Rainy Day Activities

Need a little inspiration on how to have fun during the occasional rainy day in Currituck County? Then check out these museums, shops, attractions and "at-home" activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages.

Museums and Historic Sites

Turn a rainy day into an opportunity to learn more about the diverse Currituck region by stopping by these quintessential Corolla attractions.

Currituck Maritime Museum - Take a day trip or an afternoon off the beach to explore the heart of Historic Corolla Park, and you’ll find one of the Outer Banks’ newest and most noteworthy attractions, the Currituck Maritime Museum.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse Museum Shop - Take a stroll through the restored lighthouse keeper's cottage and pick up an armful of Lighthouse memorabilia at this small but charming site that's adjacent to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education - This extensive center located next to the Whalehead in Historic Corolla features a short film on northern Outer Banks wildlife, a collection of vintage decoys and sporting exhibits, and an 8,000 gallon aquarium that's stocked with native species. The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is also free to the public.

The Whalehead in Historic Corolla - Take a guided tour through the interior of the Knights' historic 1920s hunting estate, and admire the opulent furnishings, historic portraits, and the incredibly ornate art deco architecture. Main tours of the home are approximately $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Corolla Wild Horse Museum - Pop into the Wild Horse Museum to learn more about Currituck's treasured residents, and pick up some one-of-a-kind souvenirs at the on-site Mustang Store. Proceeds go to help preservation efforts.

Shopping and Area Activities

The Currituck Beaches offer a world of shopping, crafting, and pampering options that will appease visitors of all ages and interests. Check out these local sites for a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Braids and Body Art - At Beach Braids in Corolla, customers can have their hair styled in colorful beaded braids or even get custom (and temporary) henna tattoos.

Jewelry Making - Head to the Garden of Beadin' in nearby Kill Devil Hills and spend an afternoon creating custom bracelets and necklaces from their vast selection of thousands of beads.

Vintage Old Time photos - Take a trip back in time at Miss Kitty's Old Time Photos and Gifts, where families can dress up in mid -19th to early 20th century garb, and enjoy a truly "old school" family photo.

Shopping in Corolla - In Corolla, head to the Scarborough Lane Shoppes, Timbuck II Shopping Village, and Corolla Light Town Center for a selection of surf shops, art galleries, and gift stores

Shopping in Duck - The Waterfront Shops, Scarborough Faire, and the Osprey Landing Shopping Center are located within a mile radius of each other, and feature a world of eclectic boutiques and art galleries.

Tennis - Indoor clay courts are available at the Corolla Light Sports Center and the Pine Island Racquet & Fitness Center, both in Corolla, for active visitors who want to enjoy a game, rain or shine.

Spa Day - Pamper yourself at one of Currituck's many day spas that feature massages, body wraps, facials, and a myriad of other beauty treatments. In Corolla, visitors can head to the Eden Day Spa & Salon, Hair-I-Canes, or the Sanderling Resort which offers a full service spa on site.

Movie Theaters - Catch the latest summer blockbuster at the Corolla Movie Bistro, which boasts a full lunch and dinner menu, as well as a bar and newly renovated movie and sports lounge.

Ice Cream and Crafts - Stonies Ice Cream & Fun is a great destination for kids, thanks to a myriad of "projects" that include creating fish print T-shirts, hand-painted ceramics, and unique sand art. The shop also features more than 16 flavors of ice cream and 30 toppings as a sweet reward for their efforts.

At-Home Rainy Day Activities

The beauty of a vacation rental house or condo is that a number of activities can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own "home." A completely free and no-frills way to spend time with the family, these ideas will help keep little hands busy until the rain clouds pass by.

Board Games - Many homes have board games, books, and movies on hand, but these items can also be picked up at the local shopping centers, like Ace Hardware on NC Highway 12, or at specialty shops like Puzzles Pranks & Games in Kitty Hawk.

Connect with Home - The majority of vacation rentals now have Wi-Fi, which makes it easy to write a few emails to the folks back home. A rainy day is also the perfect time to write out a few postcards to loved ones. You can easily drop them off at the Post Office in Corolla at 1150 Ocean Trail.

Cook up a Feast - Put that kitchen to good use and whip up a homemade dinner or dessert that the whole family will love. Local specialty food shops in Corolla like Bacchus Wine & Cheese, Dockside North Seafood Market and Seaside Farm Market offer a world of fresh ingredients.

Beach Crafts - Get creative with your seashells and beach finds. Pick up some clear nail polish, ribbons, beads, glitter and glue, and craft some lovely shell ornaments that will become family vacation treasures for years to come.

Theater / Game Day at Home - Many modern vacation rentals have extensive game rooms with pool tables, foosball tables and TVs, and / or theater rooms that boast stadium style seating and projection screen TVs. Keep these amenities in mind when selecting a vacation rental for a sure-fire way to keep everyone entertained at home.