Finally, we've arrived in that peaceful valley between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. If you can, take some time to enjoy this welcome, yet brief, respite before we race off en masse to engage the New Year with raucous festivities and hopeful resolutions. Here are a few noteworthy events you might want to consider during the last few days of 2012, followed by options for planning your New Year's Eve celebrations.
Need a break from the kids despite all those new toys left by Santa (or, perhaps, because of them)? Or maybe you're looking for an educational activity to keep the kids intellectually engaged during the lengthy winter break? The North Carolina Aquarium can help with their Wet 'n Wild Mythbusters Day Camp on Friday, Dec. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children ages 8 to 12. Has your child ever wondered why the ocean doesn't freeze in the winter or why pirates wear eye patches? Well, here's a chance for children to play mythbuster and demystify common legends and urban beliefs, to quell their youthful curiosity and expand their understanding during a day filled with hands-on, scientifically focused experiments in this unique Aquarium event. The price to attend is $35/child; $31.50 for NC Aquarium Members. Younger children ages 6 to 7 can attend the Mini-Mythbusters Half-day Camp held Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The price for this half-day camp will be $25/child; $22.50 for NC Aquarium Members. Closed-toe shoes and a bag lunch are required for both the full-day camp and half-day camp.
By the end of the week many of us will find all those Christmas leftovers bereft of their previous appeal. If this happens to you, then head over to the Holiday Feast Buffet at Basnight's Lone Cedar Café on Friday, Dec. 28 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. With a menu featuring 100% fresh local seafood, fresh vegetables and all-natural pork and poultry, this is the perfect solution to those post-holiday leftover doldrums. The price is $28 for adults, $14 for children younger than 12 and free for children aged 5 and younger. To see the full menu go to the Lone Cedar website events page and scroll down until you find the list of menu items.
If you find yourself in Hatteras Village Saturday, Dec. 29 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., stop in at Lee Robinson General Store for their "Tiny Bubbles! Bubbly Wine Tasting!" event. Sip a bubbly sample or two...or three...and perhaps you'll leave with a few bottles to add some fizz to the New Year's Eve festivities for yourself or your guests.
New Year's Eve
As we prepare to close the book on a sometimes chaotic 2012, Outer Bankers seeking the perfect venue from which to ring in the New Year can take their pick from a wealth of options from Duck to Nags Head.
Join the folks at Aqua in Duck at 5 p.m. for a fabulous New Year's Eve celebration of food, fun and friends! One look at this menu might be all it takes for you to decide to make a reservation! The price is $55/person. Call (252) 261-9700 to make your reservation.
Ring in the New Year at Duck's Sunset Grill with dinner, karaoke and a champagne toast at midnight! The dinner menu includes a glass of wine, chef's appetizer, soup or salad, the main course and dessert. Seating times are 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The price is $39.99/person. For reservations call (252) 261-3901, ext. 23, or email them at {encode="sunsetgrille@embarqmail.com" title="sunsetgrille@embarqmail.com"}.
In Southern Shores Coastal Provisions Market & Wine Bar is presenting a three-course tasting New Year's Eve menu consisting of appetizers served with champagne, three entrée options and a choice of desserts for $50/person.
In Kitty Hawk usher in the New Year with Ocean Boulevard's New Year's Eve Dinner Celebration, an exciting five-course menu of upscale culinary offerings created by their talented kitchen staff exclusively for this event. Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. As befits this celebratory focus on dining well, live music is reserved for other nights. After dinner celebrate the New Year at midnight by counting down with a complimentary glass of bubbly, watching the ball drop and making a lot of noise (with the help of provided noise maker party favors). The price to attend is $75/person; $105 with paired wines. Space is limited so please call (252) 261-2546 for inquiries and reservations.
Peppercorn's Restaurant & Lounge at the Ramada Plaza in Kill Devil Hills is having a New Year's Eve Celebration on the Beach! Come for dinner, come for the dance party or come for both! Dinner consists of a five-course gourmet wine dinner served from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (reservations required). The Wilder Brothers Band will perform during dinner. The Dance Party will be held in the Grand Ballroom from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the festivities will include music by the Tide Water Band, party favors and memorabilia, light snacks, a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. The price to attend is $199/couple for Dinner and Dance Party admission; $100/couple for Dance Party admission only. Pre-registration is required. Contact Eileen Smith at (252) 441-2151 ext. 709 to make your reservations.
Festivities at Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills begin at 10 p.m. with live music by "retro funk mob" Midnight Spaghetti and the Chocolate G-Strings. Their progressive and genre-bending blend of classic funk, killer horns, brainy lyrics and contagious enthusiasm produce a party vibe of monster grooves that will have you on the dance floor all night.
If you're celebrating in Nags Head, consider these options:
The New Year's Eve Party at Kelly's Restaurant and Tavern gets started at 9 p.m. and boasts dueling DJs and plentiful party favors! Admission is $10/person; only $5/person if you have dinner at Kelly's before the party.
At Mulligan's Raw Bar & Grille the New Year's Eve Party kicks off at 9 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by Pairadocs, and great food and beverage specials will be offered all night! No reservation is required.
Spend New Year's Eve at Basnight's Lone Cedar Café in Nags Head and enjoy delicious dinner specials from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (click here to see the extensive menu) and then work off those delicious calories while you dance in the New Year to the classic sounds of Old Enough To Know Better from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
As we say goodbye to 2012 and look forward to 2013 each of us will celebrate the passage in our own way. Some of us will dress to the nines and seek out the largest, loudest party in town. Some will stay closer to home and enjoy festivities with family and friends. Others may choose to enjoy a quiet, reflective welcoming of the New Year alone or with a special someone. However you choose to celebrate, we at Outer Banks This Week wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May 2013 bring good things to us all.
This week you have a chance to win a one-night stay at Cameron House Inn and a $35 gift certificate to Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar!
For more information about Cameron House Inn, check out their website.
For more information about Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar, check out their website.
Last Week's Winner
Congratulations to Cheryl Simpson‎!!!
You won a $50 gift certificate to ARTspace Gallery and a $35 gift certificate to Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe!
For more information about ARTspace OBX, check out their website.
For more information about Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe, check out their website.
About the Author Michael Lay
Michael Lay is a local graphic designer, artist, photographer and writer. He lives in picturesque downtown Manteo, NC, and is the manservant of two beautiful and willful feline princesses, Sophie and Sassy. You can contact Michael at mike.lay@oneboat.com.
