When one prepares a trip to a beach destination, it's expected most of the time will be spent outdoors, playing in the sand and enjoying the warm ocean waves. Sometimes, though, a patch of unexpected weather appears to put a damper--literally--on all the fun. Nothing could be worse than having to deal with a rainy day while on vacation, but that doesn't mean you can't find alternatives for your enjoyment.

So let's say you've come to Currituck to discover it's raining. You can't go to the beach or watch for the wild mustangs, so what do you do? Rather than wait out the weather in your hotel room or vacation rental, you can take advantage of other attractions in the area where you can stay dry.

Go Shopping! - Down at the Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg, you can get lost in rooms filled with country decor and unique clothing, gourmet Southern food and fragrant bath gifts. Slip down to the wine cellar for a tasting while you're there - it's the perfect remedy for beating the bad weather blues.

Explore Natural Habitats...Indoors! The Corolla Wild Horse Museum and Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education provide great opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the environment of the Outer Banks and Currituck Sound. Come inside and learn about the native species of waterfowl, flora and fauna that populate this area.

See Stars! We don't mean to check the sky and get hit in the face with raindrops. Currituck's first-run movie theater in Corolla provides entertainment daily. Splurge on popcorn and soda and spend a few hours wrapped up in a great flick. It just may be the ticket to waiting out the rain until you can head for the beach again.

So if you happen to get caught in the rain in the Outer Banks, you can still find things to do for enjoyment. Plan ahead and prepare for any type of weather, and you're certain to make memories of a grand vacation.