You can’t leave the Outer Banks without indulging in a sweet treat at Duck Donuts in Duck, NC! You may have tried these iconic pastries at one of their numerous locations around the country, but you need to visit Duck, where it all started. Before you decide if Duck Donuts is all it’s quacked up to be, take a look at our complimentary Vacation Guide. It’s full of amazing activities, attractions, and restaurants in Duck, Corolla, and Southern Shores so you and your family can have the best Outer Banks vacation.
Duck Donuts in Duck, NC
As you open the door to this magical donut shop, an incredibly sweet aroma will strike you. At that moment, you’ll realize you’re on vacation, so your diet is completely out the door.
1. The Story Begins in Duck
The story of the successful donut franchise all started right here on the Outer Banks, where Russell DiGilio and his family visited numerous times for vacations. DiGilio fell in love with the charming, family town and realized all the town needed was a little sweetness. He then formed a team to brainstorm ideas. One donut recipe idea led to another and Duck Donuts opened in 2007. People loved the sweet phenomenon so much that it has spread across the country and now has around 200 locations!
2. These Aren’t Your Ordinary Donuts
You’ve never tasted a donut like these! No matter how you choose to customize, each creation starts with a vanilla cake donut. The unique, cake-like dough sets them apart from other donut chains.
Wondering what kind of donuts to get? Here are some of our favorite dozens and the donuts that they include:
- Breakfast Dozen: Strawberry Shortcake, French Toast, Chocolate Explosion, Bacon in the Sun, Coffee Cake, Cookie Crumble, Peanut Butter Fluff, Blueberry Streusel, Glazed, Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, The Beach
- Fan Favorite Dozen: Coconut Island Bliss, Cinnamon Bun, Blueberry Pancake, Sunrise, Beach Ball, Chocolate Iced, Cookies & Cream, Maple Bacon, Peanut Butter Paradise, The Boardwalk, Strawberry Confetti, S’Mores
- Classic Dozen: 4 Cinnamon Sugar, 4 Powdered Sugar, 4 Glazed.
3. You Can Watch The Magic Happen
Watching your made-to-order donut make its way to perfection is all part of the Duck Donuts experience. A donut connoisseur will freshly prepare your warm, cake donut as you order. It then goes on a sugary journey to the pickup counter. Along the way, you’ll choose from a variety of coatings including cinnamon sugar, blueberry icing, maple icing, and more! Next, dress it with toppings like bacon, coconut, or Oreos. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, drizzle it with hot fudge, marshmallow, or other syrups of your choice.
4. Bacon Donuts Are a Thing
If you ask around, many will recommend the maple icing with chopped bacon donut. It’s perfect for the adventurous foodies who like to venture into the sweet and savory trends. If you think that bacon makes everything better, it’s worth a try!
5. You Can Try an OBX Breakfast Sandwich
What better place to try the OBX breakfast sandwich than on the Outer Banks? This is another excellent choice for sweet and savory lovers. This creative masterpiece is a delicious sliced donut, complete with your choice of egg, cheese, sausage, or bacon, with a drizzle of glaze or bacon on top! If you’re feeling risky, you can heat it up with hot sauce!
6. You Can Indulge in a Donut Sundae
At this point, your donut is no longer a morning pick-me-up. This is a full-on dessert that combines a warm donut with a refreshing scoop of ice cream. Pick from the classic donut sundae, salted caramel donut sundae, or s’mores donut sundae. It doesn’t get any better than a donut sundae!
Visit Duck Donuts, in Duck, NC!
Now that you’ve got donuts on your mind, it’s time to visit the Duck Donut store in Duck, NC!
Location: 1190 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949
Hours: Open daily, 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Start Your Day Right with Duck Donuts
After you try a delicious Duck Donut, head out on an expedition! There’s much to explore here on the Outer Banks.
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, a kayaking or paddleboarding tour with Coastal Kayak, will deliver. They’re conveniently located just three minutes up the road from Duck Donuts! They offer a variety of kayak and paddleboard tours and rentals, so you can find the best fit for you.
The Outer Banks are known for our classic wild horses, and you can get an up-close experience here in Duck. Wild Horse Adventure Tours in Corolla provides open-air Hummer tours so visitors can see the wild Spanish Mustang horses in their natural habitat. With exclusive transportation rights to the Wild Horse Sanctuary, you’ll have the opportunity to see these majestic animals right up close.
Another great activity after some carb-loading is heading out on a hike! The Nags Head Woods Preserve in Kill Devil Hills features eight trails for you to explore. This preserve is home to 550 species of plants and hundreds of other forms of wildlife. We always leave the hike in awe of the natural beauty!
These are just a few ideas for activities fueled by your delicious donuts, but there are so many adventures to explore here on the Outer Banks!
Pro-tip: Buy extra donuts to enjoy as a snack after your kayaking, hiking, or exploring adventures. You’ll be glad you did!
Relax in a Paramount Destinations Vacation Rental
The best place to crash after a sugar high is in a luxury Paramount Destinations vacation home. Reunite the whole family and stay in our Sea-U-Later! rental in Duck. This oceanside getaway accommodates 12 people and is the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring the Outer Banks. Catch up with your loved ones on the covered porch or lounge by the private pool. Your Outer Banks getaway awaits! Check our availability and book your dream vacation today!
