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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Avon Farmers Market
June 24th, 2025 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM -
Mustang Mornings at the Farm
June 25th, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM -
Beach Apparatus Drill
June 26th, 2025 2:00 PM
Here’s some high energy entertainment for the kids, and for young adults (or young at heart) who love laser tag. On one side of this large facility is the “moon bounce inflatable room,” where the young ‘uns can go and bounce about to their heart’s content. Parties are available for up to 12 kids ages 2 through 6 – bring your own cake. But it’s the other room where the real action is. Arcade games are located just inside the door, then there’s another door. And behind that it’s another world. Black lights, music and fog combine to make a spooky atmosphere where players with (completely harmless) laser guns duck behind shadowy corners to hide from pursuers wielding their own laser guns. It’s a large area to play in, and everyone is clearly having fun. Games can be purchased as a single, a 3-game discount, or all-day pass. Unlimited play all night from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays is also offered, as well as overnight parties and private party room parties.
Most all visitors to Corolla will spend at least a sunny afternoon or two at the Historic Corolla Park. This 39 acre site is home to three of the Northern Outer Banks' biggest attractions, the Whalehead in Historic Corolla, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, as well as plenty of gorgeous soundfront grounds that are wide open for visitors to explore.
QUALITY YOU CAN SEE, FRESHNESS YOU CAN TASTE! Every cup made to order with the freshest ingredients and handcrafted loose leaf tea brewed to perfection! Combining all the natural gifts from mother nature!
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is a "Must See" attraction for any Outer Banks aviation enthusiast, history lover, and virtually any Kill Devil Hills vacationer who wants an up-close look at the towering granite structure that towers over the town's landscape.
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.
Take a day trip or an afternoon off the beach to explore the heart of Historic Corolla Park, and you’ll find one of the Outer Banks’ newest and most noteworthy attractions, the Currituck Maritime Museum.
Wanchese Marina offer one of the finest fleets of professional charter fishermen, charter booking service, dolphin tours, dive charters, shrimp charters and even crabbing charters. We have both diesel and non-ethanol fuel, a professional fish cleaning facility and an official North Carolina Citation weigh station.
More than 2,000 shipwrecks sunk off the Coast of North Carolina in what’s called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. With all that history floating around, it was only natural to build a museum to honor and preserve the maritime culture of the Outer Banks. A state-of-the-art structure, the year round museum houses and displays artifacts, and presents a variety of exhibits and interprets the rich maritime culture that includes war, piracy, ghost ships and more. Artifacts include thoseex from the USS Monitor, which sank 16 miles off the Hatteras coast. The lobby features the stunning and original, 1854, First Order Lens from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Current hibits include those on piracy and the Civil War on Hatteras Island.
Scientists run these dolphin tours as part of their research on these beloved aquatic animals, so you know this will be an interesting trip. Passengers will be able to see how researchers with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, a nonprofit organization, conduct their research and hear about some of the discoveries from more than a decade of studies and monitoring. Some of the hundreds of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the area show up so frequently they’ve even been given names, like “Rake,” “Scarlet,” and “Onion.”