The occasional rainy day won't interrupt a Kitty Hawk vacation, thanks to the many activities, attractions and sites that are found throughout the Outer Banks. If the raindrops fall, take advantage of these rainy day activities that are sure to keep everyone entertained until the sun comes out.

Historic Sites and Museums

Children at Play Museum - Kids adore Kitty Hawk's Children at Play Museum, thanks to its dozens of interactive exhibits that effortlessly show just how fun learning can be. Focusing on daily "grown-up" activities and professions, local landmarks, and local activities (like fishing and lifesaving), kids will have a blast getting to know the Outer Banks world around them.

Wright Brothers National Memorial - The site of the historic First Flight features an indoor Visitors Center with a wealth of with special exhibits, including a replica of the 1902 Wright Glider. The Wright Brothers Memorial also features regular interactive programs, for kids and adults alike, as well as a multipurpose auditorium.

Local Lighthouses - Two of the Outer Banks' famed historic lighthouses are located just a 20-30 minute drive away from Kitty Hawk. The Bodie Island Lighthouse, (located south of Nags Head), is unmistakable for its horizontal black and white exterior, while the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is distinctive for its bare red brick facade. Both are seasonally open for climbers, even on rainy days, but do close when thunderstorms are in the immediate forecast.

Jennette's Pier - Skip the fishing and head to the indoor Pier House which features a number of exhibits, courtesy of the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. With educational classrooms and programs, alternative energy demonstrations, live animal exhibits, and a snack bar and tackle shop, the Jennette's Pier is just as entertaining on a rainy day.

North Carolina Aquarium - The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a popular rainy day destination, thanks to its many exhibits and programs designed for kids and adults alike. Watch sharks cruise by in one of NC's largest saltwater tanks, or allow your budding biologists to learn something new at the interactive Animal Hospital Exhibit. The aquarium also features special exhibits on area hurricanes, exotic and local sea critters, and touch tanks where patrons can get their hands wet with skates and horseshoe crabs.

Outer Banks History Center - Located at Roanoke Island Festival Park, the Outer Banks History Center is both an essential research center for national journalists and writers, and a fun destination for everyday history buffs. The center features rotating exhibits that spotlight local artists and / or a specific aspect of OBX history, making it a fascinating and always-changing destination.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education - This expansive center next to the Whalehead in Historic Corolla in Corolla features more than 5,000' square feet of exhibits. Check out local artifacts, peruse the decoy gallery, and be awed by the massive 8,000 gallon aquarium that's stocked with native Currituck Sound and Atlantic Ocean sea life.

Area Activities

Fitness Centers - Kitty Hawk is home to the Barrier Island Fitness Center, which offers regular fitness classes, free weights, and Cardiovascular & Circuit Training Equipment. The center also boasts an indoor pool and hot tub, a sauna and steam room, tanning beds, and even massage therapy for a more relaxing visit.

Arts and Crafts Classes - Head to the Jelly Lounge in Kitty Hawk, which hosts arts and craft classes and special activities throughout the week, which are taught by local Outer Banks artists. The crafts center also offers Ladies Night Paint ‘n' Sip wine parties, and can be reserved for special gatherings and celebrations.

Movie Theaters - Neighboring Kill Devil Hills is home to R/C Theatres, which features wall-to-wall curved screens and stadium seating, and also boasts an on-site game room and afternoon matinees to keep everyone entertained. Manteo is also home to a theatre, the Pioneer Theatre, which is one of the oldest theaters in North Carolina and features nightly shows.

Live Theatre and Shows - The central Outer Banks has a range of theatre options for all age groups and interests, including the North Carolina Marionette Theatre, the OBX Mystery Dinner, the Theatre of Dare, and the Comedy Club of the Outer Banks. All of these aforementioned theatre companies and playhouses are located in Kill Devil Hills, making them convenient destinations for Kitty Hawk vacationers.

Laser Tag - The central Outer Banks is home to two Laser Tag Centers, which are Outer Banks Gear Works Laser Tag & Fun Center and Destination Fun in Kill Devil Hills. Additional amenities for patrons at these centers include arcades, pool tables, 3D mini golf, and on-site snack bars.

YMCA - Head to one of the largest indoor pools on the beach with a visit to the YMCA in nearby Nags Head. This complex also features regular fitness and swimming classes for kids and adults alike, and offers temporary passes for Outer Banks guests.

