Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you're lucky enough to be spending Turkey Day in the gorgeous Outer Banks of North Carolina, you've got lots of festive activities to choose from. From running steam out your ears in turkey trots up and down the beach to filling your bellies at community feasts, there's no shortage of holiday happenings here for folks of all ages. So gather up the family and get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving –The OBX style.
To start with, if you're aiming to earn that hearty plateful of stuffing and gravy, there's 5ks and 10ks aplenty to really get your giblets jiggling across these sandy shores. The Manteo Turkey Trot serves up a nice gentle jog for newbie runners and walkers, winding right through historic downtown. Little ones can strut their stuff too stretching just a quarter mile. Choose your distance then claim your hard-earned pumpkin pie at the finish line.
Or if you're down in the Southern Shores, they sure know how to throw a fancified trot. Their annual race benefiting local charities adds silly dress-up to all the fitness fun, and for free to boot. We're talking pilgrim hats, turkey tails, the whole shebang. Wobble on down to the finish line party with cookies for all ages to replenish those carbs.
Now if you'd rather earn your feast the old fashioned way—by nibbling through it—the spread laid out across the OBX towns is sure to fill you up to the brim. Indulge in a traditional Thanksgiving buffet bursting with trimmings at the Blue Point's annual community meal. With over 15 restaurants contributing, that's mounds of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and maybe even some zesty Cajun turducken if you feel like getting wild.
Hotels across the Outer Banks also put on quite the tasty holiday scene down along the sea with their Thanksgiving extravaganza. Picture this; roasted Tom turkey, prime rib glistening, oysters by the dozen, all while live crooners set the mood as you watch the sunset paint waves of tangerine and gold.
And for a true taste of old school OBX tradition, make your way to Manteo, where the clock rolls back to 1937 style celebrating. Kids can try their hand at colonial toys and games while you fill up on mead and a six-course Turkey dinner, complete with carolers to liven those pilgrim spirits.
However you choose to celebrate—by getting active in a 5k or just resting by the beach with loved ones—the islands open their arms wide to visitors for the holiday. So gather up the family or call your long-lost college roomies. The Outer Banks has so many ways to fill hearts and bellies on Thanksgiving Day. Just be sure to pack the stretchy pants cause once you get a taste of that island living, you’ll be waddling back every year to experience the festivities that take place all year round.