If you love beautiful, quiet beaches then you’ll love today’s post where I’m sharing our Outer Banks Family Beach Vacation. I’m also sharing a full guide on what to do at the Outer Banks including the best things to do with kids, restaurants to try, and must-see spots.
Outer Banks Family Beach Vacation – Our Favorite Spots
Happy Wednesday lovelies! Although I miss the smell of salty ocean water and the feel of sand beneath my toes, we had an absolutely wonderful time on our Outer Banks Family Beach Vacation and I can’t complain in the least.
We typically go in the early fall when there are less crowds, but even right now which is one of their busier months, the crowds were still minimal (which was awesome!)
Our Favorite Spots to Visit on The Outer Banks
Hatteras Island, with Avon and Salvo are our personal favorite spots on the Outer Banks. These communities offer the perfect vacation getaway for couples and families who are looking for a great time at the beach. We also always try to work in a visit to Ocracoke Island, which is considered “The Treasure of the Outer Banks”. It’s an adorable, historical town that is only accessible by ferry, and it really is such a neat little town. A visit to the lighthouse and Howards Pub & Restaurant is a must, if you ever head that way!
During this trip I was able to spend so much quality time with both the kiddos, my husband, and all my husband’s side of the family, whom we don’t get to see very often. We all stayed in a beach house together, and it was really nice to catch up with everyone. One of the highlights of our trip was getting to meet our nephew for the first time, and it melted my heart that both our boys really grew attached to him over the week. Both my husband and I definitely enjoyed spoiling him!
The other highlight of my trip? Getting to eat yummy, freshly-caught fish tacos courtesy of my awesome Father-in-law! I mean, is there anything better? Sorry, no photos on this one, they got devoured too quick! 😉
Most of my time was spent out on the beach lounging under an umbrella, building sandcastles with the kiddos, playing in the water, and watching the men fish for fresh seafood!-ha
For the past year, my oldest son has begged his Papaw to help him catch a shark and ironically enough we ended up catching a total of 5 baby sharks. (No worries, we threw them all back in unharmed!) It was the coolest thing ever to see both our boys’ faces light up when they caught one. If I’m being honest, I think my husband was pretty psyched too! 🙂
We also ventured out for lunch one afternoon and visited a local restaurant favorite, The Mad Crabber. It was such a nice restaurant for both adults and families alike, and offered a delicious assortment of seafood items on the menu.
The kiddos really enjoyed coloring on the table until our order arrived, and I think any parent can appreciate this!
I ordered the crab cake basket, and it was so yummy! I especially loved the homemade hush puppies! 🙂
All in all, it was a wonderful trip and we definitely didn’t want to leave. On a happier note, my husband’s parents and aunt are the new owners of a Beach home in Salvo, so I foresee many family trips to the OBX over the next several years and I’m excited for all the memories that will be made there.
My husband and I sat and watched this beautiful sunrise one morning, and it was so nice to just sit and take in all the beauty of the world around us. I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful, fun-filled Summer and are able to take some time off to relax with your loved ones. Spending time with those you love is what it’s all about.
Hope you enjoyed reading about our Outer Banks Family Beach Vacation. I’d love to know if you’ve ever visited in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!- Cara
P.S. If you’re looking for more family-friendly areas to visit, check out my other travel posts over here!
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Sarah @ Bows & Clothes says
I love Outer Banks!! It is one of my all time favorite beaches!
Sarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/
Kindly Unspoken says
That’s awesome, Sarah! It’s my favorite too!
Sara says
This looks like the best kind of family vacation… it’s exactly what I feel like doing over the 4th of July… but somehow I think it would be less relaxing?? Regardless, it looks like you all had a great time!
Kindly Unspoken says
It was perfect! Always good to get away from the real world for a few days! 🙂
Emmy says
Looks like some serious fun!
Kindly Unspoken says
We had a blast, Emmy! You all should visit one day if you can- it’s a great vacation spot! 🙂
Angelle Marix says
What a perfect vacation. Love every picture. Your boys are precious. I so need to visit NC. IT looks amazing.
Xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! It’s a great place to vacation, Angelle! 🙂
Courtney says
Oh my gosh that beach is just so beautiful! It looks like a painting, so vibrant and clear! I feel like it would be so relaxing to just sit on the sand and watch the ocean!
La Belle Sirene
Kindly Unspoken says
It is beautiful, Courtney! That’s always my favorite part is just going out to the beach to sit and watch the ocean- soo peaceful! 🙂
Mistle says
Visiting NC is on my bucket lists to do one of these days. It looks like y’all had an amazing time! I can’t wait to be on the beach soon. And catching those sharks! Brave!
Kindly Unspoken says
We had an amazing trip! Hope you get to visit soon, it’s a great vacation spot! 🙂
Darcy says
WOW! IT looks incredibly beautiful there. What a great trip.
