Wright Brothers Memorial

In Kill Devil Hills, the entertainment extends well off the shoreline to a number of plazas, shopping centers, museums, and other iconic OBX sites. Because Kill Devil Hills is located in the heart of the Outer Banks, it's veritably close to everything, making it easier for visitors to explore the following list of quintessential rainy day destinations

Historic Sites and Museums

Wright Brothers Memorial - On a rainy day, visitors might forego making the outdoor trek to the base of the monument, but there are plenty of cool exhibits - including a replica of the first 1903 glider - as well as multi-media presentations to explore at the Visitors Center

Jennette's Pier - It might be too rainy to walk the plank, but the "pier house" visitors center is worth a look for its series of rotating exhibits, which are typically borrowed from the North Carolina Aquarium, and shed light on the unique coastal environment

North Carolina Aquarium - Located in Manteo, the North Carolina Aquarium features a world of local, regional and even deep-sea species on full display, as well as special programs throughout the day, "touch tanks" for kids, and one of the largest saltwater tanks in North Carolina.

Children at Play Museum - This engaging Kitty Hawk museum features hands-on exhibits that are designed for the Outer Banks' youngest visitors, and which focus on varying grown-up professions, the local wildlife, and even pirates.

Bodie Island Lighthouse - Take a gander at one of the Outer Banks' signature lighthouses, the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which features a visitors center, gift shop, and seasonal climbing hours. (The lighthouse is open on rainy day, but closed for climbing when there are thunderstorms in the forecast.)

Outer Banks History Center - This sprawling archive of all things Outer Banks has a series of rotating exhibits which feature a special segment of local history, as well as spotlighted regional and local artists. The center is found at the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo.

NC Aquarium Roanoke Island

Area Activities

Destination Fun - This indoor plaza features an extensive laser tag arena, an arcade, 3D mini golf, and special rates for large groups and birthday parties.

Paradise Golf and Arcade - Forego the mini golf, and settle into the arcade for a couple hours of off-the-beach entertainment with classic and new video games.

YMCA - With an indoor swimming pool, indoor game areas, and a full schedule of fitness classes for kids and adults alike, the Nags Head YMCA is a great destination for burning off a little extra energy.

R/C Theater - The R/C Theater in Kill Devil Hills features 3D digital projection on select films, huge wall to wall curved screens, stadium seating with high back rocking chairs, and an on-site game room. With plenty of daily matinees to choose from, it's a solid option for a rainy afternoon.

OBX Bowling - This Nags Head bowling alley is open daily, year-round, with special reduced rates in the off-season and on weekdays. The bowling alley also features an on-site arcade as well as a snack shack for quick, easy-going meals.

Kitty Hawk Kites - The flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head, located right across the street from Jockey's Ridge State Park, offers multiple levels of fun, including an indoor rock wall which is open for climbing rain or shine.

Gallery Row - Head to Nags Head's famed Gallery Row and browse through a half dozen of the area's best art galleries, which showcase a myriad of local, regional, and statewide artists.

Spa Day - Pamper yourself at one of the region's many day spas, including the Lotus Day Spa and Boutique, Awesome Massage and Bodywork, and the Aqua Spa and restaurant in nearby Duck.

Avalon Pier - The rain may put the fishing on hold, but young visitors will have a blast at the on-site arcade.

Glazin' Go Nuts Paint Your Own Pottery - Spend a quiet afternoon creating the perfect souvenir at this Kill Devil Hills destination that allows patrons to paint their own hand-picked ceramic piece.

Garden of Beadin' - With thousands of beads to choose from, Kill Devil Hills visitors can craft the perfect necklace, bracelet or other treasure to enjoy at home.

Trio - this chic foodie favorite that focuses on the trio of beer, wine and cheese is the perfect spot to leisurely pick out a dinnertime wine or beer while sampling a number of fine regional beverages and international cheeses

Dare County Library - Located on Mustian Street, the Kill Devil Hills library is open Monday through Saturday for visitors, and features a regular story hour for young visitors. Visit http://www.earlibrary.org/killdevilhills/ for upcoming events and hours of operation.

