Although most days on your next Outer Banks vacation will most likely be sunny and free of storms, you may experience a rainy day or two. Hopefully the weather on your next OBX vacation will be perfect but just in case, we've put together a back-up plan of fun rainy day activities in the Outer Banks you can enjoy even when the weather isn't ideal. Follow along with our rainy day trip planner and we are sure it will help you forget about the less than favorable weather outside and still have a good time while on your Outer Banks vacation!
DAY 1: HIT THE MALL
Just because the Outer Banks is a small strip of barrier islands doesn’t mean we don’t have some great retail stores to choose from. Hit up the Outlets Nags Head mall (formerly Tanger Outlets) and enjoy big name brands like Eddie Bauer, J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gymboree, Gap, Nautica, American Eagle, and Corningware Corelle. Since it’s an outlet mall, you can save a TON of money while searching for a good deal even if it's pouring down rain.
Outlets Nags head
7100 South Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-5634
DAY 2: STAY DRY AT THE NC AQUARIUM
The North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island is located in Manteo and is the perfect spot to visit on a rainy Outer Banks day. Featuring a 285,000-gallon “Graveyard of the Atlantic” tank housing a one-third scale replica of the USS Monitor, a touch-tank, Sea Turtle educational exhibit, and North Carolina’s largest selection of sharks, kids of all ages will enjoy this activity.
North Carolina Aquarium
374 Airport Rd.
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-3494
DAY 3: SAMPLE WINES WITH A FUN WINE TASTING
For a truly unique experience, consider taking the adults in your party on a wine tasting. Seaside Vacations guests have the opportunity for two discounted tastings at TRiO in Kitty Hawk and Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg! Trio in Kitty Hawk is certainly a favorite hangout spot for locals and area visitors alike often described as an Italian Bistro meets English Pub. Through our Club Seaside program, you can indulge on some of the very best wines from around the great state of North Carolina Santuary Vineyards has a special VIP tasting featuring reserve and library wines in special stemware, paired with a selection of NC cheeses. Sanctuary Vineyards is located in Currituck County and is a family run business that has had roots in the Outer Banks for over 100 years
TRiO
3708 N. Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-0277
Sanctuary Vineyards
7005 Caratoke Hwy.
Jarvisburg, NC 27947 (mainland)
(252) 491-2387
DAY 4: CHECK OUT AN OUTER BANKS MUSEUM
Visiting a museum is an exciting activity even during good weather but when it starts to rain, head indoors to one of our incredible historic landmarks. This activity is perfect for kids of all ages and is a great learning experience that will help visitors learn more about the local history and culture of our barrier islands. Luckily, the Outer Banks has a very rich history. We recommend visiting one of the following museums during a rainy day on your OBX vacation:
- Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Visitors Center
- Corolla Wild Horse Museum
- Whalehead in Historic Corolla
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- Ocracoke Preservation Society
- Frisco Native American Museum
- Chicamacomico Historic Site
- Fort Raleigh Historic Site
- Wright Brothers Memorial
- Roanoke Island Festival Park
- The Island Farm
- Roanoke Island Maritime Museum
DAY 5: WORKOUT INDOORS
Like many vacationers, you may be looking forward to enjoying a nice relaxing jog on the beach every morning during your week-long stay. When the weather doesn't want to cooperate, you can still get in a great workout!
Head to The Gym in Kitty Hawk for a great alternative to running on the beach. The Gym welcomes everyone - both locals and visitors alike! The Gym is more than just a facility with basic equipment. They have standard weight room gear, free weights, dumbbells up to 100 lbs, squat racks, treadmills, x-fit gear, medicine balls, battle ropes, plyo-boxes, rings, TRX, outdoor climbing rope, tires, sledgehammers, spears, 8-foot wall, boxing ring, Muay Thai bags, and other boxing gear for ultimate strength and conditioning. The Gym also offers fitness kickboxing classes for all experience levels! Plus, Seaside Vacations guests will receive a discounted rate of $10 for an individual access day pass (regularly $15) or $25 for an individual access week pass (regularly $34) at The Gym. To redeem this offer, the guest purchasing pass must present their reservation # or app as proof of rental.
The Gym
3712 N. Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 255-0609
DAY 6: INDOOR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
A little rain won't spoil your planned day of sports and leisure thanks to Turf's Up OBX! Turf’s Up is a premier Outer Banks sports club that provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy different sports and games (like golf, soccer, baseball, softball, zombie dodgeball, hockey, football, rugby, carnival games and virtual reality) with an ultra-high-quality gaming simulator. That’s right – Turf’s Up is an indoor sports arena catering to all ages and skill levels! And when you're finished there, head on over to Jumpmasters OBX where you can bounce around in the trampoline park and explore the ninja course, foam pit, and dodgeball areas! And for older kids and adults, check out axe-throwing where you can channel your inner Viking while you try to land the bullseye.
Turf's Up OBX
3712 N. Croatan Hwy
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 715-5820
Jumpmasters OBX
728 US HWY 64
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 423-3177
DAY 7: SPA DAY
What would a week long vacation on the Outer Banks be without some rest and relaxation? Enoy a spa day at one of the many spas and wellness centers here on the OBX!
The Spa at Sanderling Resort offers spa treatments, salon services, bridal packages, yoga classes and acupuncture sessions. Essentially they have everything you need to enjoy a day of pampering on your Outer Banks vacation.
And be sure to make a stop at the Outer Banks Salt Cave where you can experience the glowing benefits of halotherapy! Book a session in the Salt Cave or enjoy a shorter session in the Salt Booth. For a comprehensive treatment, consider a massage or reiki while relaxing in the antibacterial, antimicrobial Himalayan Salt!
The Spa at Sanderling
1461 Duck Rd., Duck, NC 27949
(855) 412-7866
Outer Banks Salt Cave
3723 N. Croatan Hwy., Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 715-1637
Now that you have planned out some rainy day activities in the OBX, it’s time to book your accommodations! Explore our outer banks vacation rentals today.