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Kindly Unspoken says
It’s so nice, Darcy! It always feels like we have the beach to ourselves which is amazing! 🙂
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side says
What a fantastic trip! And that beach is empty! How fun to be on the beach by yourself…and shark catching definitely my highlight!
Kindly Unspoken says
Yes! I always feel like we have our own private island, which is awesome! 🙂
Whitney Jordan says
What a fun trip!! We’ve never been to the Outerbanks, but it looks like a gorgeous place to go! I can’t believe those shark pictures. My family would have loved that. Looks like your boys had a blast and now I’m craving crab cakes. Glad your trip was so filled with so much family fun 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks! It’s a great vacation spot especially for families! Hope you get to visit one day! 🙂
Suzanne says
I love OBX! It’s so beautiful. And that’s so neat about the baby sharks!
Kindly Unspoken says
Me too! One of my fave vacation spots for sure! 🙂
Adaleta Avdic says
I’ve heard so many excellent things about Outerbanks, I’d love to go!! xx Adaleta Avdic
Kindly Unspoken says
It’s a great vacation spot! Hope you get to visit some day! 🙂
Nadine says
I have never been to Outerbanks but it looks gorgeous! I have always read about the area in Nicholas Sparks books and I just know it would be for me. Looks like you guys had such a great time!
Kindly Unspoken says
Coincidentally I always think about that when I’m there. They have the wild ponies on the island which is really cool, but I’ve unfortunately never spotted them! We always have a blast though! 🙂
Christina says
What a fantastic trip! I haven’t been there in years but it’s such a great setting!
Kindly Unspoken says
It is a great vacation spot!
Laura Kathleen says
Love OBX! I went last year and it was such a nice vacation! Looks like you had a great time!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Kindly Unspoken says
We had an awesome time! Glad you all were able to visit last year! 🙂
Stephanie says
Looks like so much fun!!!!
Kindly Unspoken says
It was, Stephanie! Great to getaway! 🙂
Emelia says
Seriously beautiful pictures! I am so happy you had such a good vacation…it sounds magical!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! I definitely miss it right about now! 🙂
Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet says
Your pictures are beautiful! I’ve never been that far up the east coast ( only florida) but it looks like a great place!!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! It’s definitely a beautiful place! Hope you get to visit one day! 🙂
SMD says
Great photos! It sounds like a wonderful family trip. So awesome your family bought a house there!
We might try to visit Ocracoke on the way to Emerald Isle next year!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks! We are so excited to make it a regular yearly trip! Ocracoke is such fun little place! 🙂
Rachel says
What a beautiful place! It looks like a great time and I can’t believe they were able to catch baby sharks!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! Yes it was pretty amazing! Now they will expect it every time-haha 🙂
Jenn says
It looks like it was a lovely trip!
*** I do hope that the sharks were not harmed??
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! Yes of course, we tossed them back in immediately! They were just fine! 🙂
Crystal // Dreams, etc. says
I’ve always loved spending time on the beach in North Carolina! This looks like it was such a fun trip. And all the food you ate sounds good. I’m ready to hop on a plane now! 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
It was amazing! Hope you get to visit soon! 🙂
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
When we lived in DC our neighbors always vacationed at the Outer Banks in the summer. It was sooooo on our bucket list and then before you know it, we moved and are now on the west coast. Sad I never got to spend time there, especially after seeing your photos! I’m dying over that big fat smile your littlest has eating !!
Kindly Unspoken says
Aw, hopefully you’ll get to make the trip one day! I’m sure the west coast is amazing too, though! 🙂 He’s definitely rotten! haha
In The Lyons Den says
What a fabulous family time! We just came back from a beach holiday ourselves. Always so nice relaxing and catching up and doing great beach stuff with the kids. Looks like a great place to be!
Kindly Unspoken says
It was so much fun! Glad to hear you all were able to have a great vacation as well! 🙂
Kate @ Green Fashionista says
Looks like such a fabulous vacay with the fam, and dare I say those baby sharks are too cute! I’ve been telling my husband I’d like to make a tradition of going to the OBX when our kid(s) are old enough to make memories there <3
Green Fashionista
Kindly Unspoken says
It was wonderful! The baby sharks were surprisingly cute!-haha I thought they’d be scary like the big ones, but they had little tiny nubs of teeth. That would be a great tradition, and we definitely love visiting each year! 🙂
Jamie says
What a great place to vacation! Growing up that was one of my favorite places to go. It still holds a very special place in my heart!
Kindly Unspoken says
Aw, so glad to hear that! It’s a beautiful spot!
Carmen Baguio says
I want to do a road trip to the Outer Banks! You’re pictures are beautiful!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! The drive over to the outer banks is so beautiful too! 🙂
Jessica says
It looks like you had an amazing time! I love the Outer Banks!
