16. Nags Head Hammocks
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-6115, (800) 344-6433
Description: You can’t miss the setting, with its palm trees and lush landscaping. At the shop you’ll find the famous, durable, high-quality handmade hammocks; single- and double-rope rockers, footstools, and bar stools; single and double porch swings; “slingshot” swings; captain’s chairs; and double recliners. You can also purchase items via mail order all year.
17. T-Tops Racing
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-8867
Description: For everything NASCAR under the sun, make a pit stop at T-Tops. This is a licensed NASCAR store with merchandise covering all NASCAR drivers. The main selling items are die-cast cars, but there are also NASCAR-inspired jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, clocks, wallets, jewelry, and more in this 4,000-square-foot store. It’s one of the largest NASCAR stores in the nation and is open year-round.
18. The Bike Barn
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-3786
Description: The Bike Barn, located behind Taco Bell between the Beach Road and the Bypass, sells a wide variety of bikes, parts, and accessories. Skilled mechanics are on staff to service all types of bikes. The shop rents 18-speed and 21-speed hybrids, gear bikes, and beach cruisers and is open year-round.
19. Island Dyes
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 480-0076
Description: Island Dyes offers T-shirts and a full line of women’s clothing, reggae and Grateful Dead T-shirts, and tobacco accessories. Adventurers get hairwraps and henna tattoos here, too. Call for store hours or more information.
20. Something Fishy
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-9666
Description: Here’s a fun shop swimming with fish. You’ll delight in the fish-print clothing made by owner Sherrie Lemnois, who has been creating these masterpieces for years. Clothing, jewelry, toys, home decor, and gifts are available with a fishy theme. Also in the shop are Asian-inspired items, prompting the owner to say she sells everything from “fish to feng shui.” Lucky Bamboo home-decor products are best sellers.
21. The Christmas Mouse
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-8111
Description: This holiday-oriented shop brims with Christmas collectibles, Cairn Gnomes, papier-mâché Santas, Snow Babies, porcelain dolls, unique ornaments, and nautical- and midwestern-themed trees. Sixty decorated trees get you in the spirit. It is open year-round.
22. Gulf Stream Gifts
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-0433
Description: Gulf Stream features contemporary nautical gifts, jewelry, and lighthouse and dolphin memorabilia. The store is open from Easter until Thanksgiving.
23. Atlantic Wind Shops
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Description: This newer mall includes Forbes Candies, where you can purchase famous Outer Banks saltwater taffy, high-end chocolates, and general beach needs. Lil’ Grass Shack is a fun women’s and children’s wear clothing boutique. Swimwear, accessories, sandals, luggage, and Roxy clothing are featured. Top off your shopping trip with an artisan-roasted cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun at the Morning View Coffee cafe.
24. Pirate’S Quay
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Description: Boutiques, stores, offices, and eateries carry tobacco, jewelry, crafts, and clothing in this shopping center.Cloud Nine is an adventure in clothing, accessories, and other discoveries from around the world. Owner Ginny Flowers has beads and lots of them. Other finds include recycled sea glass, Grateful Dead merchandise, T-shirts made by locals and visitors, beautiful batiks, and treasures from Africa and Nepal. Cloud Nine also carries gold and silver jewelry. Bring in your sea glass and have a custom necklace made. It’s open Easter through Thanksgiving. A-New-U is a full-service hair salon.
25. Austin Fish Company
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-7412
Description: Austin is a Nags Head fixture near Jockey’s Ridge. It’s a full-service seafood store that also serves as a gas station with some of the lowest prices on the beach. The store stocks crabmeat, steamed crabs, shrimp, oysters, clams, fish, scallops, live lobsters, and more. If you would like your catch shipped home, the staff will vacuum pack and freeze it for you. Austin’s is open May through Nov. In the parking lot outside is the Nags Head Produce Stand where you’ll find fresh local produce and flowers.
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
27. Forbes Candy & Gift Shop
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-7293
Description: You can’t come to the beach without picking up a box of saltwater taffy. Forbes, an Outer Banks tradition, has it here. Stop in for a box or three of the company’s famous homemade gooey goodies. The shop, which is open year-round, also features a gift and souvenir selection.
28. Cahoon’S
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-5358
Description: Cahoon’s is a large, family-owned grocery and variety store operating for more than four decades. It’s a nice change of pace from chain supermarkets. Dorothy and Ray Cahoon bought the store shortly before the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962 and, despite what must have been a rather wild start, continue to stock everything you’ll need for your visit to the beach, including good meats that butcher Robert Heroux cuts to perfection. The store is open Mar through Thanksgiving.
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
30. Whalebone Seafood Market
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-8808
Description: Whalebone is run by the Daniels family, known locally for their commercial-fishing roots. The full-service seafood market sells whatever’s in season. It’s open Easter through Oct.