Finding free things to do on the Outer Banks is easy! We’ve got some top ideas right here. You don’t have to spend a fortune entertaining your friends and family during your Outer Banks vacation. One of the many great things about the Outer Banks is how many free activities there are to enjoy. It’s easy to entertain your family with free Outer Banks activities. We’ve come up with a list of the top free things to do on the Outer Banks that you’ll love.
The biggest reason why people come to the Outer Banks? Our gorgeous beaches. The Outer Banks is home to some of the most beautiful free beaches in the country. This is why spending your day at the beach is number one on our list of free things to do on the Outer Banks. You can see how to make the most of an Outer Banks beach day here. As long as you have a cooler packed with water and snacks and have layered on some sunscreen, the beach is one of the best free things to do on the Outer Banks. It costs $0.00 to have a great beach day and create memories that will last a lifetime with your friends and family.
Want to get some exercise in as well as learn about some seriously cool OBX history all for free? Explore the tallest natural living dune in the Eastern United States at Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. Jockey’s Ridge State Park and climbing the dune are completely free activities. Enjoy the views from the top of the dunes. With views of the ocean towards the east and views of the sound in the west, you get a unique view of the Outer Banks…all for free! Just make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks if you’re planning on playing for a while.
Take home treasures from the sea and search for shells and beach glass! The best time to look for beautiful beach glass and shells is right after a storm early in the morning. Take advantage of the summer thunderstorms and go beachcombing when the weather clears. Who knows, you might find something special that’s for free and arguably better than what you’d find at an OBX souvenir shop!
Downtown Manteo is full of history and beauty. Located just 10 minutes south of Nags Head, Manteo is the perfect town to walk around and explore. Take a stroll on the waterfront docks and enjoy the view of the Albemarle and Croatan Sounds. In Manteo, you’ll have the option to head over to Roanoke Island Festival Park. While the park itself does require admission, there’s a soundside walking path that’s free and open to the public. There are also free events that happen during the spring and summer months in Manteo. Exploring downtown Manteo is up there on our Outer Banks free things-to-do list!
The OBX is full of safe paths for bikers and walkers alike. From Duck to Nags Head and, you can ride along the beach road. As you pedal, you’ll be able to check out all of the different little local shops and eateries. Park at one of the public beach accesses for a break and a view! There’s also a bike path in Manteo that takes you from one end of the island to the other. Plus, if you rent a participating home with Resort Realty, you’ll be able to get free beach gear credit! You can put that credit towards bike rentals for your family if you don’t want to bring your own. Read more about that right here.
Take part in an Outer Banks beach must; ghost crabbing! Ghost crabs sometimes scurry around during the day but they really thrive at night when the beaches are quieter. Grab the family, some dark clothing, and flashlights, and begin your “hunt”. Ghost crabs freeze when a bright light is shining on them so that gives you a chance to check them out up close and personal! Just don’t poke, prod, or attempt to harm them. They’re still a part of the Outer Banks’ ecosystem and they will try to poke you back! Learn more about hunting ghost grabs here.
Take the day and ride the free ferry from Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke! The ferry ride from Hatteras to Ocracoke typically takes 40-45 minutes depending on the weather and runs every 30 minutes from both sides. During your ferry ride, you’ll have the opportunity for some pretty sweet photo opportunities and sightseeing. The ferry sails over the Pamlico Sound where you can see miles of water! Once the ferry stops, adventure the towns of Ocracoke or Hatteras, depending on where you got on!
The Downtown Market happens every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM from May to September. Take a stroll downtown and discover homemade goods, homegrown produce, and more. Local artists sell their works and live music is played sometimes as well. Going to the Farmer’s Market is completely free so you don’t have to spend any money unless you see something really beautiful (or really tasty) that you want to take home with you.
Learn more about the different wildlife refuges all over the country at the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitor Center. This center located in Manteo is 100% free! The National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center represents nine different wildlife refuges and one national fish hatchery. With interactive exhibits and audio-visual programs like a virtual airplane ride, you can learn more about national refuge centers and their importance!
Take a trip down to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center or over to Pirate’s Cove Marina and watch the boats come in after a long day of fishing. Watch the catches of the day being unloaded off the boats and even see who had the best day of fishing!
