Off the Beaten Path
in Kure Beach, NC
Plan a Kure Beach getaway that caters to your unique travel interests. Known for its beautiful natural surroundings and nostalgic atmosphere, Kure Beach offers eco-adventures, historical gems and under-the-radar experiences that intrigue all types of travelers seeking personalized vacation experiences.
Solo Travel
Traveling solo allows you to step back, relax and explore attractions and activities that fit your travel style. Start your day with a morning stroll along the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, and watch anglers bait their lines as the sun rises over the Atlantic. Join a guided kayak trip and paddle out to an uninhabited island alongside fellow adventurers or dive to a Civil War blockade runner beneath the shore. Connect with nature as you explore a state park’s undeveloped shoreline and soundside hiking trail. Start planning your perfect solo stay in Kure Beach.
TRAVEL WITHOUT KIDS
While kid-friendly attractions bolster this small-town beach’s reputation as a beloved summer vacation destination for families, Kure Beach is the perfect fall retreat for young professionals, long-time friend groups and empty nesters alike. With school back in session, visitors traveling without kids can enjoy extra tranquility, mild temperatures and more affordable lodging rates – and even more space to spread out and relax on the beach. For those seeking to experience island nightlife like a true local, nearby Carolina Beach features favorites like the Fat Pelican. Groove to the tunes from local and regional bands at The Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar and Seawitch Café & Tiki Bar, which feature a lineup of live entertainment well into the fall.
SENIOR & RETIREE TRAVEL
Why visit Florida when Kure Beach has everything retirees, seniors and baby boomers could ask for? With its accessibility, affordability, pleasant weather and relaxed atmosphere, Kure Beach is an ideal setting for a rejuvenating getaway. Enjoy an oceanfront park and signature attractions, including Fort Fisher State Historic Site, home to the largest earthen fort in the South. Local restaurants and shopping are all within a short walk, bike ride or drive from anywhere on the island.
ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS
Reconnect with friends and family as you revel in the pure fun of year-round events. Don't miss the Street Festival featuring arts and crafts, food and more (April); the Carolina Beach Music Festival, the largest and only music festival held on the beach along the North Carolina coast (June); the Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast on the island in nearby Carolina Beach (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and the Cape Fear Kite Festival (November).
PET-FRIENDLY
Bring your four-legged companion along on your next trip to Kure Beach. Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach strand from April 1 through Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. During the off-season (Oct. 1 through March 31), dogs on leashes are allowed on the beach at any time. Dogs can join their owners year-round at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. For off-leash fun, visit Joe Eakes Park's Gurney Hood Barking Lot. Choose from several pet-friendly vacation rentals in the area.
UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCES
For an off-road adventure, purchase the day permit required to access Fort Fisher State Recreation Area’s four-wheel-drive beach. Hike along the state park’s Basin Trail through a maritime forest to find a WWII-era bunker that was inhabited by the famous “Fort Fisher Hermit,” Robert E. Harrill, from 1955 to 1972. Throughout his time in Kure Beach, people visited Harrill to hear his stories and philosophies.
Located near the coast of Fort Fisher and only visible at low tide, Kure Beach’s coquina rock formation is a rare natural wonder. This mossy hard rock outcropping consists of cemented shells and coral dating back more than 12,000 years, and remains the only rock formation on the coast of North Carolina that is home to a variety of wildlife.
HOLIDAYS
Celebrate a holiday season that’s a little less hectic at Kure Beach. The centerpiece of the holiday season is the Island of Lights Festival. The festivities kick off the day after Thanksgiving with the Light Up the Lake ceremony at the Carolina Beach Lake Park and culminate with the New Year’s Eve Countdown. Enjoy the closest shopping to the Atlantic Ocean at the Kure Beach Holiday Market featuring handcrafted items from more than 30 artists. The Christmas Flotilla illuminates the Intracoastal Waterway with a floating parade of decorated boats. Throughout the season, the Cape Fear Festival of Trees turns the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher into a festive winter waterland.
