Outer Banks travel – My family and I have been invited to visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina this summer and we are very excited about this upcoming adventure. Opportunities abound when visiting America’s first National Seashore and I thought I would do my research to see what was available to my family. I want to make a list of “must see” places to go and things to do as a mom and veteran home schooler, I am always looking for educational opportunities to enlighten my children. Here are some of the adventures I found that await families looking for Outer Banks travel.
The Outer Banks, often referred to as OBX, has been a vacation destination for families long before I learned about it. This underdeveloped beach can easily be reached by car via a coastal road called the Outer Banks Scenic Byway and it’s approximately a short 5 hours drive from most Mid-Atlantic regions give or take 30 minutes to an hour depending on where you live. You’ll find yourself among small villages and wildlife preserves as you cross from the mainland onto this 200 mile string of breathtaking peninsulas and barrier islands. These natural beaches are home to the largest sand dunes on the East Coast, as well as the previous home of the famous Wright Brothers, who harnessed the power of flight and forever changed the course of the common family vacation forever more. This historic event took place right in Kitty Hawk in 1903. There’s a fun museum to visit and some great picture taking opportunities that I can’t wait to share after my visit in June.
Adventure lovers will find plenty to do in the Outer Banks. Besides the usual beach activities like swimming and sunbathing, you can enjoy kite boarding and surfing. I doubt you’ll catch me kite boarding but my husband and son are quit adventurous and are excited about the idea! Coastal golf is available too for those that may want to work on their swing. You can ride horses along the surf, participate in fire dancing and stretch it out doing beach yoga…. Ah, now there’s my calling – a peaceful quiet beach doing yoga in the morning sun. If you love being on the water instead of in the water, crabbing, fishing and shrimping charters might be for you. As June gets closer we’re planning out out fun and the excitement is building.
Historically, you can walk the line the Wright Brothers took when they finally got their wings off the ground. You can visit one of the most complete U.S. Coast Guard complexes at Cape Hatteras, home to the area where the Nicholas Sparks’ movie, Nights of Rodanthe was filmed. Visit the area of Fort Raleigh, America’s first English colony that was missing for four centuries then listen to the outdoor symphony telling the fascinating story of this colony. Wow, what a lot of history!
I have only scraped the surface of the wild and wonderful world of Outer Banks travel. There is something for everyone and that makes it a great place to take the whole family, plus I really like that it’s driving distance from most points with the Eastern region of the United States. You can be enriched by culture, get fit working out on the beach or enjoy four star dining at Kimball’s Kitchen. I’m so excited about my visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in June. Stay tuned…..
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