffic from dawn to dusk every day but the Office is open M-F 9-5. Enjoy jogging, hiking, birding and bow hunting at Nags Head Woods. The preserve features a diversity of plant life surrounded by trees that are hundreds of years old. Enjoy the diverse animal life as you take a stroll along the trails.
The most popular trail in Nag’s Head Woods Preserve is the Sweetgum Swamp Trail! This trail is designed for more adventurous hikers. It climbs several steep dune ridges and leads through a variety of plant communities.
Distance to this tourist attraction from Dragonfly Dunes Beach House:
This trip is 4.3 miles and 12 minutes away from our Dragonfly Dunes Beach house and also a drive down 158 East. Click on the image below to see a map of the trip from the beach house.
Freshwater Game Fishing at Nags Head Woods
The great thing about Nag’s head is you can go fishing there while enjoying all that mother nature has to offer. Or let the men and boys go fishing at Nags Head Woods Preserve while the ladies jog or hike. Freshwater fishing is allowed on both the Discovery Trail #4 and ADA Trail #6. Saltwater fishing is allowed in the Roanoke Sound at the end of the Roanoke Trail (#5). Make sure you ask about the rules for freshwater and saltwater fishing and have the appropriate fishing licenses!
Among the catch you’ll find, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Blugil, and Black Crappie!
If you’d like to try fishing off the pier another good spot for fishing is Avalon Fishing Pier. The website has a ton of information on how to plan your fishing trip and you’re likely to catch a wider range of fish here including, Flounder, Grey and Speckled Trout, and Striper. http://www.avalonpier.com/fishfotos.html
Distance from Dragonfly Dunes Beach House:
The trip to Avalon Pier is a 3 minute drive on 158 W. Click on the image below to see a map of the trip from the beach house.
Kill Devil Hills Mini Golf-Course – Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf
If you’re looking for a great family activity, try Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Mini-Golf Course. This course features two 18 Hole Miniature Golf Courses and a Mining Train that will take you to the first holes. Keep in mind this course allows no more than 5 people in a group on any hole and has a 6 stroke limit per hole. And best of all, this mini-golf course is a 4 minute walk from our OBX Beach house, Dragonfly Dunes! Make sure to checkout Professor Hacker’s specials for a discount on admission.
Distance to Mini-Golf from Dragonfly Dunes:
Just a 1 minute drive and a 4 minute walk! Click on the image below to see a map of the trip from the beach house.
Colington Speedway – Go Karting for the family
After a nice dinner at Colington Cafe, head over to Colington Speedway to Go Kart with the family. Colington Speedway offers 3 racing tracks to choose from. Two tracks for adults and one is for kids. This one is rated in the top 10 by Trip Advisor for tourist attractions in Kill Devil, Hills. Rides are from $5-$9 each. This one is only 5 minutes from our beach house.
Distance to Go Karting from Dragonfly Dunes:
A 5 minute drive from the Hockman beach cottage. Click on the image below to see a map of the trip from the beach house.
The Comedy Club of the Outer Banks
If you’re looking to have a date night while you’re on vacation, head over to the Comedy Club of the Outer Banks at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Kill Devil Hills. This attraction has great reviews on Trip Advisor. Featured comedians have included, Ray Romano, Drew Carey, and Sinbad when they were still up and coming in the comedy world. Performers routinely include touring comedians who have appeared on shows such as Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and HBO, David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon! Shows are approximately ninety minutes long and include an emcee, a feature comedian, and a headline comedian. The shows generally contain some mature content. Most shows are recommended for ages 16 and over. The venue also has a restaurant where you can choose to dine before the show.
The comedy club is another great attraction to check off the list. The Ramada Plaza Hotel is only a quick 5-6 minute drive from the beach house!
Distance to the Comedy Club of the OBX from Dragonfly Dunes:
A 5-6 minute drive from our beach rental. Click on the image below to see a map of the trip from the beach house.
OBX Mystery Dinner
Another date night option is the OBX Mystery Dinner in Kill Devil Hills, which is also at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (a 5 minute drive from us). This is another comedic attraction you need to try in the OBX! During this four course dinner, you’ll try to solve a comedy mystery while dinner is served by crazy characters. The first course is an all you can eat buffet…
The show is broken down into five acts. The actors go around the entire room. As you arrive, two actors greet you at the entrance, showing you to your seats, cash bar and getting you ready for the mystery! Pay close attention to the details. You’ll be able to put the pieces together during your four course dinner. At the end of the evening they collect your answers and correct answers are put into a raffle a prize!
Distance to the OBX Myster Dinner from Dragonfly Dunes:
Same as the previous, a 5-6 minute drive from our beach rental.
Glazin’ Go-Nuts – Art Gallery and Museum
For family fun try Glazin’ Go Nuts Art Gallery. You can try pottery, canvas painting, fused glass and beads projects. If you’re going to paint on canvas there are over 25 designs to choose from. You’ll trace your chosen pattern onto a pre-stretched canvas and the artists in the studio will guide you through painting it. You can paint something that reminds you of your OBX beach vacation, to remind you of the memories you make in the OBX. This one is definitely a great family tourist attraction while you’re in Kill Devil Hills.
Distance to this tourist attraction is just 4 minutes by car!
Outer Banks Arboretum And Teaching Garden
Described as a hidden gem by guests, this is a scenic walking tour that will allow you to experience the beauty of Kill Devil Hills, NC. The purpose of the Outer Banks Arboretum and Teaching Garden is to serve as an outdoor classroom, providing horticultural education highlighting the Outer Banks coastal ecosystem. The garden is open 365 days a year, from dusk to dawn, rain or shine.
Distance to this tourist attraction is just a 4-5 minute drive!
Outer Banks Wine University
Located on Mile Post 6 and right by Glaze and Go Nuts, you can leave the kids to pottery or painting a the museum and go enjoy some adult time off the beach at Outer Banks Wine University! 😉 This unique environment offers a place for all wine connoisseurs from beginner to advanced to enjoy tasting wine without the snobbery! Laura, the professor of wine, focuses on “Edutainment” combining education, entertainment and making learning about wine a fun experience.
Distance to this tourist attraction is just a 3-4 minute drive!
Outer Banks Wine University is at:
2200 N. Croatan Highway, Unit D
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Boat Tour Attractions in Kill Devil Hills
There are two boat tours worth mentioning. They are Fisful Sportfishing and Sea Note Charters.
Fistful Sport fishing
Captain Karl Helmkamp leads charter fishing excursions for families, individuals, professional groups, and trophy seekers. He grew up on the waterways of Northeastern North Carolina fishing from a young boy and began leading fishing groups at the age of 15. He’ll lead you to find trophy billfish and striped bass and leads summertime near-shore fun trips for spanish mackerel, bluefish, and cobia.
Distance from the beach house is 19 minutes away
Sea Note Charters
Captain Benjie Stansky has also leads charter fishing excursions and has been a licensed captain since 1978.
Distance from the beach house is 25 minutes away
What other places do you have in mind checking out? If you visit any of these recommended places, please comment below and let us know!