Discover Kitty Hawk

Among the beach communities of the Northern Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk may carry the prettiest name, though its exact origin has disappeared into history. One explanation traces it to an Anglicized native word, chickahauk, whose meaning is unknown. Another connects it to an old name for a goose sought by waterfowl hunters in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and by bird netters before then. Whether chickahauk and that mystery goose were the same thing is anyone’s guess. Either way, Kitty Hawk has a memorable name, and for many Outer Banks travelers, it is the first town they encounter when they arrive at the coast.

Many visitors recognize Kitty Hawk because of the Wright Brothers and the First in Flight history they learned about in school, even though a visit makes clear that Kill Devil Hills was the location of that historic first flight. The connection exists because, when Orville and Wilbur were spending time here, Kitty Hawk was the Outer Banks town with the largest population and had a telegram station. After the Wright Brothers sent word of their success to newspapers in Ohio, the telegram was transmitted from Kitty Hawk, and reporters attached the town’s name to the story.

Kitty Hawk sits between Kill Devil Hills to the south and Southern Shores to the north. The town blends year-round residences with vacation rentals, though the rental homes here tend to be more modest than the mini-mansions and oversized beach houses found in other Outer Banks areas. They feel closer to the way full-time Outer Bankers live than to grand oceanfront estates. Travelers will also find plenty of hotels and motels in Kitty Hawk, along with RV-friendly campgrounds, so overnight options are easy to come by.

This is perhaps the most commercial town on the Outer Banks. Wal-Mart and Home Depot are part of a broader mix that includes builders, specialty stores for new construction and renovation work, and businesses serving people who hope to relocate here or improve an existing home. That does not mean beach shopping is scarce. Kitty Hawk also offers many surf shops, beach stores, and places to pick up an OBX keepsake.

Kitty Hawk has a dozen public beach accesses, with additional private access at hotels, beachside motels and cottages, and oceanfront rental homes. Lifeguards and Ocean Rescue teams patrol these beaches, with details available in the beach guide, so visitors can enjoy the water more safely. One wooden fishing pier extends from this stretch of shoreline, though it is available only to guests of the Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk and to pass-holders, especially anglers who choose this pier over others.

Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve and the town skate park add more variety to things to do in Kitty Hawk. Skateboarders, along with families of kids who love sidewalk surfing, appreciate the 5,000 square foot park filled with ramps, rails, and quarter-pipes. Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve protects 1,824 acres of maritime forest preserve. It is one of the largest remaining maritime forests on the Outer Banks, offering a view into a distinctive ecosystem. The reserve includes wooded dunes and the narrow swales between them, areas of deciduous, evergreen, and swampy forest, plus soundside marshes and islands. Visitors can hike and bike, and some areas provide access to the Sound for kayaking or paddleboarding. Hunters are allowed in the Reserve during hunting season, so anyone heading off-trail should wear bright clothing and use caution. Hunting details are available through the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.

Kitty Hawk is also home to a strong restaurant scene. Bad Bean Baja Grill offers tacos and related dishes shaped by Latin American, California, and Baja, Mexico flavors. Black Pelican Restaurant & Catering serves seafood and wood-fired pizza. The Pony and The Boat features local seafood along with comfort food. TRiO Restaurant and Market offers salads, sandwiches, and shareable plates that go well with its excellent beer and wine selection, both from the menu and the bottle shop. From sushi and Indian cuisine to a standout breakfast and plenty in between, dozens of Kitty Hawk restaurants offer something to suit nearly any craving.

More to explore in Kitty Hawk

Places To Stay

Cottages, condos, campgrounds, inns, vacation rentals, hotels, and motels all give visitors a wide range of choices for places to stay in Kitty Hawk.

Restaurants

Dining in Kitty Hawk covers a broad mix for the whole family, including Mexican, Italian, seafood, and classic favorites.