Load up the car with luggage, snacks and a playlist for the road and depart Charlotte early to make the most of the day — if driving to the Outer Banks, plan for scenic stops along US-64 with a coffee break in Elizabeth City, NC; if heading to Myrtle Beach, consider a short flight from CLT and grab a light breakfast at the airport. Keep the kids entertained with travel games or an audiobook, and check traffic or flight status so arrival goes smoothly.
Arrive at your coastal base in the early afternoon and check into your hotel or vacation rental—Outer Banks guests might settle in at Nags Head or Kitty Hawk, while Myrtle Beach visitors can unpack near the boardwalk area. Stretch your legs with a gentle orientation walk: stroll the shoreline, explore the local pier (Jennette's Pier in the Outer Banks or the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel), and pick up groceries or picnic supplies with vegetarian-friendly options for the week.
Enjoy a relaxed first-night dinner at a family-friendly, vegetarian-accommodating restaurant — try The Black Pelican or Fish Heads in the Outer Banks for seaside dining with veggie choices, or Sea Captain's House or Veggie Heaven in Myrtle Beach for coastal flavors and plant-based options. After dinner, take a calm sunset walk on the beach to watch the waves and settle into vacation mode, then return to your lodging for an early night or a board game to keep the family cozy and connected.
Sleep in a little after arrival day and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your rental or a nearby café — try Duck Donuts in the Outer Banks for warm, customizable treats or Sea Captain's House in Myrtle Beach for ocean views and vegetarian omelets. Take a relaxed morning stroll along the shore (Nags Head Fishing Pier or Kitty Hawk Beach on the OBX; Myrtle Beach Boardwalk near Plyler Park) to let the kids play in the sand and collect shells while everyone settles into vacation mode.
Head back to town for a light, vegetarian-friendly lunch—Outer Banks options include The Dunes Restaurant or The Blue Moon Beach Grill; in Myrtle Beach consider Local Appetite or Veggie Heaven for fresh salads and bowls. Spend the afternoon exploring nearby family-friendly spots at an easy pace: visit Jennette's Pier and its free exhibits in Nags Head or ride the SkyWheel and browse arcades and shops on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, keeping activities short so little ones don’t get overtired.
Choose an early, relaxed dinner that caters to vegetarians—Outer Banks: The Black Pelican or Mako’s Beach Grille; Myrtle Beach: Croissants Bistro & Bakery or Hook & Barrel with veggie plates. Finish the night with a calm beachside sunset walk and a hot cocoa or seasonal treat, or return to your rental for a family movie or board game to wind down and reinforce the easy, restorative rhythm of your holiday.
Keep the pace gentle after your easy first two days by visiting a signature local sight — on the Outer Banks, climb or tour the Cape Hatteras or Bodie Island Lighthouse for panoramic views and a short interpretive walk; in Myrtle Beach, start at the Boardwalk, enjoy coffee and pastries, then ride the SkyWheel for coastal vistas. Both options are family-friendly and give kids a sense of place while reinforcing the relaxed rhythm you’ve been building.
After a light, vegetarian lunch (try the OBX The Blue Moon Beach Grill or Myrtle Beach’s Croissants Bistro & Bakery), dive into local history: Outer Banks families will enjoy the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills with its exhibits and gentle trails, while Myrtle Beach visitors can explore the small arcades, shops, and the Children’s Museum of South Carolina for interactive fun. Keep excursions short and intersperse breaks — playground stops or a shoreline stroll will keep little ones energized without exhaustion.
Return to town for a relaxed, family-friendly dinner with vegetarian options — consider The Black Pelican or Mako’s Beach Grille on the OBX, or Veggie Heaven / Sea Captain’s House in Myrtle Beach — then take a twilight walk along the beach or boardwalk to watch lights reflect on the water. Cap the night with a cozy game or story time back at your rental to continue the calm holiday flow ahead of busier days to come.
Start the day immersed in coastal nature: on the Outer Banks drive down to Cape Hatteras National Seashore for a morning beachcombing session and a short walk along the Frisco or Cape Point beaches, or head to Bodie Island to birdwatch from the interpretive trail by the lighthouse. If you’re based near Myrtle Beach, arrive early at Huntington Beach State Park to explore the freshwater lagoon boardwalk, peek for herons and egrets, and visit Atalaya Castle’s exterior grounds for a little local history — both options are relaxed, stroller-friendly and full of wildlife moments for kids.
After a picnic lunch with vegetarian-friendly sandwiches and salads (pack supplies from a local market), book a family-friendly wildlife tour: Outer Banks families can choose a guided kayak/turtle tour or a Corolla wild-horse drive in the northern beaches to spot wild horses and marsh birds, while Myrtle Beach visitors can join a guided nature tram through Huntington Beach’s marshes or rent kayaks to paddle the inlet. Keep the pace easy — short interpretive stops, shell hunts and binocular time make the afternoon feel adventurous without wearing out little ones.
