When we became empty nesters, we felt a little lost because our life surrounded our children. This was when we knew we had to keep busy and it was time to start crossing off items on our bucket list. We learned quickly that our children and grandchildren were still a big part of our lives and having total freedom was an amazing time in our life. I travel a lot and have never been to The Outer Banks in North Carolina. I absolutely love the salt life and finding adventure in ocean communities is “My Happy Place”! The Outer Banks has been added to my happy place list and the adventure is non-stop! Mother Nature has a say in these islands as they are always changing due to the forces of the wind, water, and storms.

Here you will find the adventures you can cross off your bucket list! And if you are thinking to yourself “I Can’t Do That” – Trust me, you can! My travel partner and BFF, Zippy, is over 60 and if she can do it…..you can!

Outer Banks Travel Tip: If you’re flying in, you should rent a car so you can get around easily. 

Checking In:

We stayed at Shutters on the Banks in Kill Devil Hills which was the perfect location for attractions, great restaurants and beach activities. The room was spacious, clean, and our balcony overlooked the beautiful ocean. We actually left the balcony door open and fell asleep to the sound of the waves rolling into the shore. Each morning we enjoyed a quick continental breakfast and coffee to start our day!

Outer Banks Travel Tip: There are a ton of houses to rent on the beach for multi-generation vacations. We’re hoping to do this in the fall!

 

Bucket List Adventure:

Sail Outer Banks – Sail on the 41 ft Gulfstar with Captains Dan and Katherine! They not only own the sailboat but have been sailing for decades and you will have your personal tour guides from the sea. We chose to do a late sail to enjoy the sunset. Pack your bag with a towel, sweater, drinks (wine), and small bites if you’d like, and sunscreen. Katherine and Dan have a refrigerator, glasses, and everything else you need to make your private sail a time to remember. And yes there is a bathroom if needed. Dan let me take the helm and I played Captain for quite a while, I then went and laid on the bow to unwind, relax, and escape from my busy life. Floating over the sea with the salty air blowing your hair, watching the birds diving in the water for their meals, and looking out to the horizon has such a calming effect, it does wonders for the body, mind, and soul. You may get wet sitting on the bow and sailboats do heal, if this makes you nervous, let Captain Dan know. I will say…. healing is awesome and adds to the adventure! AHOY!!!!! 

Outer Banks Travel Tip: You can pick up your wine and pickins at the General Store around the corner from the dock. If you’re looking for cheese & crackers, you’ll need to stop before reaching the town. 

OBX Air Tour Adventures – OBX Biplanes – Take a ride in a open cockpit biplane with Captain Larry. Tour The Outer Banks from the air in an amazing adventure. I can’t even express how exhilarating this was to have the wind in your hair, the sun in your face, swooping over land and sea. We saw schools of dolphins, giant sea turtles, miles of beaches, shipwrecks, and the famous lighthouses! Captain Larry narrated through the entire ride and we learned so much as we took in the spectacular views. We even got to see Andy Griffiths house along with the Wanchese fishing village. Imagine flying in a small plane over the landing strip of The Wright Brothers and seeing the monument from the sky?!?! WE DID THAT!  I imagined that we shared the same air space as the fathers of the first flight! This was definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done!

We gave Captain Larry the Thumbs Up for Take Off!

 

Captain Larry took the time to take our photos and didn’t rush us as we were playing “airplane”. He also has a helicopter and a war plane which I plan to do next time I’m back there! If you’d like to include loops and wingovers make sure to let them know at the time of booking.

Outer Banks Travel Tip: If you have long hair be sure to put it in a pony tail and clip it up so it stays under your cap. Oh and if you love Snoopy, bring a short red scarf and you can be the “Red Baron” for the ride.

Kitty Hawk Hang-gliding on Jockey’s Ridge State Park – We went to Jockey’s State Park and had a class on hang-gliding. After the class (ground time) we received our permit and off we went with our instructors Wolf and Alex. There were lots of young people in our class but Zee and I kept up. I will say walking up the Dunes was rough but if you take your time, you can do it. Once on top of the dune you will have 5 flights flying from 5-15 feet above the ground and travel anywhere from 30 to 100 yards. Your instructor runs with you as you glide through the air so there is no way you’ll crash, plus you just had a class so you had better paid attention! By the second fly, I think I had it down and my instructor told me I was made for this. I Agree! I soared each time getting more and more comfortable. There is nothing like flying solo through the air and your body feeling weightless. I could have done this all day and I’m ready to take the next step off something higher. The wind was about 20 mph so it really took you but I was able to keep control by listening to my instructors as they ran beside me. Make sure to yell #FlyFlyFly (this is their lingo) and impress them.

