KHK blogger Brian Tress walking the walk in Duck. (Credit: James Kahle)
Mix one-third nature safari, one-third shop-till-you-drop, and one-third history geek-out, and you’ve got the three essential ingredients for the perfect vacation. On the Outer Banks, you only need to take a stroll along the Duck Boardwalk — stretching nearly three-quarters of a mile on the Currituck Sound waterfront — to experience all three in one stop.
Kitty Hawk Kites offers this experience in a new end-to-end guided walking tour of the Duck Boardwalk. Nature abounds along Duck’s marshy shoreline, offering ample opportunities for up-close photography of herons, egrets, ospreys, numerous species of ducks, turtles, red foxes, water moccasins, and more. Shopping and dining options also line the route, with the tour providing an orientation to a multitude of homegrown establishments, plus the chance for a quick stop or two. Finally, with each step, the tour unveils the rich history of one of the OBX’s youngest towns — and its crown jewel of careful planning: the boardwalk itself.
The boardwalk stretches 0.78 miles along the Currituck Sound shoreline, offering direct access to historic buildings, wildlife viewing, nature trails, shops and restaurants, and a variety of recreational opportunities. (Credit: Town of Duck)
The tour begins in front of one of the town’s oldest buildings — now home to Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books, located at the north end of the boardwalk in the Waterfront Shops. Our guide, Kelly Waters, tells us that the building was constructed in 1921 and was once known as the Powder Ridge Gun Club — the only hunt club ever constructed in Duck. Today, it’s a bustling bookstore and café — the perfect place to grab a caffeine fix before setting out. You’ll have to take the tour to find out why the town itself is named Duck!
As we walk along the northern end of the boardwalk, wetlands stretch out on either side. “The marsh not only mitigates shoreline erosion, but it also supports a variety of birds and animals,” Kelly notes. Then, with perfect timing, she pivots to shout “Go Birds!” at anyone in an Eagles cap — a nod to her Philly roots.
Our guide, Kelly, explains the ecological importance of the marsh along the boardwalk. (Credit: Brian Tress)
Out in the middle of the sound, a dozen or so jet skiers kick up white water as they speed around in wide circles, keeping a safe distance from one another, the buzz of their motors muffled by the distance. Closer to shore, on a pier extending from the boardwalk to a kayak launch, we spot a father and his two sons trying their hand at crabbing — with pretty good results. Just beyond them, in the quiet shallows of the marsh, an egret is also on the hunt, poised to snatch a fish just below the surface. From here, it’s only a few steps inland to Duck Town Park, where 11 acres of natural beauty open up, including a maritime forest and a willow swamp.
The boardwalk is a one-stop destination for wildlife viewing and recreational activities like crabbing. (Credit: Brian Tress)
As the boardwalk winds along the shoreline, the tour group passes a wide variety of retail establishments — from pet supplies and beach-themed clothing to bath and body products, local crafts, artisan jewelry, and home décor with a nautical flair. Restaurants are also plentiful — many offering open-air dining with water views — ranging from self-service spots to refined sit-down experiences, and from Tex-Mex and light fare to local seafood and Southern cuisine.
It’s worth noting that Osprey Landing, at the southern end of the boardwalk, is home to the original Duck Donuts, which opened in 2007. Since then, this Outer Banks-born institution has expanded to more than 135 locally owned and operated shops across 25 states. Naturally, it’s a must-stop for the group — and a delicious way to carb-load before heading back the way we came, this time with a better sense of where to stop and linger.
Shopping and dining are key highlights of the boardwalk experience. (Credit: Brian Tress)
Written & crafted by Brain Tress
