The best feature and one of the greatest selling points of the Outer Banks is that anyone and everyone can visit and still have a good time! Whether you're into fishing, golf, water sports or sightseeing, the beach accommodates your favorite activity. Plus, there are plenty of family-friendly activities and events designed for kids! But what about the older kids? Teenagers can be notoriously hard to please but since the Outer Banks caters to kids of all ages, even your teens will ask to come back year after year!
Here are the top 5 activities for teenagers on an OBX vacation.
1. Take a Tour!
While your teen is on vacation, their first activity should be one that is specific to the area! The Outer Banks is rich in history featuring natural estuaries, diverse wildlife and a totally unique geography... and your teen will love exploring them all! Signing up for a tour from a local company provides both an educational and fun experience. These tours are navigated by local professionals to ensure you learn everything you can about the Outer Banks.
Dolphin Tour
Book a dolphin tour at Captain Johnny's Dolphin Tours! Your teenager will love the boat ride and the chance to see some gorgeous Bottlenose Dolphins! Local Captain Stuart Wescott is a 9th generation OBX native who grew up exploring the surrounding waters and now he takes locals and visitors alike out into the sound in his 55-ft long Coast Guard certified boat, The Captain Johnny. Tours depart in the morning and afternoon and he even has a sunset dolphin watch tour! As an added bonus, Seaside Vacations guests will receive one (1) free dolphin tour ticket per rental home through Captain Johnny’s Dolphin Tours so there is no reason not to go!
Aerial Tour
Perhaps one of the most unique and exhilarating activities on the Outer Banks is an aerial tour of the island! Barrier Island Aviation Tours will fly you over the OBX, the sound and the Atlantic ocean in a 1942 open-cockpit style biplane, a Cessna 172 or a Cessna 206. From the air, your teen will see the beach from a brand new perspective and may catch a glimpse of dolphins, sea turtles, and even shipwrecks off the Atlantic Coast. Tours run in varying lengths and can cover different parts of the area. Plus, Seaside Vacations guests will receive $10 off any Outer Banks Air Tour over 10 minutes in length!
2. Get Your Game On!
Just because you're vacationing on a barrier island doesn't mean you won't have access to any fun activities or amenities that you may enjoy in your home town. The Outer Banks has dozens of companies perfect for an evening of family fun so grab your teen and head to one of the following places to get your game on!
Indoor Sports Arena
Turf's Up is a unique and awesome indoor sports arena that your teens will want to visit more than once on their trip! Reserve a bay and choose from an array of virtual sports activities that you play with a huge interactive screen. Choose from baseball, football, soccer, hockey and zombie dodgeball or select one of over 90 golf courses to play a round of golf. You can even try your luck at carnival games! While you're there, be sure to book some time to try Virtual Reality! This truly original experience will work on your balance, test your reflexes, and transform your world into one like you have never known before.
Mini Golf, Arcades & More
A tried and true fun outdoor activity, let your teens challenge each other in 18 holes of mini golf! Try Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf in Nags Head (they also have go-karts!), Lost Treasure Golf in Kill Devil Hills (featuring 2 different 18-hole courses and a mining train you can ride), Paradise Golf in Kitty Hawk (also has go-karts, bumper cars and arcade games), and Corolla Adventure Golf in Corolla (with bumper cars!) Destination Fun Zone features an indoor black light mini golf course, a bounce house, lazer tag and an arcade.
Bowling
Another traditional but exciting chance for a little friendly competition... bowling! OBX Bowling Center in Nags Head is the perfect rainy day activity and will keep you entertained for hours. You can even go after dark for some late night "rock n' bowl"-ing! The alley features a cafe, updated arcade, and new state-of-the-art interactive touch screen scoring systems. Can you get a strike
3. Hit the Water Park!
A visit to the Outer Banks isn't complete without stopping by H2OBX - The Outer Banks premier water park! Spend the day embracing the epitome of an ultimate summer vacation as you visit over 30 rides, slides, and other park attractions. Swim in the 30,000 sq. ft. wave pool with various wave intensities, float down the 1,000-foot adventure river, or slide down the 9-story free-fall slide! With 8 thrill rides and 7 family rides to choose from, your teen will have a blast making a splash again and again. Thanks to dozens of dining options on site including BBQ, chicken tenders, burgers and hot dogs to fish tacos, nachos and plenty of desserts, spending the whole day at the park is a breeze! Don't forget to stop by the Wright Stuff shop by the park entrance before you leave to pick up a souvenir to memorialize your fun day! Seaside Vacations guests are eligible to purchase discounted daily tickets and week passes!
4. Go Shopping!
Anyone, no matter what age, can enjoy shopping and your teens will be no different! The Outer Banks is fortunate enough to have everything from mainstream chain department stores to local mom-and-pop shops offering everything from clothing, jewelry, home decor, food, and of course, plenty of OBX-themed items!
