Craving a change of scenery, sunshine and saltwater, my extended family and I headed to the Outer Banks for a week. Planning a trip for twelve people from grandparents down to a two year old can be super stressful, so we knew a house at the beach was the way to go in order to keep everyone happy. I love being on the beach, but can only hang there for so long and then I’m ready to move.
I was eager to get some activities other than the beach on our itinerary, but finding things that work for all ages can be a real challenge. My children are ten, seven and five years old. With my ten year old it can be hard to find activities that are exciting for her, but not above her five year old brother’s abilities. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau was incredibly helpful in suggesting a few outings that were perfect for the particular things my family was interested in.
Looking to make some unforgettable family memories in the Outer Banks? I cannot recommend highly enough the following amazing family excursions.
Hang Gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park
The Wright Brothers knew what they were doing when they first took flight in the Outer Banks. There’s nowhere better for your kids to take their own first solo flight than right where it all began.
Kitty Hawk Kites offers beginner hang gliding lessons that are perfect for all ages and abilities. My ten year old daughter, seven year old son, sister, mom and I all enjoyed the three hour beginner’s lesson.
We started with ground school and then hiked a short distance through Jockey’s Ridge State Park to get to the perfect dune for flying. Had it not been for our hang gliding lessons, I’m pretty sure we would have missed out on the beauty of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The park is home to the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast and has a view from the ocean to Roanoke Sound. My kids said they felt like they were in the desert with all of the sand around them.
The instructors carried the hang glider to the dune so it was an easy hike for my group. Upon climbing to the top of the dune, the instructor was there and ready to help us get into the harness and launch. They warned us that we might not land on our feet right away and that it might take practice. We were all shocked when my mom was the only one in the group to land on her feet the first time. There were a bunch of laughs about all of our attempts at landing, but we quickly got the hang of it.
The feeling of running into the wind and flying was exhilarating, and the smiles and laughs coming from my kids were priceless. While flying you can travel anywhere from 30 to 100+ yards at 5 to 15 feet above the sand. The standard beginner lesson includes 5 flights.
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Another important tip to know about Jockey’s Ridge State Park: by calling ahead a minimum of 24 hours in advance, visitors with mobility restrictions can request a ride between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in an all-terrain-vehicle to the top of the dunes.
You can book your own hang gliding trip online through Kitty Hawk Kites.
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Miss Oregon Inlet Head Boat Fishing
My family loves to fish so I knew a fishing excursion was on our ‘must do’ list. We booked a twilight fishing cruise on the Miss Oregon Inlet Head Boat and it was hands down the best part of our trip. Everyone from the grandparents to the two year old loved being on the boat.
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Perfect for families, the Miss Oregon Inlet cruises just ten minutes to the gateway of the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound and then it’s time to drop the lines. The lines are ready and preloaded by Captain Tripp and his experienced local crew. Having the lines ready to go makes it so easy for families. There’s no casting, simply drop the line and wait for a bite. We didn’t have to wait long for a bite - everyone in our group was reeling in the fish all night long. A license is not required and your bait and tackle are provided.
The crew worked non-stop to help guests on the boat with baiting their hooks, taking fish off the line, detangling lines, you name it. They never stopped and moved with a smile on their faces - there’s no doubt they love being on the water.
Another huge benefit to families is that there is a spacious cabin and restrooms on the boat. The Miss Oregon moves through a variety of locations in search of the best fishing spots so just when my kids were getting tired of one location, it was time to reel in the lines and move on.
In our group were two children with mobility difficulties who require the use of wheelchairs. The crew was amazing at finding the right space for them and assisting in getting them on and off the boat.
Our time aboard the Miss Oregon Inlet and experience with her crew was nothing short of amazing. Being out on the water at sunset, with great music playing, an enthusiastic crew, a clean boat and fish constantly being reeled in had us all in our happy place.
To book a trip for your family on The Miss Oregon, simply click here to get started.
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Wright Brothers National Memorial
No trip to Kitty Hawk is complete without stopping at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Prior to the trip I prepped my kids with a bit of a lesson in the history of aviation. They were not feeling it, and admittedly were not excited about visiting the memorial.
However, that all changed quickly once we arrived. The magic of actually getting to see how the Wright Brothers first took flight was so much more relatable once they could explore and touch a part of history. The visitor’s center offers guests an interactive opportunity to learn about flight. Outside the memorial features reproductions of the brothers' 1903 camp buildings, visitors can stand at the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright first took to the air, and (my kids’ favorite part) climb Big Kill Devil Hill to see the monument honoring the brothers' historic achievement.
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Being able to see the spot where the Wright Brothers first took flight and the area where they landed was the most incredible way to make history come alive to my kids. I would suggest planning two hours for the memorial and bringing along a few snacks to enjoy while walking outside. Don’t forget a sweatshirt too if you go on a cooler day. There’s a reason the Wright Brothers chose the location they did for flying - it’s windy!
For help planning your family’s trip to the Outer Banks definitely utilize the information that can be found on the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau page. There’s a wealth of information to help you in planning a family trip everyone will remember fondly.
We were hosted on these excursions in exchange for this review, but all of the opinions are my own.
