Rain, rain, go away.
It inevitable, Hot Summer Days can sometime mean rainy days. There’s nothing worse than planning all year for that perfect family beach vacation only to have a rainy day ruin it. Don’t stress! When the kids are tired of puzzles, board games, and movies, The Outer Banks has some great alternatives to keep the family entertained on rainy days (or any days).
1. Escape Room
If you are not familiar with an escape room adventure, imagine the entire family working together to find clues within a room to solve a puzzle or mystery before time runs out. It’s a lot of fun! There are two escape rooms located on the Outer Banks. Will You Escape the OBX is the original and is located just one mile over the Wright Memorial Bridge on the Currituck Mainland. It features rooms like The Office (a diamond heist) The Nautical Room, Under the Sea Adventure, and The Wacky Wizard. These rooms offer multiple difficulty levels and are appropriate for family members of all ages. Guests of Atlantic Realty receive 1 Free Admission per reservation per day to Will You Escape the OBX with our Fun N Sun Pass.
The OBX Escape Room features more themed rooms such as Mutiny on The Lark, Cold Case Murder of Dawn Renee, and Cell Block 4 Death Row. These rooms are geared more towards teens to adults and tend to be more of a a challenge.
Both rooms require reservations and may get busy on rainy days, so be sure to call ahead.
2. Laser Tag
It’s true. Laser tag has come to the Outer Banks. It’s great fun for the whole family from 4 years old all the way to adult. But that’s not all, there’s also an old fashioned arcade attached when you can win tickets to redeem for prizes. There are even bounce houses for the youngest members of the family. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon. The kids won’t even notice it’s raining.
3. Roanoke Island Festival Park
Downtown Manteo and Roanoke Island are a great spot for a day trip, rain or shine! Explore the shops and restaurants on the waterfront, visit the NC Aquarium, and don’t forget to make time to see The Lost Colony, the oldest running outdoor drama in America.
This site features both indoor and outdoor attractions, so it’s a great destination for days with intermittent showers. You can learn about the original colonists, the legend of two path, tour a replica colonial settlement, Native American village and composite 16th century sailing ship. There are also fake ‘ducks’ to ‘hunt’, history of the Outer Banks and a lot more. This one museum where kids are encouraged to touch everything; they can even dress up in periodic costumes and have a grand old time.
4. OBX Art Studio
Though it opened as Glazin’ Go-Nuts about 20 years ago, the OBX Art Studio has grown into a great rainy day destination. It features paint your own pottery, canvas painting and fused glass creations. No matter what kind of art you and your little artists are into, you can find it at the OBX Art Studio. Not only do you get to make your own Outer Banks vacation souvenir, you will make a lot of great memories too.
5. Centers For Wildlife Education
With 2 locations; one in Corolla, and one in Manteo, these little known sites sponsored by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission are museums that feature exhibits and animal lessons. There are taxidermied animals (no live ones) historical duck decoys, movies, simulators and more. Each one of the centers has its own theme and feature an indoor ‘animal’ scavenger hunt. Once the weather breaks, you can explore the outdoor nature trails.
6. Jumpmasters
One of the newest attractions on the Outer Banks, Jumpmasters is a locally owned indoor trampoline park. It has trampolines, an American Ninja style obstacle courses and a climbing wall. You can buy a ticket for all day or just a few hours. However, if it’s raining the all-day ticket is a steal. Don’t forget, Atlantic Realty guests get one Free Admission with the Fun N Sun Pass.
7. Miss Kitty’s Old Time Photo
What would be a better memory and Outer Banks souvenir than a fun costumed photoshoot with the family and friends. Miss Kitty’s can certainly provide that. She has all kinds of themes to choose from, from the traditional western, Victorian and gangster themes, to old time beach, mermaids, pirates and a lot more. No matter your favorite time period in history, Miss Kitty can accommodate. Shoots can accommodate up to 60 people, and you can even bring your pet. Now THAT’s fun for the entire family.
8. Monkey Business
You’ve heard of Build-A-Bear; now meet Create-A-Critter (same principal, but they have a wider selection of animals.) Kids can have a fun day creating their own critter and buying it outfits. Then they’ll get a kick out of seeing all the other toys nearby, including a breathtaking Construx Ferris wheel. And best of all, they’ll have a great souvenir to forever remind them of the Outer Banks.
9. Turfs Up
Zombie Dodge Ball anyone? That’s just one of the fun games you can play indoors on the virtual ‘courses’ of Turfs Up. This alternate reality venue also features golf, basketball, carnival games and many more. In fact, they’re always changing up the games, so be sure to check it out.
10. Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Now this one can only be done at night, but if you can’t go ghost crabbing on account of the rain, it’s a good alternative. The Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre features a new show every year as well as a sit down dinner. The show is always family friendly and a lot of fun. It’s a great thing to do on a rainy night, but be sure to reserve tickets in advance.
Don’t let a little rain ruin your Outer Banks vacation. Enjoy some of our suggestions here, or check out our Things to Do Page on our website for more ideas. The showers will pass and you’ll be back on the beach in no time!