Return to your rental for a warm shower and then dine at a nearby, family-friendly restaurant with vegetarian options — try the Blue Moon Beach Grill or Mako’s Beach Grille on the OBX for seaside plates with veggie choices, or Burroughs & Chapin’s nearby eateries / Café at Huntington for salads and plant-based dishes in the Myrtle Beach area. Finish with a calm sunset walk on the shore or a quiet marsh-viewing dusk at the park to listen for night birds and reflect on the day’s discoveries before a cozy bedtime routine back at your lodging.
Ease into a culture-rich day with a visit to Historic Roanoke Island: start at the Roanoke Island Festival Park to tour the Elizabeth II ship replica and interactive exhibits, then stroll the pathways to the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to learn about the lost colony—kids enjoy hands-on displays and short ranger talks. If you’re in Myrtle Beach, begin at Brookgreen Gardens where sculpture gardens and the Lowcountry Zoo offer a peaceful morning among art and native wildlife, with easy paths for strollers and plenty of photo spots.
After a vegetarian-friendly lunch (try the Museum Café at Roanoke Island or the onsite bistro at Brookgreen Gardens, both with salads and plant-based options), explore local history and shopping: on the OBX visit the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island and pop into Manteo’s shops for handmade toys, books and coastal souvenirs; in the Myrtle Beach area drive to Murrells Inlet for MarshWalk views, craft galleries and boutiques where you can pick up local treats and artisan gifts.
Wind down with a relaxed, family-friendly dinner featuring vegetarian options—on the Outer Banks choose The Dancing Turtle or Island Farm-area cafés in Manteo for homestyle plates, or in Murrells Inlet enjoy Creek RestoBar or Hemingway’s for waterfront dining with veggie-friendly entrees. Finish the night with a gentle evening stroll—watch the harbor lights from Manteo’s waterfront or along the MarshWalk boardwalk—to reflect on the day’s discoveries before returning to your rental for story time and a peaceful night.
On the Outer Banks, start with a guided family kayak and turtle-spotting tour from Nags Head or Hatteras (book with a local outfitter like Kitty Hawk Kites) so kids can paddle shallow marshes and learn to spot sea turtles and shorebirds; bring sunscreen, water shoes and a waterproof camera. In Myrtle Beach, kick off with rounds of themed mini-golf at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf or Mount Atlanticus, where whimsical obstacles and ocean views make for playful competition and easy photo ops.
If you’re in Corolla, spend the afternoon on a Corolla wild-horse 4x4 tour to see Banker horses and the northern beaches—Outer Banks Excursions and Corolla Wild Horse tours offer family-friendly narration and safe viewing spots for kids to ask questions and spot other wildlife. Myrtle Beach families can pair a leisurely beachfront lunch with arcade time and family-friendly attractions at Broadway at the Beach, then catch an afternoon show or interactive experience (WonderWorks exhibits or the Hollywood Wax Museum) to mix learning with laughs.
Wrap the day on the Outer Banks with a casual, beachfront dinner at Mako’s Beach Grill or The Black Pelican, then enjoy a moonlit shell hunt or short beach bonfire if permitted to let kids wind down under the stars. In Myrtle Beach, book an early family show—Pirates Voyage, Medieval Times (in nearby Myrtle Beach area), or a holiday puppet/theater performance—followed by vegetarian-friendly dinner at Croissants Bistro & Bakery or Veggie Heaven for a satisfying, kid-approved evening.
Sleep in a little and savor a slow breakfast at your rental or a nearby café—try fresh pastries from Duck Donuts (OBX) or Croissants Bistro & Bakery (Myrtle Beach) delivered to the porch. Parents can book a mid-morning spa treatment—The Sanderling Resort Spa at Duck or a day-spa treatment at The Spa at Marina Inn in Myrtle Beach—while kids enjoy supervised pool time or a beach scavenger hunt organized from the rental.
After a light, vegetarian picnic lunch on the sand with local groceries, spend the afternoon alternating beach time and gentle activities: build sandcastles at Nags Head or Kitty Hawk, rent cruisers for a family ride along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, or relax with a shaded umbrella and a good book. If you want a short outing, pop into a nearby nature trail like Jockey’s Ridge State Park (OBX) for soft-sand climbs and kite flying, or stroll the Huntington Beach State Park shoreline for quiet birdwatching.
Keep the evening unhurried with a sunset beach walk followed by a casual, family-friendly dinner that caters to vegetarians—Mako’s Beach Grill or The Black Pelican on the OBX, or Veggie Heaven / Sea Captain’s House in Myrtle Beach offer satisfying plant-based plates. Wind down back at your rental with a cozy movie night, board games, or a hot cocoa on the deck so the family recharges for your upcoming day trip and holiday-eve plans.