Outlets Nags Head
Outlets Nags Head (formerly the Tanger Outlets) is an excellent outlet mall located towards the southern end of Nags Head. Featuring a large parking lot and plenty of stores to choose from, its easy to spend a day lazily strolling through the stores and searching for a great deal. Shops include Gap, Nautica, Banana Republic, Claire's, Polo Ralph Lauren, Talbots, American Eagle, Sunlgass Hut, J. Crew, Rack Room Shoes, and more!
Jockey's Ridge Crossing
Jockey's Ridge Crossing is a very popular shopping center featuring local shops and hosting an array of events including kite workshops and live entertainment. These great stores offer tons of beach gear and even if they don't make a purchase, teens will love the coastal vibe they get just walking through the shopping center. Shops include Silver Line Jewelry, Life on a Sandbar, Kitty Hawk Surf Company, Kitty Hawk Hammocks, and of course, the famous Kitty Hawk Kites.
The Waterfront Shops
Located in Duck, The Waterfront Shops are the perfect blend of great shopping meets gorgeous natural scenery. In fact, nothing reminds you that you're on a beach vacation like perusing shops perched right on the water's edge! Enjoy shops like Outer Banks Olive Oil Co., Gray's, Sea Dragon Gallery, Candy & Corks, Duck's General Store, and Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books. Plus, when you get hungry, there are great dining options including The Blue Point Bar and Grill and Sunset Ice Cream & Cappuccino.
TimBuck II Shopping Village
Vacationing in the northern Outer Banks? Your teen will love walking through the unique shops at the TimBuck II Shopping Village in Corolla. Enjoy shops like the Beef Jerky Outlet, The Cottage Shop, The Cotton Gin, Gray's Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Kites, The Mystic Gift, Sound Feet Shoes, Outer Banks Pop Corn and Nags Head Hammocks. Plus, there are dozens of tasty restaurants ranging from burger joints to fine seafood dining so your teen can enjoy a meal with friends after shopping.
5. Grab Dessert!
Whether your teen plays mini-golf, tries surfing, sees some dolphins or buys new clothing, at the end of the day, they are going to need a special treat! There's nothing like a iced-cold dessert at the end of a hot summer day and nothing quite satisfies the craving like some fresh frozen yogurt, custard, or hand-scooped ice cream.
OBX Frozen Yogurt
Head to the Southern Shores Crossing shopping center and stop by OBX Frozen Yogurt - your teen will not regret it! They feature 8 rotating froyo flavors, gelato, and non-dairy soft serve plus candy, slushies, Italian ice, baked goods, egg-free cookie dough and Dippin' Dots! They even have 60+ premium toppings to add to your froyo. Your possibilities are endless plus, Seaside Vacations guests will receive 10% off their frozen yogurt purchase.
Surfin' Spoon
For a unique frozen yogurt bar, check out Surfin' Spoon of Nags Head! Located on the beach road, this pro-surfing froyo bar was established by pro surfer Jesee Hines. Mix together two or three flavors of the finest frozen yogurt available and top with everything from fruit and nuts to candy and sprinkles! While you're there, be sure to try out one of their island-famous ice cream sandwiches!
Kill Devil's Frozen Custard
For the finest available frozen custard on the beach, try Kill Devil's Frozen Custard & Beach Fries! Whether you prefer a cup or a homemade waffle cone, you'll appreciate the fresh taste of this frozen custard made using cream, milk, sugar and egg yolk. Choose from dozens of flavors including classics like vanilla and chocolate to flavors like mango, key lime, coconut and black raspberry. You can also get it made into a classic sundae with a variety of toppings, a shake, a float, or a cookie custard sandwich. If you love pieces of candy in your dessert, order a frozen custard hurricane and mix with your favorite candy. You can even take home a pint for later!
Scammell's Corner Surf Shop & Ice Cream Parlor
Feel like real ice cream? We get that! Teens can head over to Scammell's Corner Surf Shop & Ice Cream Parlor in Nags Head to enjoy over 50 flavors of delicious hand-dipped Hershey's ice cream while also exploring the attached surf shop. Choose from a cup or cone, or for a unique treat, order a milkshake, float, or classic banana split or ice cream sundae.
BONUS: Go Dancing!
Teens will love all the beach activities mentioned above but for a truly one-of-a-kind experience where your teens can go to interact and socialize with other teens, head to Paparazzi OBX on Sundays for TEEN NIGHT! An entertainment venue and dance club located at Milepost 4 in Kitty Hawk in the Kitty Hawk Plaza, Paparazzi OBX features 2,000 sq. ft. of open floor space, a large stage, and state-of-the-art sound system. Between the cool venue, awesome music, and the chance to win free stuff from various contests and giveaways, who wouldn't have fun!? Your teens will absolutely love hanging out with their peers and dancing to their favorite music every Sunday.
*Certain age restrictions may apply to any and all of the above-mentioned activities. An adult may be required to act as supervisor for these events and there may be an accompanying liability waiver. It's a good idea to check with each company individually before you send your teenager off on their own.
