You know what they say, a rainy day at the beach is better than a rainy day at home! Here are a few of our favorite things to do when it rains on the Outer Banks (hint – all of these activities are fun when it’s sunny too!).

Make Stuff

From paint your own pottery to jewelry creation, there are lots of way to express your creative side here on Hatteras Island – even when it’s raining. Try one of these spots to start:

Studio 12 in Avon – From glass bowl creation to making your own natural bath products, they have classes for all sorts of ages and interests. See more at: http://www.studio12hatteras.com/classes.php

Uglie Mugs Coffee Shop and Bead Shop in Avon – Grab a Latte and head to the Bead shop in the back to create your masterpiece.

Kinnakeet Clayworks in Avon – Learn watercolor techniques, or get your hands dirty turning a lump of clay into a beautiful functional object. View their Facebook page for class updates:  https://www.facebook.com/kinnakeetclay

Red Drum Pottery in Frisco – Offering Paint on Pottery and Raku classes – call or stop by for times and details: (252) 995-3686

Indian Town Gallery in Frisco – Painting Parties, Oil Painting Workshops and Seaglass Jewelry Making. Check out their Facebook for all the details on these top notch activities: https://www.facebook.com/indiantowngallery?fref=photo

Sunsational Designs and Beads of Paradise in Frisco– Thousands of beads to create your own custom jewelry or stop in for a hair wrap or henna tattoo.

Go Shopping

An artist’s mecca, Hatteras Island is full of Art Galleries and small shops. You’ll find handmade and local items in our galleries and gift shops and the latest fashions and most advanced gear in our surf shops. Stop into Buxton books for the perfect reading selections for your entire family. Check out our shopping page here: www.surforsound.com/things-to-do/shopping/

Play in the Rain

While we don’t advise going outside during a thunderstorm, summer rainshowers can actually be a lot of fun. Don’t want to get your clothes wet? We bet you packed a bathing suit!

Watch a movie

Snuggle up with your loved ones, pop some popcorn and watch a family flick. The Food Lion in Avon has a RedBox kiosk and some rental homes provide DVDs and streaming movies.

Have Your Own Restaurant Crawl

Have an all afternoon food-fest with a self-guided restaurant crawl through some of our best restaurants: Appetizers at Pangea Tavern, Soup and Salad at at Oceana’s Bistro, Entrees at Ketch 55, Dessert at the Dolphin Den and After Dinner Cocktails at Turner’s High Moon Bar.

Indulge at the Spa

Treat yourself to a day (or a couple of hours) at the spa.

In Touch Massage and Wellness Center in Frisco – Dedicated to enhancing well-being by providing a variety of services for the body and mind.

Spa Koru – Located right next to our Avon office, Spa Koru is a great place to relax with a Hot Stone Massage, an Organic Facial, or body wrap. Stop by the salon for a hair cut, waxing and nail services or take a yoga class next door in the fitness center.

Cook or Bake the Day Away

You may not have time to create gourmet meals every night at home, but vacation is the perfect time to get the family together to cook. Besides, once you master the recipe it can be much easier to make the second time around and will bring back fond memories of your vacation cooking!

Check out Local Arcades

Pinball anyone? Old-fashioned beach vacation fun can be had at some of our local arcades!

Rodanthe Pier – Chill out in the Air Conditioned Game Room and enjoy some snacks while you stay dry and watch the surf.

The Sandbar and Grille in Frisco – pinball machines, a jukebox, pool table, and a number of classic video games.

Angelo’s Pizza Arcade in Buxton – 25 Arcade games and pool tables and you can order a pizza while you’re there!

Museums

History, culture and education – there’s so much to learn about at Hatteras Island in our museums and historic sites.

Graveyard of the Atlantic in Hatteras Village across from the Ferry Docks

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe

Frisco Native American Museum – View Native American art, artifacts and culture, from the island and other native tribes.

Hatteras Island Visitor’s Center and Museum of the Sea – Located at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Site

Whatever you decide to do remember that sometimes the best memories come from just spending time together. Our vacation rental homes are cozy comfortable places to spend a rainy day, many are even equipped with game rooms and theaters. Before you know it the clouds will lift and the rain will come to an end.