Rainy-Day Things To Do on the Outer Banks

By Outer Banks Visitors Bureau on Sep. 26, 2024

Sunny skies and 75° weather would be ideal for every vacation, but a rainy forecast does not have to slow down your Outer Banks plans. Here are 5 ideas for families looking to stay entertained, enjoy local OBX character, and keep dry.

Indoor Activities That Keep Everyone Busy

Stay out of the weather while putting your coordination and problem-solving to work. Across the OBX, families can find bowling, laser tag, arcades, and OBXscape Rooms. OBXscape Rooms, a newer addition to the area, features themed experiences where players use clues and objects in the room to solve puzzles and make their way out of a figuratively locked space.

For a more active indoor outing, visit Jumpmasters Trampoline Park and its axe throwing facility in Manteo. If you want to keep up your workout routine, many gyms make weekly or daily passes available to visitors during the summer months.

Spend the Day Shopping Local

The Outer Banks is known for locally owned shops, boutiques, and specialty outlets. Rather than towns packed with ordinary chain storefronts, you will find welcoming personality inside privately owned businesses throughout the area.

Give yourself time for a shopping spree and pick up keepsakes that help you remember your vacation for years to come. And when it comes to souvenirs, a trip is not quite complete without a pound, or maybe two, of handmade fudge or delicious saltwater taffy. Don’t forget to bring your reusable shopping bags if you can.

Grab Coffee and Settle Into a Book

That same locally owned spirit shows up in the Outer Banks coffee shops and bookstores. A good cup of coffee and a satisfying breakfast are hard to resist, especially when you can sit somewhere cozy and listen to the rain against the window.

Along this stretch of coast, look for locally roasted, hand-crafted coffee blends. In the area’s independent bookstores, browse for native authors and stories rooted in the OBX.

Explore the Water Without Getting Soaked

Take a different kind of adventure by discovering the waters around the Outer Banks from indoors. At the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, exhibits move through coastal freshwater habitats where guests can see river otters, turtles, and American alligators.

Visitors can also see conservation work up close at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center. Step into a sunken treasure ship setting while marine life swims nearby. You can touch a stingray, admire sea jellies, and take in local history. Sharks glide through the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. Throughout the year, the aquarium offers free daily programs along with fee-based tours.

Enjoy a Day In

Yes, staying in counts. A rainy day is a perfect reason to slow down and do nothing at all. There is no need to feel guilty about enjoying your vacation rental home and making the most of your time away.

Many rental homes include board games, cards, and movies for easy entertainment. Use the day for quality time with family and friends. Bake cookies, cook an OBX-inspired meal, learn more about the area’s history, sketch plans for your next sandcastle, or share your best pirate story. You have plenty of ways to make the day your own.