Shopping and Dining

With an array of eclectic and name-brand shops, and plenty of restaurants to choose from, Kill Devil Hills is a haven for shoppers and diners of all tastes. Be sure and scope out these regions or destinations on the next overcast afternoon.

Shopping

Shoppers will feel right at home in Kill Devil Hills, as the region is home to a large number of standard beach shops, like Wings and Reef, as well as a handful of shopping plazas, boutiques, and other stop-worthy destinations.

Stop by Belk, Kill Devil Hill's premier department store for southern fashions, or head south to Nags Head to scope out the Tanger Outlets - a shopping center which features an array of name brand outlet shops including Gap, Bass, Coach and Polo. Other area shopping centers include Seagate North and the Surfside Shopping plaza - both of which are easy to spot along US Highway 158.

For a truly unique shopping experience, head 20 minutes north to Duck, which is renowned for a collection of shopping plazas all concentrated within a 1 mile square area, including the Scarborough Lane Shopping Center, and the Waterfront Shops.

Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk are also known for a collection of funky stores and consignment boutiques. Head to the Beach Road, (aka NC Highway 12), to discover these "finds" that are well off the beaten path. The Hotline Thrift Store, which is close to the Belk shopping center, is also a good spot to do some bargain hunting.

Dining

From hearty diner-style breakfasts to upscale fine dining establishments, Kill Devil Hills has it all. Spend a rainy morning, afternoon or evening checking out these famed Kill Devil Hills establishments

Colington Cafe - located in Colington, this cafe with a romantic wooded setting is an ideal destination for a fresh seafood dinner for two.

Kill Devil Grill - Found on the Beach Road, this top-rated eatery serves upscale diner fare in a fun, and nostalgic atmosphere.

Duck Donuts - This donut shop is a local favorite when it comes to a hot cup of Joe topped off with an assortment of melt-in-your-mouth soft donuts.

Good Life Gourmet - Part deli, part specialty food shop, and part restaurant, this is a good spot to sample a wealth of regional salads, sandwiches, delicacies, and North Carolina beers.

Bad Bean Baja Grill - An ideal destination for Fresh Mex, this spot has become a favorite with the after-beach crowd.

Mama Kwan's Grill & Tiki Bar - Unique fare with an island spin is Mama Kwan's specialty. The restaurant turns into a popular night spot after hours in the summer.

Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar - This Beach Road staple has cool pirate decor that almost rivals the heaping seafood platters.

Outer Banks Brewing Station - Take a "flight" and sample 4 of the Brewing Station's homegrown beers, and top it off with an appetizer for the perfect OBX Happy Hour.

Henry's Restaurant - This no-frills eatery is a local favorite for hearty breakfasts and lunchtime sandwiches and southern plates.

Chili Peppers - Featuring Southwestern fare with a coastal twist, Chili Peppers is the go-to for afternoon drinks and apps, or after-hours entertainment.

Ocean Blvd - One of the most acclaimed fine dining restaurants in the central Outer Banks, Ocean Blvd has a palette-pleasing menu that changes with the season. Special vegetarian menus are also available upon request.

 

Miller's Seafood and Steakhouse

Miller's Seafood and Steakhouse

Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse has been a favorite among locals and visitors for more forty years. Offering delicious southern cuisine for both breakfast and dinner in a casual family atmosphere infused with coastal flair, it’s no wonder this Kill Devil Hills restaurant is a family tradition for so many. You’ll love waking up to favorites like biscuits and gravy, farm fresh eggs and buttermilk pancakes. Dinner options are just as tempting with menu items that include the freshest Outer Banks Catch seafood, she crab soup, Angus beef and fried green tomatoes just to name a few. Not only does Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse offer great breakfast and dinner options, Miller’s newest menu item – Hawaiian/American Fusion Sushi – is sure to please the sushi lover in you. From the Miller’s Roll that combines tempura fried crispy lobster tail with tantalizing ingredients to the High Tide and OBX Roller, guests will love choosing from a delicious variety of sushi options developed and prepared by Miller’s expert Sushi chef.

