Summer Things to Do

Vacation Traditions Begin at Kure Beach

As the days get longer and the temperatures heat up, so does the fun in Kure Beach! Whether you’re looking for a family beach vacation just like you had as a kid filled with non-stop adventure or just looking to relax in the most unspoiled of settings, the island offers experiences for all ages. From water activities to entertainment to outdoor adventures, get away to North Carolina’s rare gem to find your perfect summer escape.

KB Hidden Sanctuary

FAMILY FUN

Spend the day at the beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, offering a designated swimming area and miles of unspoiled shoreline to look for shells, starfish, sea urchins and more. Take one of the primitive trails to meander through the marsh past an actual WWII bunker, once the home of the fabled Fort Fisher Hermit. Challenge family or friends to a game of bocce or a round of disc golf at Joe Eakes Park. Located in the heart of downtown, Ocean Front Park & Pavilion is Kure Beach’s largest public green space, equipped with a walking path, a play area for children and an open-air pavilion all with beautiful ocean views. Take a break from your adventures with fun games like skee ball, frog hop, basketball and more at the Hi-Tech Arcade.

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Kure Beach Market

MUSIC, MARKETS & MORE AT THE SHORE

Boogie down to Ocean Front Park & Pavilion Sundays from May through October for the free Boogie in the Park Concert Series where musical acts range from bluegrass and country-rock to Motown and big band swing. Venture to the nearby Carolina Beach Boardwalk for the Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast. Every Thursday night during the summer months, enjoy an evening with a concert and fireworks on the beach at sunset including the island’s special July Fourth Fireworks celebration. Taking place the second full weekend in July, the East Coast “Got-Em-On” King Mackerel Tournament attracts close to 200 boats across North and South Carolina, featuring live music and a sweet first-place payout.

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NC Aquarium

SIGNATURE ATTRACTIONS

Experience history firsthand at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the site of the Civil War’s largest land and water battle and check out some of the museum's indoor and outdoor exhibits like the "Ladies of Fort Fisher," which highlight the most prominent woman associated with Fort Fisher including a famous Confederate spy. Take the scenic trail around the remaining portion of the Fort Fisher earthworks and explore the Visitor Center, including exhibits and artifacts recovered from sunken ships. Explore stunning exhibits at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, like the Otters on the Edge habitat, where a family of small-clawed otters live. Visit the Caribbean Corals exhibit or the Shark Tooth Ledge habitat and get eye-to-eye with a sea turtle or touch horseshoe crabs. You can also stroll through the outdoor garden and nature trails where kids will love to dig for fossils and play on the Adventure Reef playground.

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Zeke's Island Kayak Tour

EXPLORE BY WATER

Choose from an extensive inventory of beach gear from area outfitters, offering rentals including surfboards, kayaks, bicycles and more that can be delivered right to your door, or take a guided tour to see one of the most important shorebird habitats on the East Coast. Visit Zeke’s Island Reserve to explore a dynamic landscape of tidal flats, salt marshes and dunes. Sign up for an excursion with Salty Dog Yoga & Surf and paddle out by kayak to Masonboro Island to practice all-levels yoga on the uninhabited island. Or, take a tour of nearby Carolina Beach State Park by kayak or stand-up paddleboard with companies providing rentals and instruction for all levels. For a different perspective of the water, drop a line from the 711-foot Kure Beach Fishing Pier, one of the oldest fishing piers on the Atlantic Coast, or dive deep just offshore on a SCUBA excursion to explore North Carolina's first Heritage Dive Site, The Condor.

All Aboard Water Activities

Seafood

FRESH FARE

Dining in Kure Beach means fresh seafood, and there is no better time to enjoy coastal cuisine than on a summer vacation. Stop by Ocean View Restaurant for their legendary fried chicken made with a secret seasoning recipe. Take a break from the beach and dine on thick, juicy burgers, hot dogs and fish sandwiches at Beach House Burgers, a seasonal walk-up where you can take your meal to-go. Dine outdoors on the second-floor deck of the family-friendly Jack Mackerel's Island Grill where Caribbean-influenced items showcase fresh-caught seafood and Calabash platters with flounder, shrimp, oysters and scallops. Visit Freddie's Restaurant where authentic Italian dishes are served in the "Most Romantic" dining spot on Kure Beach. Enjoy seasonal entrees like New Orleans style Po' Boy or fresh shrimp tacos along the Cape Fear River at Riverview Restaurant located on the Blakeslee AFB Recreation Area.

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