Last Minute Thanksgiving Activities
For those spending Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks this year, here are some last minute events you can enjoy with your family.
November 27 – The 13th Annual Advice 5K Turkey Trot is a great way to get you ready for your afternoon feast. The run takes place in Duck and starts on Scarborough Lane with a finish line full of post race activities. Runners and walkers are invited to take part in this annual tradition. Please visit
www.active.com for more information.
November 28-29 – Enjoy the Hatteras Island Arts and Crafts Guild Holiday Show. This art fair features local artists, food and other activities. Admission is free for all. For more information call 252-441-1850
November 28 - 29 - Hangin’ with Santa presented by Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head. Kids can have their photos taken with Santa with a hang glider in the background. Kite fliers will also be demonstrating, so bring your camera to this free event. Friday hours are 10 am until 2pm and Saturday hours are 1 pm until 4pm.
November 29 – Kites with Lights – Visit Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head to enjoy this evening event. You will watch in amazement as skilled fliers maneuver their lit kites to holiday music. Hot cider and cookies will be served at Kitty Hawk Kites for all to enjoy.
There are many events happening in the Outer Banks, but it can be overwhelming to try and participate in all of them. There is also nothing wrong with kicking back, and enjoying time spent with your family in one of our vacation rentals.
Happy Thanksgiving from Élan Vacations!
Labels: Elan Vacations, Outer Banks Activities, Thanksgiving
Specials for Rooms and Activities
With the holidays right around the corner, many people are scrambling for the perfect gift. Élan Vacations is offering a gift for the whole family to enjoy. Why not surprise your family with the idea of a summer vacation? If you book during this holiday season, Élan Vacations is allowing you to space out your payments. With a down payment of $500, you can secure your Outer Banks vacation rental for next year. The remaining balance won’t be due until January 31, 2009. This gives you time to pay for this great gift. For more information please see
www.elanvactions.com or call 1-866-760-3526.
The best way to save money in the Outer Banks is to plan your vacation well in advance. Plan your activities and look for ways to save online and in local publications. A great source for area coupons is
http://www.sunnydayguide.com/outer_banks/ob_coupons.php. This site allows you to search the area by activity and find coupons that will save you money.
If you are still not sure what to do while you’re in the Outer Banks, call Élan Vacations in advance for some great ideas. Our vacation experts will give you the best places and things to do while you are visiting. Another great way to find fun things to do is to talk to the locals. Source business owners and other people for the hidden treasures of the Outer Banks . They can tell you the best activities, events and festivals to check out while you are visiting.
Labels: Elan Vacations, Family Vacations, Vacation Specials
General Beach Information for Visitors to the Outer Banks
Beaches are a main attraction of the Outer Banks and they are why so many people visit each year. Because the beaches are so important to the tourist industry, many rules and guidelines have been put in place to protect them for future visitors. Outlined below are some key regulations that you will need to follow when enjoying the beaches.
Beach Fires – Who can resist a nice warm fire by the ocean on a chilly night while on vacation? If this is in your plan for evening activities, you must be prepared. Fires are allowed in Nags Head and along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area. Nags Head requires that you obtain a permit from the local fire department before all fires on the beach are started. Fires cannot be lit if winds exceed 10 knots. Fires cannot be built within 50 feet of anything combustible and the pit must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area requires that ground fires be at least 100 feet away from natural vegetation, below the high tide line and supervised by an adult. Beach fires are not permitted in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills.
Personal Water Craft (Jet Skis) – Skipping across the ocean on one of these small vessels can be great fun. General boating rules apply for basic operation in the Outer Banks. Each town has specific regulations so please reference
http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/personal_watercraft.asp for more information.
Pets on the Beach – These rules apply mostly to dogs as these are the most popular pets brought to the beach. Each beach has specific regulations pertaining to pets, but general rules should apply. Dogs are allowed to be off the leash, but must be in close proximity and control of their owner. All waste must be collected and deposited in marked containers immediately. For more information and specific rules, please visit
http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/pets_on_the_beach.asp
Flags and Lifeguards – The ocean is a fun place to swim, surf and body surf, but if conditions get rough, you should know your limit and not take risks. To help judge conditions, lifeguards and beach personnel will post condition flags high in the air. If red flags or red and white warning signs are posted because of high winds and surf sometimes caused by a storm, swimming is prohibited. Lifeguards will be positioned on the beaches from May 30, 2009 through Labor Day weekend, September 7, 2009 for Outer Banks towns except for Duck, where lifeguards are on the beach from May 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009. Other beaches may not have stationed lifeguards, but will have roving lifeguards on ATV’s and other all terrain vehicles. Before heading to these beaches, check with local authorities as the times and locations of lifeguards can change without notice.
