The Town of Kitty Hawk
Kitty Hawk - A Beach Town and Much More
Rustic beachfront cottages lining the beach, a vast maritime forest calling out to be explored, and what are arguably the best burgers on the Outer Banks are just some of the magic of Kitty Hawk.
It was one of the first areas of the Outer Banks to have permanent residents with deeds and land ownership dating back to the early 18th Century. It is unclear where the name originated, the name of the town seeming to have its roots 300 or 400 years ago. The most likely source is the Algonquin Indian word “Chicahauk” which may have been a Native American village in the area.
Most Outer Banks visitors arrive via the Wright Memorial Bridge and the first town they come to is Kitty Hawk.
Placing Kitty Hawk on the Map
Kitty Hawk is the northern most of the three main towns of the Outer Banks. It can be considered the gateway to the Outer Banks.
The Wright Memorial Bridge—US158—connects the town and the Outer Banks with the mainland. There are two other bridges carrying traffic across the sounds to the Outer Banks. Those bridges are on Roanoke Island, but the Wright Memorial Bridge is by far the busiest.
About a mile and a half after leaving the bridge, there is a major intersection where NC12 meets US158. Going north on NC12 will take drivers to Southern Shores, then Duck and Corolla. Kill Devil Hills borders the town to the south.
Navigating the Town of Kitty Hawk
Some important terminology
In the main towns of the Outer Banks, US158 is Croatan Highway, but is most often re-ferred to as the Bypass.
NC12 is Virginia Dare Trail but is usually called the Beach Road.