Bowling - OBX Bowling in Nags Head is just a few minutes' drive away from Kitty Hawk and features ample fun day and night for family sports fans. The complex also features a snack bar as well as an extensive arcade, and is open daily, year-round

Kitty Hawk Kites - The massive Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head is more than a launching point for outdoor sports instruction. Head here on a rainy day for a chance to tackle the indoor climbing wall, get a quick demo on kite-flying, or participate in seasonal special events - like holiday appearances by Santa Claus himself.

Local Spas - A spa day is the perfect way to relax on the Outer Banks, and the central OBX region offers a number of local spas that are within a 20 minute drive for Kitty Hawk visitors. Head to the Aqua Spa, Lotus Day Spa & Boutique, or The Sanderling for a full day of pampering.

Shopping and Dining

Duck - The Waterfront Shops, Scarborough Lane Shoppes, and the Scarborough Faire Shopping Village are home to some of the most unique boutiques and galleries on the Outer Banks. Best of all, these acclaimed shopping centers are located close to Kitty Hawk, and also close to each other, for a simplified shopping experience.

Gallery Row - Head to this small but distinguished oceanside road in Nags Head to browse through a half dozen of the region's finest art galleries. Local, regional and acclaimed national artists are all represented at this popular shopping destination for art lovers.

Tanger Outlets - Nearby Nags Head is home to the Outer Banks' only outlet center, Tanger Outlets, which boasts deep discounts by name brand retailers. Popular nationally-recognized stores include Coach, Gap, Tommy Hillfigure, J Crew, Corningware, Bali, Polo and Bass.

Shoreside Shopping Center and the Marketplace at Southern Shores - These two shopping centers - found adjacent to the entrance to the Wright Memorial Bridge - offer everything a visitor needs for a great vacation. Stores in these centers include CVS, a chain grocery store, a Dare County ABC store, Starbucks, and the Outer Banks' sole Walmart.

Vintage Shopping - The Beach Road in Kitty Hawk is home to a handful of chic vintage boutiques, while the Beach Bypass features several thrift stores including the Hotline Thrift Shop. A little exploring will provide bargain hunters with plenty of options for clothing, home goods, and other second hand beach treasures.

Gourmet Food Shopping - Check out Coastal Provisions Market, L&M Seafood, or Trio in neighboring Kill Devil Hills to load up on all the fresh ingredients and fine wines required for a gourmet meal at home.

Dining - Kitty Hawk is home to a range of eateries, from classic post-beach hang outs to fine dining establishments. With many local restaurants offering happy hour specials, an assortment of fresh seafood, and even lounge areas or bars with TVs to watch the big game, a rainy afternoon is the perfect time to appease an appetite.

Black Pelican

Black Pelican

Black Pelican oceanfront restaurant is one of the Outer Banks’ premier restaurants serving lunch and dinner daily. Black Pelican is where you can enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches and some of the barrier island’s best wood-fired pizzas complete with a beautiful ocean view from the dining rooms and outdoor deck. The restaurant is big enough to handle large parties, but the setting is intimate enough for a cozy date.

Jimmy's Seafood Buffet

Jimmy's Seafood Buffet

Home of the Crab Leg & Lobster Buffet for over 24 years! Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet is a great stop for an all you can eat affordable dinner extravaganza. The buffet offers over 100 different items. It even serves Jumbo Alaskan crab legs and Jumbo steamed shrimp, something you will not find on any other buffet in the OBX. The buffet offers a variety of seafood and non seafood options. Try some of Jimmy’s seafood options and load your plate with blackened tuna, Louisiana crawfish, steamed scallops and mussels, fried oysters and deviled crabs. Not in the mood for seafood? Fill your plate with steak, pineapple glazed ham, fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and fettuccini Alfredo to name a few. The buffet also offers a kid section. Let your kids load their plates with chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and corn dog nuggets. Don’t forget dessert! The buffet also offers soft serve ice cream and a plethora of baked goods. 

 

It’s been 22 years since Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet opened its doors for the first time. Since that inaugural summer, the goal has remained the same: provide customers with a tasty, fresh array of seafood full of Caribbean flavor.

 

Elizabeth Dowless and her husband Jerry had always worked in restaurants in the Outer Banks, so when the opportunity to open Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet with a couple of friends arose, it was an easy yes. The Dowlesses bought out the business in 2003, excited to turn Jimmy’s into an Outer Banks staple. When Jerry passed away later that year, Dowless knew she wanted to continue pursuing their dream on her own.

 

Dowless went all in on the concept of a fresh, flavorful seafood buffet and her hard work paid off. Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet is a beloved fixture of Outer Banks dining, with customers returning year after year for the fresh fare.

