What’s a family vacation without your four-legged family member? The Outer Banks is a great place for dogs and humans alike to explore something new and take advantage of the beauty this unique strip of island has to offer. From walking on the beach to treating your pup (and yourself) to something sweet, our Outer Banks Dog Lovers journey has you covered!
DAY 1: DOWNTOWN MANTEO
Explore historic Downtown Manteo with your dog. Enjoy the beautiful boardwalk that borders the sound and explore the different pet-friendly restaurants that Downtown Manteo has to offer. While you’re there, check out Roanoke Island Festival Park. Festival Park is home to a 1585 reenactment site of the first English military settlement. Although dogs aren’t allowed in the reenactment site of the park, there is a spacious field by the pavilion you can play fetch at or take a walk around the dock that surrounds the park and take in views of the sound!
DAY 2: ELIZABETHAN GARDENS
Adventure back to Manteo and visit The Elizabethan Gardens. The Gardens features hundreds of different beautiful flowers with Victorian era statues. A garden fit for Queen Elizabeth herself, you and your dog will enjoy a beautiful walk through The Gardens. Right next door to the Elizabethan Gardens is Fort Raleigh Historical Site where dogs are permitted as well. Learn more about the Lost Colony of 1587 while puppy gets to get some exercise walking around.
Photo Courtesy of The Elizabethan Gardens
DAY 3: BEACH DAY
Of course, you can’t visit the Outer Banks and not go to the beach! All beaches are pet-friendly as long as dogs have a leash on no longer than 6 feet. The one exception is Oregon Inlet. Oregon Inlet is accessible by 4-wheel drive and dogs are allowed to run free! On your way there, stop by the Pet Gallery in Kill Devil Hills and treat your four-legged friend to a new toy to play with on the beach. Just make sure you and your dog have plenty of water and enjoy your day in the sun.
Photo courtesy of Harrison Lilley
DAY 4: TREAT YOURSELF (AND YOUR DOG)
Treat your pooch to something sweet, it is a vacation after all! Order yourself an ice cream from Snow Bird or go to John’s Drive-In and get a dolphin boat (locals love them). Both restaurants offer pup cups for your dog so they can have something sweet too! Forbes Candies also has treats for you and your furry counterpart. Enjoy their famous salt water taffy and treat your dog to locally made Salty Paws dog treats!
Photo courtesy of John’s Drive In
DAY 5: JOCKEY’S RIDGE
Take a climb on Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest living sand dune in the Eastern United States! You and your dog can enjoy both soundside and ocean views from the very top of the dunes! Just make sure it’s not too hot for puppy’s paws (or your feet). No one wants to be on vacation with burnt feet from the hot sand. There’s also a sound access right beside Jockey’s ridge; a perfect place to cool off.
Photo courtesy of the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge
DAY 6: KAYAK ADVENTURE
Explore the Outer Banks by kayak and bring puppy along too! With Outer Banks Adventure Kayak Tours, you can choose to explore places like Kitty Hawk Woods, Roanoke Island, Alligator River, and Mashoes Creek. In order to bring your dog along, you have to call ahead and book a private tour, but to be able to kayak with your fur buddy, it’s totally worth it.
Photo courtesy of Morgan Hannell
DAY 7: BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
Explore in Cape Hatters and visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Your dog is more than welcome as long as they’re on a leash that’s no longer than 6 feet long. They’re allowed to walk on the docks and around the park grounds but are not allowed on certain beaches or in buildings. Admire the beauty of the Bodie Island Lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful Outer Banks weather that we so often get.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
Your dog is allowed at all of these places listed and more, make sure they’re allowed to stay where you stay! Resort Realty offers many different pet-friendly houses so your pooch doesn’t have to miss out on the fun. Enjoy your Outer Banks vacation with your dog, and Resort Realty and book with us today!
