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Top Tourist attractions in Corolla, United States

Top Rated Tourist attractions in Corolla

Top Reviewed Tourist attractions in Corolla

Reviews

Absolutely beautiful park. We loved this park right on the water with big open fields a pond and gorgeous bridge all overlooking the Currituck light house. They gave an air up station, playground and multiple visitors centers and a museum.
Wow wow wow!!!we had a fantastic time this morning on the 7:30am tour with Richard. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining throughout and knew exactly the places to spot the wild horses. Definitely worth it and more to see 20+ horses and the new baby. We also saw where the loggerheads were buried in the sand and dolphins in the ocean. We loved driving on the beach and in the community too. Our group sat in the last row, but wasn’t too bad and added to the experience.
We booked this a few days before out trip. We took the last tour of the day in hopes that the cooler temps would bring out more horses. We did see many horses in the little villages that line the beach. The hummer vehicle we rode in seemed to be able to go anywhere without trouble. Cheryl, our guide, was great. She cared about the people in her vehicle. She wanted to make sure we all had an opportunity to see the horses.

The weather was great, there were many horses to see, we learned about their history and got some great pictures.

Some Notes:
* we were asked to sit in the far back because our family seemed like they could get back there with the most ease. That back seat is also bumpy...
* the website mentioned that the service has acres that they own allowing the people on the tour to get out and take pictures. It was a great tour, but that stop did not happen. The guide did talk about them owning the land, but it wasn't mentioned that they drive on it.
* there are a couple bathrooms at the location where you board - it's a two+ hour tour - so, I'd suggest using them :)
This was an excellent tour in a modified Hummer. I can see why this tour is rated so high Tom, our driver and tour guide was absolutely wonderful. We saw 30 + horses. Tom was an excellent driver. We were treated with respect by the entire staff. The only reason for not giving this review five stars is due to the poor condition of the seats. Many of the seats in the Hummer should be replaced. They were torn and worn to the point of being uncomfortable. It’s a minor item but when you sit for two hours over rough terrain the condition of the seats becomes quite important.
We had a fantastic morning with our guide, Richard, and saw so many horses - including two babies! Richard was friendly, funny and informative. I appreciated learning the history of the horses, and the conservation efforts that Wild Horse Adventure Tours are making to help save this horse population. We saw at least 8 groups of horses, both in the neighborhoods and on the dunes, and even got to see some dolphins. What a wonderful experience.
Be aware what you expect!
If you expect to see free roaming horses, unspoiled nature and expert instructions... skip this tour.
If you want to have a two hour fun ride in an old Hummer, partly on the beach, but often in housing areas (two villages without paved roads), then go for it.
We did see quite a few horses, but this is not "in the wild". Overall, the idea to build and further develop housing in an area where you can only go by massive 4 wheel drive cars is... well, special.
The tour guide was from the villages, quite funny but very hard to hear (how about investing a bit in better speakers?!).
So, know what you want.
Beautiful view of the back bay. Has a bird blind. Bring your binoculars!
Greyson Loomis
at 2024 Jul 10
Greyson Loomis
at 2024 Jul 10
That's the second biggest monkey head I've ever seen!
VA LIFE
at 2024 Jun 24
VA LIFE
at 2024 Jun 24
They say there aren’t monkeys just to keep you away
Historic Corolla Park has all the kind of beautiful views and peaceful picnic areas for the perfected outing. Sunsets here are gorgeous and the sites from all around are amazing.
This was our second time choosing W.H.A.T. to see the wild mustangs. This time our tour guide was Cheryl, aka Shorty. She was amazing and very informative. Would highly recommend her as your tour guide. Cheryl gave us time to not only see and take pictures of the horses but also the time to just observe and appreciate the horses for what they are. They truly are amazing creatures. We wouldn’t choose any other horse tour in the area! W.H.A.T. is the best of the best with quite a bit of the ticket price being donated back to helping the horses. It’s a WIN, WIN! This tour is always the highlight of our trip to OBX.
We had Tour Guide Tom and he made our Hummer Ride on the beach a wonderful experience. He is full of knowledge and fun facts. We saw many horses on our tour on the dunes and near the homes. It was an amazing experience. Would 1000% recommend and would do it again and again.
We had Ned as our tour guide, he was great and so informative! We saw so many horses! The building is handicap accessible and a couple even brought a car seat to take their toddler on the tour. They do a great job to make sure your party is seated together. The seats were comfortable, and each one had a great view. There's an elevator to get to the second floor to check in and visit the gift shop. There is plenty of parking and it's easy to find. If you're considering just knowing it's worth the money, in my opinion.
Wonderful views of Currituck Sound complete with historic structures, free parking, air-up/air-down station, playground, amazingly nice restrooms, a free maritime museum and views of the beautiful Currituck Beach Lighthouse. We watched the sunset from the Corolla Island Bridge. Excellent opportunity to stretch your legs, walk the dog, enjoy the shade of spreading live oaks and contemplate the history all around you.
Janas -M
at 2024 Apr 06
Janas -M
at 2024 Apr 06
It’s beautiful!! You can crabbing, picnic, fishing ,play soccer or spend time with family there
R P
at 2024 Apr 05
R P
at 2024 Apr 05
Very nice well maintained great park area! Beautiful place, great atmosphere, and has something for everyone. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re in the area! Public restrooms are nice and clean. Great outdoor place to walk around. Highly recommend climbing the lighthouse, beautiful views from the top!
Big park. Modern amenities. Light house is $13 per person. They let up 10 people at a time. There is an old bridge close to the water. March is not a great time to visit.
Very nice museum for the horses of Corolla. The staff was very helpful in showing us around and were very enthusiastic. The merchandise was high quality. Well worth the stop.
This is the conservancy that actually helps the horses. And the tour you should go on as we did a few years back
Go see the museum then go see the horses, they are amazing
Tiny parking lot at the trail entrance. Go early to get parking. There is a fairly short wooden boardwalk that takes you to the sound.. beautiful views. There is seating out there if you need or want a little break.

