December Fun: Itinerary for the Third Weekend in December

Friday, December 19:

8:00 AM - Easy Breakfast at a Local Favorite! For a tasty sit-down family breakfast, stop by Henry’s Restaurant at 3396 N. Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills between 7AM and 1PM. Open year-round, Henry’s has a menu selection that will satisfy even the pickiest palate. Try “The Captain” which offers 2 eggs cooked to your preference, grits or home fries, toast or biscuits, and your choice of protein (like country ham, pork chop, ham, sausage, and bacon!) You can also order breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, hot cakes and more! View full menu. Check out other recommended breakfast options here.

10:00 AM - Wright Brothers National Memorial! Since you're already in the area, now is the best time to make a stop at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Come explore the exhibits and the monument to celebrate the "12 seconds that changed the world." This was the time of year that Orville and Wilbur were trying to get their flying machine up in the air, so come take a walk around the grounds and enjoy the brisk, refreshing winds of the Outer Banks in December!

11:00 AM - Lunch at “The Broken Candy Cane!” Several eateries around the Outer Banks will be changing their names to become pop-up Christmas bars to get everyone in on the holiday season! Bonzer Shack becomes The Broken Candy Cane where you can stop by for some yummy food, pop-up fun, and a positive holiday atmosphere to get you in the holiday spirit! Other participating restaurants include Mama Kawn’s → Mama Klaus’s, Lucky 12 Tavern → Jingle 12, and Goombays → Goombrrs.

3:00 PM - Find Your Way Out at OB-Xscape Rooms! End the day by enjoying some family fun at OB-Xscape Rooms in Southern Shores! See who can figure it out the fastest in one of their exciting, memorable rooms like "The Blind Tiger Speakeasy," the "Rest in Peace Motel," or "Raptor Revenge." This is a great bonding experience while enjoying some indoor fun after an exciting day exploring the sites of the Wright Brothers' first flight!

5:00 PM - Whalehead Candlelight Tour! Step back in time to the 1920’s décor and customs taking place during Mr. and Mrs. Edward Collings Knight, Jr.’s time in Corolla. The Whalehead mansion is beautifully decorated in the tradition of the times with greenery, Christmas trees, music, luscious food, fruit, candy and nuts. This special tour will feature a live performance on the original one-of-a-kind Steinway piano – custom designed for Mrs. Knight – along with a few traditional Christmas carols. Tour participants will explore this magnificent mansion including the newly designed Starkey room exhibit. Guests will also enjoy a holiday treat at the conclusion of the tour. Find out more and reserve tickets here.

7:00 PM - Pizza Night! On the way back to your vacation rental, be sure to stop by one of the Best Pizza Places on the OBX and pick up a pie to take back to your vacation home. Enjoy a relaxing evening of pizza, board games, and your favorite film, as most of our homes offer spacious living areas with lots of room for family movie night. Rest up after a long tour day and get ready for another day of exploring the best of the Outer Banks!

Saturday, December 20:

8:00 AM - Breakfast at Stack'Em High! Start off a day of sightseeing and exploring the best of the Outer Banks with a yummy breakfast of pancakes, waffles, fruit, or eggs at Stack'Em High Pancakes & So Forth! With 2 locations, one in Kitty Hawk and another in Kill Devil Hills, there's no reason not to head out and let someone else handle breakfast. Stack'Em High is an Outer Banks staple and a great place for singles, couples, and groups. View full menu.

12:00 PM - Lunch at the Shuck Hatteras IV Oyster Festival! Celebrate local flavors at the Shuck Hatteras IV Oyster Festival! Sample freshly shucked oysters, seafood specials, and regional delicacies while enjoying live music, holiday vendors, and the festive community spirit. This is a great way to taste the best of the Outer Banks’ coastal cuisine in a fun and lively setting. Learn more about the festival here.

3:00 PM - Explore Hatteras Village! Take the afternoon to enjoy the charm of Hatteras Village before dinner. Browse local shops for unique holiday gifts, visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, or simply stroll the waterfront in Hatteras Village to soak in the views. This is a perfect chance to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and take in the relaxed pace of Hatteras Island life.

5:00 PM - Dinner on Hatteras Island! After the excitement of the parade, settle in for a cozy dinner at one of Hatteras Island’s inviting restaurants. For fresh seafood with stunning waterfront views, try Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill. If you’re in the mood for a laid-back atmosphere and creative eats, Bros Sandwich Shack is a local favorite. Or, enjoy a relaxed evening overlooking the harbor at Breakwater Restaurant, known for hearty seafood dishes and beautiful sunset views. Whatever you choose, you’ll find the perfect spot to unwind and end the day on a delicious note. 

Sunday, December 21:

8:00 AM - Breakfast in your Vacation Rental! Enjoy a calm, quiet breakfast in your beautiful vacation rental before heading down to Manteo. Many of our vacation rental properties offer multiple refrigerators and/or dishwashers, so breakfast prep and cleanup can be a breeze! Take your cup of coffee out onto the beach or find pleasure in a peaceful morning stroll by the ocean before the fun of the day begins!

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 Kill Devil Hills! Grab lunch at one of the fun 12 Bars of Christmas! Check out McCallister's Corner (Two Roads Tavern) or grab a burger at Jack Frost's (Jack Browns). Find out more about the 12 Bars of Christmas here!

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 $18 for adults, $14 for ages 6-17, and $8 for children 2 to 5. Infants under 2 get in free!  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.

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