 

Along with its scrumptious cuisine, Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse offers a warm friendly atmosphere coupled with genuine Outer Banks hospitality. You’ll discover that not only is Miller’s a tradition for so many, it’s also a Miller family tradition. Two generations of Millers have worked side by side to make the Kill Devil Hills restaurant a favorite for all who pass through its doors. Owners Brian and Beth Miller want guests to feel at home and can often be found making rounds to check on customers and mingle with them as they dine.

 

Here at Miller’s, everyone is treated like family as they experience an unforgettable dining experience. Large parties are also welcome, making it perfect for extended families to enjoy dining together on their Outer Banks vacation. Come on in and see for yourself why Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse is more than just a great restaurant. It’s a tradition.

 

It was 1978 when Eddie and Lou Miller first opened Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse. As a teenager, their son Brian spent his summers working in the restaurant, getting familiar with the family business. After college, Brian and his wife Beth came back to Kill Devil Hills and began working together at Miller’s. Brian and Beth officially purchased the restaurant from Eddie and Lou in 2007. A few years later they opened American Pie together, and both restaurants now carry on the Miller family tradition of quality, excellence and hospitality.

Jolly Roger

Jolly Roger

When you first catch sight of The Jolly Roger, you might be unsure exactly what to think of it. Since its conversion from a gas station/grocery store to a restaurant in 1972, The Jolly Roger has been anything but your ordinary Outer Banks restaurant. It’s been 37 years since Angelos took ownership of Jolly, and over the years she has experienced many changes, including three expansions and a renovation after Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Although the restaurant has gone through several changes over the years, Carol Ann’s style is unaltered. The restaurant decor is an eclectic blend of Christmas, pirate paraphernalia, aquatic murals, handmade boutique-style gifts and old-time movie posters.

 

Almost as diverse as the restaurant itself is the food selection, The Jolly Roger is open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they offer something for everyone. Breakfast favorites include the Eggs Benedict, pancakes and home fries—all made in-house from fresh ingredients. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers a wide selection of options, from steaks and seafood to pastas and salads. All of the restaurant’s sauces are house-made from scratch, and everything is taste-tested to ensure the absolute best quality food is being served.

Pigman's Bar-B-Que

Pigman's Bar-B-Que

You haven’t experienced North Carolina until you’ve experienced North Carolina BBQ, and Pigman’s Bar-B-Que offers excellent North Carolina BBQ meals served with southern hospitality. Pigman’s offers traditional eastern North Carolina style BBQ, a vinegar-based variety smoked on site. All bar-b-que is cooked slowly with hand-crafted sauces to perfection. Pigman’s offers a tomato or “ketchup-based” BBQ option as well. Choose from Pork BBQ, Beef BBQ, Turkey-Que and Tuna-Que all perfected with incredible sauces.  It’s hard to choose among the many sauces and options. Aside from the regular sauce, there’s Hot Sauce, Grilln’ Sauce, Rib Roarin’ Sauce, Rub-a-Dub Rib Rub options. And if you really love a sauce, Pigmans will share their sauce recipes with you! 

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 40 years the oyster has been our world. The Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar is the place to enjoy sensational fare from the sea washed down with your favorite brew or cocktail. We serve by the peck, pound, and dozen, raw or steamed to perfection. Kicked back casual, down to earth friendly staff, and reasonable prices make Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar the all-time favorite of locals and travelers alike.

The idea wasn’t to set out and establish a new concept restaurant on the Outer Banks, but that’s exactly what Awful Arthur’s owner Jo Whitehead and her late husband, Jay, accomplished more than 35 years ago when they opened the area’s first authentic oyster bar.

 

Awful Arthur’s opened in May 1984 on the Outer Banks. “We embraced the concept of an authentic copper top bar with the idea of it being a major drawing card and it still is,” explains Whitehead. “I get oysters wherever they are local. We follow the warm waters.” 

 

Just across from the ocean, in Kill Devil Hills, oyster season is year-round at Awful Arthur’s. Diners can take a seat at the copper-topped bar to observe the staff shucking oysters, served raw or steamed, along with shrimp, crab legs and clams all steamed to perfection. 

 

It’s not just the raw bar that’s earned Awful Arthur’s both local and national recognition, including being named one of America’s greatest oyster bars by Coastal Living magazine. The restaurant is a seafood-lover’s paradise, offering the freshest catches available.