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Cool Stuff to do on the Outer Banks by Bonnie Brown
The Outer Banks may not have the allure of big-city attractions for teenagers, but we do have reasonably priced activities for young people that include plenty of sunshine, physical activity and social opportunities. In this article we list things to do that our panel of teenage experts from Manteo High School describe as "Sooo Fun!!!" Some of these activities are great entertainment for younger children as well, as basic pleasures span all age groups.
Go Beach Cruisin' Your rental cottage probably supplies bikes for guest to use; if not, it's easy to rent all kinds of bikes from area shops. The Outer Banks has great bike paths; take a leisurely ride and check out the different public beach accesses until you find the one you like best (for swimming and sunbathing later).
Skim-Board on Jockey's Ridge Buy a skim-board just about anywhere on the Outer Banks, and go to Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head to fly down the side of the largest sand dune on the East Coast with the skim-board as your sled. Better to do this early in the day before the sun gets too hot, or late in the afternoon when it's cooler. You can use anything you want as a vehicle for gliding down the dunes, and the rangers say a piece of cardboard works as well as anything. But a skim-board can do double duty later at the beach. Jockey's Ridge is also the kite-flying and hang-gliding capital of the Outer Banks, and those things are way cool as well.
Catch a flick at the Pioneer Theatre An Outer Banks treasure, the 250-seat Pioneer Theatre in downtown Manteo has first-run movies each night at 8 pm for only $5 per person. A large buttered popcorn (popped onsite with a special seasoning) is only $1, and kids love the "mixed drinks" or what the locals call "Around the World" a combination of Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Dr. Pepper and Orange, with shaved or crushed ice, for 70¢. This is where the local teens meet their friends on Saturday nights (but it's open every night), and the teens don't even mind that the theater caters to a pre-teen crowd as well: No R-rated movies are shown, and someone stays outside at drop-off time to let parents know what time the movie lets out. A staff person also stays around until the last child is picked up.
That's why parents love it too. It's at 113 Budleigh Street, Manteo, (252) 473-2216. Try your skills at Miniature Golf Most any miniature golf park on the Outer Banks is fun, but the teens I spoke to seem to like the ones with extras the best. Lost Treasure Golf in Kill Devil Hills has two 18-hole courses with five waterfalls, but what the teens and younger kids really like about it is the little train that transports them through caves and mines.
Ride the Concrete Wave Finally, the northern Outer Banks has a real skate park. Island Revolution Skate Park in Corolla is all concrete, with dual bowls, a quarter pipe, a street course, grind bars and vertical drop-ins. All ages are welcome. Everyone must wear a helmet. Anyone younger than 18 must also wear elbow and knee pads and be signed in by a parent. Daily, weekly and seasonal passes are available. Island Revolution Surf Shop sells all the skate gear you need. The park is at the Corolla Light Town Center in Corolla. Call (252) 453-2440 for info. Let off Some Steam on a Go Kart There are several go-kart tracks on the Outer Banks that offer the thrill of driving really fast around curves and making a whole lot of noise. One of the favorites is the Nags Head Raceway at MP 16. Share a kart with a friend and zoom on. There is also a family arcade on the premises for younger kids.
Go Bowling The only bowling center on the Outer Banks, Nags Head Bowling has 24 lanes, a billiards room, a pro shop, a video arcade and a cafe serving hamburgers and snacks. It's open from 10 am to 1 am Friday through Sunday and 10 am to midnight Monday through Thursday. This is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening, especially if your skin needs a break from the sun. It's at MP 10 in Nags Head, (252) 441-7077.
Dance at The Pit Well-known as a surf shop, The Pit is even more famous as the only nightspot on the Outer Banks that offers "All Ages" nights in the summer on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This is the time when teens, mostly 15 through 19-year-olds, can party in a controlled environment. Dance the night away to hip-hop dance music on a great sound system in this extremely popular night spot, which is open until 1 am On "All Ages" nights, only water and soft drinks are served. MP 9 in Kill Devil Hills, (252) 480-3128.
Have Lunch at John's Drive-In It's everyone's favorite, young and old, and if you have vacationed here before, you probably already sing its praises. Even teenagers not wild about eating fish crave John's piping-hot fried dolphin sandwiches with tartar sauce and shredded lettuce. You also have to try one of their made- to-order milk shakes of up to three different flavors (try the chocolate-banana-peanut butter), and you will see what you are missing in your hometown. And get a spoon for your milk shake yes, they are that thick. Beach Road, MP 4, Kitty Hawk, (252) 261-6227.
Go Ghost Crab Hunting After a day spent swimming, shopping, flying kites and eating great food, go back to the beach after dark. Bring a bucket to hold some ghost crabs (so named because they blend in with the color of the sand). As they scurry along the beach at night, catch some, put them in the bucket, and before they have spent too much time away from their home, deposit them safely back in the sand (or as one teen said, "or throw them on your cousin first.") If there are any children in your party, definitely bring them along for this kids love it. And last but not least, if the parents are funding, try an outdoor adventure with Kitty Hawk Kites. You can take a hang-gliding lesson, a kayak tour or dolphin tour with your friends, or go Parasailing tandem with your best buddy. A parent must sign a waiver for anyone younger than 18. Call (252) 441-2144 for information.
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