The Outer Banks is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, there’s no doubt about it (but we can’t help to be biased here). While the beach is one of the best Instagram posts you can have, there are a few more spots that’ll definitely improve your feed on your next Outer Banks vacation. We’ve updated our blog from March 2017 with some of the best spots of 2020! Once you visit the below spots, be sure to tag us on instagram at @resortrealtyobx and use the hashtag #ResortOBX to be featured on our page and in our brochure! Check out our top 10 Insta-Worthy Outer Banks spots and get ready for the likes to pour in.
The Kitty Hawk Pier has a rich, Outer Banks history. Originally constructed in 1953, the pier was ruined by Hurricane Isabel in 2003; just after undergoing about $300,000 worth of renovations. In 2006, the Hilton Garden Inn purchased the pier and is now popularly used for weddings and events. The pier is still open to the public with purchase of a pier pass; making it a great place for some great insta pics or just taking in the view of the beaches!
Trust us; go for the coffee and fresh baked treats and stay for the great photo spots! Ashley’s Espresso Parlour has been open on the OBX for just over a year now. Their menu consists of a multitude of coffee drinks, local beers, baked goods and more! Our personal suggestion? Any of the amazing cold brew milkshakes. A sweet treat that’ll definitely have you bright eyed for your Outer Banks instagram pics.
Oh, the Wright Brothers. Quite possibly the biggest contributors to modern day flight. The first manned flight took place in Kitty Hawk on December 17th, 1903. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills and not only is it educational, but it provides some of the best spots to take photos and have a piece of history to hold on to long after vacation is over.
Seagreen Gallery is an Outer Banks hidden gem. Located on the beach road in Nags Head, Seagreen Gallery is home to art made from recycled and repurposed items. Everything from the giant wave made from license plates and candles made from Coca-Cola bottles, Seagreen Gallery has given new life to items that most people overlook. Plus, the back garden is full of life, spanning from tropical plants, driftwood waves, and the cutest little bunnies you’ve ever seen. You’ll leave Seagreen Gallery with a new piece of unique art for sale along with some great Outer Banks Instagram content for your feed.
Bodie Island Lighthouse was commissioned in 1837 by the US government. The 156 foot tall lighthouse helped guide boats safely to shore. The Bodie Island Lighthouse (actually pronounced as “body”) is full of Outer Banks history…and a great photo op. There’s a huge lawn that’s perfect for posing right in-front of the lighthouse, a docked path that leads to an overlook of the marsh, and a covered porch; all perfect places for Outer Banks Instagram content!
Roanoke Island Festival Park is home to historical representations of what life was like in 1585. Strictly a military settlement, the colony of 1585 is known as the colony before the Lost Colony. On site at Festival Park, there is a working blacksmith, representational ship named the Queen Elizabeth II, and history museum! In addition, the grounds surrounding the park features a soundfront dock that gives you stunning views of downtown Manteo; perfect for Instagram pics.
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is actually a replica lighthouse of the original that was built in 1877. The lighthouse was originally located in Wanchese in order to help sailors and fishermen find their way to dock. Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a great spot for photos since it provides super cool views of the Nags Head bridge, the Elizabeth II, and the back side of Pirate’s Cove!
Corolla
Seeing the wild horses in Corolla is a must! It’s so cool to see them roaming around free and swimming in the ocean. Just make sure when you do take photos, you zoom in. You have to stay at least 50 feet away from the wild horses. It’s illegal and dangerous to get any closer than that.
Kill Devil Hills
If you’re more adventurous and are familiar with free diving or snorkeling, grab your GoPro and check out the Triangle Wrecks in Kill Devil Hills! These wrecks met their fates back in the 20s on the Outer Banks. One ship, the Kyzickes, wreck in December 1927 and the second ship, the Carl Gerhard, wrecked in 1929 and cut the Kyzickes in half. Exploring the shipwreck is fun but best done when the water is clear and especially best done with a dive buddy so you’ll be safe and so they can get some rad pictures and video of your adventure.
Duck
The Waterfront Shops in Duck are home to all of your shopping and ice cream needs. With little ice cream stores and shops like Life’s a Beach (an official Lilly Pulitzer retailer) and Islands by Amity, you’ll have the perfect wardrobe and the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram post!
