Spending quality time with your favorite four-legged friend is a great way to spend any day. So why not go out and adventure around the Outer Banks with them too? Check out these spots you and your pup will enjoy in our Top Places to Take Your Dog On The Outer Banks.
Jockey’s Ridge
Take a hike with your dog up to Jockey’s Ridge! Enjoy a nice sandy walk on the dunes. Just make sure you’re up to date on Jockey’s Ridges’ pet safety rules.
Snowbird Ice Cream
Treat your pooch (and yourself) to a sweet treat at Snowbird Ice Cream in Nags Head. You can get a milkshake, ice cream cone, or even a burger and fries while your dog can lap up a pup cup. Pup cups are vanilla ice cream in a cup that’s $2. With every pup cup purchase, Snowbird donates $1 to the Dare County SPCA, the sweetest treat of all.
Nags Head Woods
Keep your dog active by going for a stroll in Nags Head woods. With 7 different trails to discover, the possibilities are endless. Just make sure you bring plenty of water for you and your dog and take a break and enjoy the beauty of the woods.
Downtown Manteo
Historic downtown Manteo is the perfect place to explore with your dog. Filled with plenty of shops and a few pet friendly restaurants with outdoor seating, there’s plenty to enjoy and do. Take a stroll dockside and check out all the boats or walk the sidewalks and admire the architecture of some of the historical buildings.
Roanoke Island Festival Park
While you’re in downtown Manteo, make your way over the bridge to Roanoke Island Festival Park. Festival Park is a historical representation site of Roanoke Island in 1585. Although your furry friend isn’t allowed in the representational part of the park, there is a beautiful grassy area near the pavilion perfect for playing a game of fetch and a sound side boardwalk that borders the majority of the park.
The Beach
The beach is one of the best places to spend time with your dog. Wake up early in the morning to enjoy a beautiful beachside sunrise stroll or wait a little later and frolic in the waves with your pooch. Just make sure you know of the water conditions and stay informed on rip currents.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Learn more about the first flight that took place right here on the Outer Banks and visit the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Visit the monument and even see a real size version of the Wright Flyer. While you’re learning, your dog is enjoying a nice walk around the park. It’s a win-win for you and your dog.
The Sound
In the evening, take a sound side stroll at the sound access behind Jockey’s Ridge and watch one of the famous Outer Banks sunsets. In the summer, even when the sun starts to go down it’s still pretty warm and since the sound is brackish water, it usually stays pretty flat (meaning, no waves). That creates the perfect opportunity for your dog to go for a fun swim.
Kitty Hawk Dog Park
Enjoy the dog park in Kitty Hawk and let your dog play and even maybe meet a few new dog friends. A registration form does need to be filled out and you must present a current vaccination record.
Make your visit even more enjoyable with your dog and book one of our pet-friendly vacation homes today!
Outer Banks weather can have a mind of its own, and sometimes when it rains, it pours! While you may be singing “rain, rain, go away” today, you shouldn’t let the Outer Banks weather dampen your vacation! There are still plenty of Outer Banks activities to keep you entertained and occupied when you can’t be at the beach! Explore our list of top rainy-day OBX activities.
Top Activities for Rainy Outer Banks Weather
Head to R/C Movies 10 Theater in Kill Devil Hills or Corolla Movie & Bistro on Ocean Trail to see the latest movie.
Visit the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo to stay away from the wet weather!
Challenge family and friends to a bowling competition at the OBX Bowling Center in Nags Head.
A trip to Seagreen Gallery is sure to brighten up your day when the weather on the Outer Banks is a downer!
Stop by Duck’s Cottage in Duck and grab a cup of coffee and a new book to read.
Treat yourself to a spa day at Aqua Spa in Duck.
Test out some new wines at Trio‘s wine stations in Kitty Hawk.
Jump on the wheel and make your own pottery at OBX Art Studio in Kill Devil Hills.
Enjoy a hot cup of specialty coffee at Front Porch Cafe in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo.
Unleash your inner artist by signing up for a painting party hosted by Local Color.
Browse or buy the beautiful paintings and jewelry created by local artists at Seaside Art Gallery.
Sample premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars to add some awesome flavor to your cooking at Outer Banks Olive Oil Company in Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head.
Take a tour at OBX Distilling to see the Kill Devil Rum making process in person and sample their rums.
Horse lovers can take a trip to the Wild Horse Museum in Corolla.
Take the kids to Life on a Sandbar for hair wraps, temporary tattoos, and crafts.
Take a shopping trip to Outlets Nags Head. The covered awning makes it easy to dodge the rain between stores.
Browse through over 750 different wines at Bacchus Wine & Cheese in Corolla.
A rainy day is the perfect time to visit to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras and learn about the numerous shipwrecks and maritime history.
Sign up for a yoga class at Duck Village Yoga to de-stress when the weather isn’t ideal.
History buffs will love exploring the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo to learn more about the colonists and their life on Roanoke Island.
Cheer up with fro-yo and some surf videos at Surfin Spoon in Nags Head.
Get your puppy snuggles in by volunteering at the SPCA in Manteo.
Test your skills and patience with a puzzle the whole family can put together.
Check out the unique boutiques and eateries at Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck. The covered decks will keep you dry as you shop.
Swim, workout, or play at the Outer Banks YMCA in Nags Head. Weekly membership passes are available for non-members.
Explore the Native American Museum & Natural History Center in Frisco to see artifacts and learn about the first Hatteras Island inhabitants history and culture.
Arcade games, game tables, and pizza make for rainy day fun at Angelo’s Pizza Arcade.
Night owls can stop by the Jolly Roger Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills for nightly karaoke from 10 pm to 1 am.