 

“Customers keep in contact with me throughout the winter. I get people every day asking me when we’re opening for the season, and customers book their vacations around our opening,” Dowless says. “I absolutely love getting to see familiar faces come back to see us each year. I love seeing them lose their minds over the buffet! Their excitement is what I love most about my job.”

Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream

Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream

Serving our customers on the Outer Banks since 1994, Big Buck's ice Cream is dedicated serving you “The Best.” We offer a full line of super-premium ice cream products, smoothies, chocolates, and custom-made ice cream cakes! 2 locations are open all year: Duck  and Manteo, at The Waterfront Shops.

 

We offer a full line of Espresso Drinks from Hot Vanilla Cappuccinos and Hot Chocolate to Iced Caramel Lattes & Frozen Mochas, all made to order. Big Buck’s fresh fruit smoothies are lactose-free and made to order. Also offering lactose-free sorbets made from the best fruits available. Old time favorites are sure to please! Choose from a delicious collection of milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits.

 

Savor the moment with our Homemade Chocolate! Chocolates are made daily in each location. We offer a large selection from Dark to Milk to White. Milk Chocolate Oreos & Almond Toffee, Dark Chocolate Berries and Cherries Clusters & Hand-dipped Peppermint Patties with a Drizzle of White Chocolate, Extra-Dark Sea Salt Caramels & our famous homemade caramel chocolate pretzels oh & don’t forget the ever-popular caramel pecan turtle, just to name a few treats!

 

Belinda Pleva grew up serving ice cream out of her parent’s shop. She loved being part of what she calls “a happy business.” “I love it when people come into the shop and you hand them something, and it makes them smile,” Pleva says. “That moment when you hand an ice cream cone over to a little kid and their eyes just light up. That’s what I love about the ice cream business.”

 

In 1994, Pleva opened up her own ice cream and chocolate shop, Big Buck’s Ice Cream, in the brand-new Timbuk II Shopping Center in Corolla. Business was good, but something was missing.

 

“I was never satisfied with the ingredients in the ice creams and chocolates you could purchase back then. I wanted to serve my customers delicious flavors with ingredients they could actually pronounce,” Pleva says.

 

Pleva took a trip to Italy to study the gelaterias. She fell in love with the incredible flavors, and when she returned home to the Outer Banks, she began working tirelessly to perfect the flavors in her own ice cream.

 

Big Buck’s homemade ice cream combined the flavors of the Italian gelaterias and the richness of American ice cream. It quickly became a tourist favorite. After having the same unsatisfactory experience with the readymade chocolates she was selling, she also took a trip to Brussels to learn more about making handmade chocolates. Pleva brought the chocolate-making experience right back with her, and the result was the finest quality of chocolates on the Outer Banks.

 

After her huge success in the Corolla shop, Pleva was able to open up three more shops—one in Kitty Hawk, one in Manteo and one in Duck.

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Gray's

Gray's

Gray’s Outer Banks Lifestyle Clothing Company offers the absolute best in Outer Banks T-shirts and Sweatshirts including Champion, Under Armour with "Outer Banks” and Gear! We carry quality fashions and accessories for the whole family by all your favorite brands including Tommy Bahama, Tribal, ESCAPE, Billabong, Quiksilver, Jack O’Neill, RVCA, Olukai, Cobian, Spartina, Scout, Brighton.

 

Whether you’re shopping for apparel, shoes & accessories, gifts & toys or OBX and Big Duck souvenirs, Gray’s offers the best brands and quality for a beach lifestyle at any of our 4 locations! From sportswear to beachwear and everything in between, Gray’s will outfit your entire family. You can also find great beach accessories at Gray’s, such as Costa sunglasses, Olukai sandals and Sun Bum sunscreen and hair products. Be sure to shop Gray’s signature Big Duck found on t-shirts, sweatshirts and gift items!

 

Established in 1948 by Walter and Stelle Gray, Gray’s began as a single store on the beach road in Nags Head, a land mark that has been beautifully transformed into Seagreen Art Gallery. Visitors to the original Gray’s may remember that the family home was located above the store and that Walter Gray had a passion for Big Band music that was often playing on the store speakers, giving shoppers a little swing in their step.

 

Modern-day Gray’s is still family owned and operated by their children Ronnie and Julie Gray, who carry on a legacy of superior customer service and traditional values. Ronnie’s wife Susan is also an important part of the business. “It really was always a family operating as a business rather than a business being run by a family,” explains Ronnie Gray. “When our visitors come in, they are greeted by a warm hello and a ‘Welcome to Gray’s.’ We try to welcome them as if they’re entering our own home”

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