8 a.m. Savor fresh-baked biscuits
With numerous trees lining its streets, it’s no surprise that the town of Duck is a designated bird sanctuary. Start the day with breakfast beneath the boughs at Treehouse Cafe + Coffee. Their flavorful biscuits are made onsite from a family recipe. For tradition with a twist, order the Southern Charm, a biscuit breakfast sandwich that includes a fried green tomato, pimento cheese, fried egg, a thick slab of bacon and honey ($16). The PB&J biscuit ($11) is another great choice, with a berry compote take on the sandwich classic.
9 a.m. Take a scenic drive
After breakfast, drive from Duck to Corolla (about 10 miles). Wildlife abounds in the Outer Banks; you might see deer ambling alongside the road. You’ll also spot brilliantly painted fiberglass horses, part of a longstanding public art series. Initially launched to celebrate the 2003 centennial of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, many horses from the first series are winged in honor of the aviation milestone. Several stand outside shops and restaurants throughout the area, often with vibrant designs, such as a bright blue version painted with large-scale butterflies. A new series of horses, called OBX Wild, launches this summer and benefits the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
10 a.m. Watch wild horses
Near Corolla, around 110 wild horses still roam free. Known as Banker horses, they are descended from those originally brought over by Spanish conquistadors beginning in the 1500s. For their protection, rules about observing the horses are strict; a 50-foot distance must be maintained at all times. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you can drive along the beach year-round to see them (though a permit is needed to park). Or book a trip through Wild Horse Adventure Tours (in-season, $74 per adult), whose two-hour excursions will take you off-roading in a 13-passenger, open-air Hummer in search of horses, while sharing their history and following all regulations. The ride can be a bit bumpy and brisk, but the tour and ocean views are spectacular. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, on a good day you’ll spot horses strolling the sand, frolicking together or resting among the dunes.
1 p.m. Lunch on the Currituck Sound
Head back to Duck for lunch on the tranquil waterfront. Even-Tide serves sandwiches and tasty cheese boards. For a light lunch, try their snack trio (homemade chicken salad, pimento cheese and a blue cheese spread with apple slices, celery and crackers, $10) paired with an extra pale ale from the local 1718 Brewing Ocracoke ($8), or choose a board to share. To savor seafood, visit NC Coast Grill & Bar, where they serve oven-roasted oysters topped with an innovative and delicious combination of pork belly, pickled jalapeño and pimento cheese ($17).
2 p.m. Stroll and shop
Spend the afternoon meandering on and off Duck’s town boardwalk, which links shops and restaurants along the Currituck Sound. Start at Seagreen Gallery, which sells art made from repurposed materials such as sea glass and oyster shells; off-boardwalk shops like the Cotton Gin, which offers seaside clothing and décor; or Urban Cottage, which features paintings of coastal scenes from local artists like Marcia Cline and Jackie Koenig alongside home furnishings. Kick up your feet on the handcrafted hammocks (from $270) and rope swings on the back deck at Nags Head Hammocks, then head to Kitty Hawk Kites, which sells sport and novelty styles (a best-selling dragon version runs $43). At the other end of the boardwalk, stop into SeaDragon & Yellowhouse, linked galleries showcasing photography, pottery and paintings with a focus on local and regional artists (open until 4 p.m. on weekends), and Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books, a cozy bookstore with its own coffee brand.
7 p.m. Dinner with a view
Book a table well in advance at the Blue Point, a terrific waterfront restaurant in Duck. Opened in 1989 with diner-style décor, the restaurant has since evolved into upscale refinement, and emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The bone-in pork chop is a hearty pick, served with a tangy barbeque sauce and thick-baked macaroni and cheese ($38). If you arrive early, head to the Backbar, the Blue Point’s outdoor bar, for a cocktail (sip the sumptuous Wright Flyer, a nod to the Outer Banks’ place in aviation history, made from bourbon, Aperol and Cardamaro, $15), or stay to enjoy the sunset and ask to sit on the Blue Point’s first-come, first-serve deck, right next to the sound.
10 p.m. Sip some brews
Head to Kill Devil Hills for a nightcap at Outer Banks Brewing Station, a pub and wind-powered brewery whose architecture is reminiscent of the life-saving stations that once dotted the barrier islands, precursors to the United States Coast Guard. A 16 oz. pint is $7; try their signature Ölsch! brew. They host live music outdoors from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each evening during the high season. By 10 p.m. or so on weekends, the inside of the restaurant is often transformed for late night dancing to D.J.’s or bands (check their calendar for timing and events with tickets or a cover charge).