Alternative title: A Parent in OBX

The APISS crew (along with a beloved aunt and uncle) just returned from a week in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. We had a glorious vacation. I know it’s late in the summer, but on the off-chance that you and your family will be heading down there this summer or early fall, here are some activity ideas in addition to lounging, walking or otherwise enjoying the beautiful beaches.

Family Outings

The Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk is a must-see.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a superb, manageable aquarium for a family outing. All the sea life and exhibits can be observed in a morning or afternoon field trip.

Fly a kite at sunset on the dune at Jockey’s Ridge.

Pirate Adventures of the Chesapeake has a Manteo-based Sea Gypsy! We love this interactive pirate cruise.

Miniature golf courses abound in the Outer Banks. We particularly like Jurassic Putt in Nags Head at milepost 16 for the faux dinosaur creatures. On either side are bumper boats, bumper cars and go kart racing, too.

Roanoke Island Festival Park is full of fun. Tour the Elizabeth II and enjoy a children’s theater performance.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30am this summer The Lost Colony’s Waterside Theatre performs the classic tale Sleeping Beauty for children. Arrive at 9am for face painting, balloons and other kid-centric fun. After the hour-long performance your children can meet the characters!

Tour the famous lighthouses of the Outer Banks. Cape Hatteras’s Lighthouse is the tallest and most famous. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse in historic Corolla has a particularly great tour and nearby museum, it is still in operation and you can climb to the top.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is the first location of English settlers in the New World. Learn all about the famed lost colony.

Fitness & Adventures for Parents & Older Kids

Free morning Tai Chi & Pilates classes on at the Duck Town Green. Tai Chi classes are at 7:30am on Tuesdays until October 28 and Pilates runs just a little bit longer, on Thursdays at 7:30am until August 28.

Water aerobics on weekday mornings at 8:30am at the Village at Nags Head beach club.

Horseback riding on Hatteras Island with Equine Adventures.

Kayaking in the ocean, bay or sound.

Hang gliding from the dunes!

Get A Sitter - for those that travel with family or friends and can snag a night out

The Full Moon Cafe in Manteo was superb for a leisurely, delicious meal. We drank snake bites, fine wine, ate fresh sea food and never asked for a kid menu and crayons. Our waiter was the nicest guy in the world.

We also liked having drinks by moonlight at the covered end of the pier at Miller’s in Nags Head. Here’s a coupon for 15% off at the restaurant.

We have both eaten at the Sugar Creek Restaurant and purchased a steamer pot to cook at home at the Sugar Shack seafood market. The seafood is fresh and the view on the Roanoake Sound is spectacular.

Here’s a comprehensive list of restaurants in the Outer Banks and a directory of bars.

Happy vacationing!