The pandemic continues to reroute our usual plans to travel long distances and out of state. In fact, studies show that while many of us are planning vacations again, we’re also staying within several hours of home when we travel. And why not? North Carolina is FUN! We’ve put together a bucket list for the coming year with the top ten attractions along the North Carolina coast, ranked by TripAdvisor users. You can’t go wrong when you visit any of these amazing attractions:
- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
TripAdvisor/Bridget L Witness the largest collection of sharks in the state at the North Carolina Aquarium, a family-friendly attraction with something for everyone to love. For the time being, tickets are only sold online. Get yours and learn more here.
- Carolina Beach State Park - Carolina Beach
Google Maps/Robert Maffitt Head to Pleasure Island on the Cape Fear river to discover the goodness found within this unique state park. It’s home to more than six miles of hiking trails on more than 700 acres, including the famous Venus Flytrap Trail which is home to a native crop of Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants. Other ways to enjoy the park include boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. Learn more on the official website for Carolina Beach State Park.
- Walton’s Distillery - Jacksonville
Google Maps/Madison Dillard Whet your whistle with some Carolina Moonshine when you visit Walton’s Distillery. In North Carolina, we know how to throw it down and this is precisely why Walton’s is number eight on the list of most popular places to visit on the coast! Tours run every 30 minutes Monday through Saturday. Learn more here.
- Wright Brothers National Memorial - Kill Devil Hills
TripAdvisor/parsleymn We may not be flying as much these days, but we can still pay tribute to the Wright Brothers - and we do! Ranked number seven in the most popular attractions on the coast, the memorial includes a replica of the plane and complete history of the flight.
- Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry - Southport
Google Maps/Sam Squirrel No matter your age, a trip on the ferry is one that inspires wonder. Enjoy the gentle breeze as you make your way from one side of the Cape Fear river to another. Due to the pandemic, the ferry is running on a reduced schedule. See this link for the schedule and ticket prices.
- Oak Island Beach - Oak Island
TripAdvisor/mishmosh2000 If it’s a quiet vacation you seek, then Oak Island is the place to go. Bask in the glow of the warm sunshine while the soft ocean breeze cools your skin. At times, Oak Island feels deserted, even though it has a year-round population of nearly 10,000.
- Airlie Gardens - Wilmington
TripAdvisor/Victoria W Airlie’s history dates back to 1884. The 67-acre botanical garden is a hidden gem in Wilmington and boasts art exhibits and an annual holiday light extravaganza. The whole family will enjoy this small garden experience, no matter the season. Learn more on the official website for Airlie Gardens.
- Jockey’s Ridge State Park - Nags Head
TripAdvisor/NCmathteach The largest living sand dune on the East Coast is an awe-inspiring place to explore. The dunes here rise to 100 feet above sea level! If you’ve never dug your toes into the soft sand at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, then make it a point to visit in the coming year. Learn more about the park on the official website for North Carolina State Parks.
- Currituck Beach Lighthouse - Corolla
TripAdvisor/Mark R
Wikipedia/rpertiet - The Stairs Climb the 220 steps to the top of Currituck Beach Lighthouse to soak in the views. The lighthouse itself is essentially a work of art. Its base is more than five feet thick and the facade is still raw brick with no paint. It has the distinction of being the last brick and mortar light to be built in North Carolina and was constructed in 1875. Learn more from the official website.
- U.S.S. North Carolina - Wilmington
Wikipedia/Doc Searls Built in 1941 and subsequently decommission in 1947, the Battleship North Carolina was slated to be taken apart for scrap after the Navy deleted it from its inventory in 1960. But a North Carolina man by the name of James Craig mounted a fundraising campaign to save the vessel. The efforts were a success and in 1961, the vessel was transferred to Wilmington where she sits now serving as possibly the best vessel-based WWII memorial dedicated to the men and women who serve in the U.S. Navy. Whether a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or a civilian, a visit to the battleship is sure to elicit great pride in America. Learn more about Battleship North Carolina here.
