By: hannahd108
7/12/2019 10:57 AM
Last year it rained 4 out of 7 days of our vacation. unfortunately our beach house only had a small tv (which was used to entertain a toddler) and an ancient puzzle. We had never had that happen before and were not prepared. We are hoping for good weather this year but want to be prepared just in case! What do you all like to do on a rainy day at the beach? We have two children under 5 , several 20-30 year olds, and a few 50+. We don't all have to stay together.
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By: Tim-OBX
7/12/2019 12:17 PM
Do what everyone does down here when on vacation and it rains - You get in your car and create more traffic. Go to the Aquarium, many people do when it rains, or go shopping and take your time since no one minds going slow here.. 
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By: DeanK
7/12/2019 12:32 PM
/\ /\. Wow. Tim has the customer service hat on today. Really living up to all those stars.
Not sure where you’re staying, and that probably has some bearing on it. We recently went through a rain filled vacation. We went to the movies at KDH. Stopped and got some board games. A lot of times, even though it’s raining at one location, another town is dry, so that can be a great time for a road trip. But, I’m hoping that you’ll have some great weather for the whole week!
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By: obx4family
7/12/2019 12:48 PM
As stated the movies are an option. A trip to the Dollar Store or Thrift Store can net you puzzles, crafts and other inexpensive items to put on a family play or create fun in cabin activities.
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By: Mstaszew
7/12/2019 1:20 PM
We've hit a lot of rain during our trips, but what's nice about the beach is it doesn't get gross when wet. Wet sand is still cool. Wet red clay back at home is gross. We usually just find something to occupy our time during the brief rains and then hit the beach during any pocket of dry. The visibility is so good there you can see the next rain coming from behind you so if it's a spotty showers kind of day you can usually keep on top of it easily.
If your rental has a large underside you can do activities there and still be outside provided the lot perks well and the rain isn't blowing sideways. I assume sideways rain is less of a summer problem, though. We vacation in the off-season including dead of winter and a good blow can be brutal.
If there's no lightning the pool and hot tub are still fair game.
Games, Roku, etc. We travel with a few Roku sticks. A single TV is not a problem if you have iPads. I usually watch my shows on iPad because they are disturbing to the mrs.
Drink beer and watch the ocean.
Get fishing tackle, etc. ready for the next dry period.
Day trips elsewhere just to look around. We stay north of the Bonner and will sometimes drive down to Avon to daydream about living on the OBX.
Mostly I enjoy being outside at all costs and our house has a massive, concrete underside. With enough beer I can occupy myself down there for days.
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By: ChesterSprings
7/12/2019 2:47 PM
During our last rainy trip we discovered White Mountain Puzzles. Check them out.
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By: 2boysmom
7/12/2019 3:26 PM
Don't go to the aquarium! Well, maybe if you get there right when they open or a couple hours before closing it might be ok. We decided to go last month when it rained, got there around 11:00 or so and the parking lot was overflowing onto the grass and there was a line of people waiting to go in! We ended up going to Poor Richard's for lunch and eating on the back porch and then we went to the Roanoke Island Festival Park.
I think most of the indoor places will get crowded, understandably. There is that place that has indoor mini golf, laser tag and I'm not sure what else.
Also, check the weather because it may not be raining too far away, depending on where you are. We were in SNH for 10 days and had rain a lot of those days, but my husband and son went down to Hatteras and it was sunny there.
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By: Millie’s Here Now
7/12/2019 3:32 PM
Don’t cross the Aquarium off. It is one of the best in the country and is not as crowded as claimed above. I was there last week during the rain and there was a crowd but it was not crowded, if you know what I mean. Movies, the Touch Pool kids love where you can pet sharks and Sting Rays, the otters, great exhibits.
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By: Mstaszew
7/12/2019 4:00 PM
Aquarium is a lot of fun.
Manteo is another one of our crummy day destinations. Unless it's a complete downpour we're usually OK with light rain jacket/wind breaker/umbrella and the waterfront there is really nice. Many cool shops, etc. We also go to Elizabethan Gardens which has a heavy tree cover so again, unless it's absolutely pouring you can get by just fine. Elizabethan Gardens is a short walk to see the whole thing, too. Nice place to burn an hour or two and feel like you've seen it all.
