Frisco, NC Visitor Guide

Contemplating a trip to Frisco and looking for more information about what the town has to offer, where to stay and what restaurants are available? This post is for you!

Frisco, North Carolina is just one of the many small towns that line Hatteras Island and is a small but popular destination set within a 6-mile (9.7 km) long strip of beach.

People of all ages journey to Frisco for watersports like fishing surfing and kiteboarding, but also for its beautiful nature and historical attractions. The majority of the land is owned by individuals that offer their homes as vacation rentals during the summer months.

The permanent population of Frisco is only around 200 people which is perhaps the smallest year-round population of any town on the Outer Banks. North Carolina 12 serves as the primary road for commuting and this pavement connects Frisco to other areas of Hatteras Island.

Where to stay in Frisco

From the sound side to the oceanfront, there are a plethora of vacation rentals to choose from. Stay in a cozy three-bedroom or gather your group of a close family of friends and secure a spacious, 7+ bedroom home that's steps away from the ocean.

There are several rental management companies that offer homes to Frisco vacationers. If you are considering a trip plan as early as possible as home rentals in Frisco are highly sought-after and can book well ahead of time.

Frisco Restaurants

Fresh local seafood, hamburgers, frog legs, pizza, pastries, and more await hungry patrons in Frisco which is home to a number of top-notch restaurants. Many of the restaurants in the area don't offer reservations however if they do, we highly recommend calling ahead.

Wait times during the summer can be long as visitors from neighboring towns travel to Frisco each night to enjoy the array of highly-rated cuisine options. Please note that not every restaurant on this list is open during the offseason! When in doubt, call ahead.

Gingerbread House Bakery

$$ - Pizza, Baked Goods

Established in 1975, Gingerbread House Bakery is one of the oldest restaurants on all of the Outer Banks! You don't achieve decades of success by accident, Gingerbread is known as having the area's best pizza and pastries. All baked goods are created from scratch daily - including the pizza dough too of course. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

52715 NC-12, Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 995-5204

Cafe Pamlico

$$$ - Fine Dining, Seafood

Unstructured waterfront views await you at this Buxton restaurant that's situated right on the Pamlico Sound (hence the name). Cafe Pamlico offers a more upscale dining experience. You can dine on the water and enjoy a three-course meal for less than $50. Locally sourced seafood is the star of the menu here. Reservations are required!

49684 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-4500

Tavern on 12

$$ - Pizza, American, Seafood

Trashcan nachos pulled pork sandwiches and pizza are popular choices here. Tavern on 12 offers tasty entrees in a pup setting that's near the beach. The prices are very reasonable and the staff is super friendly! Need we say more?

53060 NC-12, Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 986-5368

Hatteras Snow Balls

$ - Snowballs, Ice Cream

Did someone say dessert? Cool off with a snowball that's available with more flavor options than you could ever sample. In addition to snowballs, the menu features a variety of ice cream flavors, floats, and shakes to facilitate your sweet tooth. Oh, and the staff is super friendly!

53203 Delmar Willis Rd, Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 562-4488

Frisco Sandwich Co

$ - Sandwiches

Great prices and tasty sandwiches! Open for breakfast and lunch. Pair your hot or cold sandwich with coleslaw or potato salad and you'll be well-equipped to smash through the waves just across the street at the area's wide-open beaches. Call ahead to order and pick up at your convenience before heading back to the beach or your vacation rental home. Don't overlook the fried pickles on the menu, either!

53674 NC-12, Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 995-3354

Frisco Campground

Featuring 127 sites that are divided up between tent and RV designation. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, and both water and trash services are available to guests. Frisco Campground is located on the sound side, however, the ocean is a short distance away and there is a public boardwalk that accommodates easy access to the waves and sand for campers. Guests should take note that there are no electric hookups available at Frisco Campground.

Book your stay online or call ahead and do so ahead of time as this is one of the most popular campgrounds on the Outer Banks. Frisco Campground is typically open between the months of April and November.

Driving Directions to Frisco

Take I-664 or I64 into Chesapeake - VA. Take U.S. 264 East through Greenville NC and Washington NC. Follow US64 East through Tarboro, Williamston Plymouth, Columbia, and Manteo crossing the Alligator River bridge and Virginia Dare Bridge. Turn right onto NC 12 south in Nags Head and you'll be at the north entry to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Heading south, you'll travel across the Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet and through Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, and Buxton before reaching Frisco.

