If you want an idea for an Outer Banks Outing, consider a sight seeing trip to Ocracoke.  Along the way you'll get to see the Bodie Island Lighthouse, cross over the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet, see all kinds of waterfowl at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (if you want to stop, I recommend their gift shop for cool nature related gifts), the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and the restored Weather Station building at Hatteras Village that's now a visitors center maintained by the OB Visitors Bureau.

During the summer ferries run once every half hour.  It's a good thing to get there early, and I've learned that Wednesdays and Thursdays can be very busy.  The ferry ride to Ocracoke Island is about 45 minutes.  Once you get on the island you can see ponies at the NPS Pony Pasture, view the Ocracoke Lighthouse on Lighthouse Loop Road, and learn about the history and culture of the island at the Ocracoke Preservation Society located next to the big parking lot by the southern ferry terminal.  Oh, I forgot to mention the beaches are beautiful! 

There are many restaurants, but I won't tell you my favorites.  I'd rather you discover them on your own!  The Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry is free.  It's a full day, but well worth it!