Instead plan a 4-hour river tour investigating dolphins and manatee. Or take them for a air boat ride where you can see alligators.

Honestly, this goes for any vacation you take. Don’t do the typical touristy thing. Hop online and find interesting, not everyday adventures for you and your family to have.

Instead of hitting the winter ski slopes of Aspen, go instead in the summer. Off season vacations save money. You can pan for gold, raft down the Colorado River, or take a guided jeep ride up to the top of the mountains.

Staying away from normal tourist activities will also save you money, as well as give your family unusual experiences to tell their friends. So next time you plan a vacation, think outside the box.

However, my son did visit the Outer Banks, not once but twice. One year a friend of his and his family invited Z for their annual week long visit. I had a friend like that when I was his age, who took me great places like Aspen, CO. I never would have seen it any other way.

The other time he visited was with a school trip when he was still in grade school. It just so happened his class was there at the time they were moving Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. And he got to see it! He also got to visit where the Wright brothers took their first flight.

One of the other amazing sights to see at the Outer Banks is their wild horses. It’s one of the few places left in America where wild horses roam unrestricted and free. They can often be found even on the beaches, where they trot down the sand and munch on sea oats.

So if you’re looking for a great little seaside getaway, the Outer Banks is a good spot to visit. Lots to see and do there. As an added bonus, there are even a few Outer Banks rentals that let you bring your pet.

As a past pet owner, a current pet owner (yes, I did get my new dog, more on that later,) and as a friend of other pet owners, that’s something special.