About half way out, there is a land trail off to the side. We went on that too. The map looks like a straight line that will take you to the sound too. It is not, and it does not. It just takes you on a loop in the woods. It was a nice hike, but there is no destination. There was horse poop in many places, some on the trail itself. So I assume the wild horses are in those woods too, but we did not see any of them there.
Matt Dell
at 2023 Oct 17
Matt Dell
at 2023 Oct 17
Great spot to see the sunset. We go there every year, stand on the bridge, walk to the little tiki hut, it is so peaceful, and for about 15 minutes it is so beautiful. Definitely worth the drive if you’re staying in the Outer Banks.
Have enjoyed this trail every time I visit the Outer Banks. Boardwalk and pier at the end is very nice. I like to take the circular trail through the woods. Some of the most beautiful live oaks I have seen are in this forest. Today I came up on a wild horse on the forest trail. I also Ssaw a water moccasin at the pier area.

The trails are well marked, and there is good signage along the boardwalk. The parking lot is a bit small and can fill fast, but it seems that spaces open up rather quickly. Overall, I love this trail and the preserve and highly recommend that you consider this area.
Super adorable trail. Contains a Wonderful boardwalk which cam be used with a dog or stroller. There is an additional offshoot trail that I did not take but looked rugged and fun. The end of the boardwalk opens up to a view of an inlet with benches. Has its own parking lot too!
Corolla wild horse rescue farm 🐴 is so healing for all 😃 The nicest people, they really care.
I loved my visit at the farm 🐴 The people take great care of the horses.
I enjoyed the video about the horses. Tells you about the people who work there also. That so touched my heart ♥
Rip tide & some of the other horses can paint!
I need to go visit again & to purchase a painting 🎨 🐴
The farm is a great place to visit 🐴🫏🐈 to meet the horses and enjoy being in the country side 🐴🫏🐈🎨
By the way it's opened on wendesdays at 10am 🐴
Our tour guide was Doug and he was phenomenal. He was friendly, helpful, considerate and knowledgeable. We saw over 20+ horses and some dolphins. Highly recommend this tour. We had two kids (5 yr old and 2 year old) with us and they loved it. Their car seats clicked right into the latches - very secure. The sand blowing in their faces was a little uncomfortable for the 2 year old but it was quick. Maybe bring a small towel if your child is sensitive to these things. Overall, wonderful tour and would go back! Money well spent!
Brittany is awesome! Accommodated us same day for a kayak tour. Extremely professional, helpful and kind. Taught us how to kayak, very knowledgeable about the area and answered all questions from
adults and kids about everything from wildlife/plants and the area in general. Made our trip to OBX worthwhile!
Gabby and Brittany were amazing! So much information and history paired with beautiful sound scenery. Kayaking was smooth and directions were easy to follow through the water and marsh. Def 10/10 recommend even for those with little kids, very family friendly but an opportunity for all ages and skill levels!
We had a great time with our kayaking tour! Very family friendly and gorgeous sanctuary. Our tour guides Gabby and Brittany, did an amazing job navigating and sharing history. Definitely a must do for the outer banks!
Our guide Michael was extremely knowledgeable and helpful with our kayak tour of the preserve. The tour provided a much appreciated respite in nature and we saw all kinds of wildlife while learning about the history of the area.

If you are tired of the crowded, touristy side of the Outer Banks and want to feel like you're experiencing the place in a more genuine and natural state, this tour is worth every penny.
Such a beautiful nature walk & right across from where we stayed in Corolla too! We were able to see birds, I think they were Osprey, and heard lots of frogs. The pathway looked to have been redone shortly before we arrived as it's in very good condition. What a surprise awaited us at the end of the walk when it opened up out of the wooded area and came to a boardwalk that overlooks the sound! We love Corolla for all the little gems like this. Definitely do this walk if you're in the area. We took babies, a toddler, and some great-grandparents on this walk so our leisurely pace took us about an hour and some change from start to finish. It's a very easy walk and is stroller/wheelchair friendly.
I loved this beautiful coastal park.