Corolla
The Beer Garden has over 60 different craft beers and wine for you to try! Located in Corolla just off of Highway 12, The Beer Garden welcomes everyone, including your four-legged friend! With a quirky and chill island vibe, The Beer Garden is the perfect place to unwind after a long beach day with the perfect backdrop for tons of pictures!
Nags Head
Ben Franklin is an OBX staple that happens to have some pretty awesome artwork painted on their building! The entire outside of the store has a seascape painted that’s perfect for taking instagram photos. You can even get yourself a souvenir inside!
Nags Head
The Spot will soon be your new favorite place to cool off when you come to the Outer Banks. Serving up smoothies, ice cream, and their specialty acai bowls, The Spot in Nags Head is perfect for a sweet treat in between beach sessions. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone or a for a healthier treat grab a Loggerhead Bowl (pictured above). Not only are acai bowls super good for you, they photograph well too!
Manteo
Make sure you have enough storage on your phone because you’ll want to take pictures of everything at The Elizabethan Gardens. There’s so many different plants and flowers, you won’t see anything you don’t like. Located at the North-end of Manteo, The Elizabethan Gardens will transport you to a garden fit for Queen Elizabeth herself. You’ll be a hit on Instagram with your pictures because honestly, who doesn’t love flowers?!
Nags Head
Take a hike through Nags Head woods! With over 5 miles of trails, you’ll see wooded dunes, ponds, marsh and more! 7 different trails are available to explore, even a trail for those who have disabilities to get out and experience the beauty of Nags Head woods! Any trail you pick will sure to be picture perfect!
Hatteras Island
Pea Island is about 13 miles of land with no hotels, business, or houses in sight. This land is completely undeveloped and home to about 400 species of migrating birds and other wildlife. You’ll definitely see some awesome bird sightings and stretches of beach without any building in sight; giving the perfect setup for the best Outer Banks instagram photos!
Rain. Wind. Red flags. Sunburn. When these unfortunate events strike on your Outer Banks vacation, we have the perfect prescription. Head to Manteo, North Carolina for some indoor fun at Jumpmasters Trampoline Park! We decided to do just that this past week — when the Outer Banks was inundated with rain for what seemed like FOREVER. No fear! We simply jumped in the car and took a quick trip over the Washington Baum Bridge to Roanoke Island to the charming waterfront town of Manteo to check out Jumpmasters. And we have to say, WE. HAD. A. BLAST.
Jumpmasters Trampoline Park features fun for the ENTIRE family! From the obstacle course and foam pit with foam jousting sticks, to the climbing wall, dodgeball area, and multiple trampolines for “open jump,” we forgot all about the rain!
Rock Climbing Wall
Build muscle and hone your skills as you defy gravity and master your ascent while enjoying some rock wall fun.
https://youtu.be/4NdJl3eQVO8
I don’t know about your kids, but mine live for the TV show “American Ninja Warrior” in the summer. So when they discovered that Jumpmasters had their own smaller-scale version of a ninja warrior course that they could try for themselves, they were pumped!
https://youtu.be/niolm61bfe8
The balance beam meets jousting. Only the lances are soft (and a bit more awkward we might add) and the pit below is full of cushy blocks of foam. So instead of perishing, you’ll just fall off the balance beam and giggle as you try to make your way out of the foamy pit.
https://youtu.be/K6a4raFdwcw
Feeling brave but want the assurance an extra soft landing? Try out the air bag! This unique airbag landing area is just that…a HUGE BAG OF AIR. Practice your flips, spins or other amazing acrobatics, all with the confidence that you’ll land safely on a giant, inflatable airbag.
Dodge Ball
Just when you thought the long lost days of PE were done! The funnest sport from your childhood re-emerges…but this time on trampolines! Jumpmasters has a dedicated area to play this classic game with friends. The only downside is that once you’ve experienced trampoline dodgeball, you’ll never want to play normal dodgeball again.
Open Jump on the trampolines
Jumpmasters has trampolines on the floor and trampolines on the walls. The only place they don’t have trampolines is on the ceiling. Easily the most well known attraction of indoor trampoline parks, the open jump trampoline area is home to the best acrobats, stuntmen, and daredevils…even the smallest of jumpers can get airborne during Toddler Time, safe and supervised jump time each morning from 9 to 11AM.
