Tell me everything about Kill Devil Hills/OBX

[harleyquinn]

Okay, maybe not everything.

SIL is getting married and we're staying at a house on the beach with 7 other families with kids and some older and younger couples. We'll be there for a week April 9-15.

I've never been anywhere near there, I've never even seen the ocean besides out of a plane window.

I read an entire travel guide to the area and still feel like I know nothing. All of the kids are under 4. Most people are only staying the weekend, so I'm looking for family friendly things to do with a couple of 3 and 4 year olds. Any suggestions for any favorite places or must sees would be awesome. Any helpful websites...whatever you got!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Love OBX. We will be there the same week but we go further out to a town called Frisco. Mama Kwan's has great food. The Wright Brothers Museum and park area is very nice. Go watch the hang gliders, or do it yourself. Go out to Buxton and see the light house. Well worth the trip. If you aren't too chicken go to the light house at night, it's pretty cool. Go all the way out to the tip of Hatteras and take the ferry to Ocracoke. Cool little shops and Blackbeard Museum which is fun for little kids esp. Ocracoke is a national seashore and is often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. There are some small pens with wild ponies. There are spots along the edge of the water here where the kids can see turtles sunning if it's nice out. In Hatteras is also the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Small, donation only, more for nautical history people. We like to get Apple Ugglies and breakfast sandwiches from The Orange Blossom - little shop in Buxton and Coffee from the Dancing Turtle also in Buxton.
Bring a variety of clothes. In April in OBX it could be hot and sunny or cool and windy. If you like to fish bring a surf fishing pole. Lots of bait shops. Go to a local seafood/fish market and pick up things for dinner and have a big seafood dinner. Most kitchens come very well furnished and have grills. Where we stay fires are allowed on the beach. Check the rules. If it's ok have a beach fire and toast marshmallows.
Make sure the kids have a bucket or bag for collecting shells. Look for sand crabs. See if the park service does nature walks for kids. Watch the waters edge early in the morning and at dusk for pelicans flying by and dolphins. Near the boats you may see large numbers of pelicans mooching food.

 

[harleyquinn]

Love OBX. We will be there the same week but we go further out to a town called Frisco. Mama Kwan's has great food. The Wright Brothers Museum and park area is very nice. Go watch the hang gliders, or do it yourself. Go out to Buxton and see the light house. Well worth the trip. If you aren't too chicken go to the light house at night, it's pretty cool. Go all the way out to the tip of Hatteras and take the ferry to Ocracoke. Cool little shops and Blackbeard Museum which is fun for little kids esp. Ocracoke is a national seashore and is often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. There are some small pens with wild ponies. There are spots along the edge of the water here where the kids can see turtles sunning if it's nice out. In Hatteras is also the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Small, donation only, more for nautical history people. We like to get Apple Ugglies and breakfast sandwiches from The Orange Blossom - little shop in Buxton and Coffee from the Dancing Turtle also in Buxton.
Bring a variety of clothes. In April in OBX it could be hot and sunny or cool and windy. If you like to fish bring a surf fishing pole. Lots of bait shops. Go to a local seafood/fish market and pick up things for dinner and have a big seafood dinner. Most kitchens come very well furnished and have grills. Where we stay fires are allowed on the beach. Check the rules. If it's ok have a beach fire and toast marshmallows.
Make sure the kids have a bucket or bag for collecting shells. Look for sand crabs. See if the park service does nature walks for kids. Watch the waters edge early in the morning and at dusk for pelicans flying by and dolphins. Near the boats you may see large numbers of pelicans mooching food.

Thank you sooo much!!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Plan your trips and consolidate a bit. A trip down Rt. 12 to the lighthouse and Ocracoke can be long so make all the things that way a combined day trip. Get gas in Kill Devil or Kitty Hawk because further out it's more expensive. Hoodies and windbreakers are great. The water can be rough and there are no guards this early so you will have to watch the kids. They'll be fine splashing around with their feet which is all it will be warm enough for but you will want to watch all the little ones. In Kitty Hawk/Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills are mini golf, go carts, etc. There are also bead shops to make necklaces. Out that way is a small micro brewery called the Weeping Radish which is very good for beer lovers. We bring some home.
Homes have outside showers which is great for beach sand and kids. There are also fun surf shops. We like Whalebone for t-shirts.

 

[ebtbmom]

Check out Jockey's Ridge sand dunes. I also enjoy watching The Lost Colony over in Manteo.

 

[2BigKIdz]

There is also a small Aquarium in Manteo, doesn't cost much and the kids would enjoy it.

 

[skater]

I'll second the Mama Kwan's recommendation - unique food and kid friendly. Sand dunes are a must at Jockey's Ridge. If you like seafood, Sugar Creek restaurant (to the south of KDH) is fantastic.

 

[skater]

Also, if you like scrapbooking, there's a great store between KDH and Nag's Head. Its small, but has lots of unique items. I never miss it!

 

[Swank]

As somebody already mentioned for kids that age, the small Aquarium in Manteo is a must. Also posters have already mentioned Jockey Ridge State Park. this is also a must, you may think dunes would be boring, these are not. We always go a couple hours before sunset and bring a kite (you can buy kites at Kittyhawk Kites right across the highway). Then stay for sunset and then the park closes.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thank you all for the suggestions and the specifics and tips! Keep them coming!