Things To Do
Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill
The blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos are just the best. This is a mandatory stop for us every time we come down. They also have a really fun cocktail menu that comes with keepsake glasses.
Morning View Coffee House
Credit for this spot goes to Chris & Caitlin! One of our favorite traditions coming to the beach is to catch at least one sunrise with a coffee in hand, preferably from Morning View. We've had a variety of their coffee's and pastries and always come away content. They also have cool swag in the store and sometimes have some friendly Golden Retrievers in the shop further upping the overall vibe to the place!
Sam & Omie's
Props to the White family for this nostalgia spot of Kirstin's! Come for the She-Crab soup, stay for the company of sea salt of the earth locals catching up at the bar and enjoying the traditional, hearty seafood dishes/platters. This is also the closest restaurant (bar) to the event venue. Just saying.
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
For $12 tickets, this is a great way to explore more of the area if you're headed to Manteo. The facility is really cool, the flow of guests moves nicely, and there's a nice variety of wildlife to take in including Kirstin's favorite Finn & Banks (river otters), and a sea turtle rescue center!
Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar
When we want fancier cocktails with our beach dinners, we treat ourselves to Ocean Boulevard! One of our favorite restaurants in the area, we sometimes just throw down and get a whole other special or entrée as an app when we can't pick between their awesome menu items. If you're around for a bit this weekend, look at snagging a reservation to get a seat OR just get a snazzy cocktail at the bar!
Swells'a Brewing Beer Company
Fun brewery with a variety of rotating taps. If the weather is nice, they have a lot of outside/roof top seating with views of the water. It's also really dog friendly so if you brought your pup down for the weekend its a great space for them to socialize and be out and about. This is also just up the street from Mama Kwans so if you go and there's a wait to get a table, we've gotten away with walking down the block for a beer, then heading back to get our table.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Want to stretch your feet and strain your calves? Head to Jockey's Ridge and explore the dunes and trails. There's great beach and sound side water views when you climb to the top of the dunes. You may also catch people flying kites and hang-gliding with the strong crosswinds. The visitor center also has some great information on the natural wildlife around the dunes.
Blue Moon Beach Grill
Another incredible restaurant option closer to the wedding event site further into Nags Head. This place used to be in a smaller, strip mall location, about a mile up the road but the food was so good that within the last two years they were able to expand into this epic spot. It's also one of those restaurants that does SO many menu items well that we routinely rotate our picks knowing we can't go wrong, so we're comfortable vouching for a most all of the options. It'll be off season BUT it's popular and can fill up so look at getting a reservation if you can.
Miller's Waterfront Restaurant
The Waterfront Sunset Bar & Grill is the top floor of this second Miller's location. We love coming here and heading upstairs to get some fresh oysters and a beer. The bar has great views of the sound where you can watch people fish, wind surf, and kite surf. Both Miller's restaurants are pretty good too if you're looking for a bigger menu.
Kitty Hawk Surf Co.
If you can't drive down with your excessive amounts of REI gear strapped to your vehicles like the Beverly Hillbillies, Kitty Hawk Surf Co has bike, kayak, paddleboard, and other rental options for any of your beach activity needs.
Waveriders Coffee, Deli & Market
Another great breakfast spot with a lot more meal options to start your day. If you need more than pastries, this Deli & Market is just across the street from Morning View and offers a wider variety of heartier meals.
NC Coast Grill & Bar
If you are a foodie, this is your spot! We recommend getting a table of trusted friends who like exploring "Chef's Menu"-esq meals and ordering the "Chefs Specialty Board" (pictured above is ours from Jan!). As long as everyone at the table orders it, the chef will cater the size of a wider variety of menu items to your party. This incredible restaurant is in Duck which is just a few minutes north of the main bridge coming in so about 15-20 mins from all of our festivity locations but is totally worth it.
Wright Brothers National Monument
See where the first SkyMiles were logged at the Wright Brothers National Monument. The visitor center has displays about the history of humankind and our attempts to master flight, leading up to the Wright brothers first successful powered flight. There's a full size replica of the first plane, sheds where the brothers lived/worked, and a towering dune with monument that offers 360 views of the Kitty Hawk. This National Park site can also reup your specific passes if you know you are heading to more Parks in the next year.
OBX Decathlon
If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen our posts knocking out our annual Richmond Decathlon of activities. If you are planning on being in the area for the whole long weekend, we invite, nay challenge, you to attempt the OBX Decathlon: 1. Get a donut from any Duck Donuts location 2. Have a coffee with the sunrise 3. Visit the Wright Brothers Monument 4. Eat at Mama Kwans 5. Visit the Aquarium 6. Climb to the top of Jockey's Ridge 7. Walk a half mile on the beach 8. Have a drink and/or oysters at Miller's Sunset Bar & Grille 9. Explore a trinket shop 10. Wade a minimum of ankle deep into the ocean for a minute . .