Kill Devil Hills is ideal for kids, thanks to a collection of on and off-the-beach activities, and a central locale that makes a trip to neighboring Outer Banks attractions a breeze. Take a break from the sandcastle building, and discover these sites, attractions and activities that are sure to keep little hands busy

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Educational Sites and Attractions

Wright Brothers Memorial - This historic attraction, managed by the National Park Service (NPS), features exhibits and authentic glider replicas that will fascinate young visitors. Special programs for kids are also available seasonally on site as well. Visit http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/forkids/index.htmfor more information.

Roanoke Island Festival Park

Roanoke Island Festival Park - Board the Elizabeth II, a stunning replica of the 16th century ship that first transported colonists to the New World, or explore the authentic Native American and European colonists' villages. Roanoke Island Festival Park has a wealth of activities that will educate and thrill young visitors, and is only located a 20-30 minute drive away.

Island Farm - See how the Outer Banks locals lived in the mid-1800s, and meet and greet with friendly local farm animals at Manteo's Island Farm. This engaging outdoor museum also has a wealth of regular children's programs which can be found online at http://www.theislandfarm.com/special-events-programming.

NC Aquarium Roanoke Island

North Carolina Aquarium - The North Carolina Aquarium has a discovery center for budding biologists, several touch tanks where young visitors can get their hands on manta rays and hermit crabs, and a series of exhibits that cover the coastal Carolina habitat from the sea floor up. For special kids programs that are held regularly on-site, visit http://reservations.ncaquariums.com/roanokeisland/CalendarView.aspx.

Elizabethan Gardens

Elizabethan Gardens - Take a long stroll through this beautiful Roanoke Island destination that features a wealth of native plants, trees and flowers, and carefully imported European species. Holidays are a big deal at the Gardens, and kids will adore the special family-friendly events that coincide with Easter, Christmas, and October's "Harvest Heyday."

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Lighthouses - For kids who are old enough to tackle an arduous 200+ step climb, head to Corolla's Currituck Beach Lighthouse or the southern Bodie Island Lighthouse. Both are located about 30 minutes away, provide guided treks to the top, and promise a view that family members won't soon forget, regardless of age.

Avalon Fishing Pier

Outdoor Activities

Watersports Lessons - Athletic visitors will love diving into a new waterfront sport, and the Kill Devil Hills area has plenty of options for Outer Banks newcomers. Stand up paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, and even kiteboarding or windsurfing can all be enjoyed in Kill Devil Hills, and visitors can find equipment rentals and lessons available at Kitty Hawk Kites, Kitty Hawk Watersports, and the Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School.

Public Parks - The town of Kill Devil Hills is home to several public parks for free off-the-beach entertainment. The Aviation Park on Veteran's Drive features a fitness trail, skate park, playground, and parking for visitors, while the West Hayman Boulevard Recreation Area boasts a playground and picnic area. Additional playgrounds and playing fields for pick-up games can also be found at Meekins Field.

Mini Golf - Mini golf is a favorite activity in Kill Devil Hills, and there are three area courses to choose from, including Paradise Arcade and Golf, Destination Fun, and Lost Treasure Golf. More courses are also found in neighboring Kitty Hawk and Nags Head - specifically Paradise Golf and Arcade, and Galaxy Golf.

Amusement Parks - Kill Devil Hills is home to several small specialty amusement parks, such as the Wet ‘n Wild Bumper Boats park and the Colington Speedway. For a truly thrilling adventure, book a family trip via the Kitty Hawk Aero Tours in Kill Devil Hills and enjoy an aerial view that visitors will never forget.

Waterfront Kayaking Tours - Take an eco-tour of the Albemarle Sound and see the natural habitat of the Outer Banks' famed wildlife up close. Kitty Hawk Kites offers a range of guided tours for beginner and expert paddlers alike.

Jockey's Ridge - The Jockey's Ridge State Park is home to a wealth of activities. The soundside beaches are perfect for young visitors who want to splash around, while the nature trails that wind over towering sand dunes and dense maritime forests will keep older kids fully engaged.

YMCA - Besides boasting an expansive indoor swimming pool and fitness center, the YMCA in Nags Head is also home to one of the largest outdoor skate parks on the Outer Banks. Lessons and local tournaments are regularly available at the skate park for participants and spectators.

Fishing Piers - Both the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills and Jennette's Pier in Nags Head offer reduced rates for younger anglers, and kids under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license to start casting. Jennette's Pier also hosts a number of kid-friendly fishing tournaments and special exhibits and programs designed with young visitors in mind. Visit http://www.jennettespier.net/ for more info and upcoming events.