Planning on checking out this super fun indoor trampoline park on the Outer Banks? Check out a couple of helpful tips before you go…
In addition to Jumpmasters Trampoline Park, Manteo, North Carolina offers a full day of fun excursions for the entire family to enjoy on your Outer Banks vacation. Be sure to check out Roanoke Island Festival Park, The Elizabethan Gardens, Fort Raleigh Historical Site, and the NC Aquarium…plus several local boutiques and a variety of dining options (for the epicurean and the casual diner alike!) — located downtown along the beautiful Manteo waterfront.
Inspired by owner and operator Brent Johnson, a retired Major in the U.S. Army and certified Army jumpmaster, Jumpmasters is located on Highway 64 in the old Griggs Lumber site in Manteo. For more information about Jumpmasters, including operating hours and ticket prices, visit www.jumpmastersobx.com.
Vacation is supposed to be your time to get away, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends! In the midst of planning, traveling, and getting everything organized before and during your trip can make your head spin. Don’t worry and don’t get stressed, we’ve got the perfect guide to help you have a stress free Outer Banks vacation!
When planning your vacation to the Outer Banks, make sure you book your vacation rental home ahead of time. As the busy season approaches, many homes that might fit your size needs, vacation date, and price point might already be booked. By booking at least 6 months in advance, you’re insured to find the house of your dreams during the right time and for the right price! Resort Realty has homes to fit all of your family’s needs from small homes and condos to large, luxury getaways. As you plan your drive (or flight) check out which rest stops, gas stations, and restaurants are along your route and when you can plan your stops accordingly!
You’re supposed to relax on vacation, not work! Make sure you tell your co-workers when you’ll be out of town well in advance so they know you won’t be in the office. Change your voicemail and set an auto-response on your email to notify those who try to contact you that you’ll return back to the office soon. As tempting as it might be, try not to check your work email while you’re away on vacation, whatever comes up can be dealt with when you get back home!
Youngin’s and road trips don’t really go hand in hand so schedule your road trip while they’re sleeping! Arriving on the Outer Banks early in the morning before 11 AM can help you beat traffic anyway. (We’ve come up with a list of ways to avoid traffic on the OBX in our blog here) If the kids are awake, no worries, we have another blog with the 10 best family travel apps to help the time go by faster and your trip go smoother!
Take a lesson from the ocean and go with the flow! Planning ahead is great, but plans don’t always work out sometime. Don’t lose your cool if you encounter a rainy day or a packed restaurant, just go with the flow! There are tons of rainy day activities you can do on the Outer Banks and hundreds of restaurants to choose from! No matter what you encounter, remember your vacation is meant to be stress free!
There is nothing worse than going on vacation and then coming back home to a messy house. Take a day before you leave and have a family cleaning day! Get all laundry done, perishables out of the fridge, and do a thorough clean of the house. That way when you get home, you have nothing to worry about except for reminiscing on memories from you epic vacation!
Before your vacation, have each person (or family) in your crew come up with one thing they really want to do during your stay on the OBX. That way everyone gets to do and see something they want. Don’t forget to make a budget too. That way you know your limitations and know what activities are best suited for your group! We have a list of great Outer Banks activities here to give you a few ideas that won’t break the bank!
Everyone’s biggest fear is going on vacation and realizing you’ve forgotten something. The easiest way to make sure you have everything is to make a list! Luckily for you, we’ve put one together for you in this blog here!
You’re on vacation to relax, have fun, and be with friends and family! Be in the moment and enjoy it. Make sure to take a ton of photos and videos and if you post them on instagram, be sure to use the hashtag #MyOBX so we can see what awesome adventures you’ve had and the memories you’ve made while on the Outer Banks!
There’s nothing worse than going on vacation and realizing that you’ve forgotten something. Don’t worry, at Resort Realty, we’re here to help! Here’s the Ultimate Outer Banks Vacation Checklist to help make sure you have everything packed and ready to go! To make the image larger, just click on it!
