Planning a Outer Banks Vacation

Winter is a wonderful time for an Outer Banks family vacation.

If you think the Outer Banks is just a summertime destination, you're missing out on half the fun. An Outer Banks family vacation during the offseason has a number of perks in store for you. You may not be swimming in the Atlantic Ocean after the temperatures have dropped, but many Outer Banks hotels have indoor pools if taking a dip is on your winter itinerary.

However, there are a lot of other reasons to visit the Outer Banks, even when it's too cold to soak up the summer sun. Here are a few ideas:

– Better deals. During the offseason, Outer Banks hotel rates tend to drop to entice more people to visit during the cooler months. So it's the perfect time to pack up the family and head to the beaches.

– Fewer crowds. The pace during the offseason in the Outer Banks is decidedly slower, so you can catch your breath, calm your nerves and recharge your batteries. Plus, you won't have to fight traffic or jostle for a spot on the beach.

– Great restaurants. People live in the Outer Banks year round, so many of the great restaurants and pubs you can visit during the summer will still be open. It'll just be that much easier to get reservations or a seat at the bar.

– Outdoor activities. You might have to bundle up a bit, but area golf courses are open year-round. Fishing is also excellent this time of year, whether you're surfcasting on a nearly private beach or chartering an offshore excursion. Feel like going for a walk? In addition to the beaches where you may catch a glimpse of the majestic wild horses that roam free, there are the dunes at Jockey's Ridge and several trails through the maritime forest at Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve to explore. You may also want to visit the Outer Banks lighthouses, which include Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Bodie Island Light House, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and North Carolina's oldest lighthouse in operation, the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse.

– Indoor activities. Shopping is always an option on the Outer Banks. In addition to the traditional beach shops where you can buy discounted wearables and locally branded souvenirs, you'll also find a number of quaint shops that offer unique items to take home as reminders of your OBX vacation. The Outer Banks also has a number of museums to keep you warm and busy at the same time, including the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the Outer Banks Children at Play Museum, the Dare County Airport Museum, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Historic Site, the Roanoke Maritime Museum, the Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center, and the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. And no trip would be complete without a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo.

It's all waiting for you at the Outer Banks, no matter what time of year you come to visit. So pack a little extra clothing and get ready for a vacation you'll always remember.