Enjoying Our Back-to-School Getaway Before The First Bell Rings

It has become our family tradition to mark transitions with the ocean, for example, closing one school year by welcoming summer on the beach and starting the next school year with a splash! We’ve been doing this for a few years now, and it has become a staple in our family rhythm. These trips have been possible thanks to our Hilton Grand Vacations membership.

For a North Carolina vacation, we decided to get creative with RCI® Exchange. We’ve wanted to visit the Outer Banks for a while, and booked a stay at Beachwoods, a Hilton Vacation Club.

The weather in this region can be unpredictable. Some days are blistering hot, other days carry a hint of fall, and hurricane season can always throw in a curveball. Luckily, we were blessed with beautiful weather: Sunny days paired with a cool breeze. I especially enjoy cooler beach days; there’s something special about slipping on a sweater in the early morning or late afternoon, going for a walk and having waves as your soundtrack.

We packed up our beach gear and headed out, pleasantly surprised to find the beach nearly empty. It was a blissful experience. We played by the shoreline as if we owned private beachfront property. We lounged on the sand, listened to the waves and let the ocean wind refresh us. It was the perfect way to pause and reset before the school year began.

Lessons Beyond The Shore

We also turned this getaway into an educational adventure for the kids.

Our first stop was the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Learning about how the brothers pursued their dream of flight, through failures, adjustments and eventual success, was inspiring. Their persistence and determination not only changed history but also laid the foundation for the air travel we enjoy today. It was a powerful reminder that great achievements often come through resilience and trial.

Next, we visited Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the largest sand dunes on the East Coast. Be ready for a workout here, because the climb is no joke, but the view and experience are worth every step. The kids had a blast rolling in the sand while we watched others fly kites or try sandboarding and sledding on the dunes.

Because no trip to the coast is complete without a peek into the underwater world, we stopped at a local aquarium. Though small, it was intimate and charming. Aquariums always spark wonder. From vibrant fish to engaging educational displays, the kids were fascinated. We walked away with a renewed appreciation for marine life.

Lighthouses Of The Outer Banks

Our final stop included visits to two of the Outer Banks’ five iconic lighthouses:

• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, instantly recognizable by its striking black-and-white spiral stripes. The drive to get to the lighthouse winds along scenic Outer Banks Byway and offers breathtaking views.
• Standing 156 feet tall, Bodie Island Lighthouse is a functional structure perched on the marshes near Nags Head with equally impressive views.

Lighthouses have always been one of my favorite attractions. Beyond their practical role of guiding ships safely through the night, they carry a quiet beauty, each majestic, steadfast and timeless. Standing at their base and looking up, you can’t help but feel both small and inspired.     

This trip was more than just a beach getaway; it was a chance to pause, reconnect and remember what matters before the busy rhythm of school takes over. From empty stretches of shoreline to the inspiring story of the Wright brothers, and from climbing sand dunes to standing beneath the towering lighthouses, every stop along the way filled us with gratitude, wonder and joy.

What I love most about this tradition is that it blends fun with meaning. The ocean reminds us of rest, the historical sites of persistence and the lighthouses of guidance and light, even when the path feels uncertain. These are the very lessons I hope my kids carry into the school year ahead: to work hard, stay grounded and shine brightly no matter what challenges come their way.

As summer faded and school began, I was thankful for these memories that anchor us each year. Our back-to-school splash has become more than just a trip; it’s our family’s way of celebrating the past, embracing the present and welcoming the future with open hearts.

For more inspiration, check out “1 Phone Call, 3 Amazing Family Vacations — One Hilton Grand Vacations Member’s Timeshare Journey” to discover how one family created unforgettable moments together.