They are regarded as one of the most beautiful areas of California, yet one of the big questions surrounding the Outer Banks is whether they are suitable for families. Well, if we were to answer in a nutshell, yes they are.
The area is home to a whole host of activities and attractions that would be suited to children and over recent times there have been more and more families heading over. It’s one of the reasons why the vacation homes market has surged in popularity, with Elan Vacations being pivotal to this.
Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the Outer Banks, here’s the lowdown on some of the best things that you can take the kids to see.
NC Aquarium
Based on Roanoke Island, this first attraction is an absolute must-see if you are traveling with kids. Everything from stingray alligators to otters is based here, while there’s a huge collection of sharks which are always going to whet the appetite of little minds.
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Sticking to the Roanoke Island area, here’s another attraction that is going to be greeted with plenty of smiling faces.
While some historical sites might not be quite exciting enough for children, the same can’t be said about this one. It has been designed to highlight the first English settlement attempt from the 1500s and uses a range of interactive ways to do this.
Visitors can see a 16th Century ship from Elizabeth II’s era, while a lifelike American Indian town and settlement site can also be accessed. There’s plenty to get involved in and in terms of satisfying both adults and children in a family, this one ticks all the boxes.
Ghost crab hunting
This isn’t strictly an ‘official’ activity; it’s one that you’ll organize yourself so to speak. One of the great advantages of the Outer Banks is the beach, which is phenomenal to say the least. If you venture down to the area in the evening, when the sun is down, take along a torch and watch all of the ghost crabs scurry away. It’s an amazing sight – and one that particularly small children will find thrilling!
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
If wildlife is your thing, it doesn’t get much better than the Wildlife refuge at Pea Island. Let’s start by listing a few numbers; you’ll find over 350 species of birds, 24 reptiles, 25 different species of mammals and a few amphibians to complete the collection. Ultimately, for those families that love to get into the thick of it with animals, this is a top choice. It’s also worth mentioning that the facility offers fishing, which is another great activity for the family.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
In short, this is the largest sand dune on the east coast. For the adults, this means that the views available are purely breathtaking – even if you might need a few breaths to reach the summit. For the kids meanwhile, this is seen as one of the best places around to fly a kite so make sure you take yours along!