Local Area and Attractions
Closest Grocery Stores
The Fresh Market, located 3.5 miles or 6 minutes from the house in the Outer Banks Mall, is a large up-scale grocer featuring organic produce, fresh seafood, prepared foods, and a large selection of craft beers and international wines.
Food Lion, located 3.5 miles or 6 minutes from the house in the Outer Banks Mall, is a traditional style grocery store with competitive pricing and a large variety of products.
Dollar Tree, located 3.5 miles or 6 minutes from the house in the Outer Banks Mall, is a store not to be underestimated. You will be shocked at the number of items you can find for your vacation period, each priced at $1. I highly recommend starting your household stocking trip here.
Cahoons, located 1.4 miles or 3 minutes from the house, is a surprisingly well stocked market. This is likely the stop you want for that one missing ingredient.
7-Eleven, located 1.3 miles or 2 minutes from the house, is open 24-hours a day for your convenience store needs.
Happy Hour
Fish Heads Bar and Grill is the perfect happy hour spot. I can’t say enough about this place, located a short 1/2 mile (10-minute) walk from the house on The Outer Banks Fishing Pier. Either stroll along the beach or the beach road, but please consider making this your evening hang-out. You’ll enjoy outdoor seating, amazing appetizers, drink specials, and a rotation of live music on certain nights. Check out the music calendar, sometimes on their website otherwise listed on the sign by the street.
A Few Suggested Restaurants
Blue Moon Beach Grill is at mile post 13 in the surfside plaza. This is my favorite restaurant on the Outer Banks. Don’t let the plaza location fool you, this is an amazing restaurant. The wait can be long, but stopping by to get on the list and giving a cell number for text messages when your table is ready, will get you into this local favorite!
Owens Restaurant is 1.6 miles from the house, and is celebrating it’s 69th season on the beach. Although semi-upscale, I’ve enjoyed many fine meals here.
Tortugas’ Lie is 7.2 miles north, just past Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This quaint little outer bank’s favorite is sure to please. Get the special if you can – it’s always good and fresh.
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe is 2.3 miles from the house on the causeway with great views of the sound. This very large restaurant is above average, yet gets mixed reviews. It is a great option for large parties due to it’s size and proximaty.
Mama Kwans Tiki Bar and Grill is a fish taco favorite. You will find it 8.3 miles north, in Kill Devil Hills.
Nags Head Pizza would be my strong recommendation for quality pizza. The fact that they are only 2 miles from the house, on the causeway, is an added bonus.
Activities
Kitty Hawk Water Sports is only 2 miles away, and features Jet Ski/Parasailing/Kayak Rentals, as well as a number of other rental and water activities.
The Outer Banks Fishing Pier is a 10-minute walk down the beach, only 1/2 mile away. The pier is well known for it’s great fishing and family atmosphere. The pier is lighted and is open 24-hours a day. Further, no fishing license is required.
Jennette’s Pier is the larger, more commercial, fishing pier located 1.4 miles north of the house. This is a favorite location for weddings and special events, in the pier’s spacious upper-level ballroom area. Fishing classes, fishing lessons, summer day camps, and various night programs, are featured activities at this Outer Banks gem.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a must do activity at mile post 12, 6.0 miles from the house. You can simply take a stroll over the expansive dunes, or participate in various seasonal activities including hang-gliding/kite-flying/sand-boarding/water sports.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is a national park located 10 miles north of the house. An easy half-day activity which includes the monument, a museum, a visitor’s center, and an operating airport.
The Lost Colony is an enormous outdoor production. It can be coupled with dinner or enjoyed as an after-meal theater experience. This is a major theatrical production, and I recommend reading all about it to determine if it’s something that would suit your group.
Nags Head Outlets is located only 1.8 miles away. Beware – Outlet shopping is addictive!!!
Child Care
OBX Island Child Care is a local provider for babysitting services. The webpage describes their hiring and screening procedures, rates, and allows for online reservations. Pre-booking is suggested. Beyond the online testimonials, I do not have personal experience with this company.
Equipment Rental – Gas Grills/Bikes/WaterSports/Etc
Moneysworth Beach Equipment may be the most cost effective option if you are only renting a gas grill. All three listed companies charge $65 plus tax. Moneysworth currently does not charge a deliver fee for any order. Coupon codes are sometimes available on Facebook or elsewhere. They do not list the propane tank as being delivered full, but if you run out they will replace the tank for free.
Ocean Atlantic Rentals has a large selection of items available. They charge a $20 delivery fee unless your rental order is over $95.00. Ocean Atlantic currently delivers the largest gas grill of the three listed companies, and has a cost of $65/week plus tax for a standard grill and $135/week for a deluxe (larger) grill.
Just For The Beach has a large selection of items available. They charge a $20 delivery fee unless your rental order is over $95.00. The gas grill is advertised as coming with a full tank, and has a cost of $65/week plus tax.