2025 is the perfect time to plan a vacation to Kure Beach, one of USA Today’s 10Best best beaches in North Carolina last year. Thanks to a newly renovated signature attraction, a new mixed-use development nearby on the island and more, repeat and first-time visitors will find plenty to discover in nature’s playground.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site Reopens
Following extensive renovations, Fort Fisher State Historic Site officially reopened late last year. Visitors can now experience a new 24,000-square-foot Visitors Center complete with a multi-purpose room, auditorium and expanded exhibits. One of these exhibits, the “Fall of Fort Fisher,” takes a deep dive into Fort Fisher’s impact on the end of the Civil War. Additional exhibits offer a look at the role of the United State Colored Troops and Junior Reserves during the Civil War, as well as Fort Fisher’s role in World War II.
Fort Fisher was the site of the Civil War’s largest land and sea battle. Until the last few months of the war, the fort kept the nearby port of Wilmington open to blockade runners that were delivering crucial supplies to the inland Confederate armies. Its defeat on Jan. 15, 1865, following a massive two-and-a-half-day attack helped seal the fate of the Confederacy: the Confederate army evacuated their remaining posts in the area, and Wilmington fell into Union hands within weeks. With the Confederacy’s supply lines cut off, the Civil War was soon over.
In December of 1940, a new military base named Camp Davis was established in Holly Ridge, a tiny village located about 30 miles outside of Wilmington. Instead of being located on the main reservation as was customary, Camp Davis’ firing ranges were located at five remote training sites on North Carolina’s coast, one of which was Fort Fisher. As Camp Davis expanded, Fort Fisher became its primary firing range. As the U.S. prepared for war following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Fort Fisher once again found itself playing a critical role in the nation’s war efforts. According to State of North Carolina website, “By the time the range closed in 1944, at least 43 different anti-aircraft battalions, coast artillery regiments, and engineer, signal corps, ordnance, and air warning units had trained at Fort Fisher.”
The Underwater Archaeology Branch of North Carolina is also located on the fort’s grounds. It has a new conservation lab with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.
Island Welcomes Mixed-Use Development
The Proximity, a new mixed-use development located in neighboring Carolina Beach, will bring shops, restaurants and more to the island in 2025. Local favorites including Drift Coffee & Kitchen, K38 Baja Mexican Grill and Bombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream will join the island’s food scene. Island Passage will offer a fashionable mix of clothing, shoes and accessories from established and emerging boutique brands. Sweetwater Surf Shop will have surf-inspired clothing, plus a variety of surfboards and rentals. Axis Fitness will help locals and visitors hit their fitness goals.
Kure Beach Hits the Small Screen
The Amazon Prime hit series, “The Summer I Turned Pretty, returned to Kure Beach last year to film its upcoming third season. Set to premiere this summer, the coming-of-age romantic drama is set in the fictional Cousins Beach. Previous seasons were filmed at various Kure Beach locations, including Fort Fisher State Historic Site. "Merv," an upcoming romantic comedy starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox, features the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, which received a makeover to help set the scene for the movie.
To stay up-to-date on what’s new in Kure Beach throughout the year, visit this webpage.