Kindly Unspoken says
We had so much fun! It’s such a beautiful beach! 🙂
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
So jealous right now! Looks like y’all had a wonderful time! I am glad you back though! 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
You all should go sometime, Erin! It’s such a great vacation spot! 🙂
Erin says
So, so beautiful! You have me over here dreaming of being at the beach right now. We are staying in Corolla in the fall with my brother and his kiddos so we are looking very forward to spending time with everyone and relaxing and all of the cousins get to play! I’m pretty sure I will be terrified if the boys are catching sharks. but they would think it was awesome..lol!
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha I was worried at first too, but they barely had any teeth in their mouth, and it was just little nubs so not too scary! 🙂 Hope you enjoy your fall vacation seeing all your family!
Joscelyn says
Ah, I just LOVE the outer banks! I wish we didn’t now live so far away from there 🙁 Looks like you all had a wonderful time!
Kindly Unspoken says
Isn’t it amazing!? So much fun! 🙂
Timothy Ferguson says
Love the Pictures. Maybe we can go to the Beach with you sometime. This looks really nice.
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks! Yep, we should!
Sixtina says
Love the photos. It must be the best feeling ever to look into the face of you smiling kids 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! It definitely is! 🙂
Kim says
Sounds like you had an amazing time and this looks so lovely! I definintely need to put the Outerbanks on my travel wish list! Hope you are having a wonderful week! XO -Kim
Kindly Unspoken says
Yes, you should definitely visit! It was a blast! 🙂
Millie says
I live in NC so we head to the outerbanks often, we prefer in the fall so not so busy. I will have to try out the mad crabber next time we go! nom : )
Kindly Unspoken says
That’s awesome! It was really good! Their hushpuppies are amazing!:)
lisa says
Looks like so much fun! I love beach family trips! <3 Plus it's the best with no crowds!
Kindly Unspoken says
It was a lot of fun! The beaches weren’t crowded and we felt like we had the whole beach to ourselves-haha 🙂
Andrea says
Beach vacations are the best!! Yay for relatives owning a beach home!!! Precious memories in these precious pictures!!
Kindly Unspoken says
Yes, we are super excited to make this a yearly trip! 🙂
Samantha says
What a nice looking beach! And baby sharks?! Oh my gosh that’s the coolest, I’d be psyched too!
xoxo, Sam | thehauntedhousewife.com
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! They were surprisingly adorable! I thought they’d be all scary like the big ones, but they just had tiny nubs for teeth-haha
Aishwarya S says
Such a great family outing! I think to find a beach with no crowd is just priceless! Wonderful photos! Your kids are so adorable.:)
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you so much! It’s always great to be out on the beach with not a lot of crowds!
Lily says
Sounds like you guys had the best time and tons of yummy food! I love me some fish tacos and I bet they were even better with fresh caught fish!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
Kindly Unspoken says
Oh my gosh, they are the best Lily! Soo yummy! 🙂
chelsea jacobs says
Ahh, you’re making me want to run away to the beach!
Kindly Unspoken says
Wouldn’t that be wonderful?! I bet Jack will love the beach when he gets a little older! 🙂
Jenn says
It’s been a while since I’ve been to OBX but it was always beautiful when I went! Love that you guys had such a great vacation and beat a lot of the crowds 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! We had so much fun and I’m all about going when there aren’t heavy crowds!
LeighAnn says
This beach looks wonderful! My husband and I have listed this on our bucket list.
Kindly Unspoken says
It’s a great vacation spot, LeighAnn! 🙂
Rebecca Jo says
Beach pictures are always so beautiful.
…. so PLEASE tell me baby sharks were OK & put back in the water.
& how does that work? If a baby shark is around, isn’t momma near? Or no? I do mountains – not beaches – so I dont know these things.
Kindly Unspoken says
Yes, of course- they were fine and we tossed them back immediately after taking a few pics! 🙂 It’s actually illegal to catch and keep sharks under a certain size due to the fishing regulations. (we wouldn’t have anyways, though haha) & usually the baby sharks venture out closer to the beach, where the larger sharks generally stay out in the deeper part.
ellesees.net says
I am a beach girl all the way!! love the pics of those precious babies!! Looks like y’all had a great time.
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! We had a blast! 🙂
Jessi Otey says
The OBX is our #1 fav spot anywhere in the country! We’re going twice this summer and after seeing your recap I cannot wait! 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
Ours too! Hope you have a wonderful time! 🙂
Courtney Patterson says
I LOVE the OBX. Growing up in NC, our family went all the time for vacation. Your pics are gorgeous!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! It’s seriously our favorite vacation spot! 🙂
Breharne says
My goodness, the pics from your trip are great! The kids looked like they had an absolute ball!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you! They had a blast! Playing out in the ocean was their favorite part! 🙂