Ben Franklin

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Everything You Need For the Beach!

Stop by Nags Head's Ben Franklin at Mile Post 10 on the Bypass where you will find everything you need for the beach! From Clothing, T-shirts and Swimwear to Boards, Chairs, Umbrellas and Tackle. You'll find it all! Of course, we have the best selection of Souvenirs anywhere on the Outer Banks. Enjoy your vacation!

Ben Franklin exterior in Nags Head

Independently owned by a member of one of the Outer Banks' oldest families, the Ben Franklin store is stocked with just about everything a visitor would need to go to the beach. Owner Thomas Daniels said he opened the Nags Head location in 1977, but his family has been in the business on the Outer Banks for about 100 years.

Inside, there is 21,000 square feet of space filled with men, women and children's clothing, bathing suits, and foot wear. There are boogie boards, beach umbrellas, beach toys, hermit crabs, and even salt water taffy. There's also fishing gear and every souvenir a tourist could ask for. And of course, there's sunscreen, bug spray, and tanning oil. A visitor can't go wrong stopping in this charming store that harkens back to the Outer Banks' good ol' days.

Ben Franklin girls swimsuits section

Ben Franklin Hawaiian shirts

Ben Franklin boardshorts and apparel

Ben Franklin Hats, beach chairs and umbrellas

Ben Franklin fishing rods, tackle and sunscreen

 

SPECIAL PROFILE

Your First Stop in Nags Head

Ben Franklin in Nags Head is a One-Stop Shop Rooted in Local History
 
Ben Franklin stores were once part of a five-and-dime retail empire, with about 2,500 locations across the country in its heyday. As decades passed and the times and customers began to change, many closed their doors, leading to fewer than 150 of these nostalgic shops. Nags Head Ben Franklin, however, has withstood the test of time and adapted to the needs of its customers to provide a memorable shopping experience on the Outer Banks.
 
Debbie Terry Tolson, manager of the Ben Franklin location in Nags Head, recalls working with former owner Tommie Daniels. Daniel's father, Moncie Daniels, started the business in downtown Manteo in the early 1900s. The Daniels family has been a longstanding fixture in the Outer Banks business community; Moncie even sold gas to the Wright brothers in 1903.
 
Tommie, with an excellent business mind, saw the opportunity the new Bypass presented and, in 1977, he opened the Nags Head location of Ben Franklin.
 
"His was one of the first businesses on the Bypass," Tolson says.
 
In addition to a new location, the Ben Franklin store saw a new group of customers.
 
"People would come from all around because Tommie had a little bit of everything–it was more like a five and 10 then," Tolson explains. "As he went to the beach, he began to get more tourists, so he started catering more and more to visitors."
 
Today, the 21,000-square-foot souvenir shop quickly catches the attention of anyone driving by thanks to the ocean-themed mural that decorates the facade of the building, painted by local artist Rob Snyder. This Ben Franklin location has become the must-stop shop for both first-time visitors to the area and generations of families who escape to the Outer Banks annually.
 
Tolson credits the great prices and friendly customer service to the success of the location, which keeps families returning.
 
"People come in all the time and tell me, 'my grandmother or my grandfather used to bring me here and now I'm bringing my children,'" she shares. "One of my favorite parts about working here is seeing the people come back year after year."
 
– Interview by Arielle Patterson
Nags Head
Hours
Monday
9:00am-09:00PM
Tuesday
9:00am-09:00PM
Wednesday
9:00am-09:00PM
Thursday
9:00am-09:00PM
Friday
9:00am-09:00PM
Saturday
9:00am-09:00PM
Sunday
9:00am-09:00PM
Outer Banks Map
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Bodie Island

Bodie Island tends to cause a lot of confusion, for both the pronunciation of its name as well as its precise location. This small strip of the Outer Banks doesn't get a lot of attention, and most North Carolina visitors simply pass through the area on their way to or from the Hatteras and Ocracoke Island resort towns, or make a quick stop for an up-close-and-personal view of the Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Kiteboarding

Spring and fall visitors will notice the popularity of kiteboarding on the Outer Banks the moment they ride down a stretch of soundfront highway. In the off-season months, it's not unusual to spot dozens if not hundreds of multi-colored kites lining the skies over the Outer Banks' miles of sound waters.

Six Pack

You don’t have to be a Steeler’s fan to enjoy ‘Six Pack’ with your family on your Outer Banks vacation! Enjoy your own private pool with poolside tiki bar and hot tub, decks for relaxing, and you can bring your family dog, too! An easy walk to the beach makes this property a great choice for the whole family. There is room to spread out with a mid-level den with a queen sleeper sofa and TV, and the ground level has foosball and a mini-fridge. The kitchen is outfitted to make meal prep for the whole family a breeze. The top deck offers two wooden table and chair sets for outdoor dining in the beach breeze. Furnished with appealing and comfortable accommodations and bedding, you will make this your family vacation property for years to come. ‘Six Pack’ is located on a quiet street so bring the bikes! Great location for strolling, biking or jogging. . .and you can walk or drive to shopping, ice cream, and restaurants. Find yourself close to Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head Fishing Pier, and minutes from outlet shopping, Nature Conservancy trails in Nags Head Woods. Community tennis and skate park are also just a few minutes away.Top-Level: Great Room with Smart TV, DVD, Kitchen with Island seats 2, Dining Table seats 8, Additional Table seats 4, Deck Access with Seating, Hall Half Bathroom.Mid-Level: Den with Smart TV, Queen Sleeper Sofa, and Deck Access, Queen Master Bedroom with Smart TV; Queen Bedroom with Smart TV; Queen Bedroom with Smart TV; Hall Full BathroomGround-Level: Rec Room with Foosball Table, Mini-Fridge, and Washer and Dryer, Bedroom with 2 Bunk Beds and Smart TV; Covered Parking.Extras: Private Pool (11 x 22), Hot Tub, Wireless Internet Access, Foosball Table, Charcoal Grill, No Smoking, Dogs Allowed, Parking: 4 Cars, Milepost 10.5, Distance to the Beach: 1169 ft.Additional amenity details: Private Pools are open from May 2, 2025 until October 12, 2025 and May 1, 2026 until October 11, 2026. Pool heat is not an option for this property. Pets are not allowed in pools under any circumstances. An additional fee will be charged to leaseholder for the chemical balance, cleaning or damage that would cause the replacement of a vinyl pool liner. Hot tubs are available year-round. All Outer Banks Blue properties provide bed linens and bath towels for a small fee added to every reservation. We provide 1 bath towel and washcloth per advertised occupant. We provide 1 hand towel and 1 bar of soap per bathroom sink. We also provide kitchen towels. Beds are made prior to your arrival, and we provide a starter supply of toilet paper, bathroom soap, paper towels, and dishwasher detergent.Disclaimer: For the safety and security of our guests and property, this vacation rental may be equipped with a driveway-facing surveillance camera.Outer Banks Blue makes every commercially reasonable effort to maintain reliable information about the vacation rental properties we manage. As such, all information and descriptions are subject to daily updates and changes. We are not responsible for changes in furnishing, inventory, and décor implemented by individual homeowners. Photos, virtual tours, and floor plans are meant to be illustrative in nature. All vacation rental information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. If you have any questions please give us a call.

  • Nags Head
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2.5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
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