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By: Aliphatic
7/12/2019 5:22 PM
Rainy days are perfect for a bar crawl. Well not necessarily a bar crawl per se, but if you're anywhere near Corolla and Duck then start in Corolla at North Banks and have a drink and an appetizer, move on to Off the Wall Tap House, have a beer or two and then keep heading south. Village Table and Tavern have all kinds of great beer on draft. Just keep heading south stopping at a bunch of places for a drink and something to snack on as needed. Cravings, Aqua, Coastal Provisions, etc.
Just remember to avoid straight liquor and to have a glass of water every 1-2 drinks. Doing a bunch of shots is ill-advised, you'll get sloppy and ruin the crawl.
Makes for a great day, and plus since the weather was crappy if you need to get back to the house and crash out for a few hours to sleep off the booze, no big deal! It was rainy and yucky out so you didn't miss a day at the beach!
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By: bobbyg
7/12/2019 5:46 PM
Jump House in Manteo and Island Dyes in KDH.
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By: mdabul
7/12/2019 6:07 PM
forget the drinking part, nothing good will come from it... check the weather radar... often it's not raining North or South from where you are... more than once we'll be enjoying sun at the beach while it's pouring rain near the house.
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By: Alexy
7/12/2019 6:50 PM
Go fishing.
Seriously.... just before and even during a rain storm the fishing can be excellent.
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By: CoolBreezeKDH
7/12/2019 8:29 PM
Here are some good links. Family vacation tie dyes are a great idea at Island Dyes, also pottery painting and other crafts make a fun memento of your trip, too.
Click to follow link...
Click to follow link...
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By: Crunch
7/12/2019 9:09 PM
Hannahd108,
Knock on wood, we've always had very good weather. Hope the same is true this year when we are there the last two weeks of August.
Bowling is our # 1 choice for a rainy day. Lots of fun for all ages, including very young kids. Have the lane put up the side rails. Works well for 2+ year-olds.
Movies is also an option, but we tend to do that at night.
Has anyone tried the Pioneer theater in Manteo? How is it? We always miss the shows we want to see. Very much want to get there this year.
Aquarium in Manteo is an excellent choice. We keep going back every year and never seem to tire of it.
Belk shopping is also good. We've been very impressed with what Belk has to offer and shopped there during a torrential afternoon downpour last year. Very nice. Someone is putting a lot of time and energy into that store. Smart, capable merchandising. Feels like Macy's Jr. without the hustle and prices. Great sales at the end of season.
Tangers mall, in general. We love the Corning Glass store, but are pretty well stocked up at this point.
I'm a NYC male. I check out the HD, Lowe's, Walmart, which I can't often do here at a leisurely and comfortable pace. So nice to move around in big, uncramped spaces, with lots of stock on hand!
Harris Teeter is also a treat for rainy days. Good bagels, Boar's Head meats, wines, Swai fish, and feta cheese, etc. all under one roof. Again, a lot of effort and energy is put into these stores to make them what they are. Would cost a small fortune for the same here in NYC.
Crunch
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By: fredneckians
7/12/2019 9:58 PM
My fingers are crossed that you get great weather, but if it does rain I wouldn't rule out going to the beach (assuming no lightening) anyway. Even in a built up area like Kitty Hawk you may have the entire beach to yourself which means no competition for shells, sea glass and other artifacts that wash up. I would suggest walking into the rain to start so the walk back is more enjoyable. Consider it an adventure.
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By: Dhart
7/12/2019 10:01 PM
Go fishing.
Seriously.... just before and even during a rain storm the fishing can be excellent.
Heck yes!
And if fishing isn't your thing, get a raincoat and a cap and walk on an uncrowded beach. Don't let the rain stop what you came for.