Stay in and play a card or board game with your friends and family.
Indulge on a rainy day with coffee and a specialty donut from Duck Donuts.
Visit the indoor museum at the Wright Brothers National Memorial for replicas, artifacts, and a quick history lesson.
Rainy Outer Banks weather makes the perfect setting for taking a ghost tour at the Whalehead Club on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
Stop by the Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, or Hatteras Libraries for story time with the kids.
Olde Towne Creamery in Manteo is a charming ice cream shop where you can cure your rainy day blues with malts, shakes, ice cream, fudge, and even pizza!
Visit Jennette’s Pier to see the new exhibits where you can learn more about our underwater friends.
Take the kids to Beach Braids for henna tattoos and hair braiding. They are easy to locate with studios in Nags Head, Duck, and Corolla.
Curl up with a blanket at your beach house and enjoy catching up with loved ones.
Avoiding the rainy Outer Banks weather we sometimes see during the summer months can be fun! After all, a rainy day at the beach is better than a sunny day at the office! We hope you stay safe and dry during your stay and have fun visiting these Outer Banks attractions. For more severe storms, you can stay up-to-date on Resort Realty’s Facebook page.
New scenery, experiences and insight are why we all long to travel. The saying goes “we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” Fresh salt air, uncharted territory, and one-of-a-kind experiences are just what you need to break up the routine and refresh your soul. From memorable day trips to one-of-a-kind outings, the Outer Banks has countless excursions to satisfy the wanderlust in all of us.
Keep reading to learn more about the Top 10 Excursions to Experience on the Outer Banks.
1. Day Trip to Ocracoke Island
Take the 40-minute ferry ride from Hatteras Island to the secluded and dreamy island of Ocracoke. The island stretches out nearly 13 miles with charming cottages, artisan shops, and a small town feeling that immediately makes you feel at ease. Most people travel by foot, bike, or golf cart to get around, so parents can relax and let the kids play. You can drive on the beach and try out as many water activities as you have energy for. You’ll easily see why the famous pirate, Blackbeard, spent so much time there.
2. Deep Sea Fishing Expedition
The thrill of reeling in a big fish is hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it firsthand. Heading out to the Gulf Stream with your friends for an all-day fishing trip is an unforgettable experience. Knowledgeable charter captains and mates will take you where the fish are biting so you can reel in large species of fish like tuna, dolphin (mahi), and billfish – including sailfish, white and blue marlin.
If picturesque places are your favorite part of traveling, you’ll want to sign up for a Corolla wild horse tour. Seeing the rolling sand dunes, beautiful oceanfront, and watching the wild Spanish colonial horses roam free is an image you’ll keep with you for years to come.
These famous lighthouses are not only navigational aids, they are full of history and detailed architecture with a wonderful view waiting for you at the top. The Currituck Beach, Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses are available to climb for a nominal fee. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo and the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse are not open to climbers but are open to visit at your leisure.
5. Historic Outing at The Wright Brothers National Memorial
Celebrate and learn more about the incredible achievement the Wright Brothers made on the Outer Banks at The Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Tour the museum and learn more about that historic day and see artifacts from that time period. View replicas of the gliders and statues of the key players in the first day of flight. Traveling up to the top of the monument and reading the inscription, “Conceived by genius and achieved by dauntless resolution and unconquerable faith”, will leave you with a sobering feeling about how monumental this invention and event truly was.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel to tropical islands to see dolphins up close! Catch dolphins swimming and playing in their natural habitat on a dolphin cruise right here on the Outer Banks! Spend a few hours on the water following the bottlenose dolphins around the Atlantic Ocean and learning more about them.
Charm and history collide in the quaint town of Manteo on Roanoke Island. Steeped in tradition, history, and old world charm, Manteo is located on the western side of Bodie Island, surrounded by gentle soundfront waves. Walk where the settlers traveled on Roanoke Island, visit the gorgeous grounds at The Elizabethan Gardens, watch a live performance of The Lost Colony, the only outdoor drama, or just enjoy the sights, sounds, and quaint shops downtown. This waterfront community is the perfect place to explore on foot or by bike.
8. Explore Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Pack a water bottle and venture up the largest sand dune on the east coast. Pick up a stunt or decorative kite across the street at Kitty Hawk Kites and fly it high on the towering dunes. For the more adventurous , try your hand at hang gliding! Even the little ones will love this famous Outer Bank landmark – perfect for running up and then sliding down the dune (not to mention, burning off some energy!) All that exploring needs fuel! Bring lunch and enjoy a picnic at one of the 8 picnic shelters. (Each shelter has two tables and a grill.)
Recently remodeled and updated with several new exhibits and galleries, the Roanoke Island Aquarium in Manteo is a fun place for all ages to visit. Touch the stingrays as they glide through the shallow hands-on touch tank. Travel through the Wild Wetlands where river otters play and alligators lurk. Experience the aquarium’s hands-on Sea Turtle Rescue exhibit and conservation efforts in the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center. View high-definition films and the new “Science on a Sphere” experience in Neptune’s Theater. And lastly, marvel at the largest collection of sharks in the state in the Graveyard of the Atlantic, a giant shark aquarium with Gulf Stream interactive exhibit.
10. Trek through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
If you’re longing for serenity and solitude, make time to visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Spreading out over 70 miles, this is a place where you can relax and enjoy a simpler way of life. Fish, kiteboard, swim, nature watch, or snap a few photos of the marshes and vast oceanfront. Playing and relaxing are both welcomed and encouraged here.
Excitement, adventure and new experiences await you on the Outer Banks. Don’t just daydream, do it! For more Outer Banks excursion ideas, visit Resort Realty’s Things to Do page.
