With a blend of landmark attractions and fresh experiences, Kure Beach beckons to visitors year after year. In 2024, reignite your sense of natural wonder and reconnect with your loved ones in a destination recognized as one of the "Best Family Beach Vacations in the South" by Southern Living. Continue reading for inspiration to make Kure Beach your oasis this year.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site Expansion
Experience history anew at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, where the Civil War's largest land-sea battle took place. Highly anticipated additions are slated for completion this summer. The site’s new 24,000-square-foot visitors center will serve as an educational hub, housing an orientation auditorium, a multipurpose room and additional space for new exhibits.
The new installations aim to offer a comprehensive interpretation of the legacy of the Civil War and the history of Fort Fisher itself. When exploring the new visitors center, visitors can anticipate learning not only about the fort's construction, artillery and fall in 1865, but also about historical subjects such as battle strategy, daily military life, blockade running in the Cape Fear region and the contributions of the United States Colored Troops (USCT).
The expansion also encompasses the new state-of-the-art conservation lab operated by the Underwater Archaeology Branch of North Carolina's Office of State Archaeology. In addition, plans are underway for the next phase of the site’s expansion, which will involve restoring more of the fort's original earthworks to enhance the visitor experience.
A State Park with Starring Roles
Kure Beach's beautiful natural landscapes continue to attract film and TV productions. In 2024, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area will be featured as a picturesque setting for two teen dramas. Netflix's "Outer Banks" has chosen this coastal gem as a backdrop for an episode in its upcoming Season 4, scheduled to air later this year. Additionally, the state park is a recurring location in Amazon Prime TV's series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty," and will appear again in this year’s Season 3. As you explore the natural playground of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, make sure to capture photos in the same scenic spots featured in the characters' on-screen adventures.
Family-Friendly Events
Immerse yourself in Kure Beach’s welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere with a calendar full of must-attend events. On April 28, join walkers and runners for the 5K and One Mile Fun Run: Race for the Planet, which takes place on an easy flat course beginning and ending at the award-winning North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Every first and third Sunday from May to October, the Boogie in the Park Concert Series offers evenings of seaside live music for the whole family at Ocean Front Park & Pavilion. Savor the sounds of the free Summer Lawn Concert Series by the river at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area. In November, don't miss the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival, the season's final professional kite flying event. This free festival includes live bands, food trucks and stunning kites soaring on the ocean breeze. Check the full events calendar for specific dates and times for these events and others throughout the year.
Whether you're exploring natural wonders at a state park, experiencing a historic site in a new way or enjoying family-friendly concerts, Kure Beach invites you to embrace life's simple pleasures by the sea in 2024.
To stay up-to-date on what’s new in Kure Beach throughout the year, visit this webpage.
