North Carolina’s coastal towns and cities are a beautiful and relaxing getaway for anyone who wants to spend the perfect summer vacation with their family. While many of them are very close to each other, they’re far from being all the same, and we want to tell you which ones are the very best so you can plan your vacation while the weather is still warm. After all, don’t you want the whole family to create some beautiful memories this summer?
1. Carolina Beach
If the destination’s motto is “Stay Original,” then you know that you’ve entered a laid-back place. And really, there are not many towns as relaxed and down to Earth while also being free-spirited and fun as Carolina Beach, home to a gorgeous beach and a vintage boardwalk on which to take long, lovely strolls every afternoon. On the boardwalk, you can find many old-fashioned stores and even an arcade that just screams “old school,” while the beach hotels nearby offer their amusement. Of course, you can simply head to the Carolina Beach Pier and paddle a little way into the sea to do a little fishing and forget about the hassles of life, making this one of the best summer destinations in North Carolina.
2. Surf City and Topsail Island
Surf City and Topsail Island are not the same places, but they do share very a peculiar space since the former is actually sandwiched between the northern and southern parts of the latter. The main attraction, in this case, is Surf City, but you can visit both of them by crossing a (rather infamous) swing bridge connecting Topsail to the city. This beach town is proof that great things come in small packages because it mixes the best of modern amenities with the classic feeling of older beach towns. It features a big shopping center, but also a diner that’s been active for over two decades, where you can eat delicious North Carolina cuisine before heading into the uncrowded beaches for the rest of the day.
3. Kitty Hawk
If you prefer a mostly rustic feeling to your beach-town escapades, then Kitty Hawk, NC is waiting for you. Not only is this quaint little coastal village one of the most tranquil places along the North Carolina coast, but it also has a large maritime forest reserve called Kitty Hawk Woods right behind it. Every corner of this small beach community has character and charm that can only come from places like this, where life feels just a little bit slower than on the rest of the world. Also, history buffs will be pleased to visit the site where the Wright Brothers made their first flight, where a memorial has been built.
4. Bald Head Island
Located very close to Wilmington, Bald Head Island is a beach lover’s paradise because of how far removed from the noise and stress of daily life it is. First of all, this island is only accessible by ferry and cars are banned from the island, meaning that you’ll have to walk or use a golf cart to move from one place to another—enjoying the fantastic vistas anywhere you go. Second, there are three different beaches on the island, each one of them offering something unique for visitors: North Beach is excellent for watersports, West Beach has breathtaking sceneries all around, and South Beach is where you want to take the family for a relaxing and warm day of lounging near the water.
Animal lovers will enjoy watching the many sea turtle nests when in season, and the historic hotel is a delight to stay in, on top of being the island’s most popular resort.
5. Kure Beach
The deep blue waters of Kure Beach are home to a rich marine life and make it the perfect spot in North Carolina to go scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. If you don’t want to fish yourself, there are also many local restaurants that serve amazing dishes made with the catch of the day, so you know it’s always fresh. Although famous for how beautiful and calm it is, there’s much to see and do in and around the sands of Kure Beach.
Kure Beach is perfect for families who love relaxing on the beach but are also interested in getting more out of their vacation. The watersports, the golf courses, the serene walks along the shore into a seemingly endless horizon, what’s not to love?
As you can see, there are many beautiful places along the coast to have the perfect family summer vacation in North Carolina, and though most of them offer that laid-back beach vacation experience, not one is the same as the others, particularly when it comes to the activities around the beach itself. So plan ahead, grab the whole family and head into the best vacation of your life. And when you come back, why not leave the house as clean as that resort or beach rental you stayed in?
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