The Outer Banks in the summer time is the best place to be! Everyone else thinks so too. If you’re an OBX vacation veteran, you’ll know that traffic coming in and out can get super congested. But don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect guide on how to avoid Outer Banks traffic. With everyone coming in on the same day and leaving on the same day, it can get a little congested. If you’re not trying to sit in your car for hours on your next vacation, read on to see how to beat the infamous Outer Banks traffic
The thick of Outer Banks traffic happens roughly between 11 AM and 3 PM due to everyone coming in. This can vary by an hour. However, by leaving early in the morning you can get on the OBX by 9 or 10 AM. This means you won’t have to deal with incoming traffic. Let the kids can sleep in the car so you can get a little peace and quiet. When you get here, explore the OBX while you’re waiting for check-in! There are plenty of things to see and do before your vacation rental is ready for check-in. From going to the beach to exploring amazing Outer Banks landmarks, there’s so much to choose from. To get an idea on what to do while you’re waiting browse through the following blogs:
Top 10 Hidden Gems On The Outer Banks
Top 10 Free Things To Do On The Outer Banks
Explore The Outer Banks On A Budget
Top 25 Outer Banks Rainy Day Activities
The most traffic on the Outer Banks on turnover days occurs on the route coming in over the Wright Memorial Bridge. While the GPS may say that taking an alternate route may take more time, it’ll save you from sitting in traffic; especially if you’re vacationing from Kitty Hawk south. Taking highway 64 instead of 158 may add miles to the journey but you’ll be moving at a steady pace and will be on the OBX in no time! Plus, who doesn’t want a good Bojangles biscuit?!
If leaving early or an alternate route to avoid Outer Banks traffic isn’t in the cards for you and your group, have a plan for possibly sitting in traffic. See which rest stops and restaurants are along your route, and pack enough snacks and entertainment for the kids. We’ve come up with a list of great apps for kids to help car rides to the Outer Banks pass faster! You can see them here.
Travel apps like Waze and Gas Buddy can help you travel with ease. The Waze app can help you avoid accidents, road obstructions, and gives you real time traffic updates. Plus, it offers turn by turn voice navigation and ETA. You can share where you are exactly with people you may be meeting at your vacation home. Gas Buddy can help you find the best and closest gas prices along your route. You can also enter to win $100 in free gas everyday, too!
Most people coming to the Outer Banks book a vacation rental home that has a check-in and check-out day that falls on Saturday. This is why traffic on Saturday is usually the worst. If you book a home with a turn over day that’s a Friday or Sunday, not only can you avoid traffic, you can also save money! Most homes with check-in and check-out that aren’t Saturday are typically cheaper! Resort Realty has homes with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday change over. This allows you to customize your Outer Banks vacation however you see fit!
See everything Resort Realty has to offer and get your (minimal traffic) Outer Banks vacation started today!
So, you’re planning a trip to the Outer Banks and don’t know what to do? Well, start with your interests! Are you a foodie and love to sample different Outer Banks cuisine? Do you love nature and want to learn more about the diverse ecosystem on the OBX? Or are you totally into health and wellness and want some time to recharge this Outer Banks visit? No matter what you’re into, we have the perfect Outer Banks Journey to accompany your interests. From a week of fishing fun to everything else in between, see what kind of Outer Banks vacation is perfect for you!
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To see even more Outer Banks journeys, check out our journeys page on our website! From homeschooling adventures to a week any mermaid will love, find your journey with Resort Realty!
Everyone needs a vacation, now more than ever! If you’re planning an OBX vacation but want to save some cash, have no fear, Resort Realty has you covered. Since 1987, we’ve learned a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two. We’ve got a few tips on how to snag the perfect, affordable, OBX vacation.
We say it all the time but we mean it! By planning your Outer Banks vacation early, you have more time to budget and you’ll get first dibs on the house of your choice. Our biggest booking days fall in December and January. Planning earlier for the vacation year ahead allows you flexibility financially, time-wise, and preference-wise.
Shoulder seasons are the fall and spring months on the Outer Banks. Summer has either passed or is upon us, the weather is great, but not everyone is flocking to our beaches all at once quite yet. Shoulder season vacations come with significantly lower rates than peak season. An example? A 5 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom oceanfront Signature Series home in Salvo will run you around $3,100 for a week in mid-May. That same house goes up to almost $11,000 for the week in July! You can easily save more than half the price by taking an OBX vacation in the spring or fall months.
