Overview
Duck is a town in Dare County on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
7 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 34°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Norfolk)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORF Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk — 56 mi away (major hub). Directions
- PHF Newport News Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News — 78 mi away. Directions
From the North, take I-64 in Virginia to exit 291B (US 168-Battlefield Blvd). Merge left onto Rt 168 and continue until road becomes RT. 158 (beyond the NC border). 158 will take you all the way to the Outer Banks, then turn North onto NC 12 and head up the island to Duck.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
From the North, take I-64 in Virginia to exit 291B (US 168-Battlefield Blvd). Merge left onto Rt 168 and continue until road becomes RT. 158 (beyond the NC border). 158 will take you all the way to the Outer Banks, then turn North onto NC 12 and head up the island to Duck.
Driving from the West use US-64 and 264 through Columbia and Manteo, NC. US 264 becomes 158 once you've reached the Outer Banks beaches, take it North past Kill Devil Hills to NC 12 and head up the island to Duck.
Get around
Duck is very easy to get around since the town is so small. Everything is within walking distance of each other, so you should have no problem getting around by foot. You can rent a golf cart if you do not feel like walking. Just remember that golf carts are only allowed to operate on side streets, cross NC 12 at a right angle to and from the beach, and be operated by drivers 16 or older. They CANNOT operate along NC 12, the Duck Trail, boardwalk, pathways, sidewalks, bike lanes, or shoulders, or in a manner that violates state motor vehicle laws.
See
Wild horses run free north of Corolla. A 4WD is necessary.
Do
Duck is a quiet place. There is shopping in town, and some watersports on the Currituck Sound, but mostly what there is to do is enjoy the beach. Almost everything is within walking distance.
Duck, as most of OBX, is family friendly. Duck is also dog friendly. In fact, dogs (without leashes) are welcome on the beach!
Be sure to walk the beach in the evenings. Lots of families head out after dark to play with the crabs.
Eat
Eat Cravings Coffee Shoppe
A nice non-chain coffee-and-stuff joint. Just a couple of small tables and some comfy chairs, but Howard has a good word for everyone.
Eat Duck Deli
A favorite among tourists and locals. Good basic food, not much parking. Don't miss the BBQ!
Eat Duck's Cottage Coffee & Book Shop
A nice coffee shop combined with a small independent bookstore. Not much seating, but some inside and some outside.
Eat Pizzazz Pizza Company
Just your basic pizza parlor. Delivery available.
Eat Sunset Grille & Raw Bar
Wonderful view of the sunset over Currituck Sound, a mix of inside and outside seating. A popular place, and sometimes loud. Food is secondary to view and bar scene.
Eat Elizabeth's Cafe & Winery
Incredible food, with a wine list that fills an entire 3-inch binder.
Eat Duck Donuts
Donut chain that originated in Duck, NC - the original location. Donuts and coffee!
Drink
Sleep
Nearby
Southern Shores
City / town · 7 listings · 3 mi away
Kitty Hawk
City / town · 16 listings · 8 mi away
Kill Devil Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
Colington
City / town · 2 listings · 11 mi away
Corolla
City / town · 4 listings · 15 mi away
Nags Head
City / town · 3 listings · 16 mi away
Manteo
City / town · 6 listings · 19 mi away
Carova
City / town · 3 listings · 27 mi away
My experience
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