For a quick list of local businesses that offer great rainy day activities, check our Rainy Day Activity Listings.

Most Outer Banks vacations focus on the great outdoors, with miles of undeveloped beaches to explore, dozens of watersports, and a plethora of activities that flourish in the sun. However, even the Outer Banks has rainy days from time to time, so when the weather keeps you away from the beach, spend the day exploring these indoor and rainy-day friendly Outer Banks activities.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

North Carolina Aquarium

The North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo is a perfect kid-friendly destination for rainy afternoons. Tucked along the soundside on Roanoke Island, the 68,000 square foot aquarium greets visitors with a Croatan Sound overlook and fossil pile that's open for digging. Indoors, visitors will be delighted by a series of colossal and exhibit-filled rooms showcasing North Carolina's bountiful marine life. From sea otters to alligators, turtles to Trigger fish, the aquarium is well stocked with both local and tropical species.

The aquarium offers a variety of interactive activities, including a marine lab where kids and adults can learn how to care for threatened species, and a touch tank, where visitors can get hands-on with manta rays and prehistoric horseshoe crabs. A "Hurricane Room" covers the Outer Banks extensive and tumultuous relationship with hurricanes and Nor'easters over the centuries, and an exhibit on inland marine life features turtle, reptiles, and boisterous sea otters at play.

Perhaps the biggest attraction at the aquarium is the giant 285,000 gallon ocean tank, the largest aquarium tank in North Carolina. In the dimly lit room where the 14 ft. tall tank is held, visitors can watch large species, including sea turtles, drum, and even sharks, quietly maneuver in a watery replica of their home just a few miles offshore. Feedings take place regularly, so visitors can watch the trained divers brush up against the sharks, and special educational sessions take place in the spacious exhibit room throughout the day. The North Carolina Aquarium also features a gift shop with plenty of aquatic toys, games, books, stuffed animals, shirt, and souvenirs. The aquarium is open daily all year long, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, NC

Outer Banks Museums

There are a number of museums for all tastes on the Outer Banks, from the Wild Horse Museum to the eerily fascinating Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village. The museums on the Outer Banks focus on a range of local culture, wildlife and history, and many offer special programs for kids and adults throughout the year. Come watch a documentary about the legendary Blackbeard at the Blackbeard Pirate's Exhibit in Ocracoke, or learn how to fly a 1903 glider at the Wright Brother's Memorial. Whichever museum your family decides to explore, you'll get an in-depth perspective on what makes the Outer Banks such a unique vacation destination.

Many museums on the Outer Banks can be accessed for a small fee, or are free to the public with a small suggested donation, and are open daily year round.

Rainy Day Activities - movie theater

Outer Banks Movie Theaters

Rainy Days are ideal for taking in a summer blockbuster, and the Outer Banks has a number of movie theaters scattered throughout the area.

An R/C Movie Theater in Kill Devil Hills features 10 screens, concessions, and a game room area, ideal for rainy afternoons.

One of the most unique theaters on the Outer Banks, however, is the Pioneer Theater in downtown Manteo. This theater tucked along Budleigh Street and identified only by its unique Tudor exterior and a small hanging sign, is the oldest theater that has been run by the same family in the United States. The theater originally opened in 1908 a block away from its current location. In 1934, the theater moved to Budleigh Street and has remained in operation ever since.

The interior of the Pioneer Theater has been carefully preserved and remains in its 1934 pristine condition, allowing theater goers a chance to go back in time while they watch the latest blockbuster. With only one screen and no reclining seats or cup holders, the theater may seem small compared to Mega Multiplex standards, but the Pioneer Theater is definitely worth a visit for its historic claim to fame and old school ambiance.

Shopping in Waves NC

Outer Banks Shopping

The Outer Banks is truly a shopper's paradise. From those sought after souvenirs to take back home to beach-worthy bikinis and sun dresses, there is no shortage of decadent boutiques, sprawling gift stores, and charming shops to check out on a rainy afternoon.

Every town has its own unique collection of stores, distinctive to that community's character. Finding enticing stores to visit is an easy task, although there are several shopping centers and concentrations of stores on the Outer Banks for easy door-to-door browsing.

In Corolla, shoppers flock to the TimBuck II Shopping Village in the heart of the town, overlooking the Currituck Sound. This waterfront complex offers over 60 stores and restaurants, ranging from upscale boutiques to quirky game and puzzle stores, and is sure to fill a day of entertainment for any shopper.

In Duck, the Scarborough Faire Shopping Village and Scarborough Faire Shops feature a combined total of nearly 40 stores and restaurants to explore in a quaint, boutique setting. Located under a canopy of Live Oaks and extending to the soundfront, these shopping centers incite a laid-back attitude for leisurely browsing in a tranquil, natural setting.

