Wright Brothers Memorial

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

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.

Sun Realty

Sun Realty

Sun Realty offers the Best Selection of Vacation Rentals on the Outer Banks. Our large selection of Outer Banks rentals means you can choose from a wide range of amenities, including private swimming pools, hot tubs, theater rooms, game rooms, pet friendly lodging and more! Our properties span the entire OBX coast including Carova, Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and South Nags Head. On Hatteras Island, we proudly offer beach cottages in Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village.

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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.

TRiO Restaurant & Market

TRiO Restaurant & Market

Wine, beer and cheese lovers will love TRiO, an exciting retail and tasting destination in Kitty Hawk. Both a gourmet retail wine, beer and cheese shop as well as a bistro with a wine bar and tap house, TRiO offers the best of the worlds of wine, beer and cheese for your enjoyment on premise or in the comfort of your home. TRiO's bistro is elegant and comfortable, with a large bar and two-story dining and bar area. The gourmet bistro menu of appetizers, and light fare such as cheese and charcuterie, paninis and salads make TRiO a wonderful lunch and dinner restaurant. Unique and high-tech self service WineStations are available in the downstairs bar area, where you can sample full, half and tastes of wines of all regions at varying price ranges. If you prefer beer, you can select from 24 beers on tap or try a TRiO Flight and sample a taste of four beers. In the upstairs mezzanine, which is part of the bistro, you'll find comfortable lounge seating and a free pool table. 

Brew Thru

Brew Thru

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go, stocking up your cooler with refreshments to enjoy at the beach or piling up on beer and wine for a party, Brew Thru is a fun and unique experience all vacationers need to see for themselves.

Drive-Through Beer & Gear

Brew Thru is Your One-Stop Shop at the Beach

The year was 1977, and Dana and Becky Lawrentz were chatting with friends over brews in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. They got to talking about a gas station convenience store in the area that had built a makeshift drive-through. Everyone agreed it would be pretty great if you could actually drive through a convenience store and pick up everything you needed without getting out of the car. But what would you call a place like that?

Well, you’d call it a Brew Thru.

It was an idea they couldn’t shake, so the Lawrentzes moved to the Outer Banks and built the first Brew Thru with the help of a partner. The idea was that people could come buy everything they would need for their trip to the beach—beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice—without getting out of the car. That same year, a t-shirt salesman visiting the store and talked them into adding t-shirts to their product line—and 44 years later there are now more than five million Brew Thru t-shirts out in the wild.

The Lawrentzes’ daughter Brandy and her husband Philip Foreman purchased the business from them in 2002, and they now operate five locations across the Outer Banks.“We love being the one-stop shop for folks on the way to their beach house,” Foreman says. “Our car tenders are the friendliest people at the beach. We’re here to greet you, get you everything you need for your trip, load it up in the trunk for you, and have you leaving with a smile on your face.”

The store is quite expansive, featuring more than 100 brands of beer, dozens of wines and even a vast selection of cigars—not to mention all the snacks, t-shirts and other gear. To make ordering a little easier, customers in line get a menu—fondly known as the Summer-y—that outlines everything available at the store. These Summer-ies are also available in many of the beach rentals, which allows vacationers to decide what they want before driving through.

For customers who would like to get out and stretch their legs, there’s the Brew Thru Shop in Kill Devil Hills, where you can find their world famous t-shirts and other gifts. New t-shirt designs are created each year, making a yearly Brew Thru t-shirt a favorite of locals and annual visitors to the Outer Banks.

The Foremans both grew up in the Outer Banks, and they love that Brandy’s parents’ vision for a friendly and convenient place for people to grab their brews and other beach stay essentials is continuing to flourish.

“Our family has been welcoming people to the Outer Banks since 1977,” Foreman says. “We love this beautiful place, and we want everybody to get to enjoy it.”

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