Lots of parking, restrooms, multiple paths and a boardwalk, a small pond, a scenic bridge over a small canal, picnic tables, and the historic Whalehead Club building.

Definitely worth a stop. Plenty of parking. Free admission.
This area has a beautiful new boardwalk through the pine woods and marshland to the bay. Its wheelchair accessible and relatively short round trip. For the more adventurous, there is a hiking trail through the woods as well. Great photo and sunset spot. Parking is limited to around 12 spaces.
Bob TheDuck
at 2023 Jan 13
Bob TheDuck
at 2023 Jan 13
Look! A two-headed monkey!
We had a wonderful and relaxing tour with Joyful Jonathan! He was a great teacher to the mostly newbies in our tour group. He provided interesting and fun information! He didn’t rush our slow pace but instead adjusted the tour. Call for tour and information times - the website isn’t great. We would go back!
K Ball
at 2022 Apr 20
K Ball
at 2022 Apr 20
Absolutely beautiful! Easy walk along the boardwalk. Not to long either. There are some spots to sit as well. Easy to read informational signs along the way. If you meet someone going the other direction the boardwalk is a bit narrow so groups will need to go single file. And there is an off shoot trail to explore. It's calm and peaceful. You wouldn't think that just a few hundred yards away the ocean is there.
Lovely hidden gem of the OBX! The nature trail is peaceful, secluded, and magically beautiful. The trail is smooth and flat and mostly in the shade of the maritime forest. We barely saw any other people (just 2) the whole time we were there. The wooded trail parallels the road for 2.5 - 3 miles and begins behind the Pine Island Racquetball and Fitness Center. The first sound overlook deck is around the halfway point - we walked as far as that and then turned around. Heard and saw lots of birds singing... and saw LOTS of spiders. So beware and walk carefully, especially if you're tall - there were many webs stretched above the trail. Despite the spiders this is my new favorite place in the OBX!
Laura R
at 2021 Jun 30
Laura R
at 2021 Jun 30
Great little off the beaten path hike! Good for all ages. The boardwalk is ok to bring a stroller on.

We went in the middle of a hot day. While it was a scorcher, the trees kept us pretty comfy! I would imagine a (light) rainy walk would be quite nice as well!

Clean and open, this place is a must visit. I even brought my drone and got some great footage! Couldn't see the horses though. Def check it out if you're in the area!
We had a guided tour by Coastal Kayak Tour Company and our guide was amazing. We were able to navigate the waterways of Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary. It was our first time kayaking with my 2 teenage daughters and we had a great time. The wildlife was amazing to see and the sanctuary was pristine!!!
idebski
at 2021 Mar 02
idebski
at 2021 Mar 02
The owners acted like complete baboons. I don't recommend.
Ryanred
at 2020 Nov 12
Ryanred
at 2020 Nov 12
I went here to capture my son a monkey but to my surprise there were no monkeys. 1 star, Very disappointing
Blair Hofmann
at 2019 Oct 02
Blair Hofmann
at 2019 Oct 02
Great place to see some wild birds hanging out.
Theres a raised boardwalk with a nice short trail to the sound. We were lucky enough to see a deer. Theres also a 1.5 mile walking trail though a wooded area, and that was very peaceful. Saw some woodpeckers. Its a great place to escape the touristy feeling of the resort area.
J L
at 2019 Jun 15
J L
at 2019 Jun 15
Very interesting great for bird watching.
Incredible tour around the sanctuary. The sunset was absolutely beautiful. I was a first time kayaker and the guide was really patient and informative with us newbies. Highly recommended. I will be going again the next time I'm in the Outer Banks.
Good people, great organization to help protect the wild horses here on the Outerbanks. Tour guide was very nice. Tour was done in a GMC Yukon which I was happy about considering how hot out it was and were not all jammed in like cattle in a humvee like we witnessed with other companies that did the same. Had a great time and encountered a lot of the horses up close and personal.
James Reid
at 2018 Jun 21
James Reid
at 2018 Jun 21
I was out paddling around, spent 4 hours to get here. There are NO monkeys! What the heck?!! Why name an island after monkeys if there aren't any? I was frustrated so I only had two beers are the beach bar, petted the elephants and paddled back to Corolla. Frustrating.
Our experience with the tour was incredible! Instead of booking tours off site, go directly to the source. It's almost half the price. The guides know EXACTLY where to find the horses. Even if they have to hunt them down (it doesn't take much) we learned such amazing history about the horses. Plus, I admire the fact that $ collected goes to helping protect these majestic creatures. We also got some amazing pictures.
Rain
at 2016 Sep 18
Rain
at 2016 Sep 18
Wife and I went here for part of our honeymoon. She enjoyed it even though she isn't into horses. Tour guide was awesome, and made us all laugh. The tour itself was almost more fun than when we saw the horses. He was knowledgeable and I could tell he loved his job, and the horses. Wife and I had fun, purchased some merchandise, and became a member. This is the only true wild horse nonprofit in the area. I love these guys and will be returning when I can. Highly recommend you go here and support these guys. The tour is a blast.