Rainy day things to do on the Outer Banks
A stormy afternoon is the perfect excuse for sharks, history, craft beer and outlet shopping — 12 indoor ideas near Kitty Hawk.
On a rainy day near Kitty Hawk, head to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island (30 min), the Wright Brothers Memorial visitor center (12 min), lunch at Outer Banks Brewing Station (14 min) or the Outlets Nags Head (24 min).
- History: Roanoke Island Festival Park, Whalehead in Corolla
- Food & drink: TRiO wine bar & market, Swells’a Brewing, Weeping Radish Taproom at Firetender
- Shopping: Scarborough Faire in Duck has covered walkways
Where to go when it rains
0.4 mi · 2 minBad Bean Baja Grill
Creative Baja- and Latin-inspired cantina known for its fish tacos, fresh salsas and margaritas.
TRiO Restaurant & Market
Upscale-casual wine, beer and cheese bar with shareable plates upstairs and a gourmet market and bottle shop below.
5.5 mi · 12 minWright Brothers National Memorial
The National Park Service site where the Wrights made the first powered flights in 1903, with a reproduction of the 1903 Flyer, the marked flight path and a granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill.
Good to know
Open daily 9am-5pm. $10 per person age 16+ (15 and under free); the park’s own annual pass is $35. Card only (cashless), or buy ahead on recreation.gov. Free on Aug 19 and Dec 17.
Swells’a Brewing
Striking modern brewery on the Beach Road pouring its own beers in a relaxed taproom.
Outer Banks Brewing Station
A brewpub in a lighthouse-style building that brews its beer with help from its own wind turbine, serving full meals and hosting live bands and DJs.
Good to know
Open Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am to midnight (2am on band nights). Kitchen 11:30am-9pm. Shows are 21+. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Scarborough Faire Shopping Village
A cluster of independent boutiques, galleries and gift shops linked by shaded wooden walkways in the heart of Duck.
Good to know
Shop hours vary by season; most stores are open daily in summer.
Outlets Nags Head
The beach’s outlet center, with brand-name apparel, shoes and housewares, handy on a rainy day or on the way back from Manteo or Hatteras.
Good to know
Formerly Tanger Outlets. Check the site’s Hours page.
Weeping Radish Taproom at Firetender
North Carolina’s oldest microbrewery has returned to Manteo with a taproom inside Firetender, pouring its Bavarian-style lagers next to a stone-oven kitchen.
Good to know
The original Grandy farm location no longer serves food — head to the taproom inside Firetender at Hotel Manteo. Check current hours before you go.
16.5 mi · 28 minRoanoke Island Festival Park
A state historic site across from the Manteo waterfront, centered on the Elizabeth II, a recreated 16th-century sailing ship, plus costumed interpreters, an American Indian town and a settlement site.
Good to know
2026 season runs Mar 17-Dec 31. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm; last tickets 4:30pm. Adults $15, ages 3-12 $13. The boardwalk closes from Oct 26, 2026 for replacement.
17.5 mi · 30 minNorth Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
A state aquarium with a large shark tank, river otters and a sea turtle rehab center, an easy rainy-day outing for all ages.
Good to know
Open daily 9am-5pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Buy timed tickets online in summer. There is usually a short maintenance closure in January.
23 mi · 40 minWhalehead in Historic Corolla
A restored 1920s Art Nouveau hunting mansion on the sound, set in a park with walking paths and a footbridge next to the Currituck lighthouse.
Good to know
House tours Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Summer ghost tours need reservations. Call 252-453-9040.
23 mi · 40 minCorolla Wild Horse Fund – Wild Horse Museum
The nonprofit that protects Corolla’s Spanish mustangs runs a small museum and shop explaining the herd’s history and how to view the horses responsibly.
Good to know
Museum open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm in season. Currituck County law requires staying at least 50 feet from the horses, and feeding them is illegal.
Or stay in
Watching a storm roll across the ocean from a covered deck is one of the best parts of an Outer Banks trip. Our oceanfront homes have board games, multiple TVs and well-stocked kitchens for exactly these afternoons.
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain a lot on the Outer Banks in summer?
Summer rain usually comes as short afternoon thunderstorms that pass within an hour or two. Longer rainy spells are more common with nor’easters in fall and spring.
What do you do on the Outer Banks when it rains?
Popular rainy-day options are the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island, the Wright Brothers National Memorial visitor center, brewery lunches and the Outlets Nags Head.
Our oceanfront homes in Kitty Hawk
Three dog-friendly oceanfront homes side by side at Milepost 3¾ — book one, or all three for up to 29 guests.
Crab House
Single-level living, an extra-large oceanfront deck and a gated yard for your dog — steps from the sand.
Mermaid
A 500 sq ft oceanfront deck, gourmet three-oven kitchen, wet bar and a king suite with a jetted tub.
A Carolina Conch
Classic two-story Outer Banks cottage with wraparound ocean views, carport parking and baby gear on hand.