Anonymous wrote:Currituck BBQ Company is great for lunch. They have a huge field next to the BBQ shack - bring a soccer ball or frisbee and let the kids blow off some steam.

Nope. Got to cross the bridge before stopping!

OP, not sure where you're going, but you might not have as much time to kill as you think you will. We left at 5:30 (tried to leave earlier!), stopping only for breakfast (drive-thru) and one potty break, and it was 2 before we got to our house in Duck. We paid for early check-in, but it didn't really help. Leaving at 4 you might be better off, but I agree that just heading to the beach in the neighborhood where you're staying is the right answer. Pack lunch, suits, etc., where you can get to them. If your kids are young enough for the stroller, you can always park near the house and then go for a walk in the stroller. Duck has nice shaded walking paths that take you into the "village" area where you can get ice cream or sit and watch all the frustrated people sitting in their cars.

Currituck BBQ Company is great for lunch. They have a huge field next to the BBQ shack - bring a soccer ball or frisbee and let the kids blow off some steam.

Op, this happens to many families arriving at the obx since people drive in early but the rentals usually become available 3 or later. From 20 years of such travels, I suggest that you call the rental company on your drive down and again request early check in and give them your cell and request they call you when the house is ready - it may get you in a little earlier than scheduled. As far as what to do, almost every house we have rented has been part of a "community," with a community pool, beach access point, often tennis, playground, etc - so we would pack a small backpack with our suits, sunscreen and beach towels and spend the time at the pool and beach (you can change in the bathrooms). This way it kicks off the trip in a beach frame of mind, it is easy to pass the time, and most importantly you are near your house - trust me you do not want to be driving up and down Route 12 (to get to wright bros, movies, golf, etc) on a Sat or Sun in the obx unless you have to do it - those are great ideas other days, though. Since you need to leave most of your things in the car, if you do this remember to bring in with you a bag with any medications so they don't sit in the hot sun (I just ask the person in the check in gate or snack bar to hold them in the refrige or someplace shaded).

How old are the kids? There is a movie theater on the main island as well.

Anonymous wrote:OP where are you leaving from?

And what area of OBX are you staying in?

OP where are you leaving from?

If your car is visibly loaded down with stuff and you don't feel comfortable leaving it for any length of time - quick trips to the ocean, sound, a hike up Jockey's Ridge, lunch at a restaurant, get walking passes for a pier, even putt putt if you can park the car where you can keep an eye on it.

Traveling with 2 kids and finding things to do while you wait for your rental is actually pretty easy. We've been traveling with 2 dogs and 2 kids for years and the dogs make it more difficult because we can't go inside to eat/shop whatever. But we always manage to find things to do. Love OBX.

Wright Brother's Memorial in Kitty Hawk is great.

Let them nap in the car on the way there, go to the beach. Make sure you get over the bridge before you decide to stop (and make sure you have taken the left if you are heading to Southern Shores, Duck or Corolla)

D'oh. Didn't realize we should leave at 4 or 5 am and it's too late to reserve early check in. So we can't get in until 4. What on earth am I going to do for 6 hours with two kids who are going to wish they were napping. Advice?