Locals Guidebook
Beaches
There are three main beaches nearby that are easily accessible and fun to visit (listed below). These are not the only beaches though; Just the closest! There is also Oak Island, which is close to historic Southport, NC, and we are just across the border from all the SC beaches. The beaches around Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach, are just about an hour away and offer lots for people of all ages so you have many choices! I have highlighted below the 3 closest ones, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach and Holden Beach, all of which are delightful for different reasons. Visit them all and see which one is your favorite!
Ocean Isle is a favorite for many with easy public parking accesses. One of the best is after crossing the bridge, you turn right at the round about toward the west end of the island and there is a large parking lot at the OIB water tower; You can't miss it. It has a great boardwalk access right across the road with showers at the end to rinse off before leaving the beach. Have fun!
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ocean Isle Beach
Ocean Isle is a favorite for many with easy public parking accesses. One of the best is after crossing the bridge, you turn right at the round about toward the west end of the island and there is a large parking lot at the OIB water tower; You can't miss it. It has a great boardwalk access right across the road with showers at the end to rinse off before leaving the beach. Have fun!
Sunset Beach is known for it fluffy white sands and beautiful views, lots of parking for visitors, and easy to locate. However, you must arrive early. The free parking fills up fast and overflow parking (located at the pier) you have to pay for! Definitely worth a day at the beach at Sunset though!
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is known for it fluffy white sands and beautiful views, lots of parking for visitors, and easy to locate. However, you must arrive early. The free parking fills up fast and overflow parking (located at the pier) you have to pay for! Definitely worth a day at the beach at Sunset though!
In about 20 minutes you can be at Holden Beach. Holden is on the opposite side of Shallotte from Ocean Isle and Sunset Beaches. Holden is known for its quaint, layed back, old time beach feel. It is a great family beach with plenty of parking (most is paid parking) and they have one of the best festivals around, held at the end of October every year called Festival by the Sea. Don't miss it if you are a festival lover! Also be sure and check out the Provision Company for some amazing, fresh, local seafood.
https://procohb.com/
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Holden Beach
In about 20 minutes you can be at Holden Beach. Holden is on the opposite side of Shallotte from Ocean Isle and Sunset Beaches. Holden is known for its quaint, layed back, old time beach feel. It is a great family beach with plenty of parking (most is paid parking) and they have one of the best festivals around, held at the end of October every year called Festival by the Sea. Don't miss it if you are a festival lover! Also be sure and check out the Provision Company for some amazing, fresh, local seafood.
https://procohb.com/
Food scene
Las Palmeras
1780 Chandlers LnLocal, yummy Mexican restaurant
Local & home cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner spot! Cute little diner with something that appeals to everyone
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castaway Grill
112 Causeway DrLocal & home cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner spot! Cute little diner with something that appeals to everyone
Want to eat some yummy seafood?
Want to watch your favorite sports game?
Want to go fishing or buy some tackle/bait?
This is your one stop, go to place for all of the above! With great views of the water, a tiki bar and TVs all around, you can eat some yummy food and then go out on the water with their professional tour guided fishing excursions or jet ski rentals they offer daily.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ocean Isle Fish Company
65 Causeway DrWant to eat some yummy seafood?
Want to watch your favorite sports game?
Want to go fishing or buy some tackle/bait?
This is your one stop, go to place for all of the above! With great views of the water, a tiki bar and TVs all around, you can eat some yummy food and then go out on the water with their professional tour guided fishing excursions or jet ski rentals they offer daily.
Best Italian restaurant around if you are looking for yummy pasta or pizza!
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Roberto's Ristorante
6737 Beach Dr SWBest Italian restaurant around if you are looking for yummy pasta or pizza!
The best pizza around! They offer pizza, pasta and subs for all ages!
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marias Pizzeria
120 Causeway DrThe best pizza around! They offer pizza, pasta and subs for all ages!
Things to do/Area attractions
Shallotte River Swamp Park
Awesome Zipline Tours, Aerial Adventure Park with over 50 0bstacles, Swamp Boat Eco-Tours & a mile long Nature Walk. You might even see a live alligator! Rescued reptiles and turtles on-site as well.
5550 Watts Rd SW
5550 Watts Road SouthwestShallotte River Swamp Park
Awesome Zipline Tours, Aerial Adventure Park with over 50 0bstacles, Swamp Boat Eco-Tours & a mile long Nature Walk. You might even see a live alligator! Rescued reptiles and turtles on-site as well.
Local mini golf attraction for all ages! Located right on the causeway by the Pier, the Ocean Isle Beach playground and a local coffee shop called Drift! Check this place out while on your vacation for a little fun!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
River Country Mini Golf
1 Causeway DrLocal mini golf attraction for all ages! Located right on the causeway by the Pier, the Ocean Isle Beach playground and a local coffee shop called Drift! Check this place out while on your vacation for a little fun!
Here you will find a fun, family friendly arcade, a yummy grill for lunch/dinner, and a place to park for beach access (paid during summer months). There is also a gift shop and ice cream on-site.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ocean Isle Beach Park
6483 Old Georgetown Rd SWHere you will find a fun, family friendly arcade, a yummy grill for lunch/dinner, and a place to park for beach access (paid during summer months). There is also a gift shop and ice cream on-site.
https://museumplanetarium.org/
Coastal Carolina Museum is located at:
21 East 2nd St.
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
910-579-1016
Ingram Planetarium is located at:
7625 High Market Street
Sunset Beach, NC 28468
910-575-0033
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E 2nd Sthttps://museumplanetarium.org/
Coastal Carolina Museum is located at:
21 East 2nd St.
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
910-579-1016
Ingram Planetarium is located at:
7625 High Market Street
Sunset Beach, NC 28468
910-575-0033
City/Town Info
https://www.sunsetbeachnc.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={1903A783-64AD-4822-A0F5-87476229EB15}
In the link above you will find some highlighted things to do on the left side bar. You can click on each one to find out more info. Sunset Beach offers shopping, dining and a nice fishing pier, among many other things.
