Traveling the OBX Bookstore Trail

7 Local Bookstores - 6 Towns - Thousands of Books
along the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Plus local authors and artists, artisanal coffees, handmade bags, journals, gifts and cards for every occasion, and more nooks and crannies than you ever dreamed of for cozying up with a favorite read…

In April, I had the chance to visit one of my favorite places in the world - the Outer Banks of North Carolina - the beloved OBX. Over thirty years had passed since my last visit. Way too long, I know.

A primary mission was to visit all of the local indie bookstores, and wow, there are seven of them! When I arrived, and to my happy surprise, I found out they are the starry destinations along the OBX Bookstore Trail - a clever bookish adventure and the perfect guide for my trip!

This was such a fun jaunt I had to share. Check out my trail guide and tips below, info about the bookstores plus links to my OBX Bookstore Trail Photo Gallery. Enjoy!

Trail Guide

Get your OBXBOOKS bookmark. Shop at your first OBX bookstore and they will date and initial their location on a fresh new Trail bookmark just for you. This brings a smile to you both that doesn’t let go.
Get your OBXBOOKS tote. Shop at least four more for a total of five to get this awesome Trail tote for your new books and other treats. Perfect!
Keep shopping. Give yourself pure joy and visit all seven stores. It may take a few trips, so keep your bookmark handy. The Trail will be waiting for you.

The OBX Bookstores

Buxton Village Books - Buxton

I learned about the Trail and got my bookmark at my first stop, Buxton Village Books, where I was honored to meet Gee Gee Rosell, the long-time owner who turned her vintage 1860s cottage on Highway 12 into a book lover’s paradise. You’ll marvel at every treasure-filled section, from Outer Banks books and a lovely offering of Southern lit to a room inspired for young adult readers and nooks dedicated to journals, artsy endeavors, and gifts galore. You can easily spend an entire morning here and even after all that time find it hard to leave.

This literay haven is an OBX favorite, celebrating 40 years on Hatteras Island!

See more Buxton Village Books photos.

Buxton Village Books, 47918 Highway 12, Buxton, NC 27920, 252-995-4840, buxtonvillagebooks.com

Books to be Red - Ocracoke Island

My next stop was Ocracoke Island’s Books to be Red, another 1800s vintage cottage nestled under sprawling oaks.

Sadly, I didn’t get to shop this delightful place full of books, local pottery, jewelry, candles, home décor, gifts and games. I’ll try again next trip.

Enjoy the ferry ride over and get a start on your favorite pick on the ride back.

Books to be Red, 34 School Rd, Ocracoke, NC 27960, 252-928-3936, ocracokebookstore.com

Downtown Books - Manteo

On Roanoke Island in Manteo’s historic downtown, I had the pleasure of meeting Downtown Books owner Jamie Anderson, whose quaint bookstore could easily be considered the community’s heart and anchor. While you’re there, ask about the BAND fund for Bringing Authors Into Dare Schools, just one more way this indie bookstore owner is supporting her community.

Along with great beach reads, local and regional favorites and enticing staff picks, this treasure trove has a fabulous selection of greeting cards and gifts, candles, and more. Be sure to stroll Manteo’s waterfront boardwalk and find a spot on the dock to dig into that fav new book you just discovered.

See more Downtown Books photos.

Downtown Books, 103 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, Manteo, NC 27954, 252-473-1056,
duckscottage.com > Manteo

Duck’s Cottage - Duck NC

Back on Highway 12, my next stop on the Trail was Jamie Anderson’s second bookstore Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books, originally a hunting cottage built in the early 1900s and now home to her bookstore/coffee shop combo in the Waterfront Shops of Duck.

I suggest get your book first then a cup of delish, fresh-roasted artisanal java and find a table by the windows or a chair on the porch and get reading.

See more Duck’s Cottage photos.

Ducks’ Cottage, 1240 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949, 252-261-5510, duckscottage.com > Duck

Island Bookstore - Kitty Hawk, Duck, Corolla

Throughout this literary journey, I spent several more joyous hours shopping at all three Island Bookstore locations in Kitty Hawk, Duck and Corolla. Along with fiction of all kinds, they offer seemingly limitless fare on gardening and travel, arts, crafts, film and television, nature and environment, history, cooking and entertaining, parenting, spirituality, and more. There’s something for every age and interest, and every store is unique, so be sure to shop all three.

See more Island Bookstore photos.

Kitty Hawk: 3712 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, 252-255-5590

Duck: Scarborough Faire, 1177 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949, 252-261-8981

Corolla: 1130 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927, 252-453-2292

islandbooksobx.wordpress.com

Trail Tips

Give yourself plenty of time. You’ll want to peruse every inch of every store. They are beautiful and charming, the owners and staff are helpful and happy to have you there, and your love of local, independent bookstores will soar.

Experiment. Every store is unique, and their assortment of titles is mesmerizing. Pick up something you’ve never considered reading before. All seven stores have incredible collections of local and regional books, fiction, non-fiction, and every imaginable genre for every age. The children and young adult sections in each are as impressive as everything else.

Look up. There’s so much more to see.

Visit often. Staff picks cycle, new and noteworthy reads come in all the time, and there are gifts aplenty for any occasion, any age, any time of year.

Visit online. Peruse their websites, sign up for their mailing lists and follow them on social media for recommended reading and exciting events like author visits.

Share your trail story. The OBX Bookstore Trail is an adventure to share wherever you socialize online and in person. Where did you start? Where did you get your Trail tote? What is your favorite staff pick? People want to know.

Happy trails! Support local, independent bookstores wherever you live and visit.

Many thanks to Gee Gee Rosell at Buxton Village Books, Jamie Anderson at Downtown Books, and Rory McFarlan and Ivy Doyle at the Island Bookstores for making my Trail adventure even more special!