Heading to Hatteras Island and relaxing at your own preferred pace is always a wonderful way to spend a vacation no matter when you arrive. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy your time away alongside family, there’s even more to look forward to during your stay. Hatteras Island is rich in history, packed with natural beauty, and a top destination for those who are looking to enjoy fun in the great outdoors as well. Made up of charming and inviting villages, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to customizing your time away to fit your travel style. The next time your travel plans have you enjoying a North Carolina family vacation to Hatteras Island, let the following be your guide to making the most of every moment!
Day 1 – Explore the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
If your family is one with a shared passion for the mysterious, taking time to explore the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum during your Hatteras Island getaway is a must. This one-of-a-kind destination in town is a terrific place to explore more about the area’s maritime history, with a focus on shipwrecks and light keepers as well as paranormal stories linked to the Outer Banks. The stretch of the Atlantic Coast linked to Hatteras Island is home to treacherous Diamond Shoals which have made it a hazardous place for ships to navigate throughout history. The museum offers up a unique outlook on the many shipwrecks that have occurred here over the centuries, with an amazing array of artifacts and interactive exhibits to check out during your visit. This is a stop that everyone in your traveling crew is sure to enjoy no matter what their interests may be or what their attention span might entail.
Day 2 – Spend Time Together on the Sand
For many families heading to Hatteras Island in the name of fun, time on the sand is a highlight of their getaway with good reason. The good news is that Hatteras Island has an abundance of sensational shorelines to choose from when you’re looking for just the right place to dig your toes in, build a sandcastle, or go swimming. Convenient public beach access is available along North Carolina Highway 12 down South from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as well as the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. If you’re spending time in either Frisco or Buxton, the Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach is easy to reach and worth your while to enjoy. Rodanthe Beach is also a great family-friendly choice and if you’re taking the ferry to Ocracoke from Hatteras Village for the afternoon, don’t overlook time spent on Ocracoke Beach too!
Day 3 – Hike Your Way to Family Fun
For the family that loves to lace up their boots and hit the trails together, Hatteras Island offers up a maze of route options and some of the best family activities Hatteras Island offers to check out. For a leisurely stroll with little ones, the Hammock Hills Trail is an inviting ¾ mile loop to explore that hosts beautiful views out over the Pamlico Sound and surrounding salt marshes. When you’re looking for an equally appealing route where you can pair your trek with a picnic lunch, the Buxton Woods Trail is also a ¾ mile loop that kicks things off conveniently at the Buxton Woods Picnic Area. For a family of experienced hikers looking for more of a challenge during their stay, the Open Ponds Trail is a must, providing explorers with 9 miles to check out round trip complete with surrounding shrub thickets and dunes to conquer.
Day 4 – Try Birdwatching
Sometimes the most exciting way to spend time together as a family visiting Hatteras Island is to turn your eyes to the skies in tandem. Whether you’re new to bird watching or it’s long been an activity your family enjoys, heading over to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with binoculars in hand is a fun way to adventure through the area year-round. This national seashore encompasses more than 70 miles of beaches which work as rich habitats for local and migratory birds alike. They can be spotted from the sand and the waves so no matter where you settle in, you’re in for a wildlife-watching treat.
Day 5 – Give Kitesurfing a Try
When you’re up for a new adventure, getting the family together to try kitesurfing for the first time during a Hatteras Island stay might just be the highlight of your journey. Kitesurfing has long been a popular sport and activity in the area thanks to the island’s relatively consistent wind patterns and water conditions. The months of April through October are typically prime kitesurfing season across Hatteras Island with many surf schools offering private and group lessons for those looking to get out on the waves for the first time.
Book Your Getaway to Hatteras Island Today
When a Hatteras Island adventure is calling, Midgett Realty will make sure you have amazing North Carolina family vacation accommodations in place to match the moment. Reach out today to learn more about our many family-friendly home options available and to start planning your next trip!