Other Entertainment

  • Take in a movie at the R/C Theater multiplex in Kill Devil Hills, or for a more historic movie-outing, head to the Pioneer Theater in Manteo - one of the oldest, still operating movie theaters in the state of North Carolina.
  • Challenge the family to a game of laser tag at Destination Fun, which also offers visitors a 3-D mini golf course and an arcade.
  • Have a family bowling tournament at the OBX Bowling Center. Newly reopened and under new management, this Nags Head staple is the perfect destination for a rainy day afternoon or family-friendly evening on the town.
  • Feeling crafty? Head to Glazin' Go Nuts or the Garden of Beadin' and try your hand at creating unique jewelry, or painting a ceramic piece to serve as your own personalized Outer Banks souvenir.
  • Head to the flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store, located right across the street from the Jockeys Ridge State Park, and try out the rock climbing wall, pick out a kite to enjoy along the oceanfront, or take advantage of the numerous special kids' events from hang gliding clinics to wintertime visits with Santa.
  • No need to leave the vacation rental home to have fun, as many modern vacation rentals boast game rooms, theater / media rooms, and private pools, providing hours of entertainment for young ones without ever stepping out the front door.

 

Brew Thru

Brew Thru

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go, stocking up your cooler with refreshments to enjoy at the beach or piling up on beer and wine for a party, Brew Thru is a fun and unique experience all vacationers need to see for themselves.

Drive-Through Beer & Gear

Brew Thru is Your One-Stop Shop at the Beach

The year was 1977, and Dana and Becky Lawrentz were chatting with friends over brews in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. They got to talking about a gas station convenience store in the area that had built a makeshift drive-through. Everyone agreed it would be pretty great if you could actually drive through a convenience store and pick up everything you needed without getting out of the car. But what would you call a place like that?

Well, you’d call it a Brew Thru.

It was an idea they couldn’t shake, so the Lawrentzes moved to the Outer Banks and built the first Brew Thru with the help of a partner. The idea was that people could come buy everything they would need for their trip to the beach—beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice—without getting out of the car. That same year, a t-shirt salesman visiting the store and talked them into adding t-shirts to their product line—and 44 years later there are now more than five million Brew Thru t-shirts out in the wild.

The Lawrentzes’ daughter Brandy and her husband Philip Foreman purchased the business from them in 2002, and they now operate five locations across the Outer Banks.“We love being the one-stop shop for folks on the way to their beach house,” Foreman says. “Our car tenders are the friendliest people at the beach. We’re here to greet you, get you everything you need for your trip, load it up in the trunk for you, and have you leaving with a smile on your face.”

The store is quite expansive, featuring more than 100 brands of beer, dozens of wines and even a vast selection of cigars—not to mention all the snacks, t-shirts and other gear. To make ordering a little easier, customers in line get a menu—fondly known as the Summer-y—that outlines everything available at the store. These Summer-ies are also available in many of the beach rentals, which allows vacationers to decide what they want before driving through.

For customers who would like to get out and stretch their legs, there’s the Brew Thru Shop in Kill Devil Hills, where you can find their world famous t-shirts and other gifts. New t-shirt designs are created each year, making a yearly Brew Thru t-shirt a favorite of locals and annual visitors to the Outer Banks.

The Foremans both grew up in the Outer Banks, and they love that Brandy’s parents’ vision for a friendly and convenient place for people to grab their brews and other beach stay essentials is continuing to flourish.

“Our family has been welcoming people to the Outer Banks since 1977,” Foreman says. “We love this beautiful place, and we want everybody to get to enjoy it.”

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Henry's Restaurant

Henry's Restaurant

Henry's Restaurant offers down home, simple food done Outer Banks style. Henry's Restaurant has been serving the Outer Banks of North Carolina since the summer of 1989. They are pleased to be considered one of the most popular restaurants in Dare County. Owners Henry and Linda Ezzell, along with daughter Kim Ezzell Parker offer honest American Style food that appeal to people of all ages. With so many fine dining establishments in the area they felt there was a need for a down-to-earth, no-frills experience for those that wanted good food, a pleasant and accommodating staff, and an affordable menu. As their customers will attest, they feel confident they have achieved this goal.

This is the kind of delicious food grandmothers of North Carolina have been cooking for generations. You’ll feel like you're visiting family with the comfort food and the restaurant's nautical-style decor.  

The kid-friendly and casual restaurant has been serving hearty portions to locals and visitors since 1989. Breakfast is what Henry's does best, although it's a wonderful restaurant for lunch and dinner as well. Start your day with incredible hotcakes, omelets, biscuits, french toast, eggs benedict, breakfast sandwiches, and even fried trout, served 7:00am to 1:00pm daily.

Sun Realty

Sun Realty

Sun Realty offers the Best Selection of Vacation Rentals on the Outer Banks. Our large selection of Outer Banks rentals means you can choose from a wide range of amenities, including private swimming pools, hot tubs, theater rooms, game rooms, pet friendly lodging and more! Our properties span the entire OBX coast including Carova, Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and South Nags Head. On Hatteras Island, we proudly offer beach cottages in Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village.

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