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By: Pickle
7/13/2019 7:49 AM
I know this comment will not be well entertained, but as a Volunteer at the Touch Tanks for 20 years, my advice is a very firm Do Not Go To The Aquarium On A Rainy Day! The Aquarium is a wonderful experience. Why ruin it on a rainy day in July or August when there are people 3 deep at the Ray or Touch Tanks and your Children can not get up front and enjoy. The Aquarium is all about Education and Enhancing your knowledge of local Wildlife and Marine Creatures. It is also Entertaining with certain Activities and Animal Encounters. Have a more pleasurable experience on a non rainy day. Okay said my piece. Moving on I would suggest several other Nature related Indoor places, once again "Rainy Day" don't say I didn't warn you. Try the National Wildlife Refuge Welcome Center about a mile North of the Aquarium. Small FREE Museum and Educational Exhibits. A cutaway Plane that you can sit in and "Fly" over the local Wildlife Refuges. A must see is the Movie on Buffalo City in there small "Cabin" Theater. Okay up North in Corolla is the NC Wildlife Commission Resource Center (FREE). Wonderful Currituck Historical exhibits, small aquarium and videos. A beautiful collection of antique Decoys and Outboard Motors. They also offer many outdoor activities for Children and Families (Reservations generally required). Hatteras is the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (FREE), small but fantastic exhibits. Anybody interested in the local Maritime history should make this a Must See place. I would think that young children won't get much out of this.place Depending on your location (Duck to NH) is a ride to the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City (FREE). A very, very educational big Museum with a great exhibits on the Albemarle Region. This would not be great for real young children. Elizabeth City is about an hour from Kitty Hawk. Enough for now. Enjoy the Outer Banks
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By: MichiganJulia
7/13/2019 10:59 AM
Rainy days are perfect for a bar crawl. Well not necessarily a bar crawl per se, but if you're anywhere near Corolla and Duck then start in Corolla at North Banks and have a drink and an appetizer, move on to Off the Wall Tap House, have a beer or two and then keep heading south. Village Table and Tavern have all kinds of great beer on draft. Just keep heading south stopping at a bunch of places for a drink and something to snack on as needed. Cravings, Aqua, Coastal Provisions, etc.Just remember to avoid straight liquor and to have a glass of water every 1-2 drinks. Doing a bunch of shots is ill-advised, you'll get sloppy and ruin the crawl.
Makes for a great day, and plus since the weather was crappy if you need to get back to the house and crash out for a few hours to sleep off the booze, no big deal! It was rainy and yucky out so you didn't miss a day at the beach!
They have two children under 5 ...no bar crawling for them!
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By: judyk
7/13/2019 11:36 AM
Do a Mexican day at your rental. Kids can wear beach towels as serapes. Sombreros if you got em (or pirate hat ...that’ll work). If it can’t be achieved without damage one dad can be a bull for a bullfight with a kid matador. Nacho chip and dip. Easy quesadillas. Tacos. Kids generally enjoy them, and making their own, if they’re able. You can serve the dips and quesadillas s before finishing with taco dinner. Margaritas for grownups.maybe treat kids with a Virgin margarita. Send somebody out for a couple packages of ice cream for dessert.
I don’t imagine an 8 hour day of this, but children lose interest after a bit, anyway. I would imagine it being a mid afternoon to dinner to nighty nite time. Just one small diversion from the weather.
I was going to suggest making some spectacular dinner....but tho the adults would love it, the kids wouldn’t appreciate it.
Or a Pirate day...hide a treasure of souvenirs for kids to find with map.
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By: MikeW
7/13/2019 11:38 AM
We don’t have kids so a rainy day is no big deal, read, snooze, have a drink, perhaps a little adult activity. It’s a tougher nut to crack with kids
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By: Crunch
7/13/2019 12:32 PM
Very good suggestions, Pickle. Would like to see that movie on Buffalo City. We went kayaking last year on the lake where Buffalo City used to be, but didn't know there was a movie. On the list for this year.
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By: Crunch
7/13/2019 12:36 PM
Pickle, you triggered a thought: the museum in that old house in Ocraco*ke. Don't remember the name of it, and it is a hike to get to, but it was very interesting, mainly maritime historical stuff of the area, as I recall.
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By: pens4821
7/13/2019 3:51 PM
I know it's been mentioned, but want to also say that we have no problem swimming in the rain if not storming. We've been in the pool/hot tub during downpours.
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By: Scratch
7/13/2019 5:06 PM
I know it's been mentioned, but want to also say that we have no problem swimming in the rain if not storming. We've been in the pool/hot tub during downpours.
But you’ll get wet!
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