History of Frisco

The town was originally settled in the 1700s by English settlers from Maryland and Virginia who were drawn to North Carolina's Outer Banks region because of its natural harbor at Hatteras Inlet.

Once known as "Trent" by its first English settlers until the Postal Service changed the village's name in 1898. Frisco has deep roots in American cultural, maritime, and military history.

During the Civil War, Fort Frisco was established to protect the nearby Chicamacomico Harbor. The village also served as a stopover for Union soldiers headed south who were assigned to guard Confederate prisoners of war being held at Camp Holden.

Nearby attractions

Located just north in the neighboring town of Buxton, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest all-brick lighthouse in the United States. One of several beacons that have helped sailors navigate the treacherous waters of the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for centuries. Climb to the top, explore the onsite museum and pick up a sticker or book at the gift shop.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum to the south of Frisco was established to protect and preserve sunken ship artifacts, coastal lighthouses, lifesaving stations, fishing villages, and military installations. For a place with such a morbid name, it packs quite the punch. The museum houses over 400 pieces of maritime history from all different eras and most importantly to many people- photos and stories about the wrecks that happened in this inhospitable section just off the coast of Hatteras Island.

Frisco NC Things To Do

Are you more of a thrill-seeker? Enjoy kayaking, ocean fishing, kiteboarding, or parasailing? With the many options available along the coast, it is easy to find an activity in Buxton that suits your interests.

Of course, all that goes well with spending time on the quiet beaches with kayaks or kitesurfing over waves if you choose to relax in a chair reading a good book. As long as your furry baby is firmly on a leash in Frisco, you can even go walking.

Futuro House

Do you believe in aliens? Or do you at least think spaceships look pretty cool? Don't pass up the opportunity to visit the Futuro House during your next trip to Buxton! This UFO-shaped home was designed in the 1960s by what must have been an avid space enthusiast.

This unique piece of architecture was built for comfort and mobility, but it looks like something out of this world (see what we did there?). It's only about 20 minutes from Hatteras Island and can be found on Highway 12—just look for the sign!

Location
52186 Morriss Lane
Frisco, NC 27953

Frisco Mini Golf & Go-Karts

As stated above, Frisco has something for everyone in your family to enjoy. Be sure to stop in at Frisco Mini Golf & Go-Karts located at 155 Double Junction Road. You can enjoy a round of mini-golf on one of the oldest courses in North Carolina or putt-putt your way around our challenging miniature golf course with 18 holes featuring waterfalls, lily pads, and more.

If you are looking for family fun Frisco Mini Golf & Go-Karts is the place to be!

Pricing
Mini Golf: $8 per person, children under 6 are free
Go Karts: $10 per ride, children can ride with parent for free
Bumper Cars: $6 per person

Location
50212 Trent Lake Lane
Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 995-6325

Frisco Beach

Frisco Beach is also known as one of the best beaches in the area. Beachgoers can even walk for over 90 yards into the ocean. The pier is fragment after the hurricane's repeated damage to it. There is no plan to rebuild this site which makes it more attractive for tourists because you can see the effects Mother Nature has on the region. Spot shells that wash away onshore or the Frisco Pier that enters the sea and can easily be seen from anywhere on the beach can be easily seen from the beach.

Like elsewhere on the Outer Banks, Frisco is home to miles of pristine beaches that are ready to be enjoyed. One of the most sought-after spots in the town to stick an umbrella in the sand is at "Frisco Beach", a stretch along the Atlantic Ocean that is known for its cleanliness and accessibility, with lifeguards on duty. Most stretches of beach in Frisco are very primitive, Frisco Beach has amenities including showers, changing rooms, and well-kept restrooms. Be sure to arrive early or later on in the day! There are only 48 parking spaces spread across three different parking lots.

Horseback Riding with Equine Adventures

Equine Adventures offers an excellent way to learn about the Outer Bank's tranquility and its pristine beaches. Book a riding tour with them and you will receive an experienced horse from one of their well-cared-for horses selected just for your skills.

