Kids love buckets. Parents love lists. A perfect marriage of the two. An OBX Bucket List focused on the kiddos! Thanks to Kristen for the great Mommy-view of the Outer Banks bucket list. :)
(Note: These are in no particular order. Because how can you compare delicious frozen yogurt with a day spent on the beach? You can’t. :)
- Surfin’ Spoon. We love a cool tasty treat on a hot afternoon. In fact, it’s mommy that often suggests a trip for frozen yogurt, and not my kids. (Yes, I have a sweet-make-that-chocolate-tooth.) So, for the perfect fro yo treat, we load up and head on down to a little spot called the Surfin’ Spoon on the Beach Road (Rt. 12) in Nags Head. This ultra-hip frozen yogurt shop is the quintessential small beach town spot. Not only is it beachy and cool with delicious frozen yogurt flavors and a game room for the older kids, but it just happens to be owned by local pro surfer Jesse Hines and his wife, Whitney. It doesn’t get any more rad than that.
- Jockey’s Ridge. I don’t know what kid doesn’t like going to Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head. Largest sand dune on the East Coast? Sure. But how about tons of fun spent flying kites, climbing the dunes and then (dare I say it?), rolling down to the bottom. Cons? Sand. Lots and lots of sand. Pros? Enough energy output to guarantee at least a half hour nap from your little one. Or you. Or both.
- The movies. Sure, it’s not a local dig or somewhere off the beaten path, but every kid loves going to the movies, right? And besides, you’ll find that the OBX does have some rainy and/or super hot days. Perfect for a little indoor, air-conditioned entertainment. Popcorn anyone?
- The beach. Get on the bathing suits and sunscreen and pack the cooler, towels, chairs, beach toys, umbrella, baby pool, boogie boards, Frisbee, paddleball…well, you get the point. Load it up quick and grab your spot in the sand…because nothing beats a day on our beautiful beaches.
- Gymboree Outlet. Okay, I’ll admit it. My children may not like going here as much as their mommy does (especially with my Gymbucks!), but this kids apparel-only outlet store in Nags Head does have a TV in the back – perfect for keeping the kids occupied while mommy gets her shopping on. And on. And on… Breakfast at the Nags Head Pier. On the rare occasion that our whole family is together on the weekend (my husband is a charter fisherman = gone super early and back after dinner), we love to head on down to the Nags Head Pier for a delicious breakfast – and a fantastic view. Tip: Order the “Em Special.”
- Pirates Cove Marina. This is an obvious choice for us – as my husband works on The Hog Wild, a charter boat in this full-service marina. Not only is it fun to see daddy come in on the boat, but even better are the loads of fish that are unloaded off the back. Tuna, mahi (dolphin), wahoo…and perhaps even a giant billfish. Located on the Manteo causeway, Pirate’s Cove is a great place to take the kiddos in the afternoon. What to do after the fish are gone? You can grab a drink at Mimi’s Tiki Hut or some yummy dinner at Harbor Point Bar & Grill – both located within the marina. Tip: Most boats get back to the dock between 4:30-5:30pm. And bring your camera! You never know when you might see a giant blue marlin.
