If you're going to be enjoying Mother's Day weekend on the Outer Banks, then we have some great tips for you! And if you're not spending Mother's Day weekend on the Outer Banks, then we have some great tips for you to treat your mother to whenever you are here!
Go for a long walk
Quality time is key. If your mother is anything like my mother, going for a long walk on the beach is one of the best parts of vacation. Bond with your mother while immersing yourself in nature. Collect shells with her and enjoy a beautiful sunrise or gorgeous sunset from the beach.
Take a stroll through the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo or through the historic downtown waterfront. The Elizabethan Gardens are Victorian gardens filled with the most beautiful flowers and greenery. If you're in Manteo on Roanoke Island, then we recommend the Manteo Historic Tour. Their tour guide is chock-full of interesting facts and history, so your family can learn about the area together.
The Duck boardwalk is also a great place for a walk, as there are plenty of places to stop in and shop (for mom, of course ;))!
A nice meal
This doesn't necessarily mean going out to the fanciest restaurant. While the Outer Banks has phenomenal dining options, making a home cooked meal can be so meaningful. With an abundance of fresh seafood, that can be found at these seafood markets, it's easy to make something as mouth-watering as the pros in the restaurants do. Try your hand at making your mom's favorite dish -- crab cakes, shrimp scampi, or BBQ.
If you are looking for a great place to sit down and dine, there are so many options!
Start with coffee from Ashley's Espresso Parlor, Outer Bean Cafe, or doughnuts from Duck Donuts
TRiO offers a lovely brunch option. For the late riser or busy bee, Henry's offers breakfast into the afternoon.
Prefer to do a lunch? Black Pelican is located semi-oceanfront in Kitty Hawk, so your beach-loving mama won't have to go too far from the water to get her fill. Barefoot Bernie's is a fun spot where you can find just about anything mom could crave as they have quite a large menu.
Dinner is a wonderful time to take advantage of waterfront restaurants as the sun sets. The Village Table and Tavern is located on the sound front in Duck offering chef Mike's delicious creations and seasonal live music. Mike Dianna's Grill Room also offers live music, and they are known for their amazing prime beef and extensive wine lists!
If your mom's got a sweet tooth, there's no shortage of options on the Outer Banks. It seems like there's an ice cream shop on every corner! Tasty Treats is a unique option, it's located in Corolla and has the OBX's first "Instagrammable" dessert -- they are showstoppers for sure! If mom prefers her dessert in wine form, then NouVines in downtown Manteo is just the place for her. They have a great selection of small-batch organic wines and often have either trivia nights or comedy shows to keep you entertained.
Do something unique!
The given for Mother's Day is the aforementioned nice meal or a walk, but how about a Mother's Day escape room? That's a fun way to bond and get the whole family involved. Work together as a team to solve the mysteries and free yourselves from the room. A great thing about this is that it's not weather-dependent, so you can make the most of the day, should it rain.
Ramp it up with a ropes course! First Flight Adventure Park is a great place for the adventurous moms out there. Plus, it overlooks the water for breathtaking views and is a great way to get the blood pumping.
Experience the beauty of local wildlife with a horse tour. Corolla Outback gave the Outer Banks first wild horse tour ever. Bring a camera and a hat and enjoy a 2-hour tour through the dunes of north beach. Since spring is foaling season, who knows, you may be able to see a mother horse with her young! That would truly make for a special Mother's Day excursion.
Enjoy the sunset from a private catamaran tour. Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports will be open, offering an evening sail through the Currituck Sound. This would certainly make for a memorable Mother's Day. You can pack a cooler and bring the family for an unforgettable sunset.
