Southern Shores: a quieter OBX beach town

Southern Shores gives OBX visitors a beach-town experience that feels distinct, shaped by its history, residential character, and notable architecture.

Set between Kitty Hawk and Duck, Southern Shores offers a change of pace from the busier shore communities farther south. It was the first planned town on the Outer Banks, and developer Frank Stick gave the town its name. Around here, that still feels like a fitting choice for this wooded, residential place.

One of the first things visitors notice in Southern Shores is the architecture. Instead of rows of beachfront mini-mansions, the town is known for homes locals call Southern Shores Flat Tops. These low, squared-off houses feature flat roofs and echo the midcentury look associated with places such as Palm Springs. They were built with concrete blocks made from locally mined gravel, while locally-harvested lumber was used for interior support and decorative details. In both materials and design, they are deeply tied to the Outer Banks.

Southern Shores does not offer public beach accesses or Sound access points. Access is reserved for residents and the limited number of rental properties in town.

Compared with other Outer Banks towns, Southern Shores has its own look and feel. The island is narrower here, which limited development, and the town’s planners embraced that limitation because it helped protect trees and sections of maritime forest. A mixed-use path for biking and walking runs beside the road, set apart by a grassy median that is sometimes lined with trees. Along the streets and in the small neighborhoods near the Sound, the mood is quiet, quaint, and tucked away.

Because Southern Shores is geared more toward residents, it does not have the extensive lineup of shops and restaurants found in some neighboring towns. A few options sit at either end of town, along with a shopping strip near the Walmart in Kitty Hawk, where visitors will find a FoodLion and several places to eat. Other local dining options include Steamers, Southern Shores Pizza, Pizza Stop and Crumbl Cookies.