Resort Realty is proud to offer payment options like PayPal and Venmo! With PayPal and Venmo wallets, not only does it make check-out easier, but it also allows you to easily request payment from other families you’re vacationing with, allowing you to split the cost of rent and making your vacation affordable. You can learn more about our Outer Banks vacation payment plans here.
This one goes hand in hand with the above. Here’s another example for you. During peak season, one of our most high-end, oceanfront Signature Series homes with a private pool can be around $21,000 which can cause some sticker shock. But let’s look at it in a different light. This house sleeps 12 people comfortably. When you divide that fee among 12 people, it comes out to around $1,700 per person. Broken down further? $252 per night per person. Again, this is for one of our standout properties. Many of our properties end up being around $71 per night per person when broken up by occupancy! Seems like an affordable vacation option when you look at it that way, right?
While there are some seriously awesome hotels on the Outer Banks, they’re not typically the best option for an affordable vacation. For an oceanfront hotel room with a king bed during July, you’d be paying about $2,300 for the week. While that sounds like similar, cheaper pricing compared to our rentals, you don’t get all the same amenities we offer. When you rent an Outer Banks vacation home, you have access to an entire house or condo, allowing you to host at least 2 people. You’ll have access to a kitchen where you can easily prepare meals for the entire crew. You’ll also be able to relax in a living room or rec room without feeling confined to one space. Hotels can be great, don’t get us wrong…but sometimes a rental home is the best option, financially and comfort-wise.
A mini-vacation is also a great option to save on your stay! Taking a 3-night trip to the OBX is sometimes all the time you need, especially when you live within an easy drive of the Outer Banks. Mini-vacations or partial week stays allow you the flexibility of checking in on a day that works best for you and not having to commit to an entire week. Partial week stays require a 3-night minimum. Find homes that offer partial stays here.
If you’ve never experienced sunsets on the OBX, you’re missing out. It’s something that is totally indescribable. The colors that the sky takes on looks like something out of a painting and the stunning sunsets of the Outer Banks look a little different each night. So grab your camera, your crew, and make plans to see some amazing sunsets because these 10 Outer Banks places are the best spots to check out!
Duck
Enjoy amazing, gourmet food with a stunning view of OBX sunsets all at once at The Paper Canoe. Located right on the soundfront, The Paper Canoe specializes in serving fresh-caught seafood along with other dishes influenced by Southern styles with an ethnic twist. Your taste buds will be wowed by the food and your eyes will be wowed by the front row sunset view!
Nags Head
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. With dishes featuring freshly caught local seafood and homegrown herbs, spices, and vegetables, you’ll get a taste of local cuisine with a stunning OBX sunset view all the while!
Manteo
The North End is a title among natives describing the north most end of Manteo on Roanoke Island. The North Carolina Aquarium and The Lost Colony are located on this end of Manteo and where the older Manns Harbor bridge begins is where the day ends. The view of the sun setting over the sound is something you will never forget.
Nags Head
Jockey’s Ridge during the day is amazing as it is, but at that golden hour of the sun setting, it’s breathtaking. When you climb to the very top of the sand dunes, you’ll get a view of both the sound and the ocean and it’s truly amazing. Make sure you take your camera for an amazing photo opportunity!
Manteo
Because Downtown Manteo is located right on the sound, the sunsets are spectacular. In this charming OBX town, you can have a front row seat to stunning sunsets right on the waterfront. Many benches line the dock for your convenience and there’s even a playground for your little ones. Hang out by the Marshes Light Lighthouse and watch the sky catch fire!
Hatteras
Canadian Hole is a windsurfers and kiteboarders paradise, it’s also an OBX sunset chasers paradise too! Canadian Hole isn’t just popular for watersports enthusiasts, the location along the Croatan Sound is popular among young families and beach lovers. Because of the steady breeze and calm waters, Canadian Hole is perfect for relaxing and watching the sunset over the sound!
Nags Head
The Condos at Sugar Creek offer a sunset view right from the comfort of your vacation home. You can sit on your deck and watch the sunset or walk down to the private covered soundfront deck. At Sugar Creek Condos, you’ll have stunning views of the OBX sunsets everywhere. Check out the condos available here!
