Our last day of vacation found us well rested after a relaxing night in the owner’s suite at the Colonial Inn. It was two floors overlooking the pool with a full kitchen. Absolutely lovely! Time to start our day and finalize this trip of fun memories!We ventured out to breakfast at the Jolly Roger Restaurant, home to the “most famous breakfast on the beach!”
The restaurant is touted as “eclectic” and “crazy”, a converted gas station/grocery store that’s been serving the OBX community since 1972. Food is always made from scratch here and the key word is fun, which my family definitely had! They have nightly karaoke here plus tournaments, contests and a DJ. The colors are bright, the décor colorful and unique and I could see why this place is a favorite among vacationers, as well as the locals.
Be sure not to miss the fun picture opportunities to get silly all over the Jolly Roger Restaurant – at the entrance, in the parking lot, and behind the building. It just sort of adds to this diverse themed local hangout.
Our next stop was at Roanoke Island Festival Park where you will find history, nature, recreation and lots of family fun. This 25-acre historic site represents the first English settlement attempt in 1585. The park is also host to wedding, concerts and performances throughout the year in addition to the many hands on historical activities that are there and it’s an ideal place for family fun. Families can board the Elizabeth II, a 16th century representative ship, and watch sailors plot a course, swab the decks and set the sails.
You can play checkers with the captain or a sailor and ask lots of questions! Our family toured an authentic Indian town and practiced some techniques and crafts from days gone by. My husband tried his hand, or should I say shoulders, at carrying buckets of water and my son got put in the stockade! What a fun day! I love when kids have the chance to actually play with history because it’s one thing to see it but it’s another thing to EXPERIENCE it!
The highlight of our Dare County, Outer Banks vacation was yet to come and we thought we had already done it all! On our last evening, my family signed up to do a Ghost Crab quest and this was the most hilarious fun! We were each given a bucket, a net and a flashlight and off we went to catch ghost crabs! You never really think about how much life is living on the beaches and in the water that you never even see.
These are some really wily critters. They start off with a little educational information and then you get your buckets, net and flashlight…. and the hunt begins (yes it’s catch and release at the end). I have to say we had a fabulous trip but on this inexpensive excursion, I heard the MOST shrieks, screams and sounds of laughter! Just saying “it’s fun” doesn’t do it justice – it’s hilarious fun!
Everyone is running everywhere! Small sea and sand animals abound! I’m not sure who came up with a business plan to chase these critters on the beach at night but if you ask my kids their “top 5 list” of fun adventures in the Outer Banks – Ghost Crab Quest was at the top! It’s cheap wholesome fun for sure!
The Outer Banks in Dare County has activities galore for your vacationing family. All this fun was had by my family and it was time to head back to the Mid-Atlantic region. I can already tell my family will want to return in the future!
To say that we had fun in Dare County, North Carolina would be an understatement. We made memories that will last us a lifetime, swimming, stepping back in time to learn about our nation’s earliest settlements, eating great food and staying at wonderful hotels. The Outer Banks is a wonderful vacation destination for families with children of all ages. You won’t regret the experience and like us, when it’s time to leave you will already be looking forward to the next time you can return.
If you missed Day #1 of our Outer Banks Adventure 4 day vacation series click here.
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