The food, the fun, the family. Instead of staying home this Thanksgiving, and having a score of relatives in your house, come to the Outer Banks and enjoy Thanksgiving in a home by the beach that will accommodate all of you. Not sure what there is to do on the Outer Banks for Thanksgiving? Well, I'm glad you asked.
Eat
There are plenty of places to have Thanksgiving dinner on the Outer Banks. Most places offer all you can eat buffets featuring the Outer Banks favorite Fall treat, oysters. Some restaurants offer a special menu. Here are a few of our favorites.
Red Sky Café-Buffet complete with crab cakes and rockfish
Lifesaving Station at the Sanderling Resort- Special 4 course dinner
Fishbones Sunset Grille & Raw Bar-Buffet : apricot dressing and Mahi anyone?
Ocean Boulevard- Special 4 course dinner
Beachside Bistro- Buffet with oyster stuffing
Jolly Roger-Traditional Thanksgiving meal like you'd find up north
Captain George's-Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet, but includes crab legs and shrimp
Port O'Call Restaurant- Traditional buffet served in an old fashioned gas light saloon
Owens' Restaurant- Oldest restaurant on the Outer Banks features an OBX Thanksgiving buffet
Mulligan's Raw Bar and Grill-Buffet a mixture of traditional and Outer Banks favorites
Pamlico Jack's-Buffet and annual oyster feast
Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern- A local's favorite for over 30 years,
Play
Of course, it's not all about food. Here are some fun things to do before and after that Thanksgiving. Feast.
November 21-Bright Walkerâ??s Singing Bowls Sound Concert
A type of inverted bell from Tibet, singing bowls are used for mediation and relaxation. The sounds they make are unique to the instrument and are seldom played in public.
November 24-Outer Banks Running Club OBX Gobbler 5k & Fun-the Outer Banks Running Club sponsors this 5k run through Village at Nags Head along the sound. If you're into running, you won't want to miss this. It's great way to open your appetite before the feast.
November 25-Grand Illuminations- Welcome to the opening of the Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens. Even if you can't be here for Christmas, this is guaranteed to put you in a happy Christmassy mood.
November 25- Poulos Family Christmas Lights-don't head out of town without checking out the Christmas House. This stunning private display has been lovingly created by the homeowners for decades It's been shown on TV several times.
November 26-Garden To Hearth- done in period style at the Island Farm, you'll discover how eighteenth century farming families prepared for winter with cooking, preserving and more. Candle making and ox cart rides are available.
Shop
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to go shopping. It IS Black Friday after all. And if you like Black Fridays, you'll find we don't have anywhere near the level of craziness you'll see in metropolitan areas. Just be sure you check for hours. So who has some good Black Friday Shopping?
Tanger Outlet Center-this strip mall is perfect for those who want a little bit of it all. The brand name outlet stores each run unique sales and open at 6am
Belk-This department store has sales both in the store and online. They're also going to be offering extra discounts to Belk card holders.
The Cottage Shop-Opening at 9, The Cottage Shop is just the place to find that special beachy something to take home with you. It's the ultimate for souvenirs and home décor.
Wings-While this uniquely Outer Banks beach store doesn't offer a special sale on Black Friday, it does feature a 50% off sale this time of year. So if you get into town early, you have the opportunity to get your stuff now instead of later.
Farmer's Daughter-This Outer Banks favorite offers a wide variety ofâ?¦well, everything. Some of it will be deeply discounted after Thanksgiving.
Diamonds â??n Dunes-Though this fine jewelry store likes to be all hush hush about it, traditionally, they do have an After Thanksgiving sale. What's on sale? Couldnâ??t tell you yet. You'll just have to wait and see.
Big Box Stores- Of course, the Outer Banks has its share of chain stores. So if you're into Wal-Mart, K-mart or TJ Max, Staples, or PetSmart don't forget to give them a visit.
There's no better place to be than the Outer Banks for Thanksgiving. Good food, good fun and good company in a great rental home all make for memories that will last a lifetime. Can't make it this Thanksgiving? Gift the gift of a summer family vacation this year. We are having a Black Friday Sale of our own. Take advantage of the savings and cross a few names off your holiday gift list this year with a family vacation!
Happy Holidays from the Atlantic Realty Family!