Built on the calm rhythm you’ve been keeping, start the day with a short drive into Nags Head or Kitty Hawk for a relaxed morning: stroll the Nags Head Fishing Pier or the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve boardwalk, grab coffee and warm Duck Donuts or a hearty veggie breakfast at The Kill Devil Grill, and let kids explore the tide pools or small dunes. If you’re coming from Myrtle Beach for a Charleston day trip, leave early for the scenic drive, arrive in historic downtown Charleston to wander Rainbow Row and the Battery, and enjoy a vegetarian-friendly brunch at Basic Kitchen or Five Loaves Cafe to fuel a day of exploring.
In the Outer Banks spend the afternoon visiting Jockey's Ridge State Park for light sandboarding or kite flying and then pop into local shops and the Jennette's Pier visitor center for marine exhibits and shore education; enjoy a casual, plant-forward lunch at The Blue Moon Beach Grill or Rhumba’s for fresh salads and veggie sandwiches. From Myrtle Beach, explore Charleston’s City Market and the Waterfront Park fountains, take a short carriage tour or family-friendly harbor boat ride, and sample Southern vegetable specialties at Anson Restaurant or Green’s Grocery for a taste of Lowcountry flavors with vegetarian twists.
Return to your coastal base in time for a mellow evening: on the OBX, watch the sun dip from the shore after dinner at The Black Pelican or A Little Pizza Heaven (both with good vegetarian choices), then enjoy a quiet beach stroll or porch time reading holiday stories with the kids. If you spent the day in Charleston, head back to Myrtle Beach and celebrate with a relaxed vegetarian-friendly dinner at Croissants Bistro & Bakery or Veggie Heaven, followed by an easy post-drive wind-down—hot cocoa, a family game, or a short walk on the boardwalk to cap a culturally rich and restorative day.
Sleep in a little and enjoy a slow, festive breakfast at a nearby café—grab warm Duck Donuts (OBX) or fresh pastries from Croissants Bistro & Bakery (Myrtle Beach) and savor them on your rental’s porch while the kids open a small holiday surprise. Afterward, take a gentle morning stroll through the town center — explore Manteo’s waterfront shops and galleries on Roanoke Island or browse the boutiques along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, stopping for photos at local holiday displays and letting little ones hunt for special shells or seasonal decorations.
Keep the pace easy with a cozy, vegetarian-friendly lunch at The Blue Moon Beach Grill or The Dancing Turtle (OBX) or at Veggie Heaven / Local Appetite in Myrtle Beach, then enjoy a relaxed afternoon activity like a harbor-view walk in Manteo or a ride on the SkyWheel to see the town from above and spot holiday lights beginning to twinkle. If energy allows, pop into a local children’s program or small museum—Jennette’s Pier exhibits (Nags Head) or the Children’s Museum of South Carolina (Myrtle Beach)—for short, hands-on fun that keeps the family engaged without overdoing it.
Reserve a festive, family-friendly vegetarian dinner: in the Outer Banks book a holiday table at The Black Pelican or Mako’s Beach Grille for seasonal specials and ocean views, while Myrtle Beach families can choose Sea Captain’s House, Croissants Bistro & Bakery, or Veggie Heaven for plant-forward holiday plates. After dinner, take a twilight stroll along the beach or boardwalk to admire holiday lights and listen to the waves, then return to your rental for a quiet story-time or hot cocoa ritual to settle the kids before Christmas Day travel.
Pack up leisurely after a final shoreline sunrise or porch coffee, giving kids a last chance to collect a few shells at Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, or the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk before checkout; if flying from MYR, arrive early to allow time for car return and a relaxed airport snack. Confirm rental check-out, load the car with luggage and holiday souvenirs, and enjoy a final family breakfast at a favorite spot—The Blue Moon Beach Grill or Duck Donuts on the OBX, or Croissants Bistro & Bakery or Veggie Heaven in Myrtle Beach—to send everyone off with a familiar, vegetarian-friendly meal.
If driving back to Charlotte, plan a scenic, unhurried route with a lunch stop in Wilmington, NC or historic Elizabeth City to stretch legs and explore a waterfront park; Outer Banks guests can detour through the Wright Brothers National Memorial for a last quick visit. If flying, use the afternoon to relax in the MYR terminal or Charlotte layover with a calm activity—download a family audiobook, browse souvenirs, and pick up a veggie-friendly airport meal—so the journey home stays low-stress and connected.