If you’re from North Carolina, then chances are good you’ve already explored many of these awesome attractions. But maybe it’s time to seem them again!
TripAdvisor/Bridget L
Witness the largest collection of sharks in the state at the North Carolina Aquarium, a family-friendly attraction with something for everyone to love. For the time being, tickets are only sold online. Get yours and learn more here.
Google Maps/Robert Maffitt
Head to Pleasure Island on the Cape Fear river to discover the goodness found within this unique state park. It’s home to more than six miles of hiking trails on more than 700 acres, including the famous Venus Flytrap Trail which is home to a native crop of Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants. Other ways to enjoy the park include boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. Learn more on the official website for Carolina Beach State Park.
Google Maps/Madison Dillard
Whet your whistle with some Carolina Moonshine when you visit Walton’s Distillery. In North Carolina, we know how to throw it down and this is precisely why Walton’s is number eight on the list of most popular places to visit on the coast! Tours run every 30 minutes Monday through Saturday. Learn more here.
TripAdvisor/parsleymn
We may not be flying as much these days, but we can still pay tribute to the Wright Brothers - and we do! Ranked number seven in the most popular attractions on the coast, the memorial includes a replica of the plane and complete history of the flight.
Google Maps/Sam Squirrel
No matter your age, a trip on the ferry is one that inspires wonder. Enjoy the gentle breeze as you make your way from one side of the Cape Fear river to another. Due to the pandemic, the ferry is running on a reduced schedule. See this link for the schedule and ticket prices.
TripAdvisor/mishmosh2000
If it’s a quiet vacation you seek, then Oak Island is the place to go. Bask in the glow of the warm sunshine while the soft ocean breeze cools your skin. At times, Oak Island feels deserted, even though it has a year-round population of nearly 10,000.
TripAdvisor/Victoria W
Airlie’s history dates back to 1884. The 67-acre botanical garden is a hidden gem in Wilmington and boasts art exhibits and an annual holiday light extravaganza. The whole family will enjoy this small garden experience, no matter the season. Learn more on the official website for Airlie Gardens.
TripAdvisor/NCmathteach
The largest living sand dune on the East Coast is an awe-inspiring place to explore. The dunes here rise to 100 feet above sea level! If you’ve never dug your toes into the soft sand at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, then make it a point to visit in the coming year. Learn more about the park on the official website for North Carolina State Parks.
TripAdvisor/Mark R
Wikipedia/rpertiet - The Stairs
Climb the 220 steps to the top of Currituck Beach Lighthouse to soak in the views. The lighthouse itself is essentially a work of art. Its base is more than five feet thick and the facade is still raw brick with no paint. It has the distinction of being the last brick and mortar light to be built in North Carolina and was constructed in 1875. Learn more from the official website.
Wikipedia/Doc Searls
Built in 1941 and subsequently decommission in 1947, the Battleship North Carolina was slated to be taken apart for scrap after the Navy deleted it from its inventory in 1960. But a North Carolina man by the name of James Craig mounted a fundraising campaign to save the vessel. The efforts were a success and in 1961, the vessel was transferred to Wilmington where she sits now serving as possibly the best vessel-based WWII memorial dedicated to the men and women who serve in the U.S. Navy. Whether a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or a civilian, a visit to the battleship is sure to elicit great pride in America. Learn more about Battleship North Carolina here.
What are some of your favorite things to do in North Carolina? You can nominate an attraction for a featured article here!
Want to hunker down along the coast while you explore the sights? Check out: This Ramshackle Cabin Outpost Camp In North Carolina Will Become Your New Favorite Hideaway!
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Address: 374 Airport Rd, Manteo, NC 27954, USAAddress: State Park Road, State Park Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USAAddress: 261 Ben Williams Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540, USAAddress: Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USAAddress: 1301 Ferry Rd SE, Southport, NC 28461, USAAddress: Oak Island, NC, USAAddress: 300 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, USAAddress: Jockey’s Ridge State Park, 300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC 27959, USAAddress: Currituck Beach Lighthouse, 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927, USAAddress: Battleship Road Northeast, Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
