Family activities are not synonymous with “boring,” as evidenced by the offering of Outer Banks family attractions. In fact the majority of Outer Banks attractions are perfect for families. Sure, most people visit the Outer Banks for the beach, but these activities allow you to experience the area in a whole new way. Go on tours to find the wild horses or see a view of the coastline from the water. Visit museums, monuments and lighthouses to get a taste of the Outer Banks history. Parade through gardens and nature preserves as you and your family find plants and animals that are native to the Outer Banks. Feed animals on farms during the day and check out kid-friendly movies (indoor and out!) in the evening. With a week to do everything, the activities will seem limitless. Check out our listing below of all the Outer Banks family activities that you and everyone in your party can enjoy, and get ready for the fun that awaits you.
Outer Banks Things To Do by Area
Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Things To Do by Category
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
708 Harbor Road, Safe Harbor Marina, Wanchese
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises for $20 to $35 per person. As you search for dolphins, you'll also enjoy the local scenery and learn about the other wildlife you will encounter. The boat is handicapped accessible and is available for private parties and catering. Reservations are required for dolphin tours and sunset cruises so call ahead.
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top,...read more
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
1100 S. Bay Club Drive, Manteo
Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in the Roanoke and Croatan sounds. This is a fun, hands-on, family-oriented activity, and all ages are welcome. You'll learn to pull crab pots and shrimp nets, and you get to keep your catch. They run four three-hour trips a day – early morning, mid-morning, early afternoon and late afternoon – from May through September. The 45' boat offers a large fishing platform — a 27-foot-long, 15.5.-foot-wide fishing area that accommodates six chairs and has a shaded area. The boat has a restroom and tables and benches in the cabin. They supply all the necessary equipment and fishing licenses, so all you need to bring are snacks and drinks, a few layers of clothing and sunscreen. Captain Wesley Peele makes sure everyone has fun and safe time on the water while keeping an eye on conservation and respect for the fish species.
Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in the Roanoke and Croatan sounds. This is...read more
Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
1409 National Park Drive (off U.S. Highway 64), Waterside Theatre, inside Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo
In July of 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island with the commission from Queen Elizabeth I to establish a permanent English settlement in the New World. They vanished just three years later. The only clues were “CROATOAN" carved into the surface of an abandoned structure and the letters "CRO" carved into a nearby tree. After nearly 450 years, the mystery of what happened to the colonists remains unsolved. The Lost Colony outdoor drama is their story.
Now in its 87th season, The Lost Colony, Paul Green's Symphonic Outdoor Drama, is performed on the site where these actual events occurred. Each summer, a company of more than 100 actors, technicians, dancers, designers and volunteers bring The Lost Colony to life. The production is enormous. The stage itself is three times larger than most Broadway stages in New York City. You are seated in an open-air theater, located on the Roanoke Sound, with the stars above and live action happening on three sides. See epic battles and Indian dances. Experience the sorrow and heartbreak of tragedy and loss. Witness the pageantry of the queen and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. You'll enjoy music, laughter, romance, dance and stunning special effects.
The Lost Colony is the “grandfather” of all outdoor dramas and is produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA), a nonprofit organization with the mission to celebrate the history of the first English colonies on Roanoke Island and to honor the founders of The Lost Colony through drama, education and literature. Outer Banks locals and visitors have loved it for more than eight decades. Seeing the play is a quintessential Outer Banks activity.
The 2024 season begins May 30 and runs through August 24. Shows are performed Monday through Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $40, are half-price for children ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger every night. Senior, military, AAA, group discounts and VIP packages are available. For the best seats, advance reservations are recommended. For tickets call (252) 473-6000 or purchase online anytime. Backstage Tours are also available nightly at 7:30 p.m. with the purchase of an additional ticket.
In July of 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island with the commission from Queen Elizabeth I to establish a permanent...read more
In July of 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
610 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla
If you want to see the wild horses in the four-wheel-drive area north of Corolla, Wild Horse Adventure Tours can be your guide for this popular Outer Banks activity. They’ll get you into horse country in their open-air Hummer H1s, which have been custom designed to seat up to 13 passengers comfortably. With exclusive rights to the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Swan Beach, the seasoned guides at Wild Horse Adventure Tours know exactly where to look for the horses. They know how to drive in the sand and they know a lot about the history of the area too, making for an enlightening trip. They’ll also point out wildlife, plants and interesting natural aspects of this ocean-side environment. They run many scheduled trips per day, so call to get all the details and make a reservation. Prices vary per season.
If you want to see the wild horses in the four-wheel-drive area north of Corolla, Wild Horse Adventure Tours can be your guide for this popular Outer Banks...read more
If you want to see the wild horses in the four-wheel-drive area north of Corolla,...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
AR Workshop is a national boutique DIY workshop franchise, and now there's a location in Kill Devil Hills. They offer instructor-led workshop classes, DIY...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
Avalon Fishing Pier was built in 1958 and is 696 feet long. They offer daily, three-day, weekly and seasonal fishing passes, and you can pay a modest fee...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
The Town of Kill Devil Hills' Aviation Park is on Veterans Drive, near Kill Devil Hills Town Hall. The park includes a paved path and fitness trail that is...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
This playground in Avon provides a castle-style climbing area and shaded picnic tables. read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
Get the ultimate vacation souvenir with a colorful hairwrap, some cornrows or a temporary tattoo. Beach Braids is the only Outer Banks shop offering natural...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
When you are driving to the village from the lifeguard beach, look for a large black granite marker on the right side of N.C. Highway 12 just before you...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
Ocracoke’s beach has attracted increasing national attention as it worked its way up on Dr. Beach’s acclaimed annual list of 10 Best Beaches in the USA; he...read more
Outer Banks Child & Family Oriented
Beach Outfitters rents bikes, beach equipment, cottage needs, baby gear and other convenience items too cumbersome to pack. Their bikes come in three...read more
