Visit The Outer Banks

A Memorable Mom-and-Daughter Trip to the Outer Banks

By Tandra Wilkerson
Aug. 16, 2023

This was exactly the getaway we had been hoping for: time away from school schedules and everyday rhythms, the excitement of fresh places, and the simple joy of stepping somewhere new. Even with only a brief visit, Nags Head in the Outer Banks of North Carolina felt wonderfully just right.

Summer break began in the best possible way. None of us had been to North Carolina's Outer Banks before, and the fun we found on this girls’ trip was hard to top. As a mom traveling with daughters, our shared interests made planning easy. We filled the weekend with activities and got a real sense of the destination, especially after hearing so much about Nags Head’s major sights and nearby experiences.

Together, we set out to visit:

Across one weekend, we made our way through all of them, with a few meal breaks along the way. Every stop felt worthwhile in both time and cost. One of the best parts for me was seeing my daughters form lasting memories while standing in places connected to history they had already encountered in books.

The amount of history woven throughout the Outer Banks amazed us. Every site offered background on where it came from and how it fits into a larger timeline. Still, the Manteo tour gave us the most unexpected depth. The information shared there helped us connect more fully with the historical importance of the area. Places that combine learning with fun are always the kind of destinations we seek out.

A girls’ getaway also needs room to unwind, so we made time for the pool and the beach. Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront gave us both. The heated indoor pool remained open until 10pm, and the private beach access meant fewer people and more room to settle in. My daughters could enjoy themselves freely while I took a quiet moment on the sand.

At the end of busy days, our cozy beds felt like the perfect landing place. Whether we were ready to fall asleep or stayed up watching something on tv, being together made those moments feel even more meaningful. Looking back, I think that was the real reason we came to Nags Head. At first, we simply wanted a fun escape filled with touristy adventures.

But our first trip to the Outer Banks gave us something more: a clear sense of how powerful small, special moments can be. We had one when we all gasped at the same time while peering into the seemingly endless stairwell of Bodie Island Lighthouse. We felt another when enormous, brightly colored kites soared above the sweeping dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. And we felt it again when the ocean breeze surrounded us so gently that it seemed to give us permission to breathe out.

Those are the moments we’ll hold onto. They are also the moments I’ll tell others to go find for themselves in Nags Head. My family is already eager to go back, and after just one visit, I have a strong feeling many others would be too.

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Author

Tandra Wilkerson is mom to Alora & Vivia and writes about family and exploration. She describes her superpower as discovering adventure, even in ordinary moments. As a blogger and freelance writer, she has worked with many companies and household name brands, and her writing has been featured in multiple publications. Find more of her adventures on WRAL Family or at thrillermom.com.

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