The central Outer Banks towns of Nags head, Kill Devil Hills, and Southern Shores offer a variety of shopping center to choose from. Visitors have the option to visit small, beachfront plazas like the Surfside Plaza in Kill Devil Hills, for T-shirts and taffy, or they can up the ante at larger centers, such as the Outlets in Nags Head, which feature household name outlet stores such as Nautica, Coach, Polo, Gap, and more.

In the central Outer Banks, the majority of larger shopping centers are located along the Highway 158 bypass, but don't discount the less-traveled beach road - this unpopulated stretch of highway has a selection of quaint souvenir and beach shops for seaside treasures to take home.

On Hatteras Island, locally owned gift shops and boutiques are scattered throughout the island, with a handful of small plazas in every village. The southern end of the island is home to one of the area's largest shopping centers, the Hatteras Landing Shopping Center. Adjacent to the Hatteras Ferry Docks and Hatteras' cluster of marinas and boat docks, Hatteras Landing features a number of locally known stores, such as Birthday Suits and Kitty Hawk Kites, as well as seasonally open food stands and restaurants, and a harbor deli. While waiting in line at the ferry docks, or shopping away a rainy day, the Hatteras Landing shopping center is definitely worth a stop.

Rainy Day Activities - art galleries

Outer Banks Art Galleries

It's no surprise that the picturesque scenery of the Outer Banks has inspired hundreds of local artists, and there are a number of local galleries that showcase their work. For a quiet rainy day excursion, pop into a local gallery or two and take in the beauty of the Outer Banks as filtered through the eyes of some of the area's best artists.

There are several areas throughout the Outer Banks that are known for their collections of locally owned galleries. Historic downtown Manteo has a number of both galleries and antique stores ideal for exploring on a rainy day, and throughout the town visitors will spot a number of local art galleries sprinkled along US 64, the main road that runs through Manteo.

In the central Outer Banks, art lovers can stop by "Gallery Row" in Nags Head, a small street that intersects the bypass and the beach road and is lined with locally owned art galleries. Parking is available at the individual galleries and along the side of the street as well for easy gallery browsing.

For a longer excursion, take a day trip to Ocracoke Island. This community is renowned for its local artists, and a number of quirky shops and galleries can be found throughout the 4 square mile village. Take a stroll along Ocracoke Harbor or down historic Howard Street, one of the oldest residential areas in Ocracoke Village, and enjoy a collection of galleries featuring local painters, sculptors, jewelry designers, and potters, all from the coastal North Carolina area.

Rainy Day Activities - arts and crafts

Outer Banks Crafts and Activities

Feeling crafty? There are a number of creative outlets on the Outer Banks to keep your family entertained on a rainy day. While driving along the Outer Banks, you may notice that a number of local coffee shops also feature large "Bead" signs, displayed prominently in their windows. These shops offer a wide variety of beads and beading materials, from seed beads to sea glass to silver pendants, allowing patrons to grab a chair and a cup of coffee and create their own unique Outer Banks jewelry. Bring the teenagers along, as this crafty afternoon is ideal for older kids.

There are also several Paint Your Own Pottery shops, including one in Duck, one in Kill Devil Hills, (which is also a bead shop), and one in Avon on Hatteras Island. These shops allow patrons to relax for an afternoon or a day and create their own pottery souvenirs to take home. Pottery pieces are fired and glazed on the premises, and can be picked up later in the week or shipped back home after your vacation. Several shops also feature evening painting lessons or special programs on unique crafting projects, such as ceramic tile mosaics. Bring everyone in the family along - even the little ones can enjoy grabbing a brush and making their own piece of Outer Banks art.

A number of local galleries and businesses also offer watercolor or painting classes. Special programs are featured seasonally and are available by reservation on a variety of different techniques, from painting seascapes to capturing local plants and flowers.

As an example, the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island offers a number of painting classes, from afternoon sessions to two day workshops, and visitors and Elizabethan Garden Members are both welcome to attend. On Hatter Island, Hatteras Realty offers weekly watercolor classes in the evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day for vacation rental guests as well as Hatteras Island visitors.

Check out your local Outer Banks galleries for guidance on where and when classes are available, and remember to try to book your class in advance, if possible. A rainy day of crafting or painting can be very popular on the Outer Banks.

No vacationer wants a rainy day during their Outer Banks retreat, and thankfully with the temperate climate that coastal North Carolina enjoys, those washed-out beach days are generally few and far between.

But just in case a little dose of bad weather puts a damper on your beach plans, there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep your family entertained all along the Outer Banks, from the quaint shops of Corolla to the art galleries of Ocracoke. Even where the weather is perfect, all of these rainy day options can create a fun-filled afternoon on the Outer Banks.

For a quick list of local businesses that offer great rainy day activities, check our Rainy Day Listings.

