Build a SandcastleWhen you stop in the local Outer Banks Reef or Wings souvenir store, buy your kids a bucket of beach toys that will assist in making a sandcastle. Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You will need a bucket, a shovel and other sand tools, as well as some water to keep the fine sand damp and sticky. Depending on the ages and skill levels of your children, you could have your own family sandcastle contest. You could choose a theme (movies, animals, etc.) and everyone could build their own sandcastle. No matter how the sandcastle(s) turn out, you are sure to have lots of laughs! Take Your Kids To a Local Educational CampBecause of the various educational opportunities for children on the Outer Banks, several local organizations offer partial-day and full-day camps, most of which last five days. Organizations that have kids' camps are as follows: The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3493, The KDH Cooperative Gallery at (252) 441-9888, The Kitty Hawk Sports Kids Kayak Clinic at (252) 441-6800, The Outer Banks Family YMCA at (252) 449-8897, Dare County Parks and Recreation at (252) 473-1101, ext. 313, Dare County Cooperative Extension at (252) 473-1101, ext. 442, Ocean Atlantic Rentals Surf School at (800) 635-9559 and Club Hatteras Kids at (252) 995-4600. These programs will be fun for the kids while they learn about various aspects of the Outer Banks. Ride a Personal Watercraft in the SoundPersonal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306. On Ocracoke, personal watercraft can be rented at (252) 928-2600 or (252) 921-0314. Ride a Personal Watercraft in the SoundPersonal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306. Climb the Currituck Beach LighthouseWhile you are in the northern Outer Banks, stop by the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and climb the 214 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Once at the top, you will be able to get a close-up view of the 50,000 candlepower lamp that is visible for 18 nautical miles. Much like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the stairs to the top are narrow and winding, but the unlimited views from the top are an excellent reward. Visitors may climb the lighthouse for a fee of $6, and children less than eight years old climb for free. The lighthouse is open daily from Easter through Thanksgiving. View the Ocracoke LighthouseLocated in the southwest corner of Ocracoke Village, many visitors view the Ocracoke Lighthouse each year. Built in 1823, the lighthouse is the second-oldest lighthouse in the nation and is 77.5 feet tall. Though the lighthouse is not open for tours or climbing, visitors can walk down a wooden boardwalk adjacent to the lighthouse to view and photograph the structure. To get to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, turn left off NC Highway 12 at the Island Inn. The lighthouse is about 800 yards down, on the right side of that street. Learn How To KiteboardKiteboarding is a relatively new sport that is enjoyed by windsurfers, surfers and wake boarders. The Outer Banks is widely recognized as one of the best places in the world to kiteboard because of the winds and shallow sound waters. Though kiteboarding may look relatively easy when you are watching others perform the sport, it is actually quite dangerous and you cannot rent equipment until you have obtained a basic level of certification. For more information on kiteboarding lessons, you may contact REAL Kiteboarding at (866) REAL-KITE. They offer several different kite camps throughout the year for various skill levels. Kitty Hawk Kites also has a kiteboarding school in Nags Head and can be contacted at (252) 449-2210. Look at the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony PensHoused in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the 30 horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once-wild horses are a large part of the Island's history. At times in history, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens! Take a Boat Cruise To View Local Attractions and WildlifeIf you aren't interested in fishing or watersports, there is also a variety of boat cruises offered on the Outer Banks. Depending on which tour you choose, you could see dolphins, shipwrecks, sunsets, various sights and local attractions, various bird species, and more! In Nags Head, contact Bodie Island Adventures at (252) 441-6682. Outer Banks Cruises in Manteo is also an option, and can be reached at (252) 473-1475. Captain Clam in Hatteras, though it is primarily a headboat fishing charter, also offers pirate tours some evenings in the summer, and can be reached at (252) 986-2365. Taste Authentic German Food and Beer at the Weeping Radish BreweryThe Weeping Radish Brewery is a Bavarian-style restaurant and brewery in Manteo. On the grounds of the restaurant, the Weeping Radish brewmaster makes both light and dark beers. Brewery tours are available in June, July and August and free samples are given on the tour. The restaurant holds an Oktoberfest festival each year, normally the weekend after Labor Day. This restaurant is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. For more information, you can contact the restaurant at (252) 473-1157. Stop by and check it out! | Nags Head RestaurantsKentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)7320 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Dune Burger 7308 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Sam & Omie's Restaurant 7228 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Fat Boyz Ice Cream & Grill 7208 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Owens' Restaurant 7114 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 The Dunes Restaurant 7013 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Tale of the Whale Restaurant 7575 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head/Manteo Causeway Nags Head, NC 27959 Miller's Restaurant 6816 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe 7623 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head/Manteo Causeway Nags Head, NC 27959 Dairy Queen 6714 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant 7640 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Subway Sandwiches & Salads 106 E Finch Street Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head ShoppingSea Tree Gallery7332 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Daniels' Whalebone Seafood Market 101 Grey Eagle Street Nags Head, NC 27959 Jennette's Pier 7223 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Cahoon RV - Grocery & Cottages 7213 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Publisher's Warehouse 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Claire's Accessories 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Gap Outlet 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Nautica 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Bass Shoe Factory Outlet 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Corningware-Corelle-Revere Factory Store 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Geoffrey Beene #211 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Izod 7100 S Croatan Highway Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks AttractionsJennette's Pier7223 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Outer Banks Fishing Pier 8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road Nags Head, NC 27959 Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters 2000 Sailfish Drive Manteo/Nags Head Causeway Manteo, NC 27954 Bodie Island Lighthouse 10005 Old Oregon Inlet Road Nags Head, NC 27959 Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 98 NC Highway 12 Nags Head, NC 27959 Roanoke Island Festival Park 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954 Outer Banks History Center 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954 North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island 104 Fernando Street Manteo, NC 27954 Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue Manteo, NC 27954 Cape Hatteras National Seashore 1401 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge 708 S US Highway 64/264 Manteo, NC 27954 The Elizabethan Gardens 1411 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Nags Head ActivitiesNags Head Raceway7000 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Jurassic Putt 6926 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Blackbeard's Miniature Golf 6714 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Bodie Island Adventures 7649 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf 6606 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Speed N Spray 6408 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Nags Head Golf Links 5615 S Seachase Drive Nags Head, NC 27959 Kitty Hawk Kites 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Carolina Outdoors 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Kitty Hawk Sports 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 Native Vine Cellars & Tasting Room 3933 S Croatan Highway Nags Head, NC 27959 |