2025 Nags Head Art Stores & Galleries Guide

Whenever you need a break from the beach, Cloud Nine is a great place for some creative renewal. This very cool shop was established here in 1988, and its since been a favorite for locals and visitors looking for unique creations from Outer Banks and regional artisans -- pottery, paintings, jewelry -- but especially to indulge one’s own creative yearnings by making earrings or a necklace, or who knows? There’s a vast selection -- the largest on the beach -- of the prettiest beads of all sizes and colors, including authentic trade and vintage beads, gorgeous seaglass and other jewelry-making supplies to choose from to fashion say, an ankle bracelet or headband.And if you don't know how to start, owner Ginnie Flowers and her staff offer weekly classes and workshops, specializing in seaglass wire wrapping and beading. Along with sharing her talents and supporting over 50 local artists and designers, Ginnie gives back to the community in a number of other ways. She contributes to Dare County’s Arts Council, Animal Rescue, Surfrider Foundation and, to encourage children's literacy, she started a "Read for Beads" program.You'll not want to miss Ginnie's treasure of a shop, tucked away near a corner in Pirate's Quay Shopping Center, just south of the YMCA. What better way to spend the day but by making something beautiful to wear or give as a gift? Cloud Nine offers the best kind of Outer Banks souvenir: one crafted with your own hands.

With such a wonderfully evocative name, you know that the Ghost Fleet Gallery is no ordinary art showcase. First of all, the owner and artist Glenn Eure, (rhymes with “pure,” he likes to say) a character in his own right, designed the building. And since the early 1970s, he and “gallery wife” Pat have been some of the top supporters and boosters of the art community on the Outer Banks.

Gulf Stream Gifts in Nags Head, NC (Outer Banks, MP 10.5) offers a great variety of sterling silver, 14kt gold and fashion jewelry with a coastal flair. We also have souvenirs such as mermaids and turtles, t-shirts, wind chimes, greeting cards, Christmas figurines, hats, beach coverups, sunglasses and books. You can pick up some gifts and jewelry and then dash across the street to the beach.

Themed on recycled and repurposed materials, Seagreen Gallery is one of the newest and most innovative art establishments on the Outer Banks.  This is a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone who has everything. 

Since its opening in 1961, Seaside Art Gallery has steadily expanded from one room into an impressive 12 rooms, filled with selections representing an eclectic range of artists, eras and mediums --- even masters like Rembrandt and James M. Whistler.  Owned by the same family at the same location, the gallery is like an art museum that just keeps going and going, except nearly everything in it is for sale. The business is a reflection of more than 75 years of collecting that started with original owners Barbara and Chester Smith, and is lovingly continued by their daughter, Melanie Smith.  Most rooms at Seaside feature themes, like seascapes and local scenes;  Western and Native American art; modern art; antique pottery and vintage art;  and Oriental art. An entire room is dedicated to a huge selection of estate jewelry, and another to a collection of original Audubon art.  A miniature art show --- featuring work no larger than 40-inches square or ,for sculptures, 6 inches ----held annually at the gallery since June 1992 has gained international acclaim. Another show held in February since 2007 “Animals in Art” donates 10 percent of the sale of any animal-related work to the local animal shelter. Artist demonstration shows, lasting anywhere from a day to a week, are also held throughout the year. The owner is also a certified art appraiser. 

The Real McCoy Honey & Pottery is a combined honey shop and pottery showroom. This one of a kind shop focuses on high quality goods offered in an approachable environment including; honey, honey-related products, hand-made beeswax candles, locally inspired art in addition to showcasing handcrafted pottery. All showcased artists as well as the honey for sale comes from a 100 mile radius of the shop.

There is a world of treasures to discover at The Salty Seahorse, a chic little gift shop that celebrates beach life with a wealth of handmade items and goodies. From unique pieces of décor made out of driftwood to charming gifts that will be a wonderful souvenir for loved ones back home, The Salty Seahorse is a great destination for shoppers who want to explore all the coastal fare and style that the Outer Banks is known for.

Located just a short stroll from the Nags Head beaches, Yarn and More Inc is a fun stop for knitting enthusiasts from the Outer Banks and miles beyond, thanks to its lengthy selection of yarn, accessories including needles, hooks, and notions, and regular classes for beginners who want to pick up a fun new hobby while visiting the Outer Banks.

Works by local artists in every medium are available to purchase at this wonderful art gallery, but there are also historic offerings like authentic Thomas Nast wood engravings, Civil  War-era maps and surveys and old Outer Banks charts.   Located in an old cottage across from the beach, every room in this gallery is a feast for the eyes. As soon as you enter, you’re inundated with images of the Outer Banks: pelicans, sand fences, ocean waves, sea grass and sunsets. Gorgeous nature photographs taken by gallery owner Eve Turek , tastefully framed, line one wall, but prints are also for sale. Images by other Outer Banks photographers can be seen throughout the multiple rooms, and artwork  ---- acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil and ink, collages, even aluminum ---- is offered in many styles and subjects. Children’s books by local author Suzanne Tate are also sold here. Custom framing and matting is available in a building behind the gallery.