You'll ride along the Frisco beaches and explore the trails of the Buxton Woods maritime forest. Overall, this is a great experience that should not be missed when in Frisco one of the more popular things to do while vacationing on the Outer Banks!

Frisco Native American Museum

Are you a history buff? The Frisco Museum of History and Art is a must-see during your stay! It holds many artifacts from the Croatan tribe including oil paintings, pottery, furniture and so much more.

Pricing
$5 Person
$15 Per Household
$3 Senior Citizen

Location
53536 NC-12
Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 995-4440

Red Drum Pottery

Red Drum Pottery is a cute small shop where you can buy local materials. Also, feel free to enjoy a freshly roasted coffee or try painting a pottery masterpiece if you like. Although shopping is optional you can enjoy a coffee cup or a ceramic painting your own piece. It also sells furniture, pottery, and even bags.

Location
53561 NC-12
Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 995-3686

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the public beaches in Frisco NC?

There are several ways to access Hatteras Island Beach. It requires you to purchase a beach driving license while in the city. Another option is finding a heavy-packed beach along N.C. Highway 12 (the major road around the island) and walking past the dunes. Other options may include using these ramps as your passage to the beach. And a warning: Be sure the sand is hard-packed where you want to do so. Another sign is that there will be other vehicles parking there. It's us locals who notice cars tossed in the ground frantically.

Are you allowed to drive on the beach in Frisco, NC?

Yes, you can! Offsite vehicle ramps are located on Hatteras Island. Avoid driving the beach without a parking license or you'll get a heavy penalty. Keep an eye on the ramps and beach sections that close seasonally due to turtles and bird nesting. Permission offices are on Bodie Island (northwest of Oregon Inlet) and in the Hatteras along with the Visitor Center. For more beach information visit the National Parks Service website.

Visitors to the beach in Frisco, NC will find it is a spectacular experience. The beaches are wide and open with plenty of space. Be careful though: only drive on the wet sand at low tide because driving on dry sand may cause your car's tires to stick in the sand.

Are there lifeguards in Frisco NC?

You'll be pleased to learn that there are indeed lifeguards on duty at the Frisco Beach Access. Lifeguards are staffed at the beach seven days a week between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Always swim with a partner and consider bringing some type of board or flotation device with you if you get in the ocean. Be on the lookout for rip currents which are not uncommon along the North Carolina coast.

Is Frisco, NC A good place to live?

There are several reasons why people consider moving to Frisco: the natural beauty of the location; proximity to the beach; the small-town atmosphere of a place with local grocery stores, shops, and restaurants. There are also many activities nearby for people who enjoy being active.

How far away is Frisco from popular area attractions and towns?

Corolla: 90 miles (2 hours10 mins)

Wright Brother's National Memorial: 63 miles (1 hour 23 mins)

Nags Head: 58 miles (1 hour 13 mins)

Roanoke Island: 70 miles (1 hour 25 mins)

Bodie Island Lighthouse: 49 miles (1 hour 5 mins)

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: 8 miles (15 mins)

What is the weather in Frisco, NC like?

In Frisco, the weather is moderate during the winter months and the average rainfall is low. It's not uncommon for the temperatures to reach the upper-90s during the summer. Thankfully there is almost always a slight breeze, making even the middle of summer a little cooler. 

Vacationers should keep a close eye on the weather outlook during the Atlantic hurricane season as the Outer Banks is very much prone to tropical storms from time to time.

	Avg High	Avg Low	Avg Rain	Avg Wind
Jan	53°F	46°F	2.5 in	17 mph
Feb	54°F	47°F	3.0 in	17 mph
March	58°F	51°F	2.6 in	17 mph
April	64°F	59°F	2.4 in	16 mph
May	71°F	67°F	3.7 in	14 mph
June	78°F	74°F	4.0 in	13 mph
July	81°F	78°F	5.0 in	14 mph
Aug	81°F	78°F	5.7 in	12 mph
Sept	78°F	75°F	4.8 in	13 mph
Oct	72°F	67°F	2.7 in	15 mph
Nov	64°F	58°F	2.9 in	16 mph
Dec	58°F	52°F	2.8 in	17 mph