Outer Banks: 9 Fun-Filled Activities for a Rainy Day

The Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, is a nature lover’s paradise. However, as elsewhere, rain can dampen outdoor plans. But fear not! The Outer Banks offers plenty of fun rainy-day activities for the whole family. There are several alternatives for rainy days where you and your family will have as much fun as you would if you were out there enjoying nature.

From a spectacular aquarium to entertainment venues featuring high-tech games, exciting escape rooms, top-notch spas, and more, there’s always a place in the Outer Banks where you can escape the bad weather and enjoy your vacation in the best possible way.

In this blog, we’ve curated a list of the best things you can do on a rainy day in the Outer Banks.

Don’t Let the Rain Stop the Fun!

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Manteo

Rainy days don’t mean you can’t have contact with nature. A visit to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will not only make for a fantastic activity on a rainy day but also give you the chance to get close to some incredible creatures.

Housing over 2,000 animals, one of the aquarium’s highlights is the close encounters allowing visitors of all ages to get close to stingrays, horseshoe crabs, white-spotted bamboo sharks, sea urchins, sea stars, hermit crabs, to name a few. The aquarium also has interactive exhibits focusing on different animals and a fantastic shark tank where a replica of a famous Civil War ironclad takes center stage.

Jumpmasters Trampoline Park, Manteo

Rain or shine, Jumpmasters, the Outer Banks’ first trampoline park, provides lots of fun for people of all ages. The best thing about the park is that the wide variety of activities is extremely enjoyable and great for everyone to exercise and stay healthy. 

This over 14,000 square feet indoor playground is not only home to trampolines but also a place where you can engage in many other activities like dodgeball, ninja warrior courses, foam pits, battle beams, a climbing wall, ax throwing, and much more.

You and your family will certainly forget about time while having fun, exercising, and bringing out your competitive side. Adding to the fun, there’s also an arcade and an ice cream stand that kids love.

OBX Bowling, Nags Head

Bowling is always a fun activity! Located in Nags Head, OBX Bowling is another great alternative for rainy days.

Their 24 state-of-the-art bowling lanes are equipped with an interactive system that adds to the fun. You can customize layouts, take selfies to display with your name, and even chat with other lanes using emojis.

Besides bowling, kids also love their arcade filled with amazing games. While you play, you can order pizzas and beverages from their bar, and listen to great music, and the extremely friendly staff will also take care of every detail to make your visit unforgettable.

OB-Xscape Rooms, Southern Shores

Looking for something more thrilling? Escape rooms offer the ultimate exciting experience on a rainy day. With their immersive storytelling, hidden elements, and surprises, they are designed for team building and enjoyable problem-solving. 

OB-Xscape Rooms in Southern Shores feature seven different interactive escape rooms varying in storytelling and levels of difficulty. Each room is well-designed with incredible props and clues.

Some games even provide special clothes for you to dress up and immerse yourself even more in the story. If you are traveling with your entire family, you can form a group and have a private experience that will certainly be one of the highlights of your trip.

Turf’s Up Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk

Turf’s Up ranks high when it comes to family fun. This indoor entertainment venue focuses on world-class custom-designed HD sports simulation, offering the opportunity for sports enthusiasts to engage in their favorite activity even when it’s raining.

There are over 90 virtual golf courses you can play, and you can even get golf lessons from an in-house golf professional. If golf is not your thing, there are also over 10 other sports games you can choose from, such as baseball, football, hockey, carnival games, soccer, and zombie dodgeball. Everything is very realistic, and if you are with energetic kids, they’ll have a blast!

You can also order snacks and beverages from their bar. They even offer beer on tap, wine, and sangria for the adults.

Scarborough Lane Shoppes, Duck

For nearly 30 years, Scarborough Lane has been the go-to shopping spot in the heart of Duck, NC. This charming retail complex boasts a delightful array of boutiques and restaurants, ensuring a relaxed and exceptional shopping experience for both locals and visitors year-round.

Connected by covered porches, the boutiques offer a diverse range of treasures to explore, including local favorites like Confetti Clothing, Ocean Treasures, The Mystic Jewel, October Jae Boutique, and Finest Flotsam for unique vintage finds.

Indulge your taste buds with unique snacks to take home from OBX Popcorn Shop, where choosing just one favorite flavor can be a challenge, or visit Ella’s Olive for gourmet treats such as Bloody Mary mixes, honey, homemade jams, olives, and flavored infused olive oils.

When it’s time to refuel, there are several dining spots where you can recharge your energy. Plus, Scarborough Lane hosts exciting events featuring art and music from time to time, making the shopping experience even more memorable.

Unwind and recharge with a day of wellness in the Outer Banks

You don’t necessarily need to go to the beach to relax and unwind. When the weather is not ideal for chilling on the Outer Banks’ stunning beaches, the region has plenty of spas and wellness centers where you can recharge your energy and leave rejuvenated.

Here’s a quick guide through some of the best spas and wellness centers in the Outer Banks:

• Eden Day Spa & Salon, Corolla: services include hot stone deep tissue massages.
  
  
• AQUA Spa, Duck: this is one of the most popular spas in the Outer Banks offering treatments and a wide variety of massages — from facial and hangover recovery massages to aromatherapy, manicures, and pedicures. 
  
  
• Outer Banks Salt Cave, Kitty Hawk: try a holistic wellness treatment at Salt Cave featuring halotherapy,  reiki treatment, and much more. 
  
  
• Island Acupuncture and Massage, Kill Devil Hills: specialized in Traditional Chinese Medicine, you’ll find services like therapeutic massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, cupping, and dry needling.
   

If you want to work on your mind and body, there are several yoga centers in the Outer Banks, such as Corolla Yoga, Soulshine Yoga, Village Yoga, Outer Banks Yoga, and OBX Hot Yoga, to name a few.

Chill in and enjoy a cozy corner of your vacation rental

There are several alternatives to enjoying the Outer Banks even if it’s raining and you can’t engage in outdoor activities. However, sometimes it’s a good idea to stay inside and enjoy quality time with your family. 

Traveling is also a great opportunity to create memorable moments with loved ones, and you don’t need to be constantly on the move to have enjoyable experiences. Spending time in your vacation rental during a rainy day allows you to have excellent family time playing board and card games or cooking a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy together. With the right amenities, your vacation rental can be the stage for lots of fun and unforgettable moments.

Extra tip: what about turning your vacation rental into a spa? Outer Banks Massage Therapy offers in-home massage sessions if you don’t want to travel to a physical location during a rainy day. They travel to Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head, bringing a relaxing experience to where you are.

Rainy Day Activities in The Outer Banks, NC

Rain or shine, the Outer Banks is truly a spectacular destination. For more relevant local tips, head to our blog. We cover many topics from the best restaurants to the best spots to watch sunsets, and there’s much more coming.

Wondering where to stay in the Outer Banks, NC?

Booking your stay with Village Realty means staying in one of our exceptional, handpicked homes. From the oceanfront to the sound front, we offer outstanding OBX vacation rentals from South Nags Head to Corolla.

Our number one priority? Your ultimate comfort and happiness. Our local staff will always go the extra mile to make sure you and your family have a special vacation in OBX.

Staying with us, all you have to care about is letting the coastal beauty whisk you away – and you can rest assured it will!