Summer Things to Do

Sprint to the Shore 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, the island offers something for everyone. From water experiences to outdoor entertainment, get away to North Carolina’s small wonder to find your perfect summer escape.

Kure Beach Market

MUSIC, MARKETS & MORE AT THE SHORE

Boogie down to Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area on Fridays from July through September for the free Summer Concerts at Fort Fisher, where musical acts range from bluegrass and country to rock. Venture to the nearby Carolina Beach Boardwalk for the Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast every Thursday night, July through Labor Day. On July 10, the East Coast “Got-Em-On” King Mackerel Tournament attracts close to 200 boats across North and South Carolina, featuring a sweet first-place payout. Stop by the weekly seaside Kure Beach Market Tuesdays through August 31, where artisans sell handmade jewelry, beach chic home decor and natural earth-friendly gifts at Ocean Front Park. Learn about the nesting sea turtles that call this area home and find out how you can help save this endangered species at Turtle Talks.

Featured Events

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Jun 18

Seawitch Café & Tiki Bar Outdoor Music Concert

June 18, 2021 - November 6, 2021

SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar

Jun 19

Carolina Beach Double Sprint Triathlon

June 19, 2021

Various locations Carolina Beach

Jun 19

Carolina Beach Farmers' Market

June 19, 2021 - October 2, 2021

Carolina Beach Lake Park

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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, dunes and ocean beaches. 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

NC Aquarium

SIGNATURE ATTRACTIONS

Experience history firsthand at Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Museum, the site of the Civil War’s largest land and water battle, and check out the newest exhibit "From Slave to Soldier: the African American Experience at Fort Fisher,” which highlights African Americans’ role in Fort Fisher’s story. 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 have recently moved in. Visit the Pacific Reef habitat 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.

Visit Top Attractions

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 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 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. Nearby in Carolina Beach, bring your blankets and beach chairs and find a spot on the lawn for Free Movies at the Lake offered each Sunday through September. Screenings include Hocus Pocus, The Princess and the Frog, and Coco.

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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. Step back in time at the Kure Beach Diner where home-style breakfast items include a country ham biscuit, French toast platter and more classic combos. 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.

Savor Coastal Flavors