xixstar Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I finally learned what OBX stands for - Outer Banks. Been wondering about that one for years... We may be taking an inpromptu vacation to Avon in NC. I would be going with my 7yo, 6yo and 8 month baby and staying with some friends that have a beachfront house. My spouse is extremely busy for the next few weeks so I figure I can parent on my own on the beach as much as at home. But I am short on time to research and plan, so hoping the hive will have some great things we must do. We'd be going the week after next, not sure that it is hot enough for playing in the ocean but I am sure the beach can be enjoyed. Sand really isn't my thing, but my kids have been begging to go to the beach again. I need cheap, cheap activities. We have planned our first family vacation for next month to NYC so I dont have many extra funds to spend during this trip, but hate to pass on the chance to stay at the beach, even if the sand ends up being all that we see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 Avon is kinda far down, but if you can get up to Duck or Kill Devil Hills area, there are shell shops, ice cream places etc. along with the sand dunes and Wright Brothers type stuff. Honestly, I would just bring beach stuff, games, and a few indoor toys and enjoy the sand and surf. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 Here are the things we did: Go see the light houses. Climb up if you dare (and if they let you - it does cost) Go see the Wright Brother's museum at Kitty Hawk. Walk up to the top. Eat Duck Donuts. Eat ice cream while you watch the sunset. Eat fresh seafood. Go for a run on the beach. Build sand castles. Drive on the beach past Corolla (if you have 4 wheel drive. And if you feel confident about getting air out and back into your tires) and hope to see some horses. Fly a kite! Watch the sunrise on one side of the Outer Banks, and the sunset on the other side. We went to the OBX over spring break. It was too cold to really swim, but I loved the lazy pace of Corolla. We just mainly sat by the ocean. And walked by the ocean. And looked for sea glass while walking by the ocean. And read by the ocean. Easy. Slow. Not all the much to do. Going to the grocery store seemed like big excitement one day! Enjoy your time there, and don't try to do too much!! It's a take it easy kind of beach!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) Avon is about halfway between Nags Head and Hatteras. If you go down to Hatteras, you can visit the lighthouse or even take the 30 minute ferry ride over to Ocracoke. (The lighthouse has rules about not carrying people and not climbing in groups, so it might not work for a family with little ones.) The ferry is free and runs every 15-30 minutes during summer months. There are several restaurants on Ocracoke, as well as fun, knick-knack shops or even kayak rentals on the bay. We tend to stay in South Nags Head or even Kill Devil Hills. From Nags Head northward: the sand dunes (free and FUN), Wright Memorial, lots of putt-putt courses and movies and shops and restaurants. You could head inland to Manteo (15 min drive) and visit the aquarium (it's decent). Even if the water is too cold for swimming, go to the beach first thing in the morning and dig in the wet sand. You might find those tiny sand crabs (they don't bite). My kiddos like to put them in buckets (with sand and water) and watch them (we free them when we leave). This ("Ghost Crabbing") is fun, too. (I would not recommend a "beach novice" driving on the beach -- there is beach access in Oregon Inlet, which is close to Avon. I find it pretty nerve-wracking, LOL, when you get a bit stuck.) In Nags Head there is a very large fishing pier (called Jeanette's Pier). It's technically free to walk-on, but there is a suggested donation box at the door. My kids LOVE walking out on it -- not even fishing but walking the length of the pier and peering over the edge and watching what the fishermen are hauling in. Edited May 13, 2016 by alisoncooks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I'd go to the aquarium, as the big activity to pay for. I'd bring sand toys and spend a lot of time in the sand. When my kids were little we did art projects with stuff we found on the beach. There's probably a website of beach crafts for kids. There's probably also a website with science stuff to do on the beach too. I'd also bring games, read alouds and audio books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) Thanks, I put some places on our list. We would be there a week so we may trade some lazy beach days with exploring days. The lighthouses sound great, I will see if our friends want to go so we can trade off baby holding, to make it possible. It looks like the Aquarium is closed for rennovations. Edited May 13, 2016 by xixstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) I'd go to the aquarium, as the big activity to pay for. I'd bring sand toys and spend a lot of time in the sand. When my kids were little we did art projects with stuff we found on the beach. There's probably a website of beach crafts for kids. There's probably also a website with science stuff to do on the beach too. I'd also bring games, read alouds and audio books. . I am already thinking of audiobooks - its more than a 6 hour drive there, great chance to catch up on some stories. I am exicted to stay with friends that enjoy games so I was also planning to bring some of those as well. Edited May 13, 2016 by xixstar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.