25 Ways to Unplug on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Connected with the world…but disconnected from ourselves.

If you’re like the majority of Americans, you’re perusing your Facebook, Pinterest boards, Instagram newsfeed, or tuning into the TV to unwind after a long day/week at work. And I bet while you’re “tuning out,” your kids are off on their own — spending their down time plugged into some sort of video game or handheld device. Endless text messages, emails, social media notifications, and instant news take up so much of our day and take attention away from what is really going on around us.

If this sounds like your family, then listen up.

With all the upsides to technology, every once in a while it is essential to get away from the hustle and bustle and take a moment to unplug.

Starting at sundown on Friday, March 3rd is National Day of Unplugging, 24 hours dedicated to avoiding technology so you can enjoy some unplugged fun.

So, put away that phone. Hide the iPad. Turn off the computer. Because for a 24-hour period this weekend you have the extraordinary opportunity to truly relax and start connecting with the world in real life.

Need some ideas to get you started? While it’s easy to unplug anywhere you are, one of the many special qualities about the Outer Banks is its beautiful landscape and family-oriented atmosphere that make it easy to put down your phone and enjoy the places and faces around you.

25 Ways to Unplug on the Outer Banks
1. Wake up early to catch the sun rise over the ocean.

2. Catch up with an old friend over a cup of coffee and mouthwatering donuts at Duck Donuts.

3. Visit a local Outer Banks bookstore and find a good beach read.

4. Search for sea glass while taking a leisurely stroll on our pristine beaches.

5. Sign up for an OBX art class.

6. Treat yourself to a spa day.

7. Rent a paddleboard for some fun soundside exploring.

8. Volunteer with the N.E.S.T. program and help our endangered turtle population.

9. Take a picnic lunch and go off-roading in Carova to watch the Corolla wild horses roam.

10. Take a self-guided tour of the Outer Banks lighthouses.

11. Stroll around the Elizabethan Gardens to see the new spring blooms.

12. Shop for a fun vintage item or unique gift for a friend.

13. Cast a line and wait for the fish to bite at one of the Outer Banks fishing piers.

14. Fly a kite on Jockey’s Ridge.

15. Collect photos and make a scrapbook of your favorite places on the Outer Banks.

16. Write a list of what you’re grateful for while you reflect on our sandy shores.

17. Sign up for a yoga or fitness class.

18. Take a kayak tour around the salt marsh and Currituck Sound.

19. Bird and nature watch along the Duck Town Park & Boardwalk.

20. Volunteer to spend time with some furry friends at the Outer Banks S.P.C.A. in Manteo, NC.

21. Treat yourself to a famous milkshake from John’s Drive In. (May we recommend chocolate peanut butter?)

22. Work off those Duck Donuts with a hike through the scenic Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve.

23. Take an airplane ride and get a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking OBX landscape.

24. Go horseback riding along the Cape Hatteras Shoreline.

25. Take the dogs on a walk around Roanoke Island Festival Park and watch the sun set over the harbor.

Are you and your family planning to unplug this weekend? We can’t all be on the beautiful Outer Banks when we unplug. So, besides our list of OBX-related activities, what are some other things you will do being doing this weekend…without technology?

We’d love to hear how you’re choosing to reconnect with loved ones and make your moments count.

*Edited Feb 2017 to reflect 2017 dates*