Kill Devil Hills
Located right off of Hayman Street, the Bay Drive Gazebo is perfect for watching OBX sunsets after a long day. Take your kayak out on the sound and sit and float or sit on the gazebo and just watch the sun go down.
Kill Devil Hills
Climbing up the Wright Brothers Monument is well worth it when the sun goes down. At the height of the monument, you’ll be able to see across the street to the ocean, and an amazing view of the OBX sunset that will definitely be one of the best you’ve ever seen.
Don’t forget to save this to your Pinterest board to come back to during your Outer Banks vacation!
Road trips can be stressful, there’s no doubt about it. When you’re trying to remember if you packed everything for everyone and the kids are getting restless in the backseat, you can’t wait to get that OBX vacation started. With these 10 family travel apps, the traveling process from packing to pit-stops will be seamless!
This travel app will help you find the closest rest stops along your route on the closest highway or interstate. The app shows traditional rest areas as well as welcome centers. The app also allows you to mark rest stops as favorites, gives you notifications when you’re in range of a rest stop, and lets you leave reviews and see other reviews of the rest area.
Do you remember your favorite childhood book? This app is perfect for the kiddos that need entertainment. This family travel app has many beautifully animated animals that offer storylines to keep them at bay. Petting Zoo was created by illustrator Christoph Niemann and is perfect entertainment for ages 3 and up. This app does come with a $4 price tag, but it’s well worth it!
Are you or your kids interested in Art? The app, Drawing Pad is the perfect app to keep your kids entertained for hours. The app features a clean whiteboard and several basic colors making it the perfect family travel app for kids ages 4 and up.
What’s a road trip without some quality music? Spotify is free to use and features music from every artist you can think of. If you search “kids” in the search bar, you’ll find kid-friendly songs that everyone will love. While you’re at it, search for Resort Realty, give us a follow, and listen to our monthly Music Monday playlists to put you in that summer vacation mode! Don’t worry, our playlists are family friendly too!
The Kids World Atlas is a free app that’s perfect for kids to learn about places all over the world. The free version of this family travel app allows you to learn about animals all over the world with text and video along with quizzes that test your child’s animal knowledge.
Remember playing Mad Libs in the car and it was so hard to write when the car was moving? Now there’s an app for that! The free Mad Libs app has 21 free stories that allow you to save the stories to re-read and laugh at them for hours. The app is kid-friendly and you can play solo or with friends and family. The app is suitable for ages 9 to 11, but let’s be real, you’ll probably play Mad Libs as much as the kids will!
GasBuddy is the app you need if you’re trying to find the cheapest gas anywhere. You can choose to view gas stations by distance or price, report gas prices to help others find cheap gas, and you can enter to win $100 in free gas every day!
Accidents happen, hopefully not during your travel or on vacation, but they happen. Just to be prepared, the American Red Cross has provided an app that helps you in situations from anaphylactic shock to CPR chest compressions. The First Aid App also gives you tips on how to prepare for emergencies, can call 911, and locate the nearest hospital making it the perfect family travel app to keep you safe and prepared.
Waze is like the wonder app of traffic. Seriously. This family travel app helps you avoid accidents, road closures, police traps, and gives you real-time traffic updates. It also gives you turn by turn voice guided navigation. You can also send your ETA and real-time drive to update people you’re meeting at your Outer Banks vacation rental.
Oh good old Candy Crush. This game will work on problem solving with your child but you’ll probably end up wanting to play a couple of rounds too! This family travel app is sure to keep everyone, no matter their age entertained on your Outer Banks road trip.
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What Is Beach Nourishment?
Beach nourishment is the process of pumping sand onto an eroding shoreline to widen the existing beach. Sand is taken from either a sandbar, a dredged inlet, or an offshore borrow site on the ocean floor. Beach nourishment increases defense from coastal storms and beach erosion saving beaches and homes and business that border the beaches. Beach nourishment provides More Beach To Love!
Jennette’s Pier before and after 2012 beach nourishment – via the Town of Nags Head
Here on the Outer Banks, tropical storms and hurricanes are the norm and we usually take a beating from these storms. The last hurricane we experienced, wiped out part of Highway 12 in Kitty Hawk. Beach nourishment, in short, will save the existing shoreline from eroding and prevent some damage when hurricane season rolls around.
