Ahhh...my most favorite place in the world (except for WDW that is!).
I agree with the previous posters. I live in Newport News and it takes me 1.5 hours to drive down. There is a toll road that costs $2 each way and is a direct route after you exit I-64.
Things to do. In Duck there are TONS of gift shops all along either side of the road. These shops range from Bob's Bait and Tackle (always a fave with the males in my family

) to tacky beach shops (that sell hermit crabs and sea shells--I really loves these places

) to high end clothing boutiques that sell shirts up into the hundreds of dollars. When I was down last week, I went into this new store (can't remember the name) that had BEAUTIFUL dresses for $75-150. Now, they were unique and one-of-a-kind and very well made. If I had the cash on me then. I would have bought one! But I digress
As you drive further North through all the "areas" of the Outer Banks you will go through Southern Shores, Duck and then onto Corolla. Corolla is where these wild horses are located. Keep in mind that they do roam free, but i beleive that most have been kept in a fences in area since so many tourists have hit them with their cars. Heck, even I get excited to see free roaming horses walk though a town! We just need to be careful though...
In Corolla there are also many shops. Mainly high end since this is a "rich" (I hate saying that) part of the area. There is a nice walway that takes you over the Currituck Sound right next to the Currituck Lighthouse! I beleive it costs $6 to enter the lighthouse grounds.
Ok, so there is a sampling of what is to do when you are down there. Let me know if you have any other questions because I know where the good eating spots are too
