If you are headed to the Outer Banks, consider making the drive to the northern communities of Duck and Corolla. After having heard about the appeal of these towns for years, I finally had the opportunity to visit them when my mother-in-law came for a visit and we all piled into the car for a change of scenery.

Everyone enjoyed the visit to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, and the boardwalk in Duck that hovered above the sound was an especially big hit. Shopping in both communities really required hopping in the car, but I can tell you that the Baldie’s Burgers and Ice Cream shop on Duck Road in Duck has some seriously huge ice cream servings which can help sustain any activity of your choice.

Of course, the real appeal in this part of the state is the beach. I was especially impressed with the expanse of beach accessed across from the entrance to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The sand stretched on for hundreds of feet before the ocean lapped gently at the shore. It was so peaceful, and the dolphins playing in the nearby waves made the trip in the car completely worth the journey.