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 WALL
Build muscle and hone your skills as you defy gravity and master your ascent while enjoying some rock wall fun.
NINJA WARRIOR COURSE
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!
BATTLE BEAM
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.
AIR BAG
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.
DODGEBALL
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.
TRAMPOLINES (OPEN JUMP)
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…
- Call ahead to check wait times.
- Buy your tickets and sign your waivers online.
- Arrive 15-20 minutes early to check-in, buy jump socks and watch the safety video.
- Live on the OBX? Take advantage of the locals discount!
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.
If you are a first time visitor to the Outer Banks, planning the perfect vacation can be a little overwhelming. With so much to see and do but such little time, it can be a lot especially if you’ve never visited the Outer Banks before! Lucky for you, we’ve come up with a list of places to go, things to see, and more to help you out on your first visit to the Outer Banks!
Places To Go…
The Outer Banks is full of places to explore and enjoy the beauty and simplicity of small town life. Downtown Manteo features a ton of local shops and restaurants that you must visit. Plus, Roanoke Island Festival Park is just a short walk over the bridge. You can see what life was like for English soldiers in 1585 and even tour a real, working representation ship, The Elizabeth II! The Duck Waterfront Shops features a bunch of great local shops and an amazing view of the sound! If you’re in Corolla, historic Corolla Village is a must visit as well. On a nice, breezy, spring or summer day, getting outside and taking a stroll around these Outer Banks gems with your family is priceless!
Sights To See…
From the Wright Brothers National Monument to Jockey’s Ridge, the Outer Banks is full of rich history that is all tied together. The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are the perfect places to go if you’re interested in learning more about the Lost Colony and see gorgeous array of flowers. The Currituck Beach, Bodie Island, and Cape Hatteras lighthouses are must-sees as well!
Activities To Do…
Whether you have your own 4 wheel drive vehicle or need to rent one, you have to go to Carova or Cape Hatteras for a first time off-road beach experience! Carova and Hatteras Island both feature pristine, undeveloped beaches that are sure to please the first time Outer Banker.While 4WD beaches in Corolla and Carova don’t require a permit, the Cape Hatteras National seashore does. You can find more info here on how to obtain a permit. If 4WD isn’t your style, take a horseback ride with Equine Adventures and see the beauty that Hatteras Island has to offer!
Places To Eat…
If you’re looking to find the best local food, look no further! Outer Banks Voice has a great Best of the Beach guide for the best seafood, breakfast, donuts and more, making it easy for you to find the best local eats on the beach! Duck Donuts, Run Down Cafe, and Hurricane Mo’s are just a few great places that made the list so be sure to check them all out!
Where To Stay…
When visiting the Outer Banks, staying in a vacation rental home is your best option. It’ll save you money, keep you comfortable, and give you a space to bond and relax with family and friends. At Resort Realty, we have the perfect home for you no matter what your needs. From luxury homes to cozy condos, make your first and future Outer Banks vacations special and rent with Resort Realty! Browse over 600 Outer Banks vacation homes online or talk to one of our amazing vacation specialists at (800) 458 – 3830.
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!
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.
