December Fun: Itinerary for First Weekend in December

Friday, December 5:

8:00 AM - Breakfast at Home or On The Go! If you're already in your rental, enjoy a quiet morning breakfast in your pajamas before greeting the weekend to be filled with adventures. If you're heading into town, or just want someone else to cook, grab a delicious breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee from Lighthouse Bagels or First Light. And for something unique, try Corolla Breakfast & Lunch Bowls for some tasty breakfast surprises. 

10:00 AM - Corolla Wild Horse Tour! Whether you checked in last night or last week, or you're waiting to get settled into your vacation rental this evening, why not spend the morning trying to get a glimpse of the famous Corolla Wild Horses by taking a Corolla Wild Horse Tour? These tours run about 2 hours and give you the opportunity to explore the 4x4 in an open-air jeep. Listen to the sound of the ocean waves and search for the descendants of the Spanish Mustangs that call these wild beaches home!

12:00 PM - Shopping and Lunch! After the tour, head on down to the Timbuck II Shopping Village for lunch and some last-minute holiday shopping. Enjoy pizza from Giant Slice or some delicious seafood at Mike Dianna's Grill Room before exploring the wide variety of specialty stores and unique boutiques. There's plenty to keep you occupied through the afternoon and don't forget about dinner before heading to Manteo for the Christmas tree lighting!

5:00 PM - Dinner in Nags Head or Manteo! There are plenty of amazing options for dinner in Nags Head, including Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe or Tortuga's Lie. If you'd rather not rush, or want something light to snack on, there are lots of delicious options for light and heavy meals in downtown Manteo. Walk around the waterfront and you'll see that there's a little bit of something for everyone! 

6:00 PM - Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting! The annual Christmas tree lighting in Manteo, set in front of the historic old courthouse, is a musical dramatic celebration of that indefinable spirit of selfless joy that, for over 400 years, has touched the lives of Roanoke Island residents at Christmas and caused them to persevere against all odds in pursuance of their dreams. Christmas season in downtown Manteo gets underway with two annual events. The Lighting of the Town Tree traditionally takes place the 1st Friday night in December on the Manteo Waterfront, featuring hot chocolate and holiday music sung by children of all ages.

Saturday, December 6:

8:00 AM - Breakfast in Nags Head! Before heading out to explore the southern portion of the Outer Banks today, enjoy a delicious breakfast at one of Nags Head's delicious restaurants. Stop by Waveriders Coffee, Deliu, and Market for an amazing sandwich and coffee. Check out the seasonal latte specials for a sweet treat and grab a yummy breakfast sandwich with bacon or try their vegan cashew cream cheese! For a southern sit-down diner experience, check out Grits Grill for a traditional spread and breakfast served all day long.

10:30 AM - Manteo Christmas Parade! Join the Town of Manteo, North Carolina for the annual Christmas parade! Beginning at Manteo High School, the parade winds through the streets and ends at the old College of Albemarle site. Click here for more information.

12:00 PM - Lunch in Kill Devil Hills! There are so many great restaurants in Kill Devil Hills to enjoy a delicious meal. Head on over to Mama Kwans for a fantastic lunch of fresh seafood or Country Deli for fresh meats and cheeses and a laid-back atmosphere.

3:00 PM - Annual Duck Yuletide Celebration! Stop in Duck Town Park on December 6th between 3-5 pm to watch the lighting of the crab pot tree! Santa will also be reading books to children from his workshop. If your kids have a letter for Santa, you can drop them off in the Town Hall lobby or email them to events@townofduck.com by December 1st! If you visit the town of Duck for your Christmas shopping, don't forget to stop by a special photo area under the gazebo at the Town Hall to help you get a special and unique holiday photo during your outing! Click here for more information. 

5:00 PM - Dinner in Duck! Enjoy a relaxing dinner in Duck after enjoying the fun of the holidays. Stop by the Red Sky Cafe, The Blue Point, or AQUA Restaurant for the finer tastes of the beach. If you're traveling with kiddos, The Village Table & Tavern and Coastal Cravings are also great options.

Sunday, December 7:

8:00 AM - Easy Breakfast at a Local Favorite! Depending on where you're staying, there are plenty of cozy places to settle down for breakfast on the Outer Banks. Check out recommended breakfast options here. Whether you're looking for a sit-down restaurant or some coffee and pastries on the go, you're sure to find something to make everyone in your family group happy, full, and ready to start the day!

10:00 AM - Morning at Jockey's Ridge! It's so much fun to see Jockey's Ridge State Park soon after the sun rises. Enjoy the cool winds and the sound of birds and other wildlife as you run around on the dunes, have some fun in the sand, or head on across the street to Jockey's Ridge Crossing to get some holiday shopping in!

12:00 PM - Lunch in Manteo!  Whether you want to find something delicious downtown, or you're looking for a quick and easy sandwich spot, there are plenty of places to grab a bite in Manteo. Be sure to pick out your favorite spot to head back to for dinner as you spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the best of Roanoke Island.

1:00 PM - Explore the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island!  No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without a trip to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Explore the cultural history of the Outer Banks as connected to wildlife and the wetlands before visiting the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center where your kiddos can follow their own sea turtle through to rehabilitation in a fantastic simulation. Have some fun at the Touch Tank and explore the unbelievable history of the U.S.S. Monitor before taking a breather and relaxing in front of the massive tank with sharks and other fish.

3:00 PM - Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park! And when you're done at the aquarium, Roanoke Island Festival Park is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Explore this amazing museum park where you can walk through the Settlement Site or take a tour of the Elizabeth II and get an idea of what life would have been like aboard a 16th-century sailing ship. Don't forget to visit American Indian Town or the Adventure Museum for some hands-on history that you won't soon forget.

5:00 PM - Dinner! Before heading over to the Annual Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens, be sure to grab a tasty dinner in Manteo or Nags Head, just across the causeway. Enjoy something yummy at Mahi Mahi's Island Grill or Miller's Waterfront Restaurant. If you're hoping to stay on the island, why not try Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar or Orega'z?

7:00 PM - Winter Lights at Elizabethan Gardens! The Annual Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens is the biggest light display on the Outer Banks! Kids and adults of all ages will love wandering through this enchanted winter wonderland of dazzling lights and holiday decorations. Tickets are $22 for adults, $14 for ages 2-17, and free for infants under 2.  Dogs can come, too, for $6. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. The final tickets of the night are sold at 8:15 PM and since this display is outside, it is subject to weather cancellations. Even if you’ve been in the past, this is a display that you should see year after year! Click here for more information.