Highway 12 in Kitty Hawk after Hurricane Matthew 2016
Not only will beach nourishment protect the Banks from storms, it also allows more space for visitors and locals alike to spread their beach gear out without being on top of each other on nice beach days.
How Will The Beach Nourishment Process Affect Me?
Any given section of beach might be shut down for 4 to 6 days to ensure public safety. Bulldozers, loaders, and excavators will be used in this process. This equipment contains back up lights and alarms so it may be a bit noisy. Shore pipeline will be laid to allow for sand to be pumped from the offshore station to the active construction site. This pipeline will run parallel to the beach so they will be visible, however, sand ramps will be built over the pipelines to allow safe access from the beach to the ocean. All in all, you can still enjoy soaking up the sun, playing in the waves, and spending time with friends and family and make OBX memories that will last a lifetime!
For more information and updates visit the More Beach To Love website!
Are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by the sea this year? If not, you’re in luck- we can help you find your Outer Banks treasure to make sure you get to the beach this year! Check out some of our vacation homes inspired by St. Patrick’s Day that’ll be sure to make you feel like you found a lucky four leaf clover.
Enjoy th.e Outer Banks in the oceanside home of Lucky Ducklings! With only a short walk away from the beach and access to the community pool and tennis court, you’ll be sure to feel lucky on your Outer Banks vacation. Lucky Ducklings also features a volleyball court, horseshoes, and cornhole right in the comfort of the backyard!
Magic Triangle (5540) – Nags Head
Your next Outer Banks visit is bound to be magical while you’re staying at Magic Triangle. With 6 bedrooms and 6 and a half bathrooms, this spacious home is the best place to relax! Magic Triangle features all new decor, a state of the art kitchen, and an elevator so everyone can enjoy the home. Located just across the highway from the Outer Banks Mall, you’ll have easy access to shopping, restaurants, and more!
Located in Duck, the Golden Drake will offer you fun in the sun or shade, depending on where you sit on the giant wrap around porch! Play a game of horseshoes or volleyball in the backyard or go on a kayaking adventure with the kayak that comes with the house. With only about 500 yards to walk to the beach, your next Outer Banks vacation will be as rich as that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
The Green Turtle (4160) – Duck
If you’ve got a big group of family and friends, The Green Turtle is perfect for you! With 7 bedrooms and 7 and a half bathrooms, everyone will have their own space but will still be able to spend quality time together by the private saltwater pool, hot tub, or sand volleyball court in the backyard!
The Shamrock (5795) – Nags Head
The Shamrock will have you feeling lucky to be on the Outer Banks! Located in South Nags Head, The Shamrock is a short drive away from Jockey’s Ridge, the Lost Colony, and local shopping and restaurants. With an ocean view, sun decks, and more, The Shamrock will have something for everyone to enjoy on your next vacation!
You’ll be green with good luck on your vacation at Wright Off! This 5 bedroom 4 and a half bath located in Corolla is only a short walk from the beach, local shops, and restaurants. Wright off is located in the community of Ocean Sands where you’ll have access to the tennis courts and the community lake!
Four Horsemen (5560) – Nags Head
Make all of your friends back home green with envy at Four Horsemen. This luxury Nags Head vacation home is steps away from the beach and with 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and 2 and a half bathrooms, there’s plenty of space for everyone. Four Horsemen features a private pool, sports bar, game tables, and more so everyone in your group will be happily entertained on your next Outer Banks vacation!
Herbie’s (5005) – Kill Devil Hills
This little green beach box would make any leprechaun happy! Herbie’s is the perfect place to stay if you’ve got a small group of friends or a single family wanting to stay right on the ocean. This 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home has the classic old-school Outer Banks beach box look but updated features to keep it modern!
Kinnakeet Retreat (7620) – Avon
Have the luckiest vacation yet at Kinnakeet Retreat! Located in Avon, this 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home offers oceanfront views, and so much more. This Klub Koru home gives you unlimited acces to the Koru Village gym (including all fitness and yoga classes), the Avon Pier, and the Koru Village oceanfront pool!
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