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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Miller's Seafood and Steakhouse

Miller's Seafood and Steakhouse

Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse has been a favorite among locals and visitors for more forty years. Offering delicious southern cuisine for both breakfast and dinner in a casual family atmosphere infused with coastal flair, it’s no wonder this Kill Devil Hills restaurant is a family tradition for so many. You’ll love waking up to favorites like biscuits and gravy, farm fresh eggs and buttermilk pancakes. Dinner options are just as tempting with menu items that include the freshest Outer Banks Catch seafood, she crab soup, Angus beef and fried green tomatoes just to name a few. Not only does Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse offer great breakfast and dinner options, Miller’s newest menu item – Hawaiian/American Fusion Sushi – is sure to please the sushi lover in you. From the Miller’s Roll that combines tempura fried crispy lobster tail with tantalizing ingredients to the High Tide and OBX Roller, guests will love choosing from a delicious variety of sushi options developed and prepared by Miller’s expert Sushi chef.

 

Along with its scrumptious cuisine, Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse offers a warm friendly atmosphere coupled with genuine Outer Banks hospitality. You’ll discover that not only is Miller’s a tradition for so many, it’s also a Miller family tradition. Two generations of Millers have worked side by side to make the Kill Devil Hills restaurant a favorite for all who pass through its doors. Owners Brian and Beth Miller want guests to feel at home and can often be found making rounds to check on customers and mingle with them as they dine.

 

Here at Miller’s, everyone is treated like family as they experience an unforgettable dining experience. Large parties are also welcome, making it perfect for extended families to enjoy dining together on their Outer Banks vacation. Come on in and see for yourself why Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse is more than just a great restaurant. It’s a tradition.

 

It was 1978 when Eddie and Lou Miller first opened Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse. As a teenager, their son Brian spent his summers working in the restaurant, getting familiar with the family business. After college, Brian and his wife Beth came back to Kill Devil Hills and began working together at Miller’s. Brian and Beth officially purchased the restaurant from Eddie and Lou in 2007. A few years later they opened American Pie together, and both restaurants now carry on the Miller family tradition of quality, excellence and hospitality.

The Cotton Gin

The Cotton Gin

For those traveling to the Outer Banks, The Cotton Gin is a beloved landmark with its large windmill and picturesque gardens. The Cotton Gin has stood in the same location since 1929, starting as a working cotton gin and growing to a gift store with 4 locations. Visitors are treated to a unique shopping experience in our main store in Jarvisburg, as well as our beach stores in Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head. Explore room after room filled with décor for your home and coastal fashions for both men and women. Discover the brands you really want, like, Vera Bradley, Vineyard Vines, La Mer Luex, Simply Southern, Lindsay Phillips, Scout, Pandora, Kameleon, Brighton, Spartina, Tommy Bahama, Southern Tide and Salt Life and Old Guys Rule - all under one roof!

 

Don’t forget the gourmet market, or shop our beautiful linens for your bedroom and bath. We also feature coastal books and fine art, or just a whimsical fun gift to bring home to family and friends. Stop by soon and don’t forget to try our estate grown wines in our stores or visit our vineyard and winery, Sanctuary Vineyards, located adjacent to the original Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg.

 

Most know The Cotton Gin as a must-stop shop for fine gifts, beachwear, souvenirs and so much more, but this retailer has a long-standing history within the Outer Banks. A local landmark that holds almost a century of memories, The Cotton Gin started from humble beginnings and continues to adapt to the times and tourists. Tommy Wright’s family has been in the Outer Banks for nearly 200 years. His great-great grandfather, Jacob Francis Wright, shipwrecked in Duck back in the early 1800s. Calling these barrier islands his new home, Wright and his family acclimated to their new environment.

 

Adaptation is a common theme for the Wright family. Tommy and his wife Candace, who continue to steer The Cotton Gin, have seen not only their business change with the times, but the Outer Banks as a vacation destination as well. A farm market in Jarvisburg eventually transformed and flourished into several retail locations dotting the Outer Banks.

 

“As the area changed and tourism took off in the 1960s, the family saw people coming for vacations, so they began to grow vegetables and things developed from there,” says Tommy Wright. The Wright family expanded upon the farm market and began to remodel a working cotton gin, later transforming the gin into The Cotton Gin general store in the late 1960s. While the additions to the farm store drew visitors, it was their encounters with the Wright family that kept people coming back year after year, which is something that remains true today.

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Island Smoothie Cafe

Island Smoothie Cafe

At Island Smoothie, we have created a menu and atmosphere that is designed to be as unique as the northern shores of the Outer Banks. Our creations utilize fresh local produce when possible. There is nothing better than local NC strawberries, blackberries or blueberries. Make sure to try our Carolina peaches. From our amazing acai bowls and smoothies to our signature sandwiches and wraps you simply won’t find anything like Island Smoothie.

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