The Sunset Beach Town Park includes a paved parking area, restrooms, a picnic shelter, a fishing pier and brick walkways that take you through 5 acres of live oak trees.
Don't forget to check out the Block Party, held the 1st Sat of October called Sunset at Sunset. Please visit www.sunsetatsunset.com for additional information. What began as a small event on the beach has grown over the years and now uses the entire area between the Food Lion shopping center and the Ingram Planetarium.
More than 100 vendors, crafters, food services, and non-profit organizations participate in the day’s activities. Only good quality goods are permitted to be sold and year after year the variety of items continues to expand. Throughout the day expect to see a photography contest, listen to high quality bands play and you can even register to run/walk a 5K over the Mannon C. Gore Bridge.
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunset Beach
https://www.sunsetbeachnc.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={1903A783-64AD-4822-A0F5-87476229EB15}
In the link above you will find some highlighted things to do on the left side bar. You can click on each one to find out more info. Sunset Beach offers shopping, dining and a nice fishing pier, among many other things.
The Sunset Beach Town Park includes a paved parking area, restrooms, a picnic shelter, a fishing pier and brick walkways that take you through 5 acres of live oak trees.
Don't forget to check out the Block Party, held the 1st Sat of October called Sunset at Sunset. Please visit www.sunsetatsunset.com for additional information. What began as a small event on the beach has grown over the years and now uses the entire area between the Food Lion shopping center and the Ingram Planetarium.
More than 100 vendors, crafters, food services, and non-profit organizations participate in the day’s activities. Only good quality goods are permitted to be sold and year after year the variety of items continues to expand. Throughout the day expect to see a photography contest, listen to high quality bands play and you can even register to run/walk a 5K over the Mannon C. Gore Bridge.
https://www.oibgov.com/pview.aspx?id=20695&catid=565
See link above for activities and local attractions. Also, check out the OIB Park (pet friendly) complete with a splash pad and Bocce Court (new in 2020) located at 11 E Second St.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ocean Isle Beach
https://www.oibgov.com/pview.aspx?id=20695&catid=565
See link above for activities and local attractions. Also, check out the OIB Park (pet friendly) complete with a splash pad and Bocce Court (new in 2020) located at 11 E Second St.
Located just a little under an hour away is historic Wilmington, NC. It is home the the Battleship (open 7 days a week) and can be seen from the riverwalk downtown. Also, while downtown you can find a horse drawn carriage ride/tour with facts about the downtown area narrated, a children's museum that is a must see, ghost tours (at night), escape rooms, the Railroad Museum, and the new Live Oak Bank Pavilion (amphitheater which hosts lots of concerts yearly) as well as many restaurants, bars, ice cream stores and local t-shirt and boutique shops. Don't forget to check out local filming spots from Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill that were filmed several years back. This charming town is a fun day trip to explore a change of scenery.
Jungle Rapids offers a small waterpark, go cart rides, an arcade, bowling and an indoor playground for those looking for something for all ages.
Ft Fisher Aquarium and recreation area is a must while in the Wilmington area also (also located near Kure Beach) and hosts free parking.
Take the Ferry over to Southport from Ft Fisher for some amazing seafood at Fishy Fishy, Frying Pan, or Provision Company then walk around to see the house and restaurant where the Nicolas Sparks movie "Safe Haven" was filmed and the bistro they ate at on a date in the movie.
You can then drive from Southport over to Oak Island to see more beach area, fish from one of the many docks/piers and check out the Middleton Park new (2021) splash pad. Oak Island also offers a skate park off SE 49th St. and a canoe/kayak launch area off SE 31st St. at the Davis canal.
207 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wilmington
Located just a little under an hour away is historic Wilmington, NC. It is home the the Battleship (open 7 days a week) and can be seen from the riverwalk downtown. Also, while downtown you can find a horse drawn carriage ride/tour with facts about the downtown area narrated, a children's museum that is a must see, ghost tours (at night), escape rooms, the Railroad Museum, and the new Live Oak Bank Pavilion (amphitheater which hosts lots of concerts yearly) as well as many restaurants, bars, ice cream stores and local t-shirt and boutique shops. Don't forget to check out local filming spots from Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill that were filmed several years back. This charming town is a fun day trip to explore a change of scenery.
Jungle Rapids offers a small waterpark, go cart rides, an arcade, bowling and an indoor playground for those looking for something for all ages.
Ft Fisher Aquarium and recreation area is a must while in the Wilmington area also (also located near Kure Beach) and hosts free parking.
Take the Ferry over to Southport from Ft Fisher for some amazing seafood at Fishy Fishy, Frying Pan, or Provision Company then walk around to see the house and restaurant where the Nicolas Sparks movie "Safe Haven" was filmed and the bistro they ate at on a date in the movie.
You can then drive from Southport over to Oak Island to see more beach area, fish from one of the many docks/piers and check out the Middleton Park new (2021) splash pad. Oak Island also offers a skate park off SE 49th St. and a canoe/kayak launch area off SE 31st St. at the Davis canal.
Consejos para la ciudad
No te pierdas
Local Farmer's Markets (season/weather permitting)
There are area farmer's markets at each beach town during May-September usually, and on alternating days during the week and sometimes Saturdays. Message me for further details based on your dates of stay.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Area Attractions in Brunswick County
https://www.ncbrunswick.com/
Visit the link above for info on dining, things to do, and places to see in the various counties and cities nearby! Also there is information on wedding venues and local golf courses.