 

Outer Banks Travel Tip: Many tips for this one! Your bag WILL get sand in it. Keep any valuables in a ziploc baggie. In the spring and fall it can get chilly on the dunes so dress in layers and peel them off as you warm up. Do not forget your sunglasses and it’s easiest to be barefoot so I suggest wearing flip flops so you can easily take them off once you hit the sand. Most important use your sunscreen! Lastly order the video, it’s totally worth it.

Equine Adventures horseback riding – Riding a horse on the beach has been on my list since I was a kid and to be able to canter along the shores was truly majestic. You will be paired with a horse, I had Belle, and you will ride approximately 45 minutes to the beach. Our “cowgirl” guide was Ricky who was so much fun, we made plans to meet up next time. This is truly an unique experience for the beginners or avid horse riders. You’ll have a choice to walk, trot, or canter. It took me a couple times but I was so proud of myself when I did it and O M G it was A MAY ZING!

Success Trotting down the beach in the Outer banks

Outer Banks Travel Tip: You’ll be traveling through woods so wear pants and you will apply bug spray at least three times. I was a little nervous when I saw how many mosquito’s there were but I listened to Ricky and sprayed my entire body 3 times and I didn’t get ONE bite. Once you get close to the beach they magically disappear. 

Wright Brothers National Memorial  – Get your fill of aviation history at the birthplace of flight. Visit the spot where the Wright brothers first took flight and the locations where they landed. get a taste of the camp life the Wright Brothers had in the reconstructed 1903 Camp Buildings.

We were having some fun inserting ourselves in the sculptures representing of that significant day on December 17, 1903.

Watching the sky as a storm was coming our way

 

The Best view of The Wright Brothers Air Strip from the OBX Biplanes

Outer Banks Travel Tip: Everything is mostly outside so be prepared to be outdoors, including keeping an umbrella in the car.

Outer Banks Distilling/Kill Devil Rum – the first “legal” distillery on the Outer Banks, the four owners are keeping the rum tradition and pirates legends alive in the Outer Banks. When taking the tour, you will learn a little fascinating history about how rum and the outer banks have a strong connection as well as the differences of rums. Enjoy a sampling and buy a bottle to take home.

 

Outer Banks Travel Tip: Be sure to ask if they have any pecans. These bag of nuts are a unique souvenir that will give you plenty of conversation with friends when you get home! 

Downtown Manteo – You may think shopping isn’t a big adventure but strolling through the town of Manteo will have you taking pictures of doors, and finding little treasures that can’t be found elsewhere. I scored a great sea shirt along with homemade pickles from Bluegrass Island Trading Co.

OBX Crabbing and Shrimping Charter – Enjoy a real crabbing or shrimping experience with Captain Marc Mitchum  as he takes you out into the sea on his commercial charter boat. I often go crabbing here in CT but I learned so much from Captain Marc about crabs. For instance, the crabs with red on the tips of their claws are female. He told us to think of it as nail polish. We were hands on, pulling in the crab pots and baiting them.

 

Outer Banks Travel Tip: You never know the weather when out on the water so be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket

Bodie Island Lighthouse – If you love lighthouses and they’re history, this is one of three that you must see. The Bodie Island Light Station is located at the northern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You will climb up over 200 steps and you can rest on the 9 landings. If you look out from the top, you will look over the treacherous waters known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”

Koru Village Resort & Spa – You may not be sleeping here but it’s a must stop to take a walk on The Outer Banks Famous Avon Pier. The pier is world famous for the record catches. If you love to fish, no license is needed and you can purchase your day pass and rent everything you need for the day at the Pier House. You can also grab lunch at Pangea Tavern. 

Outer Banks Travel Tip: make sure to have some towels and sunscreen with you because once you see the waves rolling into the shores, you will want to go sit at the beach.

Climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – The second of the three lighthouses. This one was my favorite. I climbed 257 steps to the top. there were landings and I used every one of them. I felt such an accomplishment doing this and the reward looking out at the top was worth every step. This is the tallest brick beacon in the world and stands at 210 feet. 

Outer Banks Travel Tip: You have plenty of time to get to the top of the lighthouse so if you need to, take it slow, you will be so happy when you get to the top.

Read more from a baby boomer’s point of view – Zippy at ChampagneLiving.net

Book Your Next Adventure Here  OUTERBANKS.ORG