The Outer Banks is made for families! It's a great place for family reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, weddings, and all kinds of events where you can just get together with your large group. Of course, if your family is exceptionally large, say 45 people or more, then it can be difficult finding something you can all do together aside from meeting at the beach. This article will show 10 different things you can do with your exceptionally large group.
Hang Around The House 
Of course, the most important thing for your large gathering is to make sure you have a house that fits all of you, or at least as many as possible. Our largest home, the Pine Island Lodge, sleeps 80. The two homes next to it, Crew Quarters and Knot Home, can sleep 40 each. So there's a home large enough to keep your entire group under one roof. Inside there are extra-large porches, private gyms, pools, outdoor dining areas, games rooms, movie rooms and more. So even if you never leave the house, you still have plenty to do. If that doesn't sound like it will work for your crew, we also have several individual homes near each other or even condos in the same complex so your family and friends can be together without having to be together all the time!
Rent Out The Crystal Dawn
The Crystal Dawn, is a head boat that sits over 97 people comfortably. That makes it the perfect boat for your family to rent for a fun filled day of sightseeing, fishing, exploring, partying, or whatever else you want to do at 'sea'. Don't worry, you're in the Sound, so not really "at sea" at all. But it's an experience you'll never forget.
Arrange For A Private Tastes and Tales Tour
Outer Banks Tastes and Tales feature storytelling tours or taste tours (can be liquor or food related) in Downtown Manteo. You'll hear local legends and tales of pirates. Alternately, you can sample the Outer Banks wines, craft brews, or dining experiences. If you'd rather have an experience at the house, that's fine too. A 'pirate' will come to your house to regal you with campfire tales of all sorts.
Host Your Own Slush Or Froyo Party 
There's nothing like an ice cold treat on a hot day. But did you know you can bring the frozen treat party directly to your house? It's true. Both Outer Bank Frozen Yogurt and OBX Sunset Slush do private parties. They take care of everything with a variety of flavors for all tastes, so the only question you have to decide is slush or froyo?
Sanctuary Vineyards Wine Tasting
This event is for the over 21 crowd. Sanctuary Vineyards has won awards for their fabulous scuppernong grape wine. And the best part is, they do tastings. You can contact them to arrange a private tasting where you'll sample Chardonnay, Red blends, dessert wines, Muscadine, Rosé, and more. You can even take a tour of the vineyards and winery. It's a not to be missed event.
The Lost Colony
Now in its 81st year, the Lost Colony is a spectacular display of history, storytelling and pageantry. It has plenty of seats for all, and you can arrange for a private backstage tour before the show. Contact them to find out more and see how all the magic works.
Photo Booth
Sure, you could have a photographer come to your house or meet you on the beach. But if you're looking for a great time as well as some pictures, then rent a Photo Booth. It's an old fashioned photo booth where people crowd in and get four pictures on a strip. Props are provided and your whole family will have a blast going and out of the booth with different people and props. Nothing says memories like photos. They are the best souvenirs ever.
Go On A Horse Tour
The wild horses of the Outer Banks have been here for over 500 years. Still, they can be rather elusive unless you know where to find them, and the professionals at Back Country Outfitters do. Call them to arrange one for large group and see these majestic beauties in their natural environment. You'll also be treated to the 'back roads' of the Outer Banks that few people get to see. It's what memories are made of.
Festival Park
Designed for large groups, Festival Park is a great way to get immersive in history. Best of all, they do private tours. This gives you the option of just 'dropping in' or arranging something special in advance. From the 16th century life sized replica ship to the Native American Village, to the colonial settlement, to the costumed interpreters, it's the best way to get 'lost' in history.
Roanoke Island Aquarium
The NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island serves hundreds of visitors a day, so it's designed for large groups. But the fun doesn't have to stop there. If you're looking for a more immersive aquarium experience, ask about their private experience packages. The aquarium offers everything from fish printing and behind the scenes tours to crabbing, nature walks, animal encounters and 'sleeping with the sharks,' a slumber party in front of the shark tank where your group gets the entire aquarium to yourselves for the entire night.
Rent Stella, The Outer Banks Trolley
Stella the Trolley is best way to see the Outer Banks in style. She's beautiful with hand carved wooden seats, a pure white exterior, and windows galore. Stella is wonderful for unique pictures, and whether she's taking to you your wedding, to dinner, or on a sightseeing tour, she's a sight to behold that will truly turn heads. Your family will feel like royalty when cruising the Outer Banks in your own trolley car.
Have A Big Screen At Home Movie Night
True, you could go to the traditional theater, but where's the fun in that? Did you know you can rent inflatable outdoor movie screens that you can use at home? Set up lawn chairs and watch them on the lawn or the beach. Buy or rent inner tubes and have your own 'in the water' movie night creature feature where you float around in your home's private pool and watch a 'creature in the water' movie. Pop lots of popcorn, have drinks, snacks, and ice cream, and make family memories that will last decades.
The fun you can have with your group on vacation is endless and the memories you create will get talked about for years! Start planning your group's Outer Banks vacation today by giving one of our helpful vacation planners a call at 800-334-8401. Whether you have a group of 8 or 80, we have something to fit your size, style and vacation budget!
