Favorite OBX Rainy Day Activities

Twiddy’s Top Picks for Outer Banks Things to Do on A Rainy Day

Blog / OBX Guides
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Scrambling trying to figure out what to do when your beach vacation is interrupted by a rainy day or two? Although the OBX is known for its beautiful beaches, there are plenty of amazing rainy day activities on the Outer Banks! Keep reading to learn more about our favorite things to do on the OBX on a rainy day. 

Go Shopping Visit the Aquarium Find a New Book Eat a Sweet Treat Grab a Drink Play Games Watch a Movie
duck

Shop ’til you drop

The best rainy day blues cure is a shopping trip! Whether you’re looking for small, local boutiques or outlets for well-known brands, the OBX has it. 

Timbuck II in Corolla has many local shops and restaurants to offer, as well as some entertainment options. Grab a unique souvenir from The Mystic Jewel, or head to The Cotton Gin for all things Southern. After your Timbuck II shopping trip, be sure to grab a sweet treat at The Chill Spot.

Duck has so many amazing shops that you could spend your entire vacation exploring them all! One of our favorites is Scarborough Faire Shopping Village. Start your day at Treehouse Coffee Company with a latte and Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit. Grab a super adorable root duck from The Island Attic, or grab an Outer Banks sweatshirt at Gray’s. Relax with some charcuterie and wine at Vine & Board.

If you’re looking for more well-known brands, head to Outlets Nags Head. Located at milepost 16, shop stores from Salt Coast Outfitters to Sunglass Hut to Vera Bradley Factory Outlet. Find deals at a variety of stores and pick up a new outfit for your next beach day or family dinner! 

Explore NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Learn more about our diverse coastal ecosystem and its inhabitants at NC Aquarium in Manteo. Watch the otters play and seemingly put on a show. Go inside a working sea turtle hospital. Get up close and personal with horseshoe crabs and stingrays at the touch tank. Observe sharks and other big fish that are native to our waters. Reservations are required and tickets must be purchased in advance, learn more here.

Find your next beach read at an OBX independent bookstore

Browse the selection at the Island Bookstore in historic Corolla Village, the Scarborough Faire Shops in Duck, and in Kitty Hawk. This charming independent bookstore is the perfect place to browse books of all genres, magazines, journals, and more! While visiting the Island Bookstore, check out some of these OBX books!

Grab a coffee to enjoy while browsing books at Duck’s Cottage. The Mucky Duck is our favorite coffee treat, and don’t forget to grab a bag of the amazing Coconut Crunch to savor at home.

Duck Donuts

Build a custom box of donuts at Duck Donuts

Try your hand culinary taste pairing at Duck Donuts. The made-to-order vanilla cake donuts are customized with coating, a topping, and finished with a flavor drizzle. The options are endless, but our favorite is the maple glaze with bacon and caramel drizzle!

Trio

Discover all of the great beer and wine the OBX has to offer

There are plenty of OBX Breweries in the area to explore, from Corolla to Ocracoke and in between. There are many places to enjoy beer or wine outdoors on the Outer Banks, but we have a few favorite places to enjoy a drink indoors during inclement weather.

Off the Wall Tap House in Corolla has an entire wall of beer taps. You control the pour, so you can have a taste of as many as you choose or an entire glass if you find a favorite.

Head over to Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company for a flight of some tasty beers brewed by long-time Corolla locals.

Take a brewery tour at Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills. Tastings are included. Brought the kids with you? No worries, as the Outer Banks Brewing Station is kid-friendly. If there’s a break in the rain, head to their spacious backyard, which features a fun pirate ship-themed playset for the little ones.

Boardgame

Settle in for a family game day

Pour your favorite puzzle on the table or get those Yahtzee dice warmed up! The perfect family bonding afternoon is one filled with fun and games. Some of our favorites are a friendly game of charades, working on wordplay in Scrabble, or determining the detective of the family with a game of Clue. 

star wars - Top 6 Outer Banks Home Theater Rooms

Watch a Movie on the Big Screen

Pop some popcorn, grab some sodas, and head to your vacation home’s theater room to watch a movie on the big screen. No theater room in your vacation home? No problem! There is a movie theater in Kill Devil Hills that offers all of the latest releases.

Make the most of your OBX rainy day

Although we never wish for inclement weather, sometimes rainy days on the OBX can be just as fun as sunny ones!  Follow Twiddy on social media for more ideas for what to do on a rainy day on the Outer Banks. 

Rain on the oceanfront
Courtney Wisecarver

Courtney Wisecarver

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