Kitty Hawk

Once a remote area, Kitty Hawk has grown with small-scale development into a summer resort and beach recreation area.
Orville and Wilbur Wright chose this remote fishing village on the Outer Banks in 1900 partly for privacy from prying eyes. Three years later, they flew for the first heavier-than-air flying machine. Since then, Kitty Hawk has been associated with the Wright Brothers as the birthplace of aviation, although the flight took place four miles south from the base of Kill Devil Hills.
On the oceanside, thousands of rental homes, restaurants and shops are part of the development that has characterized the northern Outer Banks from Nags Head to Corolla. But along the Albemarle Sound, the village remains off the beaten path. Shaded lanes wind along the marshes. Quaint clapboard cottages and fishing boats line a series of canals that lead to the open waters of the Sound.
Wright Brothers National Memorial and Visitor Center and the Memorial Pylon are nearby reminders of the days when Orville and Wilbur Wright made this area their headquarters.
See Aviation history for context.

By plane

The Norfolk International Airport is 1 hour and 30 minutes away. It is right off the highway and an easy drive to the Outer Banks and Kitty Hawk. You can also check flights into Newport News. That drive would be about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Pitt-Greenville is about three hours away.

• Private pilots will want to make a visit to First Flight airport (FFA), just southwest of the Wright Memorial. OR Manteo Airport in Manteo, NC. There are Charter flights from Norfolk (ORF).

By boat

• Dock of the Bay Marina

  phone: +1 252-255-5578
  Marine fuel, supplies, charters.

There is no local bus service. Use a private car, or hire a taxi. Walking and bicycling is also possible.

Activities include kayaking, parasailing, boating, fishing, surfing and surfing lessons.

• The Promenade

  phone: +1 252-261-4900
  Amusement, mini golf, chip & putt, driving range.

• Outer Banks Music Showcase

  phone: +1 252-261-7505
  A musical variety show for everyone.

Golf

• Sea Scape Golf Links

  phone: +1 252 261-2158
  address: 300 Eckner St.

• Duck Woods Country Club

  address: 50 S. Dogwood Trail, Southern Shores NC 27949

• Kitty Hawk ABC Liquors

  phone: +1 252-261-2477
  address: 5400 N Croatan Hwy C
  The only liquor store in Kitty Hawk. Liquor, cordials & some mixers.

• Farmer 2 Fork Market & Culinary Services

  phone: +1 252-480-3100
  address: 3620 North Croatan Highway
  Gourmet market, butcher and catering.

• Red's Carolina Outfitters

  phone: +1 252-261-6681
  address: 3836 N Croatan Hwy
  Camping and hunting gear, military surplus.

• Black Pelican Restaurant

  phone: +1 252-261-3171
  Historic restaurant. Dining, nightlife & seafood.

• Ocean Boulevard

  phone: +1 252-261-2546
  address: 4700 N Virginia Dare Trail

• Pizzazz Pizza Kitty Hawk

  phone: +1 252-261-1111
  address: 1187 Duck Rd
  Pizza, subs, wings, buffet and salad bar. Delivery. Four locations in the Outer Banks.

• Jimmy's Seafood Buffet

  phone: +1 252-261-4973
  address: 4117 N Croatan Hwy
  Seasonal. Features crab.

• Barefoot Bernies Tropical Grill & Bar

  phone: +1 252-261-1008
  address: 3730 N Croatan Hwy
  Fun, casual place with great food and a lively ambiance.

• Hurricane Mo's Beachside Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 252-255-0215
  address: 120 W Kitty Hawk Rd
  Relaxed, casual dining, fresh Outer Banks Seafood.

• Rundown Café

  phone: +1 252-255-0026
  address: 5218 Virginia Dare Trail
  Oceanview surf bar with burgers, seafood, and salads.

• Buccaneer Motel and Beach Suites

  phone: +1 252-261-2030
  address: 5 Beach Rd

• Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk

  address: 5353 N. Virginia DareTrail
  Oceanfront hotel.

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1-877-660-8550
  address: 3919 North Croatan Highway