Outer Banks Vacation Tips > Outer Banks Town Info & Attractions > Corolla

Community Description back to top

Corolla is home to generous unspoiled beaches and historic landmarks. Take a day to visit the Whalehead Club, the Currituck Lighthouse and Historic Corolla Village.

Corolla, an unincorporated community located along the northern Outer Banks in Poplar Branch Township, is home to more than 100 wild Spanish Mustangs. The horses can be found on 12,000 acres in Corolla, north of populated areas. Approximately 500 permanent residents call the community home. 

History back to top

Native Americans that lived on the mainland hunted and fished on what is now known as Corolla.
European settlers resided in the area by the late 1600s and early 1700s. Prior to early 1800, the area was separated from Virginia and the neighboring town of Duck by inlets, and so accessible only by boat.
Several communities appeared on the northern Outer Banks by the mid 1800’s. Early inhabitants hunted, fished, raised livestock, served as guides for visiting sportsmen, tended gardens and salvaged shipwrecks to make a living.
The U.S. Lifesaving Service established what would later become the Currituck Beach Life Saving Station in 1874. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse, one of the seven North Carolina coastal lighthouses, was completed in 1875.
According to legend, Corolla was named in 1895 when the community’s newly established post office was seeking a name. One of the submissions was “corolla,” the inner part of a flower.
During WWII, residents were forced to darken windows and prohibited from using headlights to avoid detection by German u-boats that came close to shore.

Attractions back to top

Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Built in 1875. One of seven North Carolina Coastal lighthouses. Tours available for individuals and groups. Climb to the top of the lighthouse for a wonderful view of Currituck Sound. Explore the lighthouse grounds and the light keeper’s house.
Location: Heritage Park - 1101 Corolla Village Road
Telephone: 252.453.8152
E-mail: info@currituckbeachlight.com
Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Off-season hours: Sunday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Monday after Thanksgiving and Easter

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
22,000-square-foot center located on the Currituck Sound. Learn about the area’s abundant coastal wildlife. Waterfowl hunting, decoy-making and fishing are all traditions connected to the region's ecology and are important elements in the center's design.
Location: Heritage Park - 1160 Village Lane
Telephone: 252.453.0221
E-mail: clarence.styron@ncwildlife.org
Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Off-season hours (November – March): Sunday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park
Built in mid-1920’s and used as a winter residence by Owners Edward Collings and Marie Louise Knight used Corolla Island. Art nouveau, architectural styling, Tiffany lamps, cork-tiled floors, brass duck head and water lily hardware are some of features of this stunning home. 
Location: Heritage Park - 1100 Club Road
Telephone: 252.453.9040
E-mail: info@whaleheadclub.com
Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 10:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Off-season hours (November –March): Sunday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Corolla Chapel
Built in 1885 and served the community until 1958. New congregation established in 1987.Features include pelican altar window. Popular wedding site. Only year-round Church in Corolla (Interdenominational). Service held every Sunday at 10:00 AM. Additional 8:30 AM service held during the season.
Location: Historic Village - 1136 Corolla Village Road
Telephone: 252.453.4224
E-mail: corollachapel@aol.com
Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM; Sunday Services: 8:30 AM & 10:00 AM
Off season hours (September – June): Wednesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (or by appointment)

Corolla School House
Historic landmark built in the early 1900’s. The first unified Corolla School created by the Currituck County School system. Utilized through the late 1950's. (Currently closed, but scheduled to re-open soon)
Locations: Historic Village
1126 School House Lane
Hours: Currently closed

Corolla Wild Horse Museum
Interactive displays, local history, hands-on activities and gift shop. Kid's programs held on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Admission and programs are free.
Location: Historic Village - 1126 School House Lane (inside school house)
Telephone: 252.453.8002
E-mail: info@corollawildhorses.com
Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Lewark-Gray House
Location: Historic Village
1134 Corolla Village Road
Telephone: 252.453.4388
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Parker House
Built in 1900 and relocated to this site in 1920. Restored village house.
Location: Historic Village - 1129 Corolla Village Road
Telephone: 252.453.0171
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 PM - 5:00 PM (closed Sunday)
Off season hours: Hours vary (call ahead)

Corolla Wild Horses
More than 100 wild Spanish Mustangs have run free in Corolla for more than 400 years. They are still seen roaming the beaches.
Location: Corolla
Telephone: 252.453.8002

Currituck Banks National Estuarine Preserve
Ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers and hikers. Reserve Access Trail winds through marshy areas. Identify various types of flora indigenous to the area.
Note: Protected land; no hunting or fishing allowed.
Location: Corolla - NC Route 12
Telephone: 252.261.8891
E-mail: michele.droszcz@ncmail.net

Corolla Neighborhoods back to top

4x4 Area Beaches - Ocean Beach, Sea Gull, Swan Beach, North Swan Beach and Carova Beach offer an escape from crowds and a return to nature. No paved roads, accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles only.

Villages at Ocean Hill - Oceanfront pool, lakeside pool, fitness center available for a fee, tennis courts, basketball court, playground, North Carolina Estuarine Sanctuary nature trail.

Corolla Village - A quiet village with beach access, Historic Corolla Village, Currituck Lighthouse, Whalehead Club and village shops.

Corolla Light - Beach and sound access, 2 oceanfront pools, clubhouse, indoor 8 lane pool, soundfront pool, tennis courts, indoor sports facility (for a fee) indoor tennis, fitness and weight room, aerobics room, sauna rooms, game room, tennis pro shop, bike and jogging trails, playgrounds, volley ball, shuffleboard, & basketball courts, trolley transportation (seasonal), activities for adults and children.

Whalehead - Beach access with parking, close to shopping, movies and restaurants.

Crown Point - Beach access, community pool and tennis, close to shopping, movies and restaurants.

Monteray Shores - Beach access with parking, sound access, outdoor pool, kiddie pool, playground, tennis courts, half basketball court, clubhouse, pool table, video games, TV, office facilities, picnic area with gas grill, fitness room, planned activities for children.

Ocean Lake - Beach access, stocked lake (catch & release license required for artificial bait), community pool & tennis, close to Currituck Club golf course.

Ocean Sands - Beach access, stocked lake (catch & release license required for artificial bait), tennis courts located in sections D, H is available to guests staying in sections D thru Q. Close to Currituck Club golf course.

The Currituck Club – Golf Community, 18 hole Rees Jones course, beach access with parking, trolley and valet to beach access (in season), fitness center, aerobic room, weight room, lighted tennis, volleyball, basketball, cybercade, playground, boathouse facilities, 3 pools, kiddie pool, biking and jogging trails.