Rules and regulations for beach goers should be followed at all times. For a list of other regulations not covered here, please visit
http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/ Labels: Beach Guidelines, Outer Banks Beaches, Rules and Information
Outer Banks Kids Activities
The Outer Banks is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States. The best part about the OBX is that there is an abundance of activities for the whole family. Kids and adults will have many adventures and will want to come back for years to come. In the past our posts have focused on the adults. Now its time to point out some activities for the younger generation of the families that visit. While sitting on the beach reading a book and listening to the ocean may sound appealing to many of us, the average eight year old probably has a different idea of fun on vacation. Listed below are some kid specific activities that can be enjoyed by youngsters, but will get a smile from the “kid at heart” too.
Glazin Go Nuts - paint your own pottery. This activity would be great for that rare rainy day in the OBX. Kids and parents will enjoy picking out their own pottery piece and painting it with choices of any color in the rainbow. Participants can choose from hundreds of different styles of pottery. Glazin Go Nuts is open everyday from 10AM – 6PM and is located at Mile Post 6 on HWY 158 in Kill Devil Hills. No reservations are necessary but you can call 252-449-2134 for more information.
Blackbeard Miniature Golf – The Outer Banks is known for golf, but did you know it is also known for miniature golf? Blackbeard’s Miniature golf course can be a great way to spend a day on the course for the whole family. This mini golf course offers 18 holes of fun and challenging play. You will be putting over rivers, taking in views of the ocean all while having the time of your life.
Go Carts – For the older children and the motor heads in the family, check out Colington Speedway. Colington offers three different track styles for your budding Mario Andretti or Dale Ernhardt Jr. There is a road course that has many twists and turns and ample passing opportunities. A kiddie track can be great for the drivers not quite big enough to reach the pedals on the big cars, and the oval slick track is sure to test the skills of even the most accomplished go cart driver. Visit Colington and test your driving skills!
North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island – While you are visiting the OBX, you may participate in ocean activities such as fishing, boating, surfing and more. Now you can see what lives in the water you play in the Roanoke Island Aquarium. This day long activity will be fun and educational for all visitors. The Aquarium’s main goal is to raise awareness of the conservation of aquatic life with research and efforts to help protect our oceans. Visit the aquarium while you are here to see some of the most majestic sea creatures. Please call 1-866-332-3475 for more information.
Labels: Kids Activities, Outer Banks, Outer Banks Activities
Outer Banks Activities
People have been visiting the Outer Banks for years because of the white sand beaches, fabulous golf and comfortable climate. While these activities could keep any OBX visitor occupied for their entire stay, there are many other activities that should be enjoyed. Activities can be as peaceful as a bird watching excursion or as thrilling as a cruise down the beach in an open top, off road vehicle. Outlined below are some of the activities that you can enjoy on your next vacation to the Outer Banks.
Kayaking – This sport can be enjoyed solo or with a group. Either way, you are sure to encounter some of the best scenery and wild life the OBX has to offer. Kayaks can be rented for nominal fees, and there are many public launch spots to start your daily adventures. Public launch sites can be found in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges, Manteo, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and many Dare County Beaches.
Bird Watching – The Outer Banks is a haven for nearly 400 species of birds. Bird watching is good all year, but can be especially wonderful in the fall and winter. One of the best spots to bird watch is at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. This area is home to many snow geese, Canada geese, tundra swans, and multiple species of ducks. There are many observation platforms throughout the park which can be accessed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wild Horses of Corolla – There are not many places in this country where you can go and see wild horses running about, let alone see them on the beach. Corolla is a magical place where hopefully you are lucky enough to see these majestic and powerful animals in their natural habitat. These horses have been walking the beach for 500 years, and each year more people visit to get a glimpse of these animals. There are a few ways to experience the wild horses of Corolla. One way is to have or rent a 4WD vehicle and explore the beaches yourself. If you are this adventurous, the experience can be truly rewarding. The other option is to take a beach tour with a guide company. There are many outfitters in the area who can take you to the best spots and give you great history about the area and the horses.
The Outer Banks has something for everyone, and with so much to do, you will need to come back year after year to experience it all. Remember to plan your trip early and map out the things you want to do, so everyone can have a good time!
Labels: Bird Watching, Kayaking, Outer Banks Activities, Wild horses