Arrive in Charlotte in the early evening, unpack, and revive with a homemade or delivery vegetarian dinner that echoes your trip favorites—think hearty salads, grain bowls or a pizza topped with local veggies—then gather for a short slideshow or photo-sharing time to relive highlights like lighthouse climbs, wild-horse sightings, and beach bonfires. End the night with a calm bedtime routine for the kids, allowing everyone to settle back into home rhythms while still carrying the relaxed coastal memories into the holidays.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Drive Charlotte → Outer Banks (US-64 route, includes stops in Elizabeth City) | $25-$60 (fuel only, round-trip estimate $50-$120 depending on vehicle mpg; tolls negligible) |
| Flight Charlotte → Myrtle Beach (one-way, short hop) | $80-$250 per person one-way (varies by carrier/time); round-trip family (2 adults + 2 kids) $320-$1,000+ |
| Hotel / Vacation rental (per night, family-friendly near beach) | $120-$450 per night (off-season/condo rental to higher-end resort). For 9 nights: $1,080-$4,050 |
| Jennette's Pier (Nags Head) | Free-$5 per person (small parking or donation fees possible); pier fishing or programs may cost extra |
| Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & SkyWheel | Boardwalk free to stroll; SkyWheel $10-$15 per adult, $8-$12 per child (prices vary) |
| The Black Pelican / Fish Heads / Sea Captain's House (dinner at family-friendly vegetarian-accommodating restaurants) | $12-$30 per adult entree; $6-$15 per child; dinner for family of 4: $40-$120 (excluding drinks/gratuity) |
| Duck Donuts / Croissants Bistro & Bakery (breakfast/snacks) | $5-$12 per person; family of 4: $20-$50 |
| Nags Head Fishing Pier / Kitty Hawk Beach (shore strolls, shelling) | Free-$5 (pier access/parking fees) |
| The Dunes Restaurant / Blue Moon Beach Grill / Local Appetite / Veggie Heaven (lunch) | $8-$18 per person; family lunch $30-$70 |
| Wright Brothers National Memorial | Free (National Park entry is free); parking small fee in some seasons $0-$10 |
| Cape Hatteras Lighthouse or Bodie Island Lighthouse | Site access free; climbing the lighthouse (if open) $3-$10 per person |
| Children’s Museum of South Carolina | $8-$12 per person; family passes vary |
| Cape Hatteras National Seashore (beachcombing) / Bodie Island birdwatching | Free (parking fees may apply in some areas $0-$10) |
| Guided kayak / turtle tour (Kitty Hawk / Nags Head) | $35-$75 per adult; $20-$45 per child; family of 4: $110-$260 |
| Corolla wild-horse 4x4 tour | $35-$60 per adult; $20-$40 per child; family of 4: $110-$200 |
| Huntington Beach State Park & Atalaya (Myrtle Beach) | $8 per vehicle (daily) or $4 per person; parking included in vehicle fee |
| Nature tram / guided marsh tour (Myrtle Beach) | $15-$40 per person depending on operator |
| Picnic groceries / market run | $30-$80 total per day for family picnic supplies |
| Roanoke Island Festival Park & Fort Raleigh National Historic Site | Roanoke Island Festival Park $5-$10 per person for some attractions; Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is free |
| North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island | $12-$18 per adult; $8-$12 per child; family of 4: $40-$80 |
| Brookgreen Gardens & Lowcountry Zoo (Charleston area day trip option) | $20-$30 per adult; $10-$20 per child; family: $60-$100 |
| Murrells Inlet MarshWalk (shops/dinner) | Free to stroll; dining $12-$30 per person |
| Mini-golf (Captain Hook’s / Mount Atlanticus) | $8-$15 per person; family of 4: $32-$60 |
| Broadway at the Beach attractions (arcades, WonderWorks, Hollywood Wax Museum) | Arcades pay-per-play; WonderWorks $20-$30 per person; Hollywood Wax $15-$25 per person; mixed family cost $60-$200 |
| Pirates Voyage / Medieval Times / family show | $40-$80 per adult; $30-$60 per child; family of 4: $140-$300 (includes show + meal) |
| The Sanderling Resort Spa / The Spa at Marina Inn (spa treatment) | $100-$220 per person depending on treatment |
| Jockey’s Ridge State Park (sand dunes, kite flying) | Free (parking or small donation $0-$5) |
| Charleston day trip (from Myrtle Beach) — drive time | Fuel $30-$70 round trip; tolls minimal; parking $5-$20 depending on lot |
| Historic downtown Charleston attractions (City Market, Waterfront Park, carriage tour) | Walking/free sites; carriage tours $30-$60 per carriage (fits multiple passengers); family meals $40-$120 |
| Airport fees / parking (MYR / CLT) | Airport parking $8-$20 per day if needed; rental car drop fees vary |
| Car rental (if not using own vehicle) | $40-$90 per day depending on vehicle and season; for 9 days $360-$810 |
| Beach bonfire (if permitted / private rental) | $50-$150 permit or organized fire experience; free if self-arranged where allowed |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $1,800-$7,500 (estimated range for a 4-person family for 9 nights, depending on choices) |