Day Trip with the Dogs: Duck, NC
Looking for a dog-friendly day trip from Hampton Roads? Here’s why Duck, North Carolina makes the perfect coastal getaway for you and your pup.
Just a couple of hours from Hampton Roads, Duck, North Carolina is a popular dog-friendly coastal destination. With wide beaches, scenic walking paths, pet-friendly shops, and plenty of outdoor dining spots that welcome four-legged visitors, it’s the perfect escape for local dog owners looking for a fun day trip without spending hours in the car.
Photo credit: Joey Austin
Getting There
Located in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Duck makes an easy same-day getaway for pet owners throughout Hampton Roads.
🚗Chesapeake: 71 miles
🚗Norfolk: 76 miles
🚗Portsmouth: 76 miles
🚗Virginia Beach: 89 miles
🚗Suffolk: 89 miles
🚗Hampton: 95 miles
🚗Newport News:104 miles
Stroll Through Town Park and the Boardwalk
Leashed pets are welcome to explore the 11-acre Town Park. Attending an outdoor event at the park? Your well-behaved dog can come along. A dog-friendly water fountain is available near the playground, and waste receptacles and bags are also provided.
Leashed pets are also welcome on the beautiful waterfront Duck Town Boardwalk. The mile-long boardwalk offers scenic views, shaded sections, and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the slower pace of the Outer Banks.
Beach Access for Dogs
Dogs are allowed off leash on Duck beaches year-round, but visitors should know that the Town of Duck does not provide public beach access.
If you’re staying overnight, check with your rental company to confirm beach access is included. Guests staying at Sanderling Resort (mentioned below) do receive beach access.
If you’re only visiting for the day, nearby Kitty Hawk, just five miles away, offers easier beach access.
Leash Laws on Kitty Hawk Beaches
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
• Dogs must remain on a leash under 6 feet between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Rest of the year
• Dogs may be off leash if under voice control
• Owners must carry a leash
• Stay within 30 feet of your dog
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
If you work up an appetite while exploring, here are a few dog-friendly spots where pups are welcome in the outdoor dining areas.
🐾🍽️Aqua Restaurant
🐾🍽️The Roadside Bar and Grill
🐾🍽️Coastal Cravings
Note: Policies can change, so we always recommend calling ahead before visiting with your dog.
Before You Go
Here are some items you may want to pack for your day trip:
Fresh Water
Extra Food
Leash and Backup Leash
Towels for Sandy Paws
Poop Bags
Portable Shade
Cooling Towel
Booties or Other Paw Protection
Grab Your Dog a Snack at Outer Barks
For nearly 30 years, Outer Barks has served local and visiting pups by offering delicious treats made daily onsite, fun toys, and collars, clothes, and other essentials. They sell cat bakery treats, too, so you can bring a little something home for your feline family members.
Want to stay the night?
If you’d like to turn your day trip into an overnight getaway, Sanderling Resort offers one of the most pet-friendly luxury stays in the Outer Banks. Through the Sanderling Pup Club, canine guests enjoy special treats, their own plush bed, and even beach access designed for dogs traveling with their families.
There are also many vacation rentals in Duck that allow pets.
Is Duck Worth the Drive?
Yes! Whether you spend the day strolling the boardwalk, relaxing on the beach, or treating your pup to a bakery stop at Outer Barks, Duck makes an easy and memorable getaway for dog lovers looking to escape Hampton Roads for a day.