So you've beaten the traffic on check in day and got here really early, or maybe it's a rainy day, or you got a little too much sun at the start of your vacation. No matter what your reasoning for exploring the other areas of the Outer Banks, you can take advantage of the "Things to Do in Nags Head" list:
Go to a Different Beach
There are two great beaches for you to choose from in this area; Jennetteâ??s Pier and Coquina beach. Jennetteâ??s Pier is surrounded by shops, eateries and has a beautiful park with a playground across the street. They also have great bathrooms and a pier to walk on or fish from. Coquina Beach is park service property, so you get the full experience of a pure unspoiled beach with complete bath house. Nearby, you have the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and you might even get to see the remains of shipwreck Laura A Barnes.
Festival Park
Built to celebrate the 500th anniversary of first English colony in the New World, The Elizabeth II still lives at Festival Park; a perfect replica of an 16th century sailing vessel that brought over the colonists. But, the ship is no longer alone. Now, festival park features an English Settlement, a Native American 'village' and an interactive museum filled with 500 years of Outer Banks history. There's even a place to hunt ducks, (fake ones, of course.) Youâ??ll find one free pass in your Fun N Sun electronic packet.
The Elizabethan Gardens
Take a leisurely stroll through an Tudor English Garden created with plants native to the Outer Banks. This garden was created as a tribute to the first colony and in the spirit of the gardens popular at the time of Queen Elizabeth the first. If youâ??re gardener, donâ??t forget to check out the nursery so you can have a live souvenir to take home. You get one free pass in your Fun N Sun electronic packet.
Aquarium
The NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island was rated one of The Top 10 Best Small Aquariums on Trip Advisor. It was recently renovated, so now itâ??s even better. It features interactive exhibits, educational movies, classes, behind the scenes tours, a turtle rescue center, and of course, lots of fish. Itâ??s great fun for the entire family. Best of all, youâ??ll get one free ticket from your Fun N Sun electronic packet.
Dolphin Tour
The Outer Banks is a living ocean. Not only does it change daily, itâ??s home to many types of fish, birds and dolphins. A dolphin tour is the best way to see them. Fun N Sun
Head Boat
A head boat is like a charter boat for inshore fishing. When it comes to fishing with children, itâ??s even better than a charter boat. Since it takes out huge groups, kids always have someone to talk to, even if the fish arenâ??t biting. And when they are biting, itâ??s very exciting.
Pier Fishing 
If you're looking for a great place to catch some fish, try pier fishing. Fish are naturally attracted to the things that grown on pier pilings, so you can be assured they are always around. All kinds of fish can be caught from a pier including stripers, blues, spots, speckleds, flounders and more. Best of all, if you fish off a pier, you don't need a fishing license. Our Fun N Sun pass give you one free pass to the Outer Banks Pier, home of Fishheads restaurant. Because the only thing better than a restaurant and bar at the beach is one ON the beach. Happy Fishing!
Island Farm
Step back in time to a 19th century working farm. Youâ??ll meet free roaming chickens, costumed interpreters, a tamed wild horse, and "Charlie", the last yoke trained ox in the country. Children will love the live demonstrations of cooking, doing laundry and other everyday scenes of living on a farm. Best of all, most of the exhibits are interactive and hands on, making them great for kids.
Explore Downtown Manteo
Downtown Manteo is a historical town filled with art galleries, antique shops, a great bookstore and great places to eat. Manteo also is a walking town; park once and explore it all. You can even bring Fido! Festival Park is right over a walking bridge. Youâ??ll find one free pass in your Fun N Sun electronic packet. Attention Pokemon Go players, the Manteo Waterfront is a great spot to play with lots of Poke stops!!!
Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
If you arrived VERY early, say around 10ish, then you plenty of time to head down to see our Fun N Sun partners on Hatteras Island. The Chicamacomico lifesaving station is one of the most complete saving stations in the country. The precursors to the modern Coast Guard, lifesavers (or surfmen) were tasked with rescuing ships from sea. They have a great museum and costumed interpreters to bring the past to life. Youâ??ll find one free pass in your Fun N Sun electronic packet.
Outlet Shopping
Nags Head is the only place in the area that has outlet shopping. At Tanger, you'll find all your favorite shops such as Coach, Carters, Wilson's Leather, and more. And if you get hungry, there's plenty of restaurants nearby, including a Tropical Smoothie right in the shopping center itself.
Laser Tag
You saw it on How I Met Your Mother and now the Outer Banks has it; Laser tag. In fact, we have two places to choose from; a chain, (Gearworks) and a local place, (Destination Fun) both places feature laser tag and bounce houses for the little ones. Destination Fun also has an arcade and indoor 3D mini golf.
Jockeyâ??s Ridge
The Outer Banks is home to the largest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Known as Jockey's Ridge, this dune has quite a history. It's also a National Park so you can climb it and enjoy the view. Kids have a blast rolling down it. Even leashed dogs can visit. On the other side of the dune is a sound side sandy beach.
Airboat Rides
The Outer Banks is famous for its unusual tours, and now at last, we have an airboat tour. The airboat tour has tours from 1 hour to all day. The unique design of an airboat enables it to go into places other boats can't go. You can go on a tour with others or rent it completely out for the day or half day. It's an experience not to be missed.
Harnessed Adventure Course
Zip lines, 'giant spider webs' obstacles of varying challenges, this harnessed ropes course has it all. From the lower easy levels to the hardest upper levels, this ropes course has something for everyone. One ticket gets you about 3 hours, so it's a great way to spend an afternoon. You can even rent a helmet with a GoPro camera to capture all the fun.
Mini Golf 
The Outer Banks is no stranger to mini golf. You can play the day away for a very inexpensive price. Shoot a round of golf at the Dairy Queen Miniature Golf course and top it off with an ice cream after. Loser buys. But we're going to 'buy' one person a round of mini golf with our Fun N Sun pass.
Skateboard Park
All the skaters in the family rejoice. If you brought your skateboard, then Nags Head provides a free park for you skate in. It has all kinds of curls from regular to challenging. Shorter curls are a great place for beginners or to practice stunts.
YMCA
If you have a reciprocal YMCA membership in your area, your house comes with one or you purchased a visitors one for the week, you can head on over to the Y. It has indoor and outdoor pools, all kinds of exercise machines and so much more. Itâ??s a great place to change into your swimsuit and let the kids splash around before heading towards the house.
We know you want to make the most of your vacation, so check out some of these